Minister of Foreign Affairs in bilateral meetings during his partecipation in the 3rd Euro-Med Ministerial Conference

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Dr. Joe Borg today had further bilateral meetings during his participation in the 3^rd EuroMed Ministerial Conference being held in Stuttgart, Germany. The Conference came to an end earlier today.

The Hon. Dr. Joe Borg, had meetings with the Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes. The Ministers discussed Malta's application for EU membership, stability in the Mediterranean region and issues of a bilateral nature.

Another meeting was held with Dr. Bettina Ferrero-Waldner, the Austrian Secretary of State. Bilateral issues were also discussed but the main focus was on the application of Malta for EU membership and Malta's preparations for the screening and negotiation process.

In another meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister, Mr. Georgios Papandreou, Foreign Minister Joe Borg was offered assistance in the field of adopting the acquis communautaire in agriculture and tourism. The Greek Minister offered Greece's experience in these areas as assistance to Malta in order to align with the acquis.

Minister Joe Borg also met the Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindt. Both Ministers discussed bilateral relations and the recent developments in Malta's accession process for EU membership. The opening of a Maltese Embassy in Stockholm was also discussed.

Both the Greek and Swedish Ministers invited Minister Joe Borg to their respective capitals for further talks.

All European Foreign Ministers who met Dr. Joe Borg expressed their support for Malta's application for membership of the EU. Offers of assistance were also extended to Malta.

Last night, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also had informal meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Lebanon, Nasser El-Saidy, Dr. Jaime Gama of Portugal as well as Mr. Jannis Sakkelariou who is representing the European Parliament. Minister Borg also met Mr. Gunter Peiyert who is the Political Director in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Minister of Foreign Affairs will return to Malta this evening.