The Bridge Il-Pont Issue 16 January 2016 Minister Vella sees an opportunity for a Syrian-led political process by which to end the conflict Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella, welcomed the landmark UN Security Council Resolution on Syria adopted in December 2015, hailing it as a golden opportunity upon which to build a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political transition process aimed at ending the conflict in the Contents: country. EXCHANGE OF NEW YEAR 2 Addressing EU colleagues at a ministerial meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 18 GREETINGS WITH THE DIPLO- January, Minister Vella urged Member States to continue to act MATIC CORP AND HON. CON- SULS together in order to encourage all parties to seize the opportunity which the current diplomatic momentum has provided in order to stop the horrors and suffering in Syria. Minister Vella stated that the MEETING WITH DEPUTY SECRE- 3 glimmer of hope that has been provided by the Security Council TARY TO THE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY “must not be allowed to fade away.” FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS AND POLICY, SANDRO GOZI Referring to the dire humanitarian situation of Syrians trapped in zones of fighting, Minister Vella expressed hope that all parties MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS 4 would allow for the safe passage of desperately needed aid convoys which are, in many cases, the WELCOMES THE FORMATION OF THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT OF only humanitarian lifelines for many hundreds of thousands of innocent people. NATIONAL ACCORD The Minister reiterated his insistence that a political process is the only possible means for a tenable termination to the fighting and plight of the Syrian people, while repeating Malta’s full support for MOU SIGNED BETWEEN THE 5 the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. In this respect, he also augured that all MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS the parties would commit to take part in intra-Syrian talks on 25 January 2016 in Geneva, proposed AND THE ANNA LINDH FOUNDA by the UN Special Envoy. Ministers also discussed the situation in Syria at a working lunch with Nasser Judeh, Minister of STATE VISIT TO ALGERIA 6-7 Foreign Affairs of Jordan, on the sidelined of the Council meeting. In this context, Minister Vella conveyed Malta’s full sympathies for the burden Jordan is undergoing as a result of the Syrian Crisis, notably the influx of refugees fleeing across the border from Syria. In addition to Syria, the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers also discussed the situation in Iraq, FANCY A TIMPANA IN MISSIS- 10 including the fight by Iraqi forces against Da’esh. Minister Vella reminded Ministers that the SAUGA? situation in Iraq, as well as in Syria, is of direct relevance to the security of Europe. He stated that the EU must continue to support a strong and united Iraq, while welcoming the implementation of reforms by the Iraqi government aimed at achieving these goals. Minister Vella underlined that the EU should continue to encourage an inclusive process which accounts for the multi-ethnic makeup SNIPPETS FROM MISSIONS ABROAD 11- of Iraq, while projecting a united front against the barbarity of Da’esh. 13 Turning to the discussion on Ukraine, Malta once again urged a continued and accelerated commitment to fully implementing the Minsk Agreement. Minister Vella stated that this implementation is the only way to reduce tensions, while commending Ukraine’s own reform agenda which is also being supported by the Council of Europe. Map of Malta and Sicily - 1808 (See page 8) Issue 16 Minister George W. Vella addresses the Diplomatic Corp during the annual exchange of New Year Greetings; highlights situation in Libya On 15 January Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella spoke at length about the situation in our neighbouring country, Libya, in his annual address to Heads of Diplomatic Missions, held at Verdala Palace. Minister Vella also touched on the lack of a positive move on the Middle East process, but also about the situation prevailing in Syria. Minister for Foreign Affairs also spoke about the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Malta last November and the Valletta Summit which in his opinion was a strong message to the rest of the global community that the EU will no longer stand passively when faced with humanitarian tragedies. For Minister’s full speech click here. New Year Exchange of Greetings - Hon. Consuls Page 2 Il-Pont Minister for Foreign Affairs George W. Vella meets Deputy Secretary to the Italian Prime Minister with responsibility for European Affairs and Policy, Sandro Gozi On 12 January Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella met Deputy Secretary to the Italian Prime Minister with responsibility for European Affairs and Policy, Sandro Gozi. Minister Vella and Secretary Gozi agreed that the close relations between the two countries are intensifying