Vilnius 27 February 2024
President Nauseda,
Members of the press and media,
I wish to begin by thanking HE President Nauseda for his invitation to visit Lithuania.
This is my first Official Visit to Lithuania as Head of State of Malta, during which Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said, responsible for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights is representing the Government.
I had visited the country on previous occasions in my former capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
My delegation and I extend our thanks and appreciation for the welcome, which we have been afforded and for the very good programme of official meetings that has been prepared.
I am sure that this visit will constitute a landmark in the way our two countries can learn more about each other’s realities and challenges. Above all, it will further consolidate our shared vision and common goals.
The invitation from President Nauseda came at a very significant moment seeing that this year marks the thirtieth anniversary since our two countries established diplomatic relations in 1994.
Since then, we have learned greatly about the potential and common opportunities that our two countries can offer: our economic and investment credentials, our commercial entrepreneurship, life sciences, biotechnology, fintech, and tourism, to mention but a few.
Malta welcomes all possible options to enhance business relations as well as all initiatives aimed at promoting increased interaction between our respective commercial stakeholders.
Malta also hosts a sizeable Lithuanian community who have chosen to relocate among us, for family or professional reasons.
We also continue to welcome hundreds of tourists from Lithuania who chose Malta as a preferred destination, as well as Lithuanian students and also professionals choosing to further their studies in the English Language in Malta.
I am pleased to say that these contacts are facilitated by direct air connectivity between our countries.
During our Official Talks, President Nauseda and I discussed a number of regional issues and developments in the East and South of the EU, which should remain front and centre of our agenda.
During my exchanges with the President, I explained how this Visit is also intended as an expression of support to Lithuania and its people regarding the terrible events unfolding in Ukraine.
Russia’s continued wide-spread attacks on civilian population and Ukraine’s infrastructure is yet another reminder of its illegitimate war of aggression being waged in full violation of international law.
We will equally maintain the unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Malta has been vocal in condemning these acts and maintain that perpetrators must be held accountable.
In October 2023, Malta also hosted the third meeting of national security and foreign policy advisors on the implementation of the Ukraine Peace Formula and the principles of restoring peace in the country.
With President Nauseda, I reiterated my complete and unequivocal condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
I understand very clearly the immediate impact that this war is having on Lithuania itself, and I fully appreciate your concerns for the present and the future.
There are palpable and impending dangers that you and others in the immediate vicinity of the war are experiencing first-hand. Your own security and stability are being constantly threatened.
Moving to the Southern Neighbourhood, I described the ongoing wave of instability and insecurity in North Africa and the Middle East, and how this will have effects on Europe itself, unless it is addressed as a priority.
I condemned without reservation the 7th October surprise attack carried out by Hamas on innocent civilians in Israel. Such despicable acts have no place in a civilised world.
At the same time and with the same force, I express my condemnation and alarm regarding the glaringly disproportionate retaliation by Israel, resulting in the killing of tens of thousands of innocent people, mostly women and children in Gaza.
I join all those urgently calling on all parties to cease hostilities and return to the negotiating table to somehow agree on a lasting truce in line with the provisions of UNSC Resolutions
A just and long-lasting peace in the region can only be ushered in by a permanent ceasefire.
I also took this occasion to explain that Malta is concerned by the migratory pressure from the Central Mediterranean Route, with the significant increase of arrivals since 2020. This is a challenge for the EU and not just a matter for a few frontline Member States.
This year is one that will see our countries cooperating very closely on the multilateral level.
As small countries, we both appreciate the value that effective multilateralism brings to the international community.
I thanked President Nauseda for the backing that Lithuania is providing to Malta in fulfilling its duties at the UN Security Council as well as Chair-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe for the year 2024.
This is an extraordinary moment for Malta, as for the first time ever in its Statehood, it finds itself at the helm of two of the most prominent security mechanisms at an international level, at the same time.
During our exchanges I also conveyed Malta’s support and encouragement to Lithuania as it prepares to lead the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in May 2024. We have already started cooperating very closely, as Malta itself will take over the Presidency in May 2025.
I am sure that our countries, as likeminded partners and friends, can continue to rely on mutual support and tangible assistance in making a success out of our prestigious and onerous positions.
I conclude by reiterating my gratitude to H.E. President Nauseda for the welcome extended to me and the whole delegation, and for the fruitful and productive discussions we held.
I am confident that Lithuania and Malta will continue to have the best relations possible in the years to come, in the interest of peace and stability in our region and beyond.