Malta backs Palestinian membership of Unesco

Malta was today one of 107 countries that voted in favour of the admission of Palestine to UNESCO. The vote followed a week of intense discussion among all the Member States and the voting groups of UNESCO. Around 150 ministers attended the meeting...

Malta was today one of 107 countries that voted in favour of the admission of Palestine to UNESCO. The vote followed a week of intense discussion among all the Member States and the voting groups of UNESCO. Around 150 ministers attended the meeting last week. Southern Sudan was also accepted as a Member.

Malta was represented by non-resident Ambassador to UNESCO Ray Bondin who outlined the reasons why Malta has a positive vote, namely that Malta wanted secure borders for Israel, but at the same time recognised the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians to their own state.

Eleven EU Member countries voted in favour (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Spain) whilst most of the others abstained, the Foreign Ministry said. 

During the week the EU Coordination Group met several times in an effort to agree on a joint voting pattern. Eventually, eleven countries voted in favour whilst others voted against or abstained. Only 14 countries across the globe voted against the motion in the UN. 

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