LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Malta-led resolution at the United Nations Security Council aimed at enhancing protection for children in war zones was formally adopted by the support of more than 100 member states. In a statement, Maltàs Foreign Affairs Ministry said the resolution represented a “pivotal step toward strengthening global efforts to protect children affected by armed conflict”. The ministry said the resolution “reinforces the international community’s response to the grave violations against children in armed conflict”. The resolution calls for a responsible handover of child protection responsibilities to UN country teams and stresses the “critical role” of child protection advisors in the organisation’s missions. It also emphasises the importance of gender-specific approaches to children affected by conflict, the statement explained.
Commenting on the development, Foreign Minister Ian Borg said, “Maltàs leadership reflects our commitment to ensuring that the protection of children remains a priority in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts”.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Agenzia Fotogramma-

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela described Maltàs return policy one of its “greatest successes in irregular immigration policy,” and urged to see “the same effective results achieved on a European level.”

Abela was speaking to journalists following the European Union council meeting in Brussels. Referring to a meeting with a group of other leaders including European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen on the fringes of the summit, Abela said it was “encouraging to see 10 Member States agreeing on the way forward”.

The European Union is reportedly mulling plans to strengthen its policies towards irregular migration next year. A new draft directive on returns could be circulated to member states as early as February, with new deportation rules and the possibility of ordering migrants to register at centres outside the EU on the cards, according to Politico. Such centres have proved controversial, however, and faced legal challenges; last month, judges in Italy rejected the detention of a group of migrants in Italian-run centres in Albania.

The Maltese Premier spoke about the conflict in Ukraine, and stressed the need for a “dose of realism” while calling for a diplomatic end to the conflict. “Time is up for the narrative of winners and losers. The end to all fighting is the only win that matters in Ukraine”, he said, adding the incoming term of returning US President Donald Trump brought a different dimension to the situation in Ukraine. While emphasising that such a peace should not require Ukraine to relinquish any part of its sovereignty, Abela said that “after three years of war if we do not adopt a different approach, we will have more years of war that lead us nowhere”.

– Photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILAN (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Air Arabia Maroc, a member airline of the Air Arabia Group and a leading low-cost carrier based in Casablanca, Morocco, inaugurated its new route between Fez and Milan Bergamo Airport on Thursday, December 18. The first flight, operated by an A320 aircraft, was welcomed with the traditional water cannon salute by the Fire Brigade of the Orio al Serio Airport Station.
This is the second route operated by Air Arabia between Morocco and Milan Bergamo Airport, following the launch of the Casablanca route on May 12, 2009. The new connection with Fez, known as the cultural capital of Morocco with its imperial heritage and UNESCO-listed medina, will offer two weekly flights, operating on Wednesdays and Sundays.
The inaugural flight from Fez to Milan Bergamo was attended by Fatima Meziane, Regional Manager Benelux Italy and Germany, Marco D’Onofrio, Italy Sales Manager for Air Arabia Maroc, and Claudio Lazzati, Italy Sales Executive for Air Maroc.
Both the Fez and Casablanca routes, the latter operating daily except Saturdays, are served by the Airbus A320 in a single-class configuration with 174 seats. The same type of aircraft is also used by Air Arabia to connect Milan Bergamo to Cairo with five weekly flights, and to Alexandria, Egypt, during the summer schedule.
Since December 7, 2022, Air Arabia has been operating daily flights between Milan Bergamo and Sharjah International Airport, located just a few kilometers from the city center and only twenty minutes from Dubai. This route is operated using the Airbus A321neoLR, configured in a single class with 215 seats. The stopover in Sharjah allows passengers to connect to over 80 destinations across Asia, the Middle East, the Gulf, and Africa.

