Malta currently advised not to join Trump's Board of Peace

Malta is currently advised not to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, the Foreign Affairs’ Permanent Secretary has stated.

Permanent Secretary Chris Cutajar was speaking in parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee when he also told MPs that Malta is yet to receive a formal invitation to the controversial international body.

In January, Prime Minister Robert Abela casually informed parliament that Malta was “informally invited” to join Trump’s Board of Peace.

Abela admitted that Malta would join the board “if it is in the national interest” regardless of whether the EU agrees with such a move. One week later, Abela said that the board’s current format is “not ideal,” but stated that change can be achieved by being at the table.

READ ALSO | Labour MPs divided on Trump’s Board of Peace, Nationalists flag neutrality concerns

On Wednesday, Permanent Secretary Chris Cutajar said that the ministry officially considers such invitations once they are formally made, adding that as of right now, no formal invite has been sent. The Prime Minister had stated that Foreign Minister Ian Borg was the one who received the invite. 

Cutajar explained that the current format of the Board of Peace does not align with the UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which endorses the US-proposed Gaza peace plan.

The Permanent Secretary went on to say that he fully believes in multi-lateralism, and doesn’t exclude Malta from working with the Board of Peace’s members to ensure peace in the Mediterranean.