President George Abela this morning highlighted Malta's foreign policy priorities when he greeted the resident and non-resident members of the Diplomatic Corps at the exchange of New Year Greetings.
He said that Malta was hopeful that the European Union would exercise a more significant role in the regional and international arena through the new institutions of the President of the Council and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
"Above all, it is our desire that the European Union draws closer to European citizens so that its relevance to their daily lives will be more manifest and comprehensible."
Turning to the economic crisis, he said the last two years were not been easy for many economies.
Malta did not emerge unscathed, but owing to timely measures taken by the government, it managed to avoid the worst consequences of the crisis. The traditional cautious approach and the ethical standards of the banks, coupled with the adoption of the euro, were determining factors in helping Malta to survive the worst of the onslaught and contain the damage as much as possible.
Dr Abela noted that this is the EU Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
"That so many millions of our fellow men in Asia, Africa and Latin America still live in poverty is a shame for all humanity. Our economic crisis may be transient, it comes and it goes, but for many millions it is a permanent feature of their lives, it will always stay with them and they know not how to emerge from it. Let us hope that the Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion will indeed go some way towards alleviating the hardship of so much suffering humanity," the President said.
On climate change, Dr Abela insisted that the global community has a moral and material responsibility to do all it can to limit the growing impacts of climate change on vulnerable societies across the globe.
He also renewed Malta's commitment to be a catalyst to generate deeper understanding, peace, security and dialogue within the Mediterranean, adding that Malta also remained committed to the two state solution to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.
Malta, he added, also continued to believe in the potential of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Highlighting the problems of illegal immigration, Dr Abela said Malta was not insensitive to the plight of the migrants who face the perils of such an uncertain journey towards what they perceive as a land of hope.
"We do not think, however, that a lasting solution lies in illegal migration but in cooperation in a readmission policy coupled with economic assistance designed for the amelioration of the economic and political situations of the migrants' countries of origin. In the meantime, we consider it essential that our burden be shared by our European partners, for this issue is not ours alone."
The dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mgr Tommaso Caputo, praised Dr Abela for being close to all categories of Maltese society.
“You have been instrumental in providing inspiration to the proper understanding of authentic solidarity. This is already leaving its needed impact on the people of Malta and Gozo. The Presidential run from San Anton Palace to the Grand Masters’ Palace, on the 6th December, and in which You yourself participated, as well as other recent fund-raising events for charity, are positively contributing to the much-needed “purification” of the true meaning of charity and solidarity.”
The members of the Diplomatic Corps are today also calling on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and will be hosted to a reception by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat.