Foreign Minister Chris Fearne has said Malta will continue to defend its full and equal voice in European Union foreign policy, arguing that Europe should respond to an increasingly uncertain world by strengthening its ability to act together, not by weakening the role of its Member States.
“Europe is strongest when it acts together”, Fearne said. Minister Fearne was speaking at the informal meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers, known as the Gymnich, held in Ireland under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
“Our task is not to choose between unity and speed. It is to organise ourselves so that unity is reached earlier and action follows faster,” Fearne said. Indeed, the European Union should improve how common positions are developed through earlier political engagement, clearer strategic direction, and faster action once agreement is reached.
In a more fragmented international environment, Europe is strongest when its Member States stand behind a common position and can carry it with authority internationally.
“The Europe Malta wants is faster because it prepares earlier, stronger because it acts together, and more credible because every Member State can recognise itself in the position taken in its name,” he said.
Minister Fearne also addressed the situation in the Middle East, stressing that Europe’s credibility depends on consistently defending international law. Minister Fearne reiterated to the European Foreign Ministers’ Meeting that Malta supports European action restricting trade in goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements.
“If the two-state solution is genuinely our common objective, we should be able to speak together when developments on the ground directly threaten its viability,” Minister Fearne said.
