YouSaid · the spoken record

Joseph Borg

lines on the record: 80
first: 1999-09-24
most recent: 2002-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I wish the President every success in his endeavours in presiding over the General Assembly.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The negotiations concerning membership that are currently under way are nearing completion, and we look forward to joining this union of like-minded States at its next enlargement, in line with the timelines established at the Nice meeting of the European Council. Malta has always played a role on the international scene far in excess of its size. This we intend to continue, and I anticipate that all our efforts will combine with those of the other nations of the world to bring about improvements in all the areas that urgently call for our immediate attention. This unswerving determination will guide our efforts in the various forums of which we form part and in the activities we undertake, as together we strive to make a better and secure world for this and future generations.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“14 My Government believes that the accession of Malta to the European Union will serve to further enhance our capability to promote peace and prosperity within the Mediterranean, given our reputation as an honest broker that can identify with both sides of the Mediterranean. Inasmuch as this is the case, we also believe that membership in the Union will also serve to strengthen our own internal workings at all levels of society, bringing prosperity to the Maltese both now and for the years to come. Indeed, we believe that membership in the European Union constitutes a natural progression for Malta, given our long-standing historical, cultural and political ties with the Union.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“These efforts have been made, however, in the full knowledge that they deal more with the symptoms of the phenomenon of human trafficking than with its root causes. The imperative of narrowing the wealth divide across the Mediterranean is one of the philosophical cornerstones of the Euro-Med process, which exists to bring the European Union and 12 Mediterranean States together on a number of issues of common concern. Malta has been an avid supporter of the process since its inception and looks forward to developing its role further within this forum as a member of the European Union in the near future.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“However the ever more apparent disparities of wealth continue to fuel the movement of thousands of people from the southern Mediterranean and further afield to entrust their lives and hopes into the hands of unscrupulous individuals. These traffickers of human beings, willing to exploit misery and desperation, have little respect for human life and often abandon the would-be immigrants to the elements once they have secured their ill-gotten gains. My Government has increased the punishment meted out to those found guilty of such heinous acts. We have also bolstered our surveillance and rescue capability within our territorial waters and are simultaneously seeking to provide treatment that is as humane as possible to the victims that land on our shores.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The Security Council has to ensure compliance with its own resolutions in the interest of the international rule of law. Malta's location at the centre of the Mediterranean has provided us with opportunities for trade and development, which we have been relatively successful at exploiting in the interest of our island, which is otherwise bereft of natural resources. Our strategic location is, however, now also the scene of another socio-economic phenomenon of a much less encouraging nature. I speak here of the poverty divide that cuts across the Mediterranean Sea. The countries of the Mediterranean littoral share much in terms of history, culture and way of life.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“My Government calls upon the Iraqi Government to comply with all its obligations under all the provisions of relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular those concerning disarmament with respect to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq must meet its commitments and allow the re-entry of United Nations inspectors into its territory without any preconditions and as stipulated by the Security Council. The international community should spare no effort in exploring all political and diplomatic options that would or could assist in resolving the issue. Malta is in agreement with the Secretary-General that if Iraq fails to meet its obligations, the Security Council, as the organ entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, must shoulder its responsibilities.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The international community looks to the Quartet to advance in that direction with urgency. An issue which continues to persist in the Mediterranean is the situation in Cyprus, which has remained a cause of concern for more than 25 years. We earnestly hope that an early settlement of the Cyprus question will be found and reiterate our full support for efforts to find a solution on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions. The imminent accession of Cyprus to the European Union should provide the necessary impetus for the resolution of this long-standing problem. Malta is encouraged by the efforts of the Secretary-General to engage the Organization in the quest to achieve a resolution to the situation with regard to Iraq before it deteriorates any further.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“It is a harrowing reminder of how little mankind has learned from the past, particularly if we look back to the outbreak of violence in the region since September 2000. Unjustified preconditions to the start of political negotiations further hinder any progress in the discussions on a two-State solution to the conflict. Negotiations, which must start without further delay, must be built on the clear and plain language of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace. The recent initiative by the States members of the European Union in presenting a road map for the Middle East which outlines a three-stage process leading to the creation of a Palestinian State by 2005 provides a genuine basis for taking negotiations forward.