Malta welcomes US-Iran agreement

Malta has welcomed the US-Iran agreement which brought an end to hostilities between the two states.

During a meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chris Fearne voiced support for the diplomatic success. 

The US-Iran agreement sees the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Addressing his EU counterparts, Fearne described the agreement as crucial for regional stability. “Malta recognises that this is now an opportunity to achieve, instead of an escalation of wars, an escalation of peace across the entire Middle East,” he stated.

Fearne also called for more proactive EU engagement regarding Palestinian state-building. He stressed the necessity of supporting ongoing reforms within the Palestinian Authority to ensure long-term stability.

The council also held discussions on the war in Ukraine, specifically condemning recent Russian attacks on Kiev. 

Fearne spoke of the presence of Russia’s “Shadow Fleet” in the Mediterranean, arguing that addressing these unregulated vessels is vital for the safety of EU Mediterranean states but noted that a full maritime ban would require global cooperation, particularly from G7 partners.

On the margins of the council, Fearne participated in the EU-Egypt Association Council and held individual meetings with the Egyptian foreign minister as well as Moldova’s deputy prime minister.

The council’s agenda also touched upon the complex state of relations between the European Union and China, alongside the broader regional impacts of the ongoing conflict in Iran.