Malta joins calls for more action in Syria

Malta welcomed the progress made in destroying Syria’s chemical weapons, but more should be done to address the humanitarian situation, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella said. 

Addressing the Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in Brussels yesterday, Vella said that chemical warfare should not serve as a distraction from the casualties and the need of humanitarian assistance.

“With winter fast-approaching, millions of Syrians are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, both within Syria as well as in refugee camps in neighboring countries. With people dying every day, no effort can be spared in order to provide refugees with clothing, proper shelter, food, water and other means of assistance to both protect and give dignity those in need,” he said.

He expressed Malta’s hope that a pledging conference which will take place in Kuwait on 15 January 2014 will serve to alleviate their plight.

The Minister stated that engaging with all parties to the conflict is an important part of ensuring that humanitarian aid can reach those who need it.

He also welcomed the fact that a date has been set for the so-called Geneva II conference (22 January 2014) which aims to bring the parties to the negotiating table in order to provide for a political solution to the conflict.

“Geneva II is a ray of hope which must be taken advantage of and all parties, including regional actors, need to be at the table in order for the talks to have a chance of success.”

Turning to the situation in Ukraine, Foreign Ministers agreed that the EU must continue to remain engaged and stand by the Ukrainian people whatever their choice may be.

Member States, including Malta, noted that despite the highly-publicised fact that Ukraine and the EU did not sign an Association Agreement at the Vilnius Summit due to domestic issues, the door must be left open to Kiev and the Ukrainian people as a clear signal.