UPDATE – Britain, Malta sign deal covering defence, migration
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VALLETTA, Feb 10 (Reuters) – Britain and its former Mediterranean colony Malta signed a wide-ranging cooperation agreement on Friday covering areas including security and defence, migration, education, health and trade.
The agreement was signed during a short visit to the island by British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who met Foreign Minister Ian Borg.
Malta gained independence from Britain in 1964 and the two countries have traditionally enjoyed a close friendship. They were allies in areas such as taxation policy in the European Union before Britain left the bloc.
During a bilateral meeting and a press conference at the Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, Minister Ian Borg reiterated how this agreement is the result of work carried out over the last months and years by many diplomats so that both peoples can enjoy stronger bilateral relations in a number of strategic sectors.
Minister Borg explained how this agreement is testimony to the strong relations that already exist between the two countries and that will continue to be strengthened. “This historic agreement focuses on foreign policy, security, defense, public administration, rule of law, trade, investment, research and innovation, energy, climate change, sustainability, education, health, and culture. I look forward to the implementation of this agreement and the benefits it will bring” said the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Minister Borg explained how, during the meeting, the subject of the United Nations Security Council was also discussed as both countries are currently serving on this important council. It was outlined how cooperation, even on a multilateral level, will continue to increase the commitment of both countries to contribute towards international peace and security. During these talks, the Commonwealth, and the way forward for this important forum were also discussed.
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, James Cleverly, claimed that the United Kingdom aims to continue to strengthen the relationship with Malta, and his visit to our country is a significant example of this. He said that today’s agreement is just the beginning of more work between the two countries. Cleverly continued by saying that he looks forward to even working with Malta on issues such as peace and security, even due to the fact that our country has always been an agent of peace.
Britain and Malta have worked together on migration. Malta is on the main migration route across the Mediterranean from Libya to Europe, with many migrants then attempting to carry on to the UK.
“We want to prevent people traffickers from harvesting money from some of the most desperate people in the world,” Cleverly told media.
He said that the UK supported Maltese initiatives in the United Nations and within the Commonwealth in the development of small island states.
Cleverly said the two sides had also discussed Ukraine and relations between the UK and the EU. He praised Malta, as current president of the UN Security Council, for planning to organise an event to mark Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.
Cleverly also laid flowers at a makeshift memorial to murdered anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia opposite the law courts in Valletta.
Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb in 2017. Two brothers were sentenced to 40 years in prison in October after admitting her murder. Malta government officials have so far not made any official visit to the memorial.
Earlier this week, Britain also signed an export and investment partnership with Italy, its first with a EU member since it left the bloc, and a joint statement of intent on bilateral defence cooperation.
