PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TOURISM Deputy Prime Minister Borg reaffirms Malta’s solidarity with Gulf communities attacked by Iran

Malta thanks Gulf partners for supporting Maltese citizens in the region

As Iran persists in its attacks on neighbouring countries, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg reaffirmed Malta’s solidarity with its Gulf and Middle Eastern partners, while calling for de-escalation, restraint and diplomacy to re-establish stability and security.

On Friday, the Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism invited ambassadors and senior diplomats from the Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa currently in Malta, for an Iftar dinner in Mdina, together with Malta’s Envoy for the Gulf, Zachary Borg, and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Christopher Cutajar.

This meeting was an opportunity to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Malta’s partners in these regions, in times when unity and diplomacy are more important than ever.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed Malta’s concern regarding this month’s escalation. He condemned Iran’s indiscriminate attacks on Gulf countries that were never involved in the conflict, as he reaffirmed Malta’s solidarity with these communities. “We are deeply grateful to our partners in the Gulf for your immediate assistance to Maltese residents and travellers in the region. Together with our consular services team and our representations in your countries, you have helped hundreds of Maltese persons during these uncertain times,” he said.

Dr Borg added that Malta is committed to intensify its engagement in the Gulf and the Middle East, while working for stronger cooperation between these countries and the EU, towards meaningful efforts for de-escalation and diplomacy. “We continue to advocate for a peace based on international law and respect for sovereignty,” he concluded.