KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY H.E. PROF. GUIDO DE MARCO, PRESIDENT OF MALTA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON "INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND THE CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEXT CENTURY" ? TUNIS, REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA ? 4TH NOVEMBER, 2000.

I am glad to be here today at this international conference which addresses crucial questions relating to international solidarity and development. For it is my belief that comprehensive development has to be sustained by international cooperation and inversely, there can be no lasting international cooperation and development without a sincere belief in the positive potential of solidarity.

Inherent to the notion of solidarity is the concept of unity, a unity not synonymous to conformity, but a unity of purpose and principles that gives rise to symbiotic environments of constructive and engaging diversity. This is my vision of solidarity. This is my vision of the Mediterranean: a unity of purpose for peace and understanding within a context of rich diversity. Because by engaging in solidarity, we are also laying the foundations of a comprehensive peace in the region.

In the past few days I addressed distinguished audiences in London, in Slovenia and in Malta, where I considered various aspects of security and stability in the Mediterranean. It is my belief that one of the pillars of comprehensive security and stability is the notion of folidarity between peoples — ‘a people to people' approach. For many reasons, peoples living on different sides of this Sea have grown apart. Trying to bridge the chasms of incomprehension and mistrust is the arduous challenge that we all face today, especially politicians and intellectuals from the Mediterranean.

A ‘people to people' approach is of the essence if we are to attain this goal. States can draft and ratify agreements. Promises of strengthened cooperation can be made, But as long as there does not exist an understanding of each other's cultural milieu, it is difficult that agreements and cooperation can lead to a tangible amelioration of dialogue among States and peoples.

In this respect, apart from politicians who have to lead intelligently in the way of such a comprehensive dialogue, Mediterranean intelligentsia have an essential role to play in preparing the paths of this journey of understanding. For example, links among universities from different parts of this Sea exist but have to be enhanced, the arts and sciences are common fields where these encounters can take place. This is of utmost importance for the preparation of tomorrow's leaders, giving them a thorough understanding of what lies beyond this blue horizon, providing them with the necessary baggage to face the challenges of a globalised world, Through this course of action, we will be rendering possible the attainment of a better future for our children.

Ours' — politicians and statesmen — is the responsibility to lead, the path that we have to walk together is built on dialogue, a dialogue among countries, among cultures, between civilisations. Far too often, short-term political gains have been made at the expense of fuelling divides. Far too often, the lessons of history have been left in the drawer, far too many times have opportunities been lost to shortsightedness.

Fundamental to stability is the development of economies in the direction of the creation of general wealth. This is the main difference of Europe today compared to that which existed prior to the Second World War. Thanks to the vision of statesmen who forged the European Coal and Steel Community which have developed into a more comprehensive political and economic Union. Europe today can boast a degree of stability unprecedented in its history, and certainly un-thought of a mere half a century ago. In this respect, the European Union has given positive results built on the foundations of political dialogue and economic prosperity.

I have mentioned three pillars of constructive engagement — the political, economic, human and cultural dimensions. These are the baskets in which, five years ago in Barcelona, European and Mediterranean partners put their hopes of building a better future for the Euro-Mediterranean region.

This is a process in which Tunisia, under the leadership of H.E. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, actively engages.

This is a process to which Malta has adhered to and fully supports in the knowledge that this comprehensive line of engagement could lead towards enhancing cooperation at all levels and throughout all strata of societies in the Mediterranean. We all know that the road ahead is long and winding. We all know that age-old perceptions die hard. But we all know that we have to give this desired change a decent try. And, I believe, even though the Euro-Med process has had a limited measure of success, it is certainly a valid initiative aimed at diminishing the gap between the opposite shores of this inland sea. It has certainly given scope and hope for enhanced cooperation within the Euro-Mediterranean region. Most importantly, the Barcelona process has re-vindicated the principle that a comprehensive and holistic development of the Mediterranean is a pre-requisite for peace in our region.

Tunisia and Malta form part of that family of nations that see, in the Mediterranean. their roots and their history, their identity, their future. Thanks to our Sea, we have fostered through the ages links based on human engagement, links that have certainly enriched our personality as Mediterranean peoples.

Thanks also to the success of the National Solidarity Fund and the Tunisian Solidarity Bank, President Ben Ali has given prominence to poverty as the plague that has persisted till this very day. His Excellency's efforts and those of his Government, I understand, have been aimed at reducing drastically areas lagging behind in development in Tunisia. This has been done showing a great belief in the potential of youth and the development of human resources in Tunisia.

