'Consensus on foreign policy does exist'

Malta's foreign policy was based on consensus and, while both the government and the opposition agreed on the objectives, the only differences and divergences between them lied in the methodology and emphasis, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg insisted yesterday.

He was replying to criticism levelled by opposition foreign affairs spokesman George Vella during the debate in Parliament on the ministry's estimates for 2010.

Dr Vella said it seemed the government felt comfortable to take important foreign decisions without consulting the opposition. There was no consultation before or after the government decided to re-join the Partnership for Peace programme. Which Parliament had approved the decision to join the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council?

AFM soldiers were taking part in joint exercises and military vessels were entering Maltese ports without Parliament being informed. In this context, Dr Vella called for a review of the neutrality concept in the present political scenario without compromising principles.

Welcoming the approval of the Lisbon Treaty, Dr Vella reiterated the government did not consult the opposition with regards to its vote for the new EU president and foreign policy representative, as well as Malta's new Commissioner to the EU. What was Malta's policy on EU enlargement?

Dr Borg told Parliament both sides agreed that Malta's place was within the EU, that Malta should develop its Mediterranean dimension and vocation, that it should remain free of military alliances, but that it continued to cooperate and coordinate with the West with which it shared common ideas and ideals.

During the past 12 months, the most important initiative in Malta's foreign affairs was the creation of the EU-Arab League liaison office. The setting up of the secretariat of the Mediterranean Union was stalled after Arab nations refused to proceed following the Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip.

At the UN General Assembly, Malta had voted in favour of the adoption of the Goldstone report because it could not ignore the atrocities that happened in the Gaza Strip. He said this belied opposition criticism that Malta had hardly condemned the Israeli attacks.

However, the government had always affirmed Israel's right to live within secure borders and having security guarantees following the creation of a Palestinian state.

Dr Borg said that the issues of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip were shameful. These settlements were not only being built at a quicker pace but Palestinian residences were being demolished.

Turning to the EU, Dr Borg said Malta had the highest rate in Europe of healthy life years at birth, had a higher-than-average number of people who owned their residence, was in the seventh place in expenditure on care of the elderly, was third as far as internet and broadband access for enterprise was concerned and second in e-government online availability.

Malta was actively participating in all EU for activities and carrying out scrutiny of all legislative initiatives issued by Brussels. Malta had stood its ground in joining other countries blocking the Working Time Directive. The political parties and workers' representatives were united on this stand.

Malta had managed to translate a temporary concession of zero-rated VAT on food and medicines into a permanent one - becoming the first and only new member state to benefit from such a move. The same happened with regards to sea transport emissions, when the government insisted that IMO continued to be involved in emission reduction targets. The government saw that the aviation activities emissions directive did not damage Malta's tourism interests.

Turning to infringement, Dr Borg said that from a record 69 cases in 2007, Malta had only 42 the following year and this year there are only 31 cases still active, two of which have been referred to the European Court. The infringement record of 20 of the 27 members was worse than Malta's. Dr Borg reiterated that when the government believed it was right, it had nothing to fear pointing out that the Commission's interpretation was wrong.

The double taxation agreement between Malta and the US was expected to be ratified by the US Senate by the end of the year. The visa waiver programme had come into effect and for the first time since independence, Maltese can visit the US without the need of a visa. The US had activated a refugee relocation programme from Malta, which had now totalled some 400. The programme would continue next year.

Dr Borg said that during the state visit of the Spanish royal couple, six bilateral agreements would be signed, including one on the formation of a joint committee on mercantile treaties between Malta and Spain.

On the issue of illegal immigrants, Dr Borg said everybody acknowledged Malta was active and effective and it was unjust and unfair to criticise the government for there not being a mandatory burden sharing policy. Dr Borg warned that such a policy could boomerang. Malta had already succeeded in encouraging more member states to accept the voluntary burden sharing pact.

Earlier, Dr Vella said that illegal immigration had become Malta's greatest challenge and it would be wrong if this became a political football. The opposition had declared time and again that it was four-square behind the government. However, even Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil said Frontex was a joke. Malta expected tangible and effective solidarity from the other EU member states.

The Maltese were neither racist nor xenophobic but their fears that a large number of illegal immigrants could impinge on cultural and religious traditions had increased following the European Court judgment that crucifixes be removed from classrooms. Dr Vella asked that Parliament sends a clear message that nothing and nobody would be allowed to impinge on the nation's values. Immigrants must adapt - take it or leave it.

Dr Vella also spoke on EU-Arab relations, the Union of the Mediterranean and the Middle East situation in view of the latest developments of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory. He welcomed the government's decision to open embassies in Tel Aviv and Ramallah and its endorsement at the UN of the Goldstone report on atrocities carried out during the Isreali attacks in Gaza.

He said what former diplomat Yves de Barro did in Tripoli in the seventies was unethical, undiplomatic and against Malta's interests. No Foreign Ministry report would absolve him from the lack of professionalism and ethics he had shown.

That report transmitted the wrong message to other diplomats.

Dr Vella augured the development of better bilateral relations with China and the US and noted that those with Russia had not even started yet.

The Labour spokesman also asked what led the government to abandon further investigations into the Lockerbie tragedy at least to clear Malta's name.

Also participating in the debate were opposition MPs Luciano Busuttil and Noel Farrugia and government back-benchers Frans Agius and Michael Frendo.

The estimates were approved by 35 votes against 34 after the opposition called a division.