Ian Borg reiterates Malta's support for Lebanon at EU Council meeting
The meeting follows last Thursday’s announcement of a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg has reiterated Malta’s support for Lebanon's people and its government in an exchange with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
The exchange came as part of an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, where Borg joined other EU foreign ministers in a meeting with Salam.
The meeting follows last Thursday’s announcement of a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war, which has seen extensive Israeli combat operations and aerial strikes on parts of southern Lebanon.
While welcoming the temporary ceasefire and ongoing negotiations between Israel, Lebanon and the US, Borg warned that “the harm inflicted on innocent civilians is unacceptable”.
“The recent cycle of violence is jeopardising the fragile progress that Lebanon has made in recent months, particularly on much-needed reforms”, he said.
The ministry noted that Malta continues to support the process to restore full state authority to Lebanon, including the disarmament of Hezbollah and the state’s control over the use of force in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Borg stressed the importance of meaningful dialogue to help de-escalate the situation, adding: “The choices made in the coming period will shape the trajectory of this crisis and the security and stability of the wider region”.
The foreign minister also emphasised the need to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers in the region.
Tuesday’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting also discussed the war in Iran and the latest developments in Ukraine, and included the participation of Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Turning to the war in Ukraine, Borg called for swift solutions to unblock EU initiatives levying support for the besieged country, such as the Ukraine Support Loan – covering two-thirds of Ukraine's overall financing needs for this year and next year – and its entry to the EU.
He also commended the EU cyber assistance provided to Ukraine.
On the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the deputy prime minister called for continued dialogue to preserve freedom of navigation through the strait.
“We welcome our Gulf partners’ measured multilateral response as opposed to a unilateral show of force,” he said.