On April 22, 2024, Ian Borg, the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, warmly welcomed Everly Paul Chet Greene, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs of Antigua & Barbuda, on an official visit to Malta.
Despite the geographical distance between them, Malta and Antigua & Barbuda share many commonalities as small island states and members of the Commonwealth. These shared attributes shape their values and priorities, particularly concerning climate change and other challenges they face.
During their meeting, the Ministers highlighted the growth of bilateral cooperation over the past few years, which initially began during the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasized collaborative efforts on water management issues and celebrated positive momentum in relations. A significant achievement of the meeting was the joint signature on the founding document of the Global Maritime Sanctions Information Centre, aimed at promoting training and information sharing among ship registries worldwide to isolate problematic actors.
The discussions also covered bilateral interests, foreign and security issues on the global stage, and a shared commitment to peace, conflict resolution, and international cooperation. Both nations emphasized the importance of upholding international law and accountability. Additionally, they reaffirmed their dedication to promoting human rights, good governance, and the rule of law domestically.
The Ministers underscored the urgent environmental challenges facing their regions and stressed the need for increased international collaboration on climate issues. They expressed support for the upcoming COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024.
Both countries acknowledged the necessity of advocating for small island states on the global stage. They agreed to collaborate on international advocacy efforts, particularly given Antigua’s upcoming hosting of the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States and Malta’s roles within the European Union and the UN Security Council.
To solidify their ongoing cooperation, the Ministers signed minutes outlining shared priorities for future collaboration between Malta and Antigua & Barbuda.
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