– Photo Air Arabia press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta considers the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 as “a good basis for a definitive solution” to the issue of Western Sahara. This strengthening of its position was underlined in a joint statement that marked the videoconference meeting on Wednesday between Ian Borg, Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In the joint statement, Malta, a member of the UN Security Council, “considers the autonomy plan presented (by Morocco) in 2007 as a serious and credible contribution to the UN-led political process to advance the process towards a final resolution”, and “encourages all parties to demonstrate greater political will towards reaching a final solution and to renew their commitment to the efforts of the United Nations in a spirit of realism and compromise”.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – At the end of the UN Security Council meeting to restore an international agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, the Fifteen discussed developments regarding the 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and the implementation of Council Resolution 2231 that approved it.
The JCPOA established rigorous mechanisms to monitor restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, while paving the way for the lifting of sanctions against the country. The agreement was signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the Council – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – plus Germany and the European Union. The United States withdrew in May 2018 under the Trump administration.
The UN noted that there are 10 months to go until “Termination Day” for resolution 2231 and that the impasse on the restoration of the JCPOA persists, in a deteriorating regional context.
“In this context, the need for a long-term global solution that restores the objectives of the Plan has never been greater,” Rosemary DiCarlo, head of political affairs at the UN, told ambassadors. Speaking to Italpress at the end of the meeting, Maltàs ambassador Vanessa Frazier stressed that “I think Iran is ready to make a deal and the new US administration is an opportunity. If sanctions are lifted, I think it will be ready to negotiate on its nuclear program. It is a very delicate moment, but with next year’s deadline, the new administration of the JCPOA and everything that is happening in the region, we can see an important turning point”.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Agenzia Fotogramma-

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The new sexual health strategy proposed by the Maltese health authorities is recommending that emergency contraception should be added to the national formulary and condoms distributed for free.
The strategy has now been opened to public consultation for feedback before it is finalised. Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela launched the two-month consultation for the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030, and he described it as being “grounded in robust research”. The strategy aims to be inclusive and equitable to all populations including migrants, people with disabilities and LGBTIQ+ individuals, he said. To prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the strategy suggests providing free condoms to anyone aged over 16. Adding the emergency contraception pill to the national formulary will help make it more accessible, it adds. The emergency contraception pill, also known as the morning-after pill, was not available in Malta until 2016 when it was made legal and started being sold over the counter at pharmacies. The LP strategy proposes free preventive treatment against HIV for those who are at risk of contracting the virus. This is the first time that Maltàs sexual health strategy has been updated in 14 years. To this day, Maltàs sexual health public policies are based on a strategy that was published in 2010 and was already considered outdated by GU Clinic doctors at the time of publication. lol
Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci said the strategy direction was aligned with a World Health Organisation action plan and other EU policies and strategies.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Department of Information-

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – A majority of Maltese people (52%) support Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union but support for funding the purchase of weapons so Ukraine can defend itself from Russia’s aggression has fallen to a historic low of 46%, down 2 points from April. The percentage opposed to EU military assistance has remained stable since April at 50%.

This emerged from a recently published Eurobarometer survey held between October and November.

Maltese support for EU military assistance to Ukraine had already fallen to 51% in Autumn last year, down from 74% in May 2022, just weeks after the Russian invasion.

But support for economic sanctions against Russia (65%) and financial aid to Ukraine (66%) remain high. Moreover, most Maltese (73%) have a negative view of Russia of which only 19% hold a positive view.

Moreover, 63% of Maltese regard Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as threat to the security of their own country.

The survey also shows widespread support for the Maltese government’s response to the Russian invasion which was aligned with that of the EU (69%) while 52% are satisfied with the EU’s response to the invasion.

Overall, in the EU as a whole 58% support the EU policy of financing the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. But support ranges from 92% in Sweden to just 23% in Cyprus. Malta is one of seven member states where a majority opposes this policy.

The survey also shows that 52% of Maltese support the EU decision of granting candidate status to Ukraine. Support for EU membership for Ukraine ranges from 83% in Sweden to 34% in the Czech Republic. In the EU as a whole 60% support accepting Ukraine as a candidate to join the block.

And while the Maltese are increasingly sceptical on delivering weapons to Ukraine, they still favour enhanced military cooperation between the member states. In fact 55% of Maltese agree that the EU needs to reinforce its capacity to produce military equipment. 57% of Maltese also support a common defense and security policy involving all EU Member States, even if support for such a policy has dropped by 11 points since Spring.

This means that support for a common defense policy in Malta is now the lowest in the European Union. The vast majority (68%) of Maltese also consider the European Union as “a place of stability in a troubled world.”(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “The challenges that Europe is facing are complex and enormous, in terms of security, climate crisis, energy transition, migration management, but there is no challenge or threat, even so serious, that justifies us to move away from our identity and our European path”. This was stated by King Felipe VI of Spain, during the ceremony at Montecitorio, in front of both Chambers, in the presence of the highest officials of the State.

