Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told the Europe Asia summit that the seas that over the past centuries served as paths of war could be transformed into a formidable path of growth for the two continents.
The Prime Minister said that as a global major and reputable ship register, Malta believed that securing crucial seaways was necessary for further economic development.
He referred to the Gulf of Aden, which is very important for trade connection between Europe and Asia and said that the European Union-led Atlanta operation off the coast of Somalia, to which Malta actively contributes, was crucial in this regard
The Prime Minister Muscat appealed for a solution to the current dispute between Italy and India, whereby Italian marines were being currently detained in India.
He said that without entering into the merits of the issue, Malta stressed the need for reasonable resolution between its closest European neighbour and a fellow Commonwealth member.