H.E. Caroline Whelan, Ambassador of Ireland
Hon. Ministers
Excellencies
Distinguished guests
I am very pleased to be celebrating Ireland’s National Day, and the special bond that binds our countries, with all of you this evening.
We are only a few days away from the actual celebration of St Patrick’s Day on 17th March, which as in many other parts of the world, brings local Maltese and Irish our guests together in a spirit of friendship and conviviality.
There is something quite unique in the way in which we Maltese and Irish relate to each other, almost spontaneously.
Malta and Ireland may have not been blessed with a shared geography and physical proximity.
This being said, we have gone through very similar experiences during our colonial past, our paths towards independence, and the events that compelled large proportions of our respective populations to emigrate and seek better fortunes in far-away lands.
Along the decades, even in the years pre-dating our status as independent Republics, we have somehow found our way of establishing strong bilateral links, while projecting our shared values internationally.
Even when direct contacts were not at their highest level of potential, it has always been felt that Ireland was a trusted partner and friend for Malta.
As years went by, we carved for ourselves a niche of genuine and authentic contacts, at the political or community level, that also extended to the international scene.
Each in his own way, we have come to represent a similar, principled foreign policy, that addresses global social justice, the defence of the weakest and most vulnerable, and prides itself with national sovereignty.
From a bilateral perspective, I want to stress that Malta highly values the state of the excellent, friendly relations with Ireland.
We look forward to exploring more avenues of mutually beneficial commercial collaboration with Ireland, including in tourism, as Ireland is a popular tourist destination for Maltese tourists and vice versa.
We should also continue building on ongoing cultural and educational initiatives between Malta and Ireland which shall certainly enhance people to people contacts and collaboration between the two countries.
On this point, it is very interesting to note that we both host sizeable communities in our respective countries.
A few words to our Irish guests present here this evening.
All of you, members of the strong Irish community in Malta are greatly welcome for the contribution you give to the country’s economy and social fabric, and for the contributions you give to our cultural, musical and sports events.
I also know, from my meeting with some members of Maltese community in Ireland during my State Visit in March 2023, that they are very well-settled and have found several interesting professional openings and feel most welcome.
Dear guests,
Over the years Malta and Ireland consolidated their links through our membership and hands-on cooperation in the European Union, as well as during our respective turns at the UN Security Council.
I should mention first of all, the work being carried out by Malta at the UN Security Council since taking up office in January for the term 2023-2024.
I thank Irish authorities for the constant support, which actually began months before we actually started functioning on the Security Council.
Malta is grateful for the assistance and support it received from Ireland on several technical dossiers, as well as the sharing of good practices for its successful UNSC bid for 2023-2024.
Malta is now looking forward to its second Security Council Presidency in April, during which we will be addressing the situations in Yemen and Syria as well as on Sudan and Colombia. An Open Debate on the Situation on the Middle East is also planned to take place.
As a country in the centre of the Mediterranean, this region remains a high priority for Malta.
That is why we also intend to address the theme of challenges facing the Mediterranean during our Presidency. The intention is to focus on complex issues affecting the Mediterranean as a region, and which, if not addressed, could contribute to instability and lack of security.
As you all know, all of this will be taking place concurrently to Malta’s responsibilities 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.
Mindful of the challenging times ahead, Malta will spare no effort in seeking to contribute positively towards enhancing cooperation, multilateralism and adherence to the rules-based international order.
This brings me to the situation in Ukraine, as the war has now entered its third year.
The killing of civilians and strategic destruction of civilian infrastructure by Russia during these years and more so during the harsh winter months is yet another cynical breach of international law.
These crimes must be stopped, and perpetrators must brought to justice.
This invasion is a flagrant and direct threat to the multilateral system. No effort should be spared in safeguarding our common values and rights, with the UN at its core.
In our Southern neighbourhood, problems are abounding too.
From increasing instability in North Africa to a precarious security situation in the Sahel.
With regard to the Middle East, I condemn 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 and precipitating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the region.
We join an ever-increasing chorus of voices 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 Resolution 2712 and Resolution 2720.
A just and long-lasting peace in the region can only be ushered in by a permanent ceasefire.
These considerations bring me to a reflection on Malta’s and Ireland’s status as neutral countries and the ways in which this attribute can be put to the best possible use of the international community.
While Malta’s neutrality was envisaged and formulated during the 1980s in a very different international setting, it clearly remains very relevant in today’s context.
Our record thus far has amply shown that this status, when properly exercised, is a valuable tool in the hands of those who work for justice and peace; in the hands of those who want to seek agreement, by peaceful and diplomatic means.
In the present turbulent global scenario, neutrality has not stopped us from being both vocal and active in taking strong and categorical stances, that place us front and centre on the right side of history.
In this context, Malta greatly appreciated Ireland’s participation in the Symposium on Neutrality – “Neutrality in Today’s Geopolitically Contested World” with a speaker from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and a speaker from the Institute of International & European Affairs. The Symposium took place on 9th March 2023.
I have had occasion to discuss neutrality, together with a very wide range of other international issues, with my highly esteemed colleague H.E. Prof. Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland over these last five years.
I had the pleasure of meeting President Higgins bilaterally during State Visits in 2022 and 2023, as well as during the annual Arraiolos Heads of State Meetings, one of which I had the pleasure of hosting myself, here Malta.
My meetings and exchanges with the President were always insightful and most interesting and I can say we share similar thoughts on a number of issues.
One characteristic which I must say, strikes me greatly, in President Higgins is his deep knowledge of the situation in Africa, especially East Africa, and his concern with poverty and food scarcity in the region.
The President’s passionate engagement on this front is most laudable.
Having myself returned only a few days ago from a successful State Visit to Ghana, I hope to see our collective attention on Africa, gain further ground in the months to come.
We need to do more to put Africa higher on the global agenda, with African countries as equal partners in the global family and start with action where it matters most, by ensuring better access to health, education, mobility and energy.
Malta and Ireland can deliver results on this shared vision and lead the way for other like-minded countries to follow.
Excellencies, distinguished guests,
In conclusion, I ask you to raise your glass and toast to the good health of President Higgins and to the bright future that lies ahead for Ireland and Malta, and for our continued cooperation towards of global, stability prosperity and peace.
Thank you and slainte. (to your health)