Yes indeed, in Malta

For decades Malta's foreign policy has reflected its strategic and particular geographical position. Firmly embedded in European culture and lying in the geometrical centre of the Mediterranean, it was natural for Malta's policy makers since independence to stress the country's European identity in a Mediterranean setting. Of course, there have been differences between the main political divisions as to what extent that European and Mediterranean identity had to be pursued; whether our European belongingness should transform itself into membership of the European Union and whether such membership would be an obstacle or an asset in our relationship with the Arab world in general and our North African neighbouring states in particular.

Experience has shown that membership of the Union has put us in a stronger position to broker dialogue between North and South. We are no longer a tiny nation trying to find our political position in this dialogue; we are indeed part of it. Our membership of the Union has enabled us to raise the question of a permanent open channel to the Arab world on the European agenda. Our attendance at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) and our participation in the Gulf Co-operation Council meetings with the EU have given us an insight into Euro-Arab relations, which was unthinkable outside membership.

Indeed, my predecessor's convening of a special meeting in February 2008 of Foreign Ministers of the EU and the League of Arab States was an achievement of significant magnitude. It was not achieved without difficulty but pressing the right buttons and knocking the right doors led, with the invaluable support of the Portuguese Presidency, to hold such a meeting in Malta, the start of a process to put the Euro-Arab dialogue on a more permanent footing.

The second step in this direction was made when, during the Marseille meeting of Euro-Med Ministers last November, I insisted on behalf of the Maltese government for a place in the new Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat in Barcelona and for the setting up of a Liaison Office for Euro-Arab dialogue in Malta.

This goal was achieved when European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS), Amre Moussa co-sponsored, through a joint letter, the setting up of such office in Malta in recognition of the country' s particular interest in Mediterranean policy matters.

Indeed, Malta was present at creation in the setting up of most of the Mediterranean fora, which form concentric and sometimes confusing circles; the Barcelona Process, the Mediterranean Forum, the 5 plus 5 Western Mediterranean fora and, recently, the autochthonous Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), whose seat was established in Malta in November 2007.

This office will be jointly inaugurated by the two high representatives of the two institutions tomorrow in the presence of Malta` s Prime Minister. The mission of the office will be that of coordinating efforts and initiatives, supported by a €500,000 budget by the European Commission and the LAS, in promoting dialogue. A Maltese expert and an Arab expert along with a technical assistant from the Commission will form a small think tank, which will foster understanding and coordination between Europe and the Arab world.

This is a small but significant beginning; I do not hide my intention and aspiration that, with the passage of time, this seminal effort and action will blossom into a permanent secretariat between the Union (and not just the Commission) and the Arab world. It is in the interest of both to achieve such goal.

Most of the Arab world constitute Europe's immediate neighbourhood. Experience has shown us that security in the Mediterranean and Europe are inextricably linked and that idea is becoming more rampant on the continent. Austria's keen interest in holding a successful meeting on Euro-Arab dialogue last December reflects the support for the Maltese initiative, which was expressly recognised in the final declaration of both European and Arab foreign ministers.

The Euro-Arab dialogue initiative by Malta proves that our membership of the EU did not dwarf in any way our special relationship with the Arab world. On the contrary, it provided us with a tool to further and promote what has been at the heart of our foreign policy. Besides, the reputation and positive goodwill acquired by Malta's wise move in this regard will serve us well for future initiatives in the same direction that are already in the pipeline and which will be hopefully brought to fruition.

Dr Borg is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.