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The extrajudicial killings of Palestinians, the deliberate destruction of the property and livelihoods of innocent civilians and the subjection of the entire Palestinian population to collective punishment does not dim the wholly legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to a State of their own. Likewise, the targeting of Israeli civilians in suicide bombings and other forms of destruction of the lives and property of innocent civilians does untold 13 harm to the cause the perpetrators of those crimes claim to support. No cause, no argument and no justification can legitimize these abhorrent acts by either party to the conflict. My Government looks on in anguish as a fence, reminiscent of the Berlin wall, that most shameful of symbols of the twentieth century, slowly takes shape.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“My Government has taken part in the fight against international terrorism with full determination, and will continue to do so. This is evidenced not only by our thorough implementation of the international conventions on terrorism and the ongoing process towards the implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) but also by ever-tighter controls and scrutiny at our ports. We undertake further to intensify our efforts in this field in order to assist in the permanent eradication of terrorism in whatever shape or form. The continued turbulence in the Middle East also continues to be a source of great concern to my Government. The cycle of violence that continues to engulf the region provides a confirmation, if ever one were needed, that there is no purely military solution to the conflict.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The ICC is thus a product of the lessons learned over time and of the widespread political will that has led to the creation of a credible deterrent to the would- be perpetrators of the most heinous crimes. The ICC thus provides an effective, competent and fair forum where those individuals may be tried. The establishment of the Court also represents a major breakthrough in international law and one which has become more — and not less — crucial now that terrorism has imposed itself high on our international agenda. The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 still loom large in our memories. The anniversary of that tragedy has again filled our television screens with horrific scenes of suffering and death. It has served to remind us of the resolve which is necessary in the face of such horror.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The role of the instruments of international law, and in particular those such as the Convention on the Law of the Sea, should be recognized for the contribution they provide in that regard. United Nations Headquarters has just played host to the historic first session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The complex changes to national legislation necessary to allow for Malta's ratification of the Rome Statute have now reached an advanced stage and are expected to be presented to Parliament in the coming days, thus enabling Malta to formally deposit its instrument of ratification very soon. The new International Criminal Court (ICC) has its roots in the atrocities carried out during the last century — not least those addressed at the Nuremberg trials.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“It is today impossible to speculate on the number of occasions on which the legal certainties that the Convention brought about have helped to defuse, dissipate or prevent altogether the scourge of conflict and war. It is the curse of international law in our times to make the news headlines only when it fails, while passing unnoticed and unsung when it succeeds. We would do well to remain conscious of the role that international law, based on the multilateral process, plays in the prevention of conflict and the avoidance of threats to international security. That is to say, we would do well to remember the role it plays in upholding the central mandate of the United Nations itself.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“However, whether or not the international community concludes such a convention before attempts at reproductive human cloning actually materialize, it is imperative that, through international action and national legislation, Member States deny safe haven to those scientists willing to defy the international community. Before this year is out we shall be commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. When, as a newly independent State, Malta called for the commencement of negotiations on such a convention, it was concerned with the numerous unresolved issues of the rights and obligations of States with regard to seas and oceans, and with the seeds of countless conflicts that they might sow.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“This was a necessary debate which brought to the fore the consensus that exists on the need to 12 respond to the challenges posed by scientists who are unable or unwilling to recognize the deep moral implications of their actions, as well as the dangers that they may pose to mankind. The convergence of political will has now been manifested. The time is therefore ripe for the Ad Hoc Committee to be given a clear mandate to negotiate a convention on this matter. My Government will strive for the timely conclusion of negotiations in this regard, preferably before the end of 2003.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“As a result, the Summit agreed on a series of commitments in priority areas such as water and sanitation, desertification, energy and biodiversity. It is our hope that the plan of action will attract the necessary additional resources that will make its implementation possible, thereby making sustainable development a reality for an ever-increasing proportion of humanity. When I had the honour to address the Assembly at the last general debate, in November 2001, I pledged my Government's full support for the Franco-German initiative against the reproductive cloning of human beings. As a sponsor of resolution 56/93, which established the relevant Ad Hoc Committee, we have carefully followed the deliberations within the Committee on the philosophical, medical, legal and ethical considerations associated with this pressing issue.