Malta Hosts 1539th Meeting Of Council Of Europe’s Committee Of Ministers’ Deputies

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg formally opened the 1539th meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers’ Deputies on Tuesday morning. The event, held at Verdala Palace, was hosted under the 2025 Maltese Presidency of the Council of Europe.

The Committee of Ministers’ Deputies, made up of Permanent Representatives from all Member States, plays a key role in overseeing the Council of Europe’s work on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Addressing the gathering in his role as President of the Committee of Ministers, Dr Borg highlighted the Council’s importance as a “values-based compass” in a world increasingly marked by attacks on international institutions, challenges to the rule of law and threats to democratic standards. He emphasised that the Council’s mandate gives it the ability to unite countries and promote peace, justice and democratic resilience.

Dr Borg underlined the need for the Council’s work to be visible and clearly understood by people from all sectors of society. He noted that the true strength of European values is found not only in official settings, but in everyday life across the continent.

He praised the Maltese Presidency’s revival of the Council of Europe’s Youth Ministerial Meeting, taking place in Valletta this week after a 13-year absence. The event reflects a renewed commitment to involving young people in shaping Europe’s future.

Marking two years since the Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October, Dr Borg called for the release of hostages and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He also reaffirmed Malta’s support for accountability over Russia’s war in Ukraine, including through the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression.

The meeting was chaired by Malta’s Permanent Representative Francesca Camilleri Vettiger.

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