The Mediterranean island of Malta, which took over the rotating Presidency of the EU Council on 1 January, has made the southern neighbourhood one of its priorities, and intends to lend its support to the efforts of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and the European External Action Service (EEAS), which has responsibility for this domain.
"Countries in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region are facing serious crises, ranging from socio-economic problems to violent conflicts, youth unemployment, radicalisation, environmental degradation and migration", the Maltese minister for foreign affairs, George Vella, stated on 25 November. Libya is high on the list of priority countries. Malta would like to help in Libya's stabilisation through a peaceful unification, according to the Maltese Presidency programme.
Malta would also like to support the European and international efforts for the resumption of the Middle East peace process. In Vella's view, it is therefore important to make further effort to create the appropriate conditions for rebuilding trust and for bringing the two parties to the negotiating table in a "desperate" attempt to preserve the two-state solution.
Helping put an end to the Syrian conflict, which has been going on since March 2011, is also, of course, a Maltese priority. Inter-Syrian talks are planned for February.
In addition, Malta intends to support Tunisia in its democratic transition and to maintain the dynamic of continuing the trade negotiations. The EU and Tunisia started negotiations for a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement in October 2015 (see EUROPE 11409).
The development of relations between the EU and other regional organisations is also on the programme. The Maltese Presidency would like to deepen relations with the League of Arab States and to breathe new life into relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
While the south is therefore a priority, Malta does not, however, intend to neglect the eastern neighbourhood. Cooperation with the countries of this area will continue to be important. "The persistent tensions in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova too merit particular attention in view of the security and humanitarian situation", Vella stated. Malta will continue to promote regional cooperation with Eastern Partnership countries and encourage them to continue to make progress in the fields of democracy, good governance, stability, economic development, energy cooperation and resolution of conflicts.
As regards relations with Russia, Malta will ensure cooperation on issues of global or regional interest, Ian Borg, the parliamentary secretary for the presidency of the EU and Maltese European Fund said in Brussels at the presentation of Malta's programme on 16 November (see EUROPE 11669).
With regard to the EU accession candidate countries, the relations between the EU and Turkey will still be high on the agenda. In November, Borg had said that Turkey remains an important strategic partner in the control of irregular migration and the protection of the EU's external border. He had added that the EU must nevertheless remain firm on its values and on Turkey's respect of its commitments as an EU candidate country and under the Human Rights Convention. The negotiations on the modernisation of the customs union with Turkey could be launched during the Maltese Presidency (see EUROPE 11694).
Malta will also try to ensure that Balkans countries receive the attention they deserve, according to Vella. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)