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Their addition serves to further strengthen the trust and belief of all our nations that dialogue within a multilateral context is both worthwhile and irreplaceable. Over the past couple of weeks the international community has been seized of the issue of sustainable development. Malta participated actively in the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in South Africa, and although the Summit's very ambitious objectives could not all be reached, we are satisfied that a plan of action — the Plan of Implementation — with specific targets to tackle key development problems has been adopted. Throughout the negotiations, Malta worked closely with the European Union to include concrete plans and targets in the plan of action.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Allow me to begin by offering Mr. Jan Kavan my Government's warm congratulations as he assumes the presidency of the General Assembly. He has served the Czech Republic so well as Foreign Minister, and I have full faith in his ability to meet the numerous challenges that the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly will no doubt present. I assure him of my delegation's full support in the execution of his duties. Allow me also to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Mr. Han Seung-soo for the skill and dedication with which he served this body during the session that has just come to a close. It gives the Government of Malta great pleasure to welcome the recent admission of the Swiss Confederation to our family of nations. We look forward to also welcoming among us the Democratic Republic of East Timor.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Yet in doing all this, Governments and peoples must ensure that we continue first and foremost to build peace in the minds of men and women. That undertaking, adopted by the generation that survived the Second World War, retains its noble authenticity today as we face the challenges of our own times.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“For Malta, having initiated the process that led to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it is a source of great satisfaction to contribute to the further development of this veritable pillar of international law. While there is inevitably still more that can be done, both at a domestic and an international level, I hope that this General Assembly session will serve as a renewed impetus for us all to promote everything necessary to make the world safer and more secure. This is our fundamental duty, as political leaders, for the welfare of present and future generations. We must continue to foster social justice, promote equitable development, nurture confidence among peoples, settle conflicts and take the appropriate measures to ensure security for all.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Mediterranean Sea, which provides Malta with its economic lifeline, is perhaps the most tangible proof of the fact that economic progress at the expense of the environment is no progress at all. In reaping its bountiful fruits, we know that they are not unlimited and, if not tended to, will dry up altogether. The same applies to other seas and oceans. With this in mind, Malta yesterday became the thirtieth State to accede to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks — a move that will bring the Agreement itself into force on 11 December 2001.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Indeed, Malta deposited its instrument of ratification yesterday and looks forward to the present momentum being sustained, leading to an early entry into force of this landmark Protocol. Difficult and complex as it may be to tackle environmental global problems, the most challenging environmental problems are often those in our own backyards. With one of the highest population densities in the world, Malta has achieved a high level of human development without any natural resources at its disposal. In seeking to continue to raise our living standards, we grapple daily with difficult decisions aimed at ensuring that economic development on our islands is environmentally sustainable. There is no simple trade-off between the protection of the environment and the production of wealth.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Despite being faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the international community succeeded in forging the Earth’s first major action-oriented response to the phenomenon of global warming. In this respect, allow me to offer my Government’s expression of gratitude to the Chairman of the Conference, Mr. Jan Pronk, as well as to my compatriot Mr. Michael Zammit Cutajar, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, for their enormous personal efforts to secure a successful outcome. Their success laid the groundwork for the breakthrough achieved at the seventh session of the Conference in Marrakech last week. The agreement on the modalities 8 of implementation of the Kyoto Protocol has opened the door to its ratification by all States signatories.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In July this year, Malta deposited its instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Malta hopes that the remaining 13 countries whose ratification is necessary for the Treaty to come into force will join the 84 countries that have already done this. Thus a significant collective step will have been taken towards reducing the risk of nuclear disaster. Not so long ago, the terms “environment” and “international security” in the same sentence would have drawn a perplexed response from most audiences. Today, the link between the two is becoming increasingly apparent. The urgency in addressing the greatest threats to our natural environment was made amply clear in Bonn during the sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Like other candidate countries, Malta is currently negotiating the terms of entry into the European Union in what will be an unprecedented widening and deepening of the Union. Already more than halfway through this process, we are working hard to ensure that Malta is not only well equipped to deal with the challenges of membership but is also in a position to make a significant contribution to the Union. This historic project and the enhancement of Mediterranean cooperation are both of immediate concern to Malta. We feel that they go hand in hand. An increase in dialogue between all nations and a move towards securing a safer planet are in everyone’s interest. However, threats to international security, not least those posed by weapons of mass destruction, continue to lurk in the background.