Strategic Objectives of Malta’s Foreign Policy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Valletta
8th February 2006
Index
Contents Page
Foreword by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs3
Strategic Objectives of Malta’s foreign policy 4 - 27
Foreword
Malta’s perspective in foreign policy stems from our own realities. We are a country which wholly forms part of Europe and wholly forms part of the Mediterranean. We are an island state. We attained sovereign statehood within living memory, after centuries of colonial rule. We are on a cultural frontier between Europe and North Africa, speaking a language which fuses Semitic and Romance. We are necessarily foreign trade oriented.
Our foreign policy must reflect our realities and our Maltese and European values. These values fashion our positions in the world today: solidarity; respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights; a humanitarian approach; a propensity to giving. These are values which characterise our society and are historically firmly rooted in a millennialformation that has fashioned our value set and our way of life. They remain necessarily dynamic.
The context, but not the essence, of all these elements has now changed with Malta’s membership of the European Union. This new context provides us with new challenges which require new approaches. Membership of the European Union places us firmly within the historical process of the construction of a post-Cold War united Europe. It frees the mind from the constraints of a small territory and provides our citizens with a continent in which they can, by right, travel, study, work and reside. It provides us with the tools to influence decision-making in European policies including common foreign and security policy and therefore enables us to strengthen our relevance and enhance our weight in international affairs in all contexts, regional, bilateral, multilateral and global. Strength and relevance in a multilateral and/or regional context feeds strength and relevance in bilateral relations and vice-versa.
The formulation of Strategic Objectives of Malta’s Foreign Policy must therefore be seen within the context of the new reality of membership of the European Union and, equally, within the reality of a globalised world economy, increased competition, new emerging markets and industrial powerhouses, a defunct Cold War paradigm, a reform and review of the United Nations Organisation, the emergence of terrorism as a global threat, religious fundamentalism and the rise of illegal immigration.
Malta must be supple and fast to adjust to these new realities. It must be proactive internationally retaining a definite and clear focus.
This document purports to be a framework document which sets out the general lines of the Strategic Objectives of Malta’s Foreign Policy. It is a dynamic document which is meant to serve as a guiding framework for our political action in international affairs which must be open to review, updating and revision in the light of changing circumstances. The Strategic Objectives in the document are not listed in an order of precedence. The document will be the basis for a rolling action plan for the implementation of these objectives. In turn this action plan will serve as the basis for structured planning for Malta’s Embassies and also its Consular networks.
Dr. Michael Frendo
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Strategic Objectives of Malta’s Foreign Policy
- Harness Malta’s geopolitical relevance to maximise political and economic benefits
- Make a success of European Union membership and contribute towards the construction of a European Union which gives added value to its member states and its citizens
- Strengthen Malta’s bilateral relations, in particular relations with its immediate neighbours
- Maintain a special focus on furthering dialogue, peace, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean and the Middle East
- Promote Malta’s relationship with existing and emerging major economies
- Seek maximisation of multisectoral benefits from Malta’s international network of embassies and consulates
- Address holistically the international aspects of illegal immigration
- Actively contribute to further development and good governance within the Commonwealth
- Network effectively with the Maltese abroad
- Promote stronger political and economic relations with the countries of Maltese Migration
- Promote Maltese culture and identity internationally
- Promote Malta as a location of international dialogue and scholarship
- Work with the International Community to defeat terrorism and extremism
- Promote democratisation and further respect for the rule of law and human rights
- Promote respect of the international rule of law and the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflict
- Maintain a special focus on issues relating to the Sea
- Support a just regulation of international commerce and promote Malta’s interests with regard to the challenges of globalisation
- Elaborate and action a Policy and Work Programme of humanitarian and development assistance, based on the value of solidarity
- Address other current global issues of concern to Malta
- Maintain a dynamic organisational structure that can meet these objectives
1. Harness Malta’s geopolitical relevance to maximise political and economic benefits
Geographic location, history, culture and economic relations are principal elements which have determined Malta’s geopolitical relevance as a European and Mediterranean island State over the ages. Malta’s membership of the European Union has strengthened its geopolitical relevance providing it with the opportunity to exploit this newly found strength to maximise political and economic benefits.
