Frendo hopes to visit Israel, Palestinian territories in 2005

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Michael Frendo, wishes to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories next year.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Times commenting on his two-day official trip to Egypt last weekend, Dr Frendo explained that while being an "EU team player" like other member states, Malta also continues to pursue its own (peace-supportive) policies in the Middle East.

Five Maltese had been nominated to join the team of independent observers monitoring the election of the new Palestinian President on January 9 led by the former French Prime Minister, Michel Rocard, Dr Frendo said. They are Mario Galea, MP, Dr Anglu Farrugia, MP, Alan Bugeja, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joe Borg, who has monitored 26 elections for the Council of Europe, and journalist Joe Mifsud.

Informal proposals emanating from some Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups for a new 'endgame' approach - i.e. to define the future Palestinian state's frontiers first, then work backwards, in substitution of the present "incremental approach", would be given due consideration by Malta, Dr Frendo said, "within the context of the Roadmap and the EU Action Plan."

Dr Frendo added that Malta had confirmed its intention to continue in its long-time assignment as rapporteur of the UN Committee on Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

The Israeli-Palestinian problem as well as the related recent action plan endorsed by the European Council last month figured prominently in Dr Frendo's talks with his Egyptian opposite number, Dr Ahmed Aboul Gheid. Egypt has taken a number of progressive initiatives in recent months, consolidating a role as 'honest broker' between the two sides; Dr Frendo also received an extensive briefing from General Omar Sulyman, Head of Intelligence, tasked with developing Egypt's role in related security aspects.

Agreeing to a formal annual meeting, the two ministers discussed the Euromediterranean Partnership, its future within the European Neighbourhood Policy and the need to combat poverty and develop infrastructure in the southern partner nations.

Dr Aboul Gheid assured strong support to Malta's offer to host the FAO's Mediterranean Fisheries Council, to be decided in February.

They also focused on boosting Maltese-Egyptian economic ties, including proposals to link the Maltese and Egyptian stock exchanges and for developing Mediterranean-wide trading via the MEDBORSA concept.

Several initiatives will be developed as a result of additional talks Dr Frendo held with senior ministers and a group of Maltese business leaders will accompany him on his next official visit to Egypt in November 2005.

"My invitation to the Egyptian Investment Minister to attend the Commonwealth Business Council's seminar here in November, prior to the Commonwealth Summit, will serve to develop Egypt-Commonwealth economic links", Dr Frendo explained. "Libya, Tunisia and Algeria will also be present. This event will promote Malta's potential as an operating and financial base for Commonwealth business and investment in the south Mediterranean".