Borg in talks with Austrian counterpart

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and his Austrian counterpart Michael Spindelegger this afternoon exchanged views on their countries’ respective areas of expertise during a meeting in Austria.

The meeting aimed at further consolidating the excellent relations between the two countries, which shared very similar views on most matters related to external relations, including their neutrality.

Minister Borg shared Malta’s insight into the events in the Arab world, particularly the transition in Libya, and Minister Spindelegger briefed Dr Borg on developments in the Western Balkans.

The two agreed that Malta and Austria could coordinate their shared positions, which would strengthen the already significant role their countries were playing on the international scene, especially within an EU context.

Another shared concern was illegal migration. Both ministers agreed that a more comprehensive approach by the European Union was in the interest of all member states. They highlighted the inevitable links with human trafficking and organised crime, to which those on the periphery were most vulnerable, but which ultimately are a threat for all countries.