raymond attard

[raymond attard @raymondattard]

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, show off fists as Italian PM Paolo Gentiloni looks on - Photo Ray Attard
#europe #europa #euro #angelamerkel #emmanuelmacron #leadership #brussels #europeancouncil #europeancommission #photography

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

Unity and solidarity are indispensable for Europe’s security and prosperity.

In Brussels for the EU Foreign Affairs Council #FAC. European security, EU engagement in the Mediterranean, strengthening our support to Ukraine, and the escalation in the Middle East and the Gulf, including the Strait of Hormuz, are high on the agenda.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

No amount of reforms will strengthen the @OSCE’s functionality and resilience if we lack the political will to make it work - the success of the OSCE depends on us, as participating states - nobody else, and nothing else.

In my statement during today’s #OSCE25FI #OSCEMC25, I called for a greater effort to de-escalate, to prioritise constructive dialogue and diplomacy, and to re-invigorate the Helsinki Spirit.

Malta firmly believes that in uncertain times, the OSCE becomes more relevant than ever before – let’s continue building the added value that the OSCE and its independent institutions can bring to our collective security, across the three dimensions.

[Malta at the OSCE @MTatOSCE]

Today marks the beginning of the 2025 @OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna 🇦🇹. The event gathers Foreign Ministers from the 57 OSCE participating States as well as the 11 Partners for Co-operation.

🇲🇹 @DeputyPMIanBorg was greeted by 🇫🇮 CiO @elinavaltonen.

After Chairing the OSCE in 2024, 🇲🇹 remains committed to active participation, cooperation & dialogue.

@DeputyPMIanBorg
@MFTMalta

#OSCEMC2025

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

Today I welcomed to Malta the new @usembmalta Ambassador-Designate Somers Farkas.

We had a productive exchange on the strong and enduring ties between our countries, and discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation across a number of key areas.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

Met with @YvetteCooperMP to reaffirm Malta-UK's long-standing Commonwealth partnership, underpinned by the Malta-UK Bilateral Cooperation Framework.

We agreed that boosting our collaborative work to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia's war of aggression, to ensure accountability for Russia's actions, and to tackle illegal migration is important to ensure Europe's safety.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

As Malta and Japan celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations, we commend all who have contributed to this enduring friendship and cooperation.

In a @EoJMalta event marking this anniversary, hosted by @amb_SuzukiJP, I expressed my conviction that this positive bilateral trajectory will continue to reap benefits for our people, for many years to come.

@MaltainJapan

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

We must never take the values of justice and democracy for granted.

At the Estonian Memorial to the Victims of Communism, I paid tribute to the thousands who suffered and perished during this nation’s long and painful struggle for freedom.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

To stay ahead of the game in cybersecurity, we need closer collaboration - bilaterally, at EU level and through other regional organisations.

In a meeting with the Minister of Justice and Digitalisation of Estonia, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, we discussed the links between justice and digital innovation, as the EU continues to advance justice system digitalisation across its member states. We explored opportunities for closer cooperation to support Malta’s efforts in this field and other technological initiatives.

I also thanked Minister Pakosta for commending Malta’s Presidency of the Council of Europe, especially our role in the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

In Estonia, the Maltese Deputy Prime Minister also visited @ccdcoe, a multinational and interdisciplinary cyber defence research and training hub, to learn more about its operations, particularly its ongoing cybersecurity collaboration with the Maltese authorities.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

Today, we are in Helsinki to mark the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.

50 years ago, leaders chose dialogue over division, establishing the founding principles of the @OSCE. Today, we reaffirm the power of diplomacy to address today’s global challenges and work together for lasting peace and security.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

As interest in destination #Malta continues to grow in #Japan, @MFTmalta, @VisitMalta and Trade Malta are working closely with the Japanese travel industry and other sectors in Osaka and beyond, to offer authentic, tailor-made travel experiences in the Maltese Islands.

This morning in Osaka, I addressed travel agents and education sector representatives, highlighting Malta and Gozo’s rich tourism offering.

Japan holds a special place in our tourism strategy - the new Japan-Malta working holiday visa we announced this week will be a game changer, opening new opportunities for young Japanese travellers to choose Malta for their next adventure, as well as for English learning and other educational opportunities.