even further in view of the common interests that are shared. The Minister explained how the Valletta Summit was a turning point in that this was the first time that a conference specifically on migration took place and produced not only a final declaration, but also an Action Plan with objectives to be reached in specified timeframes. Deputy Secre- tary Gozi expressed Italy’s appreciation for both the organisation and the outcome of the Summit, which is hoped, will result in a number of concrete projects. The discussion then moved on to developments in the Mediterranean in particular the situation in Libya and how it impinges on neighbouring countries. Minister Vella informed that during its EU Presidency Malta intends to bring to the fore the issues of migration, the Mediterranean and maritime issues. This will be in line with the priorities for Italy. Mr. Gozi also referred to the need to re-launch the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue. Minister for Foreign Affairs George W. Vella meets the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic. H.E. Ivan Korcok on 11 January. Minister Vella noted that there is increased level of engagements between the two sides in view of Trio Presidency but relations at the bilateral level are good. There is more scope for increased opportunities in terms of trade and tourism. The Slovak State Sec- retary agreed that state of bilateral relations is positive and Slovakia sees more scope for further diplomatic exchanges. He re- ferred to the role of the respective Ambassadors which is crucial to intensify exchanges in the field of trade and tourism. State Secretary Korcok also commended Malta for the role that it played in the organisation of the Valletta Summit and CHOGM. He expressed his appreciation and admiration for the excellent efforts made by Malta to deal with such two big international events in the same month and this augurs well for the organisational abilities that will be required during the Malta EU Presi- dency. In terms of their respective External Relations programme for the re- spective upcoming Presidencies, Minister Vella explained that it is only natural for Malta to focus on the three pillars it has identified as the main aspects for its Presidency, that is, Mediterranean, Migration and Maritime affairs. In turn State Secretary Korcok acknowledged the importance of the European neighbourhood and the instability within with invariably lead to destabilisation in Europe. Minister Vella also noted that Malta and Slovakia – both newcomers in the Presidency experience - are fortunate to form part of a Trio Presi- dency with The Netherlands, which offers the experience of eleven pre- vious Presidencies. Minister Vella also noted the healthy diversity that prevails in the Trio Presidency which represents Europe from North to South to East, reflecting therefore the all-encompassing characteristics of the Trio Programme. Minister Vella and State Secretary Korcok concluded by pledging further collaboration between the two countries in the prepara- tions for their respective Presidencies. The situation in Libya was amongst other matters discussed between Minister Vella and State Secretary Korcok. The Netherlands’ Presidency of the EU Council was launched on 1 January 2016, while Slovakia’s will commence on 1 July 2016. Malta will take on its role as President of the EU Council on 1 January 2017. Page 3 Il-Pont Students awarded scholarships by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs visit Minister George W. Vella On 27 January three students, two from Palestine and one from Tunisia, recipients of two scholarships in Humanitarian Action and one in Conservation of Buildings of Heritage paid a cour- tesy call on Minister George W. Vella, Minister for Foreign Af- fairs. Both scholarships are awarded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs via the University of Malta. Scholarships are at Masters level. In his opening remarks, Dr Vella noted the excellent bilateral relations with both Palestine and Tunisia and observed the difficulties both countries were facing in the context of the Mediterranean region. While auguring the students’ success in their studies, Minister Vella hoped that they would put the knowledge that they have acquired in Malta to good use upon return to their native countries. Ms. Stefania Fabri, Director, International and EU Office, on behalf of the University of Malta, thanked the Minister for For- eign Affairs for the support that his Ministry consistently ex- tended to her offices in the conferment of these scholarships, which also attested to Malta’s commitment to capacity- building in these countries and therefore to development. Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomes the formation Minister George W. Vella participates in the Holocoust of the Libyan Government of National Accord Memorial Day at Verdala Palace on 27 January The Government of Malta welcomed the formation of the Lib- yan Government of National Accord by the Presidency Council which was announced on 19 January.