‘Malta’s Neutrality Is More Relevant Than Ever’: PL MP Edward Zammit Lewis
PL MP Edward Zammit Lewis said that Malta’s constitutional neutrality is “more relevant than ever” as it seeks to host peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Zammit Lewis said that while the Four Point Plan for Ukraine that European leaders recently agreed to in London was a sign of European unity, a wider level of support is necessary to achieve peace.
“The fact remains that peace between Ukraine and Russia is a priority as never before,” he said.
“Malta’s neutrality has never been this relevant, and the country must play an important role in this crucial moment, beyond its position within the EU.”
“Neutrality doesn’t mean we should remain passive – it should actually embolden us to be proactive and a formidable interlocutor among all involved parties.”
“However, for this to happen, Malta must make a major effort to welcome all players necessary to ensure an effective and lasting peace – ie. Ukraine, Russia, the EU, the USA, EU member states and non-EU European countries such as the UK. Peace is the only way forward and Malta must be a protagonist.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg confirmed that Malta has reached out through official channels to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, just as it had in 1989 when the country had hosted a summit between US President George H Bush and Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, on a stormy day that went down in history as a key moment that led up to the end of the Cold War.
Prime Minister Robert Abela recently said that Malta’s neutrality gives it a unique advantage to host peace talks.
“It would be crazy to revise our neutrality. While we aren’t the only neutral EU country, we are the one which treasures neutrality the most and has the most constitutional safeguards. Why weaken that which makes us strong and unique?”
READ NEXT: Watch: No More Vans? Ian Borg Pledges Major Comino Kiosk Revamp
