Minister for Foreign Affairs presents priorities of the Maltese Presidency of the EU at the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs - Main contents
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24.01.17
Minister for Foreign Affairs presents priorities of the Maltese Presidency of the EU at the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs
Malta will continue to
support a policy based
on consistent application
of the concept of strict
and fair conditionality,
as well as the own
merits principle.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr George W. Vella this afternoon presented the priorities of the Maltese presidency of the European Union at the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET).
Minister Vella primarily addressed the EU enlargement process and gave an overview of the state of play concerning the progress registered by individual countries in the Western Balkans and Turkey. Stability in this particular region is crucial to the EU' s own stability and despite the complexities, Malta will strive to keep the positive momentum going.
During his presentation FM Vella underlined the importance that Malta attaches to the transformative power that the Enlargement process brings to the candidate and potential candidate countries. The Minister also emphasised the need for good neighbourly relations between the countries in the region and urged increased alignment to EU foreign policy pronouncements.
Malta, Minister Vella pointed out, will continue to support a policy based on consistent application of the concept of strict and fair conditionality, as well as the own merits principle. Migration was also raised in some detail both by Minister Vella as well as by MEPs themselves during the question time. Several MEPs also requested Minister Vella's views on Libya, Russia, security and defence.
Earlier in the day, Minister Vella met the newly elected AFET Chair, Mr David McAllister who took office only a few hours before the hearing.
24.01.17
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