“The latest developments in the Middle East constitute a worrying escalation, and we must act collectively to encourage all parties to opt for dialogue and negotiation rather than the use of force,” emphasized Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg during a high-level forum of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council with the Gulf Cooperation Council in Luxembourg on Monday.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional organization that brings together Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Minister Borg reiterated Malta’s commitment to affirming the importance of dialogue and effective negotiations in all international fora. He communicated this call for dialogue to Israeli, Iranian, Palestinian, American, and Saudi counterparts over the past days.

“As I highlighted during the UN Security Council debate presided by Malta last week, we must refocus our attention on Gaza and work towards an immediate, permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and adequate humanitarian aid,” he added.

Famine in the Gaza Strip, the soaring death toll and destruction combined with escalations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem continue to remain of utmost concern. “Our message to Israel to avoid a ground invasion in Rafah must also be reiterated in unequivocal terms,” Minister Borg reminded.

Malta also acknowledges the recent positive announcements by Israel concerning the gradual reopening of crossings and a new crossing point in the North of Gaza. This effort must be reinforced to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the communities that desperately need it.

The Minister also referred to the situation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, noting that the continued Houthi attacks on commercial vessels need to stop, to avoid the risk of unravelling the positive strides made towards peace in Yemen.

While highlighting the efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to reinstate stability in the region, he once again called for an increased effort towards ongoing peace negotiations. “At this critical juncture, it is ever more important that dialogue and negotiation should reign supreme, as their absence would spell the ever-increasing possibility of further escalations,” Minister Borg concluded.

#MaltaDaily