PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS Malta welcomes the US-Iran agreement at EU Foreign Affairs Council: “It is an opportunity for escalation of peace in entire Middle East”

Speaking at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday Foreign and European Affairs Minister Chris Fearne welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the US and Iran aimed at ending the current tensions in the Middle East and which will lead, among other things, to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. 

“Malta recognises that this is now an opportunity to achieve, instead of an escalation of wars, an escalation of peace across the entire Middle East,” Minister Fearne told his EU counterparts.

Minister Fearne also highlighted the importance of more active EU engagement in Palestinian state-building efforts while also highlighting the importance of supporting continued reforms within the Palestinian Authority. 

At the Foreign Affairs Council, Ministers discussed the latest developments related to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East - including the war in Iran and its effects across the region - and the state of play of relations between the EU and China.

Regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, Malta joined other EU ministers in condemning the overnight Russian attacks on Kiev. While highlighting the importance that the EU remains proactive, Malta emphasised the need to address the presence of the Shadow Fleet in the Mediterranean. This is crucial for maritime safety and security particularly to the EU Mediterranean countries. Minister Fearne stated that a full maritime ban will only be effective with global buy-in, particularly from G7 partners. 

In the margins of the Foreign Affairs meeting, Minister Fearne also participated in the EU-Egypt Association Council and also held a bilateral meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and with the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova, Cristina Gerasimov.