Malta 'helps link EU with Commonwealth'

Malta had enormous potential to offer and could act as an interconnector between the EU and Commonwealth countries, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

Malta, one of three Commonwealth countries with EU membership, could continue strengthening the links between the two communities, he said.

Dr Gonzi was addressing a joint press conference with Commonwealth secretary general Kamalesh Sharma who was in Malta for a three-day official visit.

They discussed a number of themes, such as immigration and the fight against poverty, which would be raised during November's Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad, he said.

He pointed out that there was a huge difference from when Malta hosted the meeting in 2005 because of the present "unique financial crisis".

Mr Sharma spoke about the importance of applying the principle of inclusiveness to all countries. One of the Commonwealth's roles was to sensitise the G20 about its global responsibility, he said. The G20 had a responsibility to act on behalf of the world.

"Ninety per cent of the world's GDP is collected in the G20 but 90 per cent of the world's countries do not form part of it," he said.

These countries "must not believe they form part of an exclusive club" that only took care of their own, Mr Sharma stressed.

Mr Sharma's three-day trip ends today. During his visit, he paid a courtesy call on President George Abela and held meetings with Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.