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“International assistance extended to republics in the Balkan region is also indicative of the power within each of us to make our own contribution and to play a part. Malta feels this onus most strongly and actively seeks to play a role on the international stage that goes beyond the mere limitations of its geographical size. In fact, in keeping with this consciousness, Malta is proceeding steadily towards its objective of acceding to the European Union — a union of like-minded States where we naturally belong, not only politically, but also economically, culturally and historically. Our intention is therefore to become an integral part of the European Union at its next enlargement, enabling us to participate fully in a decision-making process that all too often carries wide-ranging implications for our country.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In this connection, we reaffirm our full support for efforts to find a solution on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions. Progress towards lasting peace and stability in the Mediterranean often appears to unfold very slowly. Events in the Balkans since we met here last year, however, bring fresh hope to us all. The end of the Milosevic era was a clear example of the positive change that can be wrought through the power of the people, signalling a fresh beginning for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and indeed for all the neighbouring independent republics. In recent months, turmoil and unrest have also threatened to engulf the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Yet the unfolding situation now reveals encouraging signs of the power of diplomacy.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The peace, security and welfare of all the people concerned require that their full implementation be urgently embarked upon. This necessitates the re-establishment of security cooperation between the parties in the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians; the stationing of international observers, preferably from several regions; and an end to all new settlement activity, including so-called “natural growth”. Against this backdrop, Malta hopes that both parties will be able to return to the negotiating table with the aim of achieving a just and permanent peace in the region on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions. Also in the Mediterranean, the situation in Cyprus has remained a cause of concern for over 25 years. We earnestly hope that an early settlement of the Cyprus question will be found.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“I have no doubt that the richly diverse beliefs reflected in this room are united in their respect for human dignity and identity, and their concern with the fundamental and far-reaching implications of human cloning. Other world events continue to pose a threat to the fundamental right of peoples to live in a secure, stable and prosperous environment. The current state of affairs in the Middle East is an example. The dramatic contrast between the optimism apparent at the Millennium Assembly’s opening and the escalation in violence over the past few months has made it increasingly difficult for the parties to return to the positions they were in just over 12 months ago. Malta is convinced that the Mitchell report and the Tenet Plan provide a realistic and readily achievable way out of the spiral of violence that has 7 engulfed the region.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The United Nations has already had occasion to exhibit its ability to act swiftly and decisively when the conscience of the international community is heightened. The entry into force of the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, which Malta ratified earlier this year, was made possible by the international community’s outrage at the devastating impact of those indiscriminate weapons, whose horrific effects long outlast their military purpose. Similarly, the seriousness and urgency of the problem of human cloning should expedite the conclusion of an internationally binding agreement on that issue.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“That political will has also been seen in the other work of the Organization. Allow me therefore to turn to other issues on the agenda of the General Assembly. I would like first to express my Government’s full support for the initiative of the German and French Governments to bring the issue of human cloning before the United Nations. Aimed at drafting a convention banning human cloning for the purposes of reproduction, that initiative has received wide support from all quarters. The concern expressed underlines the fundamental nature of the threat to humanity posed by scientists who are unwilling to accept ethical and moral limits on their work. In responding to the Franco- German initiative, the United Nations will ensure that a strong and meaningful convention can be drafted and adopted within as short a time frame as possible.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We firmly believe that such an umbrella agreement will give added value to, and further complement, other existing conventions on terrorism. We also believe that the General Assembly should actively consider convening a high-level conference on terrorism under United Nations auspices upon or immediately after the conclusion of such a convention. That would serve to reinforce ongoing international efforts to formulate a collective response to terrorism. The unity of purpose currently prevailing within the international community in its fight against terrorism is perhaps unprecedented. Indeed, the political will displayed over the past two months is a clear manifestation, if any were needed, that multilateralism remains a vital tool in the conduct of relations among States at a global level.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“My Government is politically committed to the Court and will seek ratification of the Rome Statute by the Maltese parliament in the near future. We feel that, in that way, we are doing all we can to ensure that no stone is left unturned in our fight against terrorism. With each passing day, we witness the domino effect that acts of terror may have at a national, regional and global level. The impact this has on the lives of millions must be addressed. We feel therefore that the time is ripe to conclude the debate on an operational definition of the perpetration of a terrorist act. Intensified efforts aimed at the expeditious conclusion of negotiations on the Indian proposal should subsequently yield a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, which will be of benefit to us all.