Multilateral organisations such as the European Union are failing to support the Mediterranean region because of their internal divisions, the President of Malta said on Thursday.
George Vella, who previously served as Malta’s Foreign Minister twice, said the United Nations and the EU often issued ineffective summit conclusions or resolutions that are unrealistic.
“The United National Security Council comes up with resolutions which are not enforceable. The European Union just dishes out conclusions and declarations but nothing is done on the ground.
“At this point, the question is are we justified in saying that both the United Nations and European Union have failed the Mediterranean. As I said the Security Council is paralysed, you see this on Libya and on Syria. There is no consensus between the big powers,” he told London’s Chatham House.
“The European Union seems to have lost its voice and no decisive road has been taken to stabilise matters