0n an international level, President Ben Ali's initiative of setting up the World Solidarity Fund is most laudable in that it aims at supporting the development of Least

Developed and Developing Countries. It is indeed a proposal which is a sign of its time, H.E. Ben Ali has based his initiative on the concept of the fundamental right of every human being for a decent life and is calling for an aggregation of international solidarity towards the eradication of poverty.

As already stated by President Ben Ali in his speech yesterday during this International Symposium, there has been a call from various quarters for international financial institutions to review their relations with the poorer nations and to assist them in continuing their development efforts and adjusting their economic structures, providing for a balanced development among peoples, securing complementarity, and placing Co-Operation within a new context of relations between states.

Less than two months ago, the international community at the UN Millennium Summit demonstrated its resolve to deal with this long-standing plight. Indeed, when I had the honour to serve as President of the 45^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, I referred to the fact that the triumph we proclaimed with the lifting of the Iron Curtain should not lead to complacency lest it be replaced by a Poverty Curtain.

Poverty condemns millions to living their existence on the verge of human dignity, or shall I say human indignity. Ours is a common commitment towards tearing down this in new barrier that shames the international community. It is a commitment reaching to the very fundamentals of human dignity.

Later on today, I will be travelling to Rome where I will be participating in the celebrations marking the Holy Jubilee. In one of the main events during the reunion of th Assembly of World Parliamentarians, three key motions, namely on the debt relief of developing countries, on religious liberty and tolerance and on the upholding of human dignity will be carried. Solidarity is indeed an across-the-board concept and, within the context of a globalising world, we have to ensure that the negative effects of this momentous process will not overshadow its positive aspects.

The Maltese people have given solidarity a tangible face where disaster struck.

In Malta I am proposing the establishment of an umbrella organisation for the many non-governmental organisations whose aim is to provide assistance for those most in need all around the world. Inherent to the concept of Malta Solidarity International is the will to resolve difficulties facing non-governmental organisations, in acting as a catalyst to ensure that assistance is properly channeled, as effectively as possible. To succeed, Malta Solidarity International necessitates a constructive partnership of Government, private enterprise and non-governmental organisations.

Through this initiative we will also be harvesting the positive potential of youths that can yield great benefits. Our youths live in a world which brings to their desktop images of starving children and destitute refugees. We can provide the facilities for them to express human compassion in a most direct manner.

Malta Solidarity International is a concept which has at its root the motivation to build a ‘people to people' approach. For solidarity is a concept which embodies action and motivation to lend and render support for those in need. It is an expression of the value of the inherent dignity of each human being. It is in itself also a principle which enhances stability at its very basis — as it builds understanding and tolerance.

This is what President Ben Ali's initiative of a World Solidarity Fund and my proposal have in common. They are instruments aimed at spreading the foundations of cooperation: through private and Government partnerships, through enhancing and cementing international stability by building understanding and tolerance.

The initiatives in this field have been many. Diverse organizations of a national and International character such as the United States so-called "Peace Corps" and the United Nations Volunteers, are initiatives aimed to spread solidarity and foster tolerance. The amount of volunteers from different countries that work in such noble initiatives together form a network of' solidarity. Indeed, perhaps one should consider a central focal point for these initiatives to co-ordinate their efforts and share their experiences.

A restructured UN Trusteeship Council can hold in trust to humanity those peoples who are suffering from want and hunger, who are below the poverty line, bringing to them that concept of human solidarity of the international community.

The gathering of dignitaries from around the world and representatives of important international organisations in this Conference is testimony to a general will to embrace the principle of solidarity among all peoples. It is heartening to see such a diverse and substantial representation of interests and concerns dealing with issues that unite us in upholding human dignity.

Solidarity is a notion that is seminal to the three great monotheistic religions that this region has fathered — the Christian, the Muslim and the Jewish faiths. Events in history' have made that religious faiths be interpreted and used for the inverse reasons — as instruments and justification for discrimination and conflict. I can testify that the work of Maltese lay and religious missionaries all around the world has demonstrated that solidarity can go a long way in reversing wrong perceptions and misrepresentations.

The pluri-millennial history of the Mediterranean has definitely not been one of continuous cooperation and understanding. However, I sense a resolve to find avenues of convergence. Within this evolving Euro-Med contest, Malta is resolved to maintain its position as a crossroad of civilizations, as a bridge of understanding for our neighbours to the North and to the South.

My visit to Tunisia highlights the good state of relations between Malta and the Republic of Tunisia. On a bilateral level, we have come to understand each other's points of view. On a broader international level, our cooperation sterns naturally from the fact that we want to see the development of the Mediterranean into a sea of lasting peace and stability. We always strive to strengthen further our bonds of friendship that are not only the result of geographical proximity, but also of a sincere understanding of each others' concerns and needs.

This is certainly a worthy example of the way that countries can walk ahead together.