Inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue - usually considered secondary to political, commercial and economic exchanges between countries - should be at the heart of the European Union's neighbourhood policy, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said.
Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, Dr Frendo said Malta could contribute in promoting relations between the EU and its Mediterranean neighbours because Malta was accepted and respected in the Arab world.
Central to the discussion in the committee was whether the democratic values which the EU cherished would be acceptable to the "circle of friends" which the EU wants to have, especially when it comes to establishing relations with Arab countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean which do not have democratic systems.
Inevitably, the issue of freedom of expression vis-à-vis respect towards different cultures and religions came up during the debate as MPs referred to the cartoons of Mohammad which appeared in European newspapers and which sparked off violent protests.
Without making a direct reference to the cartoons, committee chairman Jason Azzopardi asked whether there were limits to inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue when there were disagreements on basic principles, and when, for example freedom of expression in Europe was also seen to imply a right to offend, shock and disturb.
Dr Frendo said the cartoons incident showed that there still were voids between the two cultures and even alarming incomprehensions between the West and the world of Islam.
He said Malta had made its position clear in condemning insult to any religion but defending the right of the independent press not to be under the state's control.
The EU's neighbourhood policy should lay emphasis on common values and seek dialogue with countries individually to overcome these difficulties, Dr Frendo said.
Labour MP George Vella said the clash would remain a bone of contention in the coming years, adding that the inter-cultural divide was central to the debate on whether Turkey should join the EU.
Dr Vella said Europe had gone through the Enlightenment, shedding divine right and giving birth to the rights of the individual.
Islam had yet to go through a similar process. There was a strong liberal element wishing to bring about change in Islamic countries themselves, even though the conservative and fundamentalist factions seemed to be having their way sometimes.
Dr Vella said time was needed before liberal Islam took over and there are no easy solutions. One should be careful when saying that Malta was familiar with the Arab world since there were a number of issues where "we do not understand each other".
Dr Frendo said even Europeans themselves had different perspectives but there still was a common value system.
"I am not sure whether we should extrapolate the experience of Europe to Islam, he said, adding that beyond religious sentiments, people could choose between being moderate and tolerant towards different races, or being extremist and widening the rift. Though some take advantage and fuel violence, the silent majority wants peace," Dr Frendo added.