With European Union membership, Malta’s cultural versatility acquires greater meaning and value in bettering dialogue and cooperation in the Mediterranean Region. As a small country and a historic meeting place for reconciliation and dialogue, Malta seeks to project the European Union’s friendly face towards its neighbours to the South of the Mediterranean.Inversely, as a country with a closeness and understanding of its southern neighbours and the Arab World, Malta seeks to be a trusted interlocutor, and a voice sensitive to their realities within the European Union. In the context of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy Malta’s characteristics are particularly valuable to enhance understanding and stability in a region that remains potentially turbulent.
Malta’s membership of the European Union not only further strengthens its relevance in international affairs, but also adds significant value to Malta’s bilateral relations in general. Its participation in the decision-making process in the European Union is of significant importance in this context, particularly with regard to the opportunity to add value to Malta’s bilateral relations with those states which have a political and economic relationship with the European Union.
Strength and relevance in a multilateral and/or regional context feeds strength and relevance in bilateral relations and vice versa.
Furthermore, Malta’s strategic position in the Mediterranean and its close and friendly relations with its immediate neighbouring countries continue to provide it with opportunities for trade and investment in both directions.
Membership of the European Union also places Malta firmly inside the single European market. It also givesMalta guaranteed participation in a plethora of trade agreements including agreements giving greater access to North African and Middle Eastern markets.
Malta’s foreign policy is directed at ensuring strong and stable relations with such countries, particularly our neighbours and, in partnership with the private sector and relevant government agencies, to further all existing opportunities to maximise the potential for trade and investment. In this regard, Malta’s foreign policy seeks to be a catalyst in the creation and in the furthering of business opportunities to draw foreign direct investment to Malta and to provide the private sector with more opportunities for business networking and for export of goods and services. Seeking to match close political relations with business promotion, trade and investment is an important element of this strategic objective.
Malta’s foreign policy is furthermore directed at also exploiting other new opportunities which have arisen from the new context of European Union membership and the increased visibility it has given to Malta. These opportunities are particularly present in new emerging major economies such as India and China.
In harnessing Malta’s geo-political relevance to maximise economic benefits, Malta’s foreign policy seeks to position Malta as the dual gateway for business in Africa and the Middle East, and in the single European Market. This strategy is directed both to countries in Malta’s vicinity, as well as towards those more distant countries that are increasingly active in the markets of the European Union.
2. Make a success of European Union Membership and contribute towards the construction of a European Union which gives added value to its member states and its citizens
Malta will continue to pursue active and effective participation in the European Union’s decision-making processes raising its profile, relevance and credibility.
Malta will proactively participate in European Union decisions, policy and law-making. Malta will continue to ensure that important matters of national interest are raised high on the European Union Agenda while continuing to be a team-player in the day-to-day construction of a strong European Union built on a culture of consensus and compromise.
In this context, ‘Forum Malta fl-Ewropa’ will act as a point of reference on EU-Malta relations for civil society and for citizens, serving also as government’s consultative mechanism with civil society on EU-related issues and a platform to discuss new ideas and initiatives with the aim of bringing the European Union closer to its citizens on the national level. The Forum will also offer support to civil society and citizens in relation to access to EU funding mechanisms and programmes seeking a wider tapping of these new resources.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue its engagement with regard to financial perspectives and to the continued flexibility of use of financial resources, particularly for newly-acceded states, and to the reform of the EU budgetary structure, and to the consideration of Malta’s specificities arising from its island status and peripherality.
Malta will closely support future enlargement of the European Union within the parameters set by the Treaties, the Copenhagen criteria and in accordance with an appropriate pace of successful absorption in the interests of a strong, well-integrated European Union and peace and stability in Europe. In this regard, subject to these considerations, Malta views the further enlargement of the Union as an impetus for the creation of a wider European area of peace, stability, democracy and human rights dedicated to the prosperity of its peoples in a spirit of solidarity.
Malta supports the European Union as a promoter of peace and cooperation. This is the case with regards to the framework for wider cooperation provided by the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It will continue to give its active and dynamic contribution to the success of these policies.
The expansion of political rights and political participation is an essential dimension of the broader strategy to combat extremism in its different manifestations around the world.
Malta welcomes the intensifying transatlantic engagement and, especially in the Middle East, believes such partnership as crucial for achieving peace, stability and home-grown economic, social and political reform in the region.
Malta will further European Union cooperation with the African Union and support developments that will further reinforce the many peace-keeping, humanitarian relief and reconciliation efforts currently under way in many parts of the African continent.
