Looking to the South

“Malta is a small island, but with a strategic position. We are at the heart of Mediterranean Europe, the only ones in the continent to pray to Allah”, said the Maltese Minister of Foreign Affairs, MICHAEL FRENDO on meeting journalists in Rome on Friday, 12 January. The meeting was the first of a series with personalities of international policy promoted by the Campus Link-University of Malta. Also present were the Rector Vincenzo Scotti and the President of the sociological research institute Eurispes, Gian Maria Fara. “Malta has a Mediterranean vocation – said the Minister – and intends to express this vocation in the EU”, to ensure that the countries of the Mediterranean basin, and especially those to its South, be “at the centre of attention and among the priorities on the agenda of the EU”. “So far – Frendo continued – the Northern, rationalist and individualistic position has prevailed in European policy. “So we need to return to investing in the South, in a culture of solidarity”. Four questions, “among the “great challenges of the continent’s enlargement” – were on the agenda of the meeting: the European Constitution, migration (in particular between Libya, Malta and Italy), the situation in the Middle East, and Turkey’s bid for EU membership. AT THE HEART OF EUROPE. “With the help of larger and stronger counties like Italy, Malta presents herself in the role of hinge between the European world and the Arab world, to realise her own Mediterranean vocation in the EU”, said FRENDO , who, after having hailed as “positive” the decision of the Euro-Mediterranean States to meet in the first months of each six-monthly Presidency of the European Council, announced that the third meeting of eight Foreign Ministers of the countries that face onto the mare nostrum (Italy, France, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus, Malta) would be held on the island of Malta itself on 1-2 February. Discussion at the meeting would focus on energy security and alternative sources, ecological crisis and climate change, future of Europe, the situation in the Middle East, development policies and democratisation, immigration and the crackdown on illegality. “We don’t want to form an exclusive club – explained the Minister – but to ensure that the Euro-Mediterranean perspective remains in the foreground in the European consciousness, not as an empty declaration of interest, but with concrete contents”. Frendo then explained that Malta would propose to the current German Presidency of the EU its own foreign policy agenda, already presented to the Finnish Presidency last month. And he reported he has sent a memorandum on 2 January to explain the agenda of the meeting in February. “I spoke about it with Moussa, and the Arab League showed itself enthusiastic”, added the Minister. “This is the right time for Europe to be more present with a credible voice in the Arab world”. THE “MEDITERRANEAN” AGENDA. As regards the European Constitution, the Maltese Foreign Minister expressed the opinion that no modifications need to be made to the “treaty already discussed”, but we need to “start out from the Convention of Human Rights” and “find solutions that do not prejudice what has been achieved so far”. As for migration, Frendo emphasized the importance of a “global” strategy. The questions to be addressed regard “the protection of refugees and policies of assistance, for which 90 billion euros have already been allocated, the repatriation of irregular immigrants and economic support for those who decide to return home”. On the Middle East, the Minister declared the need for Europe to begin “a political dialogue with the Arab world”, reinforcing relations with the moderate countries, to “send a clear and synergic message to the extremists”. But “development policies and processes of democratisation in the countries that have no rule of law are also needed”, he said. Experience shows that “political elites are also economic elites”. And “the price paid for the lack of solidarity are extremists and conflicts”. “We’ve supported Turkey’s application for EU accession – said Frendo – and are favourable to her integration in Europe on condition that she respects all the commitments she has signed up to”. So Malta is in favour of Turkey’s membership of the EU: “If we succeed in having a democratic and pluralist Turkey in Europe, that would be a success”. On the Cypriot question, Frendo stressed the need for Turkey to respect the Copenhagen protocol by recognizing Cyprus and maintaining normal political and trade relations with her. “Zero tolerance” in the field of human rights and civil liberties. “We wish – concluded Frendo – to build a strong Europe”, and also “have a strong Italy in Europe”. The Maltese are “close to Italy in culture and language”. With Italy, it is possible to “launch common projects” and “do a lot for the South of Europe and for the centrality of the Mediterranean”.