We look forward to many more successful collaborations with our partners across Japan.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

It’s #Malta Day at @expo2025japan!

Together with the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hisayuki Fujii, we are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between our nations.

Our strong partnership today is filled with promise of new economic, social and multilateral opportunities

As we have shown through our collaboration during our term on the @UN SC in 2023/24.

As demonstrated by the export of Maltese bluefin tuna to Japanese markets and the promising @MaltaITS-Kobe International University partnership for quality tourism education.

As we look forward to the people-to-people prospects of the working holiday visa arrangements, which we announced yesterday.

And many more successful initiatives by our people, enterprises and institutions.

Malta and Japan are not just friends, but trusted partners, who share values and principles - let us continue growing together.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

The crime of aggression must never go unpunished.

As #MTCoE2025 President of the @coe Committee of Ministers, I had the honour of presiding over the signing of the Bilateral Agreement on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, alongside @ZelenskyyUa and @alain_berset.

A just and lasting peace demands not only resolution - but accountability.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

Let us protect what protects our values - the standards, mechanisms and moral clarity of the Council of Europe. Because the world may be shifting, but our duty to human rights, democracy and the rule of law must not.

It was an honour to address the @PACE_News Parliamentary Assembly for the first time as President of the @coe Committee of Ministers, as the @MaltaCoE #MTCoE2025 Presidency reaffirms its determination to continue safeguarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law – the building blocks of our societies.

I encouraged European parliamentarians never to lose sight of the lasting impacts of conflicts on families, children and communities caught in the crossfire, whose daily realities are shaped by fear, loss and uncertainty.

We need unity of purpose and principled leadership not only in moments of peace, but also amid crisis, conflict and division.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

Today in Strasbourg we continue building strong momentum under the @MaltaCoE #MTCoE2025 Presidency, grounded in good-faith dialogue and international cooperation.

At #PACEsummer2025, I will deliver my first address to the @PACE_News as Chair of the @coe Committee of Ministers, as we update the Assembly on our ambitious programme for the months ahead.

This afternoon I am also chairing an extraordinary session of the Committee of Ministers on the bilateral agreement establishing the Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

There can be no lasting peace in Ukraine, and in Europe, without justice and accountability.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

EU unity and effective engagement with regional partners and the US are essential for mediation and de-escalation between Iran and Israel, preventing regional spillover, threats to navigation and nuclear risks.

During today’s EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, I emphasised the need for diplomatic solutions: violence breeds division and more suffering, not security.

I also reaffirmed Malta’s support to Ukraine, as we work to ensure justice and accountability for its people during our @CoE #MTCoE2025 Presidency.

On sanctions, specifically on the Oil Price Cap, Malta's view is clear: doing so without G7 consensus would be premature and counterproductive.

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

Honoured to open the 1529th meeting of the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies in Strasbourg — the first under Malta’s Presidency of the @coe.

I reaffirmed #Malta’s steadfast commitment to unity, dialogue, and the protection of human rights across #Europe. Our Presidency begins with a series of key engagements in both Valletta and Strasbourg. @maltacoe

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

Glad to be in Brussels for the EU-AU Ministerial meeting. Malta remains committed to strengthening this vital partnership and will continue to advocate for deeper EU-AU cooperation at every level.

[Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs @MFEAMalta]

Today in Luxembourg, we assumed the six-month Maltese Presidency of the @coe.

@MaltaCoE
#MaltaPresidency2025 #CouncilOfEurope #MTCoE2025

[Ian Borg @DeputyPMIanBorg]

It is an honour for #Malta to take on the Presidency of the @coe today, during the 134th session of the Committee of Ministers, in #Luxembourg.

#Malta steps into this role with gratitude, commitment, and a deep sense of responsibility, to protect the most vulnerable and uphold the values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

We are ready to collaborate with all member states as we promote the key pillars of the #MTCoE2025 Presidency: enhancing the protection of children, combatting violence and discrimination, empowering youth, and safeguarding democracy and the rule of law, while furthering efforts to achieve justice and accountability for Ukraine.