“Our concerted action, our solidarity, have helped us to promote projects such as the Recovery Fund Next Generation EU, which is transforming Europe,” adding, “the EU is facing a decisive legislature, which leaves behind a complex institutional cycle”.

For King Felipe, the new Commission “must lead the Union towards the future, with lines of action that are essential for the interests of Italy and Spain: from ensuring global competitiveness, to renew the internal market; from projecting the Union with intelligence and solidarity towards its closest neighbours, to the advancement of common defence and open strategic autonomy; and to pledge on digital transformation to continuing to protect the rights of our citizens”.

“I have always found a sense of wisdom, good sense and advice in the President of the Republic. You know it better than I do: President Mattarella is a point of reference for Italy and for Italians, as well as for many heads of state, among whom I certainly find myself. I am honoured to be among them,” continued King Felipe.

“I am honoured to be here, and I am here because Spain is not only considered a friendly country of Italy, but a brother country, which is the same consideration that Spain has towards Italy”, he continued.

“In this historic building, together with the Senate of the Republic, the representation of national sovereignty, the values that define us are projected; democracy, individual freedoms, human rights and the rule of law are affirmed.”

“Italy and Spain are united by a firm commitment to multilateralism, that is, a world order based on rules and inspired by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter,” he added. “We are two countries of reminiscence, with a clear awareness of the past, in particular of what cannot and must not be repeated, and we see with logical concern how many treaties, institutions and multilateral fora are undergoing increased deterioration, while at the same time calling into question their effectiveness or the very meaning of their existence; a dangerous decline towards something uncertain that is not at all bright”.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALY) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The international exhibition Expo2027, which will take place from 15 May to 15 August 2027 in Belgrade, was presented. The event, which took place yesterday evening in Rome, in front of representatives of political institutions and a group of ambassadors from all continents, was attended by Mirjana Jeremic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Italy and the director of the Expo company Dusan Borovcanin. On this occasion, the ambassadors were given invitation letters from the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic to have their countries participate in Expo2027.
During the presentation, Director Borovcanin particularly emphasized that becoming the host of Expo 2027 is a great achievement achieved in competition with important candidates such as the United States of America, Spain, Thailand and Argentina, thanks to a significant commitment and dedication of the Serbian institutional system. The motto of the exhibition, “Play for Humanity: Sports and Music for All”, is what maintains the spirit of Serbia, which is dedicated to improving relations and respecting all peoples, regardless of their diversity, a theme whose importance has been recognized by most of the countries that have subsequently trusted Belgrade and Serbia by assigning them the organization of the event. Belgrade expects the participation of more than one hundred countries, as well as the arrival of one million visitors from all over the world. Serbia sees Expo as an important opportunity for development – through the optimization of infrastructure and the construction of a new urban center in Belgrade, but at the same time also as an opportunity to present its potential – a dynamic economy, innovations and the vision of interconnection between states and peoples. In addition to numerous European and world countries, Italy is also expected to participate as a strategic partner of Serbia.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Serbian Embassy in Rome-

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has joined several other European countries in suspending the processing of asylum applications for Syrians, after the downfall of former president Bashar al-Assad. Maltàs Home Affairs Ministry said the International Protection Agency, responsible for asylum applications, had “temporarily suspended the examination of pending and new asylum applications for international protection by Syrian nationals”. The move came following “recent significant events in Syria”, the statement said, in reference to a lightning offensive by Syrian rebels that saw the fall of Baath rule last week after five decades in power. The ministry said the agency “will continue to assess the evolving situation with the aim of resuming the processing of such applications in the shortest time possible”. It said it had taken the decision to suspend applications to “properly assess the evolving situation, since at present it is not possible to properly assess applicants’ reasons for seeking international protection”. NGO Syrian Solidarity in Malta expressed its concern at other European countries announcing suspensions of asylum applications. “We would like to remind the international community that many Syrians in Malta have put down deep roots: we have children born in Malta, businesses operating here and strong familial and social ties to this country,” the statement read. The president of the NGO Syrian Solidarity in Malta the Syrian population in Malta soared from a few hundred before civil conflict in 2011 to around 6,500 by 2022.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Agenzia Fotogramma-

Source: medNews