A restructuring exercise is being carried out at the Foreign Ministry and Malta's representation abroad to avoid overlaps of duties, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg told a meeting at the ministry for Malta's ambassadors based abroad.

During the meeting, which discussed a wide range of subjects, Dr Borg referred to Malta’s input in the EU.

“In the EU we have a good representation and now we need to think seriously on how to have the secretariat of an EU agency based in Malta," Dr Borg said.

He also stressed that the ministry and the diplomatic corps needed to follow up ideas they came up with.

"For instance the meeting between the EU and the Arab League was a good starter but this needs to be followed up. During our meetings with the French Presidency, we made it a point to mention the illegal immigration problem. Our excellent relationship with the US has led towards a successful exercise of repatriation of refugees.”

Other topics that were discussed included renewable energy, relations with the United Nations, the rights of journalists and media, the participation of children in wars and climate change.

The ambassadors were also addressed by Vanni Xuereb, Head of MEUSAC and Joseph Zammit Tabona, Chairman of Finance Malta, among others.