Malta will also work towards an enhanced relationship between the European Union and the Arab League, promoting that dialogue in the common interest of all parties. Malta is committed to a successful European Union and considers this to be also a measure of its own success.
3. Strengthen Malta’s bilateral relations, in particular relations with its immediate neighbours
Bilateral relations remain essential to Malta’s foreign policy. Bilateral diplomacy remains the most vital tool for states to communicate with one another. In its bilateral relations, Malta will continue to take into account and, where appropriate or required, follow European Union positions on international issues. Bilateral diplomacy is also crucial within the EU as Common European Positions are the end result of positions taken in the capitals of Member States. Malta will continue to participate actively in this procedure which aids the gradual emergence of common positions taking account of particular interests of individual member or affected states.
Malta will also continue to work to strengthen bilateral relations particularly in Europe and in the Mediterranean and with other countries with whom relations are strategic and/or historic. Malta will also develop a special focus on the economic potential of the Central Mediterranean Area.
4. Maintain a special focus on furthering dialogue, peace, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean and the Middle East
Malta will continue to play a proactive role in the promotion of peace and stability in the Mediterranean with the aim of continuing to improve the region’s prospects for peace and prosperity and the modular ongoing creation of a Euro-Mediterranean area of free trade, investment and stability based on respect for democratic values and the rule of law.
Malta will put its longstanding commitment to, and understanding of, the Mediterranean region to the formulation and adoption of European Union positions. European and Mediterranean security are firmly connected – Malta has always insisted on this link. Malta will continue to further the strengthening of various Mediterranean and Euro-Mediterranean fora, both intergovernmental and parliamentary. In particular, Malta will continue to promote the Western Mediterranean Dialogue (‘Five plus Five’), the Mediterranean Forum, the Euro-Mediterranean Barcelona Partnership, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.
As it has done consistently for decades, Malta will continue to pursue and support the policy of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, promoting confidence and dialogue between the parties involved in the Middle East Peace Process in the context of the Quartet’s Roadmap endorsed by both sides. Malta supports the renewed momentum for peace marked by the disengagement by Israel from occupied territories in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Malta fully endorses the ultimate objective of the existence of two neighbouring, viable and sovereign states, living in peace and security. Malta firmly opposes any statement calling for the obliteration of Israel.
Malta intends to maintain the role of rapporteur of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People serving as a voice of moderation and emphasising the importance of the United Nations as a multilateral forum for peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for the international rule of law.
Malta welcomes Iraq’s political transition in line with the United Nations Resolutions and the European Union’s Conclusions and supports all efforts towards peace and stability in the Middle Eastern region.
5. Promote Malta’s relationship with existing and emerging major economies
Malta will continue to tie investment and trade activity to its diplomatic work with the aim of developing its embassies and consulates into a robust global network which will contribute to the wider effort to bring overseas investment into Malta and create opportunities for export of Maltese goods and services.
Malta will seek to strengthen and promote relations with existing and emerging major economies, with the aim of increasing the presence of Malta’s goods and services in these markets and attracting inward investment to Malta. Efforts will focus on consolidating Malta’s economic and political relationships with existing economies such as the United States and other European Union member states, but also targeting new and emerging economies such India, China, Brazil and South Africa.
6. Seek maximisation of multisectoral benefits from Malta’s International Network of embassies and consulates
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with its international network of embassies and consulates, will continue to contribute to the wider effort to bring overseas investment into Malta, increase the export of Maltese goods and services, promote tourism, financial and maritime services, and commerce in general, coordinating closely with the relevant government agencies to ensure a common focus on the immediate and long-term goals of Malta’s economic development in view of developing trends and business opportunities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also utilise more effectively its consulates spread around the world for the promotion of trade and investment putting them to the service of Maltese entrepreneurs in the process of seeking new markets for Maltese products and services abroad.
In the multilateral and European Union context, the Ministry will seek to tap opportunities for international service and assignments for Maltese nationals, consultancies and businesses.
Expand and improve Malta’s consular network
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to invest in the provision of consular services internationally, expanding the consular network to provide Maltese citizens with a network of assistance in case of difficulty or distress. In this regard, Malta continues to support efforts within the EU for the coordination of the consular networks of member states to enhance the services and coverage for EU citizens.
7. Address holistically the international aspects of illegal immigration
Illegal immigration constitutes a serious concern for Malta which, at 1200 persons per square kilometre, represents one of the highest population densities in the world.