timesofmalta
Foreign Minister George Vella has urged EU foreign ministers to
increase the EU's engagement with Libya and enhance the bloc's
visibility in the country, adding that the emergence of extremist groups
in the country is not only a concern to Libyans, but to Europe as well.
Speaking at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, Dr Vella reiterated Malta’s support and commitment to the Libyan people, which he conveyed to Prime Minister Ali Zeidan during the Libyan premier’s short stop in Malta last week. In this context, the Minister emphasized that the EU must “show the Libyan people that we are committed to their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future.”
Turning to Syria, Dr Vella hailed the very fact that the long-awaited Geneva II Conference took place was an achievement, and he expressed Malta’s commitment to the next round of Geneva talks which began yesterday.
Noting that the Geneva talks are a process, the minister nevertheless expressed disappointment at the lack of any agreement on local ceasefires and the opening of humanitarian corridors at the talks in January. He welcomed the recent agreement of the Syrian opposition and Government to temporarily cease hostilities in the besieged city of Homs in order to allow civilians to leave. The minister expressed his hope that the new Geneva talks will build upon these confidence-building measures and provide fodder for a negotiated political breakthrough.
Dr Vella also referred to the worrying effects that the conflict in Syria was having in neighbouring Lebanon and Iraq.
The Foreign Affairs Council also looked at the latest developments in Egypt and Tunisia.
With regard to Egypt, Dr Vella welcomed the new Constitution, noting that it “embraces fundamental rights and freedoms, with a specific reference to women’s rights.” While stating that this is very positive and should serve as a basis for the upcoming legislative exercises in the country, he expressed “regret that the process was not fully inclusive.”
The minister also condemned ongoing acts of violence in Egypt, stating that only an all-inclusive political process can bring stability and economic recovery to the country.
Speaking at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, Dr Vella reiterated Malta’s support and commitment to the Libyan people, which he conveyed to Prime Minister Ali Zeidan during the Libyan premier’s short stop in Malta last week. In this context, the Minister emphasized that the EU must “show the Libyan people that we are committed to their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future.”
Turning to Syria, Dr Vella hailed the very fact that the long-awaited Geneva II Conference took place was an achievement, and he expressed Malta’s commitment to the next round of Geneva talks which began yesterday.
Noting that the Geneva talks are a process, the minister nevertheless expressed disappointment at the lack of any agreement on local ceasefires and the opening of humanitarian corridors at the talks in January. He welcomed the recent agreement of the Syrian opposition and Government to temporarily cease hostilities in the besieged city of Homs in order to allow civilians to leave. The minister expressed his hope that the new Geneva talks will build upon these confidence-building measures and provide fodder for a negotiated political breakthrough.
Dr Vella also referred to the worrying effects that the conflict in Syria was having in neighbouring Lebanon and Iraq.
The Foreign Affairs Council also looked at the latest developments in Egypt and Tunisia.
With regard to Egypt, Dr Vella welcomed the new Constitution, noting that it “embraces fundamental rights and freedoms, with a specific reference to women’s rights.” While stating that this is very positive and should serve as a basis for the upcoming legislative exercises in the country, he expressed “regret that the process was not fully inclusive.”
The minister also condemned ongoing acts of violence in Egypt, stating that only an all-inclusive political process can bring stability and economic recovery to the country.
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