FOREIGN MINISTER JOE BORG MEETS MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF BELGIUM

Foreign Minister Joe Borg this morning met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, H.E. Louis Michel in Brussels. During the bilateral meeting the Ministers discussed issues relating to Malta's process for membership to the European Union in view of the upcoming Belgian presidency. The Belgian Foreign Minister reiterated Belgium's support for Malta's inclusion in the first enlargement.

The two Ministers also discussed bilateral issues with a view to strengthening the already warm political and economic ties between Malta and Belgium. The Belgian Foreign Minister informed Minister Joe Borg that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Annmie Neyts will be visiting Malta in June to further discuss issues relating to the negotiating process.

Earlier this week Minister Joe Borg also met with European Commissioner for Enlargement, H.E. Gunter Verheugen where different aspects of the negotiating process were discussed in some detail. He also participated in a meeting in Brussels chaired by the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Anna Lindh which brought together the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 15 Member States and the candidate countries to discuss issues relating to developments in the field of European Security and Defence Policy as well as the situation in the Western Balkans.

The Foreign Minister will depart from Brussels to Vilnius, Lithuania on Wednesday evening where he will be meeting with the President of Lithuania, H.E. Mr Valdas Adamkus and hold talks with the Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr Antanas Valionis. He will also hold a separate meeting with the Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs of the Lithuanian Parliament.