
Malta has officially taken over the Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers from Luxembourg.
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Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg formally opened Malta’s 2025 Presidency with a flag-raising ceremony at Place de la République, in the heart of Strasbourg, on Wednesday. This symbolic event marks the beginning of Malta’s six-month leadership programme — its fourth Presidency since joining the Council of Europe six decades ago.
The Council of Europe noted, “You can now ride a tram with the colours of the Maltese flag on it.”
“Today’s flag-raising ceremony marks a new chapter and a solemn pledge to defend the values that unite us, to champion the rights and dignity of all people, and to uphold the mission of this great institution in word and deed,” Minister Borg said.
He added, “At a time when war continues to inflict suffering on our continent, the Council of Europe must remain a beacon of justice, accountability, and democratic resilience. Through this Presidency, we will continue to promote principled, cooperative diplomacy as the only path to lasting peace and progress.”
Since taking over from Luxembourg on 14 May, Malta has hosted several important meetings in Valletta, including the 12th European IDAHOT+ Forum and the third session of ADI-SOGIESC, which will inform new recommendations on intersex rights.
This week, Malta is also hosting the 4th European Youth Work Convention, bringing together around 500 participants to help shape the future of youth work across Europe.
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