Mur Lura
STATEMENT BY THE HON. JOE BORG, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MALTA AT THE 9TH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE OSCE BUCHAREST 3-4 DECEMBER 2001
pr1836
04/12/2001
04/12/2001
| Allow me to express my appreciation to the outgoing Romanian chairman | for his able stewardship of the OSCE during the past year. Allow me to also wish the Portuguese chairman every success in his leadership of the OSCE for the year 2002 |
| We are nations that have come together with renewed | resolve to fight the scourge of terrorism that has manifested itself in our very midst. |
Terrorism strikes at life and breeds at its expense. Far from sacred, it desecrates that which is noble in mankind. The attainment of power through terror is the vision of murderers, not martyrs. The real martyrs lie in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. To them, and their families, we extend our condolences. To them, we extend our firm resolve to fight terrorism in all its shapes and forms. We have vowed not to let terror shatter our societies, our cultures or our fundamental freedoms.
| Malta joined the international community’s absolute | and unreserved condemnation of the terrorist acts that struck at the heart of America on September the 11th. In the weeks immediately following we also stepped up our actions at home in order to ensure the effective implementation of a wide-ranging number of anti-terrorism measures, including compliance with Security Council Resolution 1373. Malta was also amongst the first six countries to sign the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. And last month, on the occasion of the 56th General Assembly, it became one of the first states to ratify it. |
| To date, we have acceded to twelve of the thirteen | international conventions related to terrorism and we are currently working hard to ensure that we accede to the thirteenth and final one of these, by the year’s end. |
| The harsh realities of recent months have certainly | brought to the fore the importance of these conventions on terrorism. At the same time, they have also brought into bold relief the need for an operational definition of the perpetration of a terrorist act. Intensified efforts aimed at an expeditious conclusion of negotiations on the proposal made by India at the United Nations should yield a comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which will be of benefit to us all. We firmly believe that such an umbrella agreement will give added value to, and further complement, other existing conventions on terrorism. |
| The unity of purpose currently prevailing within the | international community in its fight against terrorism is perhaps unprecedented. Indeed the political will displayed over the past two months is a clear manifestation - if any was needed - that multilateralism remains a vital tool in the conduct of relations between states at a global level. |
| The OSCE too is charting its own future course of | action at this crucial time. Malta is committed to the unconditional implementation of the OSCE Bucharest Decision and Plan of Action for Combating Terrorism. |
| In strengthening its resolve to fight terrorism, | Malta has also aligned itself with a number of EU statements on terrorism and participated in the Enlarged European Conference that condemned terrorism and proposed a variety of ways to counter this heinous act. Malta also participated in the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Mediterranean Forum convened in Agadir, Morocco, in October aimed at further strengthening the resolve of the Mediterranean to combat this scourge. |
| This is consonant with the role that we hope to play | in Europe. Indeed membership of the European Union at the next enlargement remains Malta’s primary foreign policy objective. We believe that membership of the Union will constitute a natural extension of Malta’s European cultural identity whilst simultaneously giving us the opportunity to contribute to the southern dimension of the Union. |
| As was confirmed in the Regular Reports issued by the | European Commission last month, the EU considers 2004 as the year when enlargement will take place, allowing for new members to participate in the elections to the European Parliament in June 2004. This remains a feasible milestone for Malta in its current preparations for membership. |
| Malta is firmly convinced that European security as a | whole and the EU’s forthcoming enlargement in particular are - more than ever - mutually interdependent processes, crucial for the enhancement of European stability. In this context, the Armed Forces of Malta will participate in the Headline Goal of the European Security and Defence Policy, pledging a light infantry platoon together with a small national headquarters element. This co-operation will include training on a bilateral level as well as logistical backup. |
| It is now widely recognised that European security is | inextricably linked with security in the Mediterranean. |
| Recognition of this quintessential truth by all | European security structures must be further enhanced, in order to overcome any possible reluctance on the part of European security related institutions to substantively address the challenges that arise from the immediate Mediterranean neighbourhood to the South. |
| There can be no stability in Europe unless Europe | bolsters its leadership in promoting sustainable stability in the Mediterranean. This means that the two are clearly mutually interdependent. |
| Malta pioneered this principle when none of the | existing Euro-Mediterranean dialogues were in existence. Nowadays the principle is enshrined practically everywhere. Yet not enough has been done so far to make the Mediterranean an area of peace, stability and prosperity. |
| Renewed efforts are therefore needed. In this | context, we believe that the time is ripe to seek a bold conclusion to the Middle East conflict. The time for the two states, Israel and Palestine, to live peacefully together, within secure, recognized borders, in line with Security Council resolutions, is upon us. It is our duty to make every effort to ensure the resolution of this just and overdue cause, for the benefit both of the people of the region, and also for all Europeans too. |
| We are blessed with an OSCE Mediterranean dimension | that can discuss matters of concern between the partners. I urge us all to make fuller use of it. |
| With the post-Cold War era over, the OSCE as a | regional arrangement, has made full use of its ability to be flexible in delivering its mandate of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis-management and post-conflict rehabilitation. It has developed, via the Platform for Co-operative Security, working relations with international organisations and UN agencies. It has assisted in border monitoring operations, securing the safe return of refugees and displaced persons, democratic institution building and constructing functioning economies. |
| The OSCE’s contribution to European security is | clearly being felt. Indeed the smooth elections held in Kosovo recently, stand as a good example of this. Let us not forget that this was a mission that only two years ago would have been considered impossible. It is the outcome of an admirable feat of political maturity on behalf of the people and is also the result of the sterling co-operation that transpired between the parties forming the international presence in Kosovo, particularly through the OSCE. |
| The OSCE’s determination on the question of the | further enhancement of the spill-over monitor mission to Skopje in record time is another example of the OSCE's good work. This should serve as a clear manifestation of the organisation's collective political will for the future. The OSCE should also be commended for assisting the Russian Federation’s fulfillment of its Istanbul obligation to withdraw, or destroy, all CFE Treaty Limited Equipment in Moldova by the end of the year. |
| In a similar vein, Malta recognises the invaluable | contribution of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on its 10th anniversary this year. It has not only embodied, but also exported, the OSCE Human Dimension to the remotest corners of the OSCE region. We also recognise the pivotal role of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities – in integrating ethnic diversity through the protection and facilitation of minority rights and participation. The work of the Representative on the Freedom of the Media has also been invaluable as the beacon of free, independent and pluralistic media in those areas of the OSCE where the right of the freedom of expression still faces obstacles. |
| Malta is pleased to see the progress being registered | in the OSCE's internal workings. The current debate on OSCE reform is addressing the three dimensions of the OSCE comprehensive security idiom – an acknowledgment of the fact that threat perceptions on European security are continuously changing. These are no longer coming solely from the military dimension, but now more so than ever, from socio-economic imbalances and environmental hazards. |
| These issues must be boldly addressed. Political | will, in light of this new generation of security threats has become an indispensable obligation. Through the OSCE, we have demonstrated awareness, maturity and expediency in garnering our collective will to act. |
This bodes well for the future.
Thank You.
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