News

Malta-Latvia: “unwavering support for Ukraine”

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta and Latvia discussing pertinent international issues during the official discussions between the President of Malta George Vella and the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics. In Malta, the two Presidents discussed opportunities to further deepen the bilateral relations and exchanged views on international issues. President Vella shared his views on pressing international matters, and the active role that Malta is taking in trying to resolve them, particularly at the United Nations Security Council and as the OSCE Chair-in-Office for 2024. The two Presidents condemned Russiàs illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine. “We will equally maintain the unwavering support for Ukrainès sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have been vocal in condemning these acts and maintain that perpetrators must be held accountable,” said President Vella. The President of Malta referred to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, denouncing the unfolding daily tragedy and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. “Dialogue is key. It is imperative that all parties, including the EU, work together with regional and global partners to promote a genuine political horizon which safeguards a Two-State Solution based on pre-1967 borders, addressing the legitimate concerns and aspirations of both sides, in line with relevant UNSC Resolutions,” appealed President Vella. The issue of irregular migration was also discussed. President Vella underlined Maltàs concern about the migratory pressures from the Central Mediterranean route, with the significant increase of arrivals since 2020. “This is a challenge for the EU and not just a matter for a few frontline Member States. There is a need to strengthen the southern borders and combat human trafficking and smuggling,” stated the President. President George Vella and his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevics also focused on the enlargement of the European Union against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about the Future of the EU.

foto: DOI

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Maltàs Foreign Minister in Kyiv

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Foreign Minister met Ukrainès President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on his first official visit on behalf of the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe, which Malta is currently chairing.
Borg also visited the Ukrainian villages of Borodyanka, Bucha and Gostomel, which have been battered by war following Russiàs invasion. He also met with Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba, to discuss in further detail Ukrainian priorities for the OSCE. Borg was also given a presentation of the work that the OSCE officials are doing in Ukraine. “This first visit as Chairperson-in-Office emphasises our determined commitment that, as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and also as Malta, the Ukrainian cause remains a priority on the international agenda,” Borg said.
The President of Ukraine thanked Malta for having hosted a peace meeting last October. Zelensky thanked Malta for its aid and stressed that the friendship between both countries was “getting stronger than ever” with Maltàs active support in the Ukraine Peace Formula. In a statement on X, Zelensky said the October peace talks had elevated the discussion to a “new, high level”. The October peace talks involved representatives of 66 countries and international organisations, although Russia and China did not participate. He urged Malta to direct the OSCE’s efforts to help locate Ukrainian citizens detained inside Russia, children in particular.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Osce –


Source: medNews

Maltese SAR, 125 migrants in distress, reports of another pushback to Libya

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – 125 migrants were reported adrift in Malta’s search and rescue area. The international NGO Alarm Phone said it was in contact with the group of migrants in distress who escaped from Libya. “They report high waves and that their engine stopped working last night. They are calling for rescue,” said Alarm Phone, while alerting the authorities to send immediate rescue. Meanwhile, the German NGO Sea Watch confirmed that the 125 migrants are on a small boat, in high waves and heavy rain. “We saw them. Frontex must have seen them as they overflew the estimated position,” claimed the NGO. Sea Watch added that the Libyan coastguard arrived in the area and pushed the migrants back to Libya illegally.
(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Sea Watch


Source: medNews

Maltese PM “South EU countries to benefit from the mid-term budget”

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the revised agreement between the 27 Heads of State and Government on the revision of the mid-term European Budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, the MFF.
Prime Minister Robert Abela added the agreement was beneficial to not only the European Union but also Malta. He added the agreement will help south European countries to continue investing in socio-economic and sustainable development. “Thus, the root causes of migration will be addressed, reducing the influx towards our country and others in the region,” Abela said.
The Maltese Prime Minister referred to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. “A permanent ceasefire is needed while humanitarian aid should be provided as much as possible,” he insisted. “The dignity of the Palestinians needs to be respected, and therefore, we must continue to work towards a two-state solution while recognizing Israel’s right to protect itself.”
He appealed for a stronger position from the European Union regarding the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean to ensure the protection of human rights and to offer hope to the people affected by this conflict.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS)


