Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi received Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta, Tonio Borg at the foreign ministry in Rome today. The meeting follows up a State visit to Italy in March by President of the Republic of Malta Abela, which gave new momentum to bilateral relations.
Their discussions touched on themes of common interest such as the influx of illegal immigration from the coasts of northern Africa, with the objective of more effective collaboration between the two countries in situations of search and rescue. They agreed to improve channels of communication and consultation between the two countries, with the aim of preventing any more tragedies at sea.
Minister Terzi urged more intense collaboration between Italy and Malta on European migration policies aimed at strengthening the solidarity and financial commitment of the EU in the management of illegal immigration, and at promoting policies of collaboration and development with the countries of the southern Mediterranean shores. They agreed to work in close concert on the many initiatives already being promoted by the EU, beginning with stronger collaboration with the European countries of the Mediterranean region.
In the context of Mediterranean cooperation, Minister Terzi illustrated EU-sponsored initiatives and those under way with the countries of the southern shores. The ministers also had an in-depth exchange of views on the evolving situations in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia, and agreed on the usefulness of political discussion forums such as the Western Mediterranean 5+5. Minister Terzi reasserted Italy’s full support in preparation of the 5+5 Dialogue’s second summit of heads of state and government, to be held in Malta on 5-6 October 2012.
The two ministers agreed to keep the dialogue going with regular future meetings.
