o l l a b o ra t i o n M a l t a a n d E U n s a n c t i o n s a g a i n s t Ru s s i a

During a bilateral meeting with the European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, who was on an official visit to Malta, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg said that Malta and the European Union would continue collaborating for justice to prevail also through the sanctions imposed against Russia

The Maltese delegation had the opportunity to explain the work being carried out by Malta, together with its European partners, through sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russian citizens and businesses as part of the packages agreed to mitigate the Russian economy in light of the Russian Federation invasion on Ukraine Several vital reforms that the Government has been making since 2019 to strengthen the rule of law and democracy in the country were also discussed

Meanwhile, Mr Reynders reiterated that he looked forward to continuing this discussion with his Cabinet and Directorate for further improvement. He noted the positive steps taken concerning the sanctions

Turkish President presents medals to Maltese firefighters

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has officially recognised the search and rescue work carried out by Malta’s Civil Protection Department members in the Malataya province last February, following the earthquakes that left 51,000 people dead in Turkiye and another 9,000 victims in Syria

At a ceremony, the Turkish President presented Kevin Pace, the Malta group leader, with the Turkish Presidential Medal and the Order of Distinct Humanitarian Service. Thirty-eight Maltese officials and volunteers, with a rescue dog, conducted delicate and challenging search and rescue operations in one of the areas worst hit by the earthquakes and even thanked Malta for its essential work in collaboration with European institutions and Member States

Earlier in the week, while on a visit to Greece on an official invitation by his counterpart, the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias to continue discussions started during a visit to Malta last year, Minister Ian Borg signed a cooperation agreement in the field of culture on behalf of the Maltese Government

At a press conference following the bilateral meeting between the two delegations in Athens, Minister Ian Borg claimed that his exchanges with Nikos Dendias continued to intensify in the trade sector, particularly between start-ups and in the fintech and food sectors

Bilateral discussions also centred on the situation in the southern Mediterranean, immigration, Sudan and other current affairs, and as the Maltese delegation attended the launch of Greece's campaign for its candidacy on the United Nations Security Council for 2025-2026, Malta also expressed its support for Greece' in this matter

Minister Borg explained Malta's experience during its Presidency of the UN Security Council and how it is working towards more dialogue in favour of global peace.

The Greek Minister thanked Minister Ian Borg, not only for accepting the invitation to visit his country, but also for his and Malta's support towards Greece's candidacy for a United Nations Security Council seat.

Minister Dendias also showed his appreciation for the knowledge that Malta passed on to Greece with a reflection on the month it ocupied the Presidency of the Council and thanked Malta for its work as UNSC President

He said that the signing of the cooperation agreement in the field of culture is a clear sign of both countries' willingness to strengthen their bilateral relations even further

During its stay in Greece, the Maltese delegation also visited the workers at the Maltese Embassy in Greece under Ambassador Joseph Cuschieri's leadership The Minister thanked all the diplomats for the vital work they carried out for the benefit of Malta