Source: medNews

Libya, Syrian mercenaries escaping towards Europe

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has reported that several Syrian mercenaries have been in Libya for an extended period and have not returned at all. Around 3,000 Syrian mercenaries loyal to Turkey have been observed fleeing military bases in Libya. Some escaped to various Libyan regions intending to work, while others left Libyan territory heading towards the European Union. “The number of Syrian mercenaries exceeded 7,000 a few months ago, with about 3,000 of them fleeing and becoming refugees in North Africa and Europe,” noted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Disputes erupted among Syrian mercenaries fighting in Libya following a reduction in their salaries. This has hindered the rotation process among the groups. According to the SOHR’s report, “the mercenaries or contractors are refusing to deploy to Libya after their salaries were cut by about $200 following the cessation of hostilities there. They were previously earning around $2,500 monthly. The disagreement over wages obstructs the rotation process, as individuals have remained there for over a year, even though rotations among groups are supposed to occur every three months”. The report added, “The decrease in the number of Syrian mercenaries in Libyan camps has compelled Turkey to increase monthly salaries from $200 to $375 amidst dissatisfaction from the factions loyal to Turkey over the meager monthly wages that barely cover food and drink expenses”. The report concluded, “Turkish intelligence is preparing to transfer new batches of mercenaries to Libya and repatriate others in exchange”.Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Moammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma


Source: medNews

Imf, Malta facing rise in income inequality and greater pressures on infrastructure

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The International Monetary Fund said in its report on Malta that the “impressive” recovery from the pandemic has brought a rise in income inequality and greater pressures on the country’s infrastructure largely supported by “large inflows of foreign workers, allowing rapid labor force growth”. The IMF noted that the infrastructure like roads and public services such as the health sector did not caught up with the population growth. IMF also observed that the gap between high and low earners has risen above the EU and poverty risk appear to be on the rise, with the elderly population showing signs of being increasingly at risk. The IMF once again urged the Maltese government to phase out the energy subsidies. These subsidies, the IMF argued, disincentivise energy savings and green investments and account for some 40% of Malta’s deficit. The government is expected to spend over €320m on energy subsidies this year alone. The IMF expects Malta’s economy to continue to grow at a moderate pace, with inflation gradually easing over the coming years. The Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela described the energy subsidies as “crucial”. In a Facebook post, he added their cost would not prevent the government from investing further in the country. Meanwhile, the IMF remarked that the property market is showing some signs of slowdown, with residential property prices “decelerating” and real estate transactions dipping. It also called on Malta to develop a roadmap for the implementation of the global minimum corporate tax regime. The Maltese government already declared that it would be delaying the introduction of this measure, which is expected to impact some 660 multinational companies with a base in Malta.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma


Source: medNews

International partnership for Italpress, agreement with Belga News Agency

PALERMO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Italpress news agency has entered into a partnership with Belga News Agency, a Belgian news agency based in Brussels. For Italpress this is a further step forward in the coverage of foreign information. After the presence in Valletta with MNA, Malta News Agency, the recent opening of a correspondent office in New York, the partnership with iina, Iraq International News Agency, the agency founded and directed by Gaspare Borsellino has therefore concluded another agreement which will allow it to have more widespread journalistic coverage of the entire Euromed area. “We are very proud of this partnership with Belga News Agency. A non-random choice”, explained Borsellino, “which confirms the Euro-Mediterranean DNA of Italpress, born and raised in Palermo and present today in all the main Italian and foreign cities with collaborators, offices, in addition to the editorial offices and multimedia studios in Rome and Milan. A further step forward, a further stage, in the coverage of foreign information, after the birth of news programs dedicated to the Mediterranean in English and Arabic”.
“For Belga News Agency this partnership stands for a shared commitment to providing extraordinary news coverage across Europe. A collaboration that marks a new chapter in our growth, enhancing our ability to bring diverse solutions and high-quality journalism to our public”, says CEO, Patrick Lacroix.
Belgian News Agency is a generalist news agency providing multimedia news, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from Belgium and abroad to Belgian media, public institutions, businesses and organisations. Italpress is a multimedia journalistic agency that produces hundreds of news items daily covering all the main information sectors, television formats, video services, podcasts, and offers tailor-made communication services for institutions, companies, associations, public and private organizations.

