Joseph Muscat doubtful 'soft words' on migration will translate to 'hard facts'

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday addressed the U.N. General Assembly reiterating his, and the country’s determination to foster dialogue and understanding among countries in order to achieve peace in the Mediterranean, and by extension Europe

Muscat said that despite some difficult discussions and in some cases, wildly diverging viewpoints, he was encouraged to see that international community could still find a lot that they could agree on. However he did confess that he is still doubtful that words can ultimately translate to “hard facts.”

Malta, he said, together with its European partners, and sometimes on its own, has been working tirelessly to address concerns and challenges presented. Key to this effort, he added, is the need to address human trafficking, which he described as being one of the worst types of crime. Muscat suggested that human traffickers should be brought to justice in front of an international tribunal in order to drive home the message that “profiting from human trafficking does not pay.”

Moving on to the situation in the Middle East, Muscat expressed his frustration at the fact that there is still no solution to the Middle East Peace Process. He said that Malta was deeply concerned with the humanitarian situation in Gaza. While calling for the opening of crossing points into Gaza, he said that Malta maintains that the legitimacy of the State of Israel must not be called into question and that it is essential to rekindle the prospects of peace talks and to keep the two-state solution alive.

Muscat was optimistic about the situation in Tunisia saying that it was emerging as the first, albeit fragile democracy. However, he urged the international community not to abandon the country at what is critical juncture in its development. In relation to Libya, the Prime Minister said that the overall picture continues to be bleak despite the fact that incremental positive developments have taken place.

Welcoming the recent adoption of a security council resolution to destroy the country’s chemical weapons he stressed that the Libyan population needs a concretely functioning Government that addresses their basic needs.

Muscat lamented the atrocious terrorist attacks and the spread of a “culture of violence” that have spread across the continent in the past year.

“The most effective way to counter terrorism is by empowering the rule of law and strengthening the judiciary in the states where such activity is gaining ground,” said Muscat.

On Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, he said that Malta will continue to broaden its foreign policy focus and will seek to intensify its outreach to other regions.

“The overriding driving force of our global perspective is oriented towards dialogue and mutual understanding – a vocation that Malta has been genuinely adhering to for decades.”

The Maltese Presidency he said will endeavour to continue strengthening relations with the League of Arab States as well as with the Gulf States.

Muscat concluded by saying that Malta shall continue to play its part within the United Nations to contribute, support and advance initiatives for the common good.