Europe Malta (Commonwealth Union) – Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg, is presently undertaking an official visit to Vienna, Austria, for bilateral talks with Austria’s Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg.
In the course of their meeting, Minister Borg highlighted the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, emphasizing the potential for further enhancement in the future, particularly in light of their shared commitment to neutrality. Both ministers acknowledged the honor of serving as focal points for peace discussions and pledged to continue and reinforce this role.
The discussions revolved around the latest developments and escalating situations in Europe’s vicinity. Malta and Austria concurred that addressing these challenges necessitates increased multilateral dialogue, primarily within the framework of the United Nations. They underscored their belief that peaceful dialogue is the only viable solution, rejecting the use of armed conflicts or military means.
Additionally, the two countries explored avenues for deeper collaboration, especially in the cultural sphere, with mutual benefits in mind. The topics of immigration and the growth of the European Union were also deliberated upon.
It’s worth noting that this meeting served as a preparatory stage for forthcoming discussions between the two countries, scheduled for the near future.
During his visit to Austria, Minister Ian Borg also had the opportunity to meet with the staff of the Maltese Embassy and Permanent Mission in Vienna, under the leadership of Ambassador Natasha Meli Daudey. He expressed his appreciation for their outstanding work on behalf of Malta.
Minister Ian Borg held a meeting with Helga Schmidt, the Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), during which they engaged in discussions concerning security and cooperation issues. They also explored the future trajectory of OSCE. Notably, during this meeting, an announcement was made regarding a contribution from the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade. This contribution is intended for a project aimed at leveraging technology to combat human trafficking.
