EU-Arab League ministerial meeting to convene in Malta

An EU-Arab League ministerial meeting, the first of its kind at such a high level, will convene in Malta on February 11 and 12, bringing together 49 member states from both regions, Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said yesterday.

It is the first time the foreign ministers of the EU will be meeting with their Arab League counterparts to discuss issues of "common interest", he said, counting on a strong representation from both sides.

"The overwhelming objective is the political engagement between the two regions," Dr Frendo said, listing the topics of discussion, which include dialogue among cultures, potential areas of cooperation, climate change, energy security, issues relating to human, economic and political development, the challenges in the region and the Middle East, in particular, and migration.

Some of these items were being discussed for the first time by the two parties, Dr Frendo pointed out, adding that the draft agenda will be finalised in Cairo over the next couple of days.

The plan of the "Malta initiative", as it has come to be known, is to incorporate an informal aspect where representatives of states can share views, the minister explained.

The high-profile meeting stems from his initiative, dating back to September 2006, and follows many months of work.

"Bringing together these two worlds in Malta is in itself a political message in favour of the politics of moderation and against extremism and division," Dr Frendo said.

He described the meeting as a "defining moment" for the country's foreign policy, showing it was a "fully European, Mediterranean country, with very special links with the Arab world".

"It is a serious and important development in our diplomatic history and a clear message that Malta in the EU can play a pivotal role in enhancing and strengthening the relations between the European and the Arab world.

Dr Frendo highlighted the "tremendous need for the EU and the Arab League to engage politically, given the turbulent world we live in".

The aim was to launch an EU-Arab League dialogue that was more visible and intense, he said, to create pre-emptive, ongoing dialogue that would keep the channels of communication open to avoid tension and conflict between the two regions.

The meeting will be co-chaired by the foreign ministers of Slovenia, Saudi Arabia and Malta, in the presence of the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Javier Solana, European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League.