Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Environment meets CIHEAM Vice President

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Environment, Dr George W. Vella, yesterday met with Prof. Eng. Giuliana Trisorio-Liuzzi, Vice President of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies.

Prof. Trisorio-Liuzzi took the opportunity to brief the Deputy Prime Minister on the ongoing efforts by CIHEAM to collaborate with member states in various agricultural sectors and the equally important work of the management of resources and environment protection. Particular mention was made of the training opportunities offered by CIHEAM at its four Mediterranean Agronomic Institutes in Bari, Montpellier, Zaragozza and Chania, at all levels including Ph.D. It was observed how CIHEAM is growing and will play a greater role in the provision of technical assistance in the Mediterranean region.

The Minister expressed extensive interest in the work undertaken by CIHEAM, and highlighted the relevance of the environmental dimension in the Organisation's efforts towards the improvement of the agricultural sector.

The Deputy Prime Minister viewed the areas addressed by CIHEAM in the context of Malta's Mediterranean policy. The Minister emphasised the concept of "soft security", highlighting the dire need to involve all the Mediterranean states in a constructive dialogue by identifying areas of common ground. Organisations like CIHEAM, can, therefore, play an important role on the political level as well as being instruments of cooperation among states. In stressing the need to attain stability through dialogue in the region, the Minister also spoke about the necessity for a sharper focus by international and regional organisations on the needs of the Mediterranean.