ADDRESS BY THE HON JOE BORG, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN REPRESENTATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE, AT THE CAPABILITIES COMMITMENT CONFERENCE - BRUSSELS - 21 NOVEMBER 2000

Prime Minister Fenech Adami, who is also Malta's Minister of Defence, is unable to be here today. He has requested me to represent him at this conference.

Over the last few months the Member States of the European Union have been working actively to provide the Union with an effective capacity for crisis management. New structures dealing with both the military as well as the civilian dimension of crisis management have started coming into shape. At the same time the methods of cooperation and consultations in this area with third countries, including candidate countries during the pre-accession period, have also been identified. This conference is taking place in this very specific context.

Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Malta understands and welcomes the role which the nations of Europe aim to play in crisis management. As a sovereign nation state, with a deep interest in promoting stability, Malta feels the need to make its own direct contribution towards this objective.

Our responsibilities towards international peace and security also emanate out of our values as a European State that shares the Union's beliefs and ideals.

In fact, we see our objective to join the European Union as the most appropriate response to Malta's historical and cultural heritage, as well as the key to further socio-economic national development. Since Independence in 1964, Malta has been steadfastly committed to the critical role that multilateral co-operation is increasingly playing in the endeavours that are made towards progress, justice and stability, both within and among nations.

As members of the European Union, we expect to find increased opportunities to benefit from an improved capacity to pursue these and related objectives at global and regional level. We view the issue of membership in the European Union as a fulfilment of our evolving role in the political and economic life of the continent where most of our history and culture were, and continue to be, forged.

In the specific context of the Union's capacity for crisis management we feel that it is in our direct interest to pledge forces and participate concretely in the Headline Goal initiatives the Union has instituted; initiatives, which ensure swift and efficient action should the Union decide to conduct operations in accordance with the principles and objectives of the UN Charter and the OSCE Charter for European Security.

Taking account of Malta's resources and experience we feel that our contribution in this regard can best be directed towards the humanitarian and rescue missions of the European crisis management effort. To this end, Malta wishes to pledge one of its infantry platoons, together with a small national headquarters element to ensure liaison.

Our pledge will be implemented in collaboration with the Italian Armed Forces, with whom the Armed Forces of Malta have established a close working relationship over the past twenty-seven years. In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Sergio Mattarella for the positive way in which his Government has responded to Malta's suggestion of collaboration in this field.

Malta also looks forward to the further development of the civilian dimension of crisis management under the Swedish Presidency. We truly believe that crisis management is so multifaceted that both the military as well as the civilian elements need to be considered for it to be complete. The quick re-establishment and support of core civil functions is imperative for the successful conclusion of any peace support operation