– foto Belga News Agency/Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Italy-Africa, from education to energy the 5 points of the Mattei Plan

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Education and training, agriculture, health, energy and water are the five main points of the Mattei al Plan at the centre of the summit “Italy-Africa, a bridge for growth common”, currently underway in the Italian Senate.

“Europe and the whole world cannot think about the future without taking into account consideration of Africa; our future inevitably depends on the African continent. And aware of this, we want to do our part,” said the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, while announcing that the initial allocation as part of the Mattei Plan will be 5.5 billion in credits, donated operations and guarantees.

“Italy’s natural vocation is a bridge between Africa and Europe, a bridge that we have the advantage of being able to build starting from scratch but from the solid foundations that a long time ago Italian as Enrico Mattei had the foresight to achieve”, added Meloni.

On the education and training sectors, the Plan will deal with interventions that aim to promote training and the updating of teachers, the adaptation of curricula, the start-up of new professional and training courses in line with the needs of the labour market and collaboration with businesses, involving in particular Italian operators and exploiting the Italian ‘model’ of SMEs.

The interventions in agriculture will be aimed at decreasing the rates of malnutrition; promote the development of agri-food supply chains and support the development of non-fossil biofuels. In this framework, it is considered as fundamental the development of family farming, the protection of forestry and the fight against and adaptation to climate change through integrated agriculture.

The focus is also on the strengthening of the health system, improving accessibility and quality for both maternal and child services. To strengthen local capacities in terms of management, training and employment in the healthcare systems, research and medical personnel digitalization, the development of prevention strategies and systems, and containment of health threats, in particular pandemics and natural disasters.

Energy is one of the central sectors of the Plan. The goal is to make Italy an energy hub, a real bridge between Europe and Africa. In the context of the connection between climate and energy, all interventions will be carried out to strengthen efficiency energy and the use of renewable energy with actions aimed at accelerate the transition of electricity systems, in particular for electricity generation from renewable sources and transmission and distribution infrastructures. It is a commitment that it will also include the on-site development of applied technologies to energy also through the establishment of innovative energy centres, where Italian companies will be able to select local start-ups and thus support employment and development of human capital.

Finally, water is a very precious resource, the scarcity of which in Africa represents one of the main factors in relation to food insecurity, conflict and migration. In this framework the interventions will concern: the drilling of wells, powered by photovoltaic systems; maintenance of the points of pre-existing water supplies; investments in networks distribution networks; and raising awareness through activities regarding the use of clean, drinkable water. All these pillars are interconnected with each other with interventions on infrastructure, both general and specific for each sector.
(ITALPRESS).

– Photo: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta-Sicily, Romanian arrested following a drug bust

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Romanian was arrested by the police in Malta on his arrival from Sicily after he was found in possession of 15 kg of suspected cocaine. According to the police, the cocaine was destined for the local market, with a street value of around two million euro.
The Police identified a vehicle, a Volkswagen Touareg, that had just disembarked in Malta off the catamaran from Sicily.
Packages of cocaine were allegedly being carried in the vehicle. In fact, a search of the vehicle turned up the fifteen packages containing drugs. The investigations are still ongoing.
– Photo: Malta Police –
(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Tens of migrants in distress in central Mediterranean

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The lives of 74 migrants is at risk in central Mediterranean following their escape from Libya. This was confirmed by the interna NGO Alarm Phone, adding that the group of migrants were also trying to escape from the Libyan coastguard to avoid being taken back to Libya.
Meanwhile, the NGO Seawatch said that the supply vessel MARIDIVE has just taken 6 people from the sea. The other survivors are still on their boat in distress, facing dangerous weather. Seawatch is urging an immediate safe harbor and to halt the illegal return to Libya.
In another development, Doctors Without Borders rescued 68 migrants off the Libyan coast, including 5 children and a pregnant woman, who were on board three unseaworthy boats. The organization said in a statement that 5 migrants refused to be disembarked and remained on board the fiberglass boats, noting that this situation is worrying. It added that the lack of safe and legal options, in addition to “the violence” that migrants suffer in Libya, leaves them with no choice but to cross the sea and increase the number of victims.
– credit photo agenziafotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

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