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Malta was among the first six countries to sign the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, and yesterday became one of the first States to ratify it. On Sunday, Malta also acceded to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents; to the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages; and to the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. The new realities of today’s world have certainly brought to the fore the importance of those conventions on terrorism. At the same time, they have also brought into bold relief the wisdom that underpins the efforts of the international community in its pursuit of the establishment of the International Criminal Court.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We must fight the scourge of terrorism with unreserved and unhesitating resolve. We must do this not merely as a means to defend all that we hold dear. We must do it to secure a safer world for ourselves, for those who will follow us and for those who have had their lives irrevocably transformed as a result of these terrorist attacks. That resolve must be our tribute to the innocent and the brave who lost their lives in the l1 September attacks. The two-month postponement of the general debate has provided us with time to reflect and to act. Malta has joined the international community’s absolute and unreserved condemnation of the terrorist acts. We have also stepped up our action in pursuit of the effective implementation of anti-terrorism 6 measures, including comprehensive compliance with Security Council resolution 1373 (2001).”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The horrendous 11 September terrorist attacks brought home the very real threat of terrorism to each and every one of us no matter what corner of the world we inhabit. International terrorism does not limit its actions to individual countries. In fact, although the attacks were launched on United States soil, the specific targets chosen clearly show the intent to destroy symbols of the modern world, icons to free people everywhere. Indeed, by attacking this cosmopolitan city and its World Trade Center, the perpetrators targeted us all. Nationals of more than 60 countries met their death in those dastardly attacks. Even if our own nationals were not among those who lost their lives, we all felt under attack. We all felt violated. In one way or another, our lives have been altered forever, and we must respond accordingly.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Allow me to begin by expressing my congratulations to you, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly. The fifty-sixth session is clearly going to be a challenging one, and one that I predict will further strengthen the resolve of members to work hand in hand on all the different issues requiring our attention. I would like also to convey my appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Harri Holkeri for the determined and skilful manner in which he presided over the previous session. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the United Nations and its tireless Secretary-General on the Nobel Peace Prize that they have jointly and so deservedly been awarded. This session started in a markedly different manner from those of previous years.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“If the Millennium Summit charted our course towards making the United Nations a more effective instrument in the hands of the world's peoples, then the Millennium Assembly must come to be remembered as the point in time when the first major decisions were taken to place the Organization firmly on this chosen path. I hope that these will not be merely empty declarations of intent, but that each Government and each of us here present today will endeavour to better our corner of the globe as best we can. My Government remains determined to play its part.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The number and variety of tasks that face the United Nations are by no means small. Malta is, however, convinced that the United Nations is the forum best positioned to provide workable options and long-term solutions to the problems that plague the world and man's relations with it. Last week's Millennium Summit clearly demonstrated the international community's renewed commitment to this unique and indispensable Organization and its vital role in the maintenance of peace and stability, the eradication of poverty, ignorance and disease and the protection of the global environment.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We need to convert these enormous challenges into moments of opportunity. We need to harness the positive forces of globalization, the new knowledge- based economy and the opportunities of trade to bridge the divides that persist throughout each and every continent. The United Nations has taken a leading role in promoting international understanding and agreement in relation to these varied and diverse areas. Indeed, a wide spectrum of activities, international agreements and agencies of the United Nations have been put to good use in the creation of the impetus necessary for change. We must continue in our endeavours to bring 30 people to a common understanding of how this can best be consolidated, not solely through dialogue, but through concrete actions that must necessarily follow.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Global warming remains a constant concern, and we urge that the undertakings to ward off the further degradation of the ozone layer be fully adhered to. Questions of disarmament, extreme poverty, the striking proportions of HIV and AIDS and the vulnerability of the disabled, infirm and those discriminated against on the basis of race or religion remain ever present on the world agenda. At no time must we lose sight of these very real issues faced by a huge proportion of the world's people. We must, in pursuit of a more caring and equitable society, seek to understand and subsequently meet the needs of these vulnerable members of society. It is not sufficient to promote global e-commerce and ever new economic world orders if we do not also tackle the root causes of many of the problems in the developing world.