MINISTER JOE BORG HOLDS BILATERAL MEETINGS IN NEW YORK

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Joe Borg, continued with his work programme in New York where he attended the 55^th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

On Monday 11^th September, Dr. Borg held bilateral meetings with the Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, the Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohammed Benaissa and the United States Under Secretary of State Mr. Thomas Pickering.

In his meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister, Dr. Joe Borg updated Mr. Dini on the stage reached thus far in Malta's EU accession negotiations. Both Ministers reviewed the current relations between the two countries and explored areas where these could be further strengthened. Minister Dini re-affirmed Italy's strong support for Malta's accession to the EU and his Government's determination to enhance practical forms of co-operation with Malta as much as possible.

In the second meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohammed Benaissa, the two Ministers discussed procedures to accelerate the conclusion of bilateral agreements currently under consideration. To this end, as well as to explore other areas of bilateral co-operation, the two Ministers agreed to convene the Joint Maltese-Moroccon Commission in Morocco possibly before the end of the year. Minister Benaissa also accepted Minister Joe Borg's invitation to visit Malta next year with the greatest pleasure.

The meeting with Mr. Thomas Pickering was held in the evening. Minister Joe Borg explained the current state of negotiations leading to Malta's EU membership. Mr. Pickering assured Minister Borg of his Government's support for Malta's decision to become a member of the EU. Both sides agreed to examine how to further improve the already existing very good relations between the two countries. Mr. Pickering expressed the US Government's thanks for the Maltese Government's intention to significantly increase Malta's financial contribution to the UN peacekeeping programme.

On Tuesday 12^th September, Minister Joe Borg met the Belgian Foreign Minister Mr. Louis Michel and the Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.

In the meeting with the Belgian Foreign Minister, Dr. Borg updated Mr. Michel on the latest position regarding Malta's negotiations for EU membership. Mr. Michel said that, in their view, Malta was the best prepared among the applicant states for membership, and that there should therefore be no difficulty for Malta to become a member in the first wave of enlargement.

The stage reached in Malta's negotiations for EU membership was also discussed at a meeting between Minister Joe Borg and the Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen. The two Ministers also reviewed areas of bilateral co-operation. The Irish Foreign Minister confirmed that his Prime Minister intended to visit Malta next January.