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We believe that our membership will give the European Union an added dimension that will serve to benefit both the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean littoral. Good governance is what we, the peoples of the United Nations, seek at a national, regional and international level. Yet good governance is exactly what is threatened by a number of phenomena that plague our contemporary society. Ranging from the trafficking of drugs to that of armaments and human beings, international organized crime threatens the very texture of law and order through abuse, corruption and violence. The growth of related crimes also alerts us to the need for ever closer international cooperation. As much as the socio-political environment requires constant vigilance, so too does the physical environment.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance and respect for the natural environment are goals towards which our combined energies and efforts should be channelled. It is for these reasons that we have chosen to pursue the path of membership of the European Union. It is the common values and principles that inspired the birth of what is today the European Union that inspire us in our quest. This is because it is through membership that we feel we can best play our part on the international stage, and contribute more effectively towards the promotion of peace and progress in the Mediterranean. We feel that our capabilities to play a useful role may be greatly enhanced from within the European Union. This is not solely for our own local benefit.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“More recently, Malta was one of the prime movers behind a recommendation within the Conference on Security Co-operation in the Mediterranean process of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly of Mediterranean States. These initiatives serve to underscore our commitment to the achievement of peace, prosperity and a just solution to the demands of the Mediterranean people. We believe, however, that on our own we can only do so much, and that therefore the principle of multilateralism, as enshrined in last week's Declaration, must be fully respected and observed. As was stated in the final Declaration of the Millennium Summit, the management of economic and social development, as well as the risks and threats to international peace and security, must be a shared responsibility.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Successive Maltese Governments have consistently promoted efforts to develop and consolidate cooperation between the littoral States of the Mediterranean at both a bilateral and multilateral level. In the mid-1970s we hosted the preparatory meeting that led to the Barcelona Convention that launched the Mediterranean Action Plan. In 1995 we argued in favour of a Mediterranean stability pact for the region, a proposal which is now taking shape in the form of a Euro-Mediterranean charter for peace and stability. In 1997, at a time of difficult political circumstances for the area, Malta hosted the second Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference, following that of Barcelona in 1995.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In this connection, the Maltese Government reiterates its full support for the Secretary- General's efforts to find a solution on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions. The Mediterranean has also been witness to the cruel and merciless trafficking in human beings, a tragic and criminal exploitation of the misery of others. We welcome the initiatives taken by the Italian Government at the Conference for Development and Security in the Adriatic and the Ionian held in Ancona 29 last May. The broad parameters established in that Conference can indeed serve as a prototype for similar agreements elsewhere. Malta has always been acutely aware of the role it can play in bridging the divides of this complex area.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We hope that the same determination as helped overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the past will continue to inspire the protagonists to work for the goal of a just and permanent peace and security for our Middle Eastern neighbours. The Balkans are another part of the Mediterranean area that also continues to challenge the will of the international community in its quest for stability and its determination to ensure that full respect for human rights becomes the common heritage of all peoples who live there. In this respect, every positive development is of the utmost importance. For over 25 years the situation in Cyprus has remained a cause of concern. We therefore earnestly hope that an early settlement of the Cyprus question will be found.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Despite being a sea of promise and great opportunity, the Mediterranean continues to challenge our political will to nurture long-lasting stability. Security in the Mediterranean requires committed and quiet determination to identify both the problems and, more importantly, the solutions. The element of dialogue that has so often underscored the work of the United Nations has brought much to the enhancement of relations between the States of that part of the world. Malta indeed not only shares the aspirations of the United Nations in this regard, but has striven throughout the years to ensure that they become an integral part of all dealings in the Mediterranean. Together with the rest of the world community, Malta welcomes the progress made in the Middle East peace process.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“These initiatives alerted the United Nations to examine the far-reaching, serious implications of those issues and thereby enabled it to adopt timely measures, which, as can be appreciated, have helped defuse, and continue to defuse, potential political tensions, environmental dangers and social complications. The progress recorded in the United Nations over the years is impressive and a source of great satisfaction to my Government. The goals achieved, while relevant the world over, lie extremely close to the heart of the area of which Malta forms part. The Mediterranean can be seen as a microcosm of the larger world stage. We have faced, and continue to face, intermittent conflicts and wide gaps in development levels. The shortage of freshwater resources in some areas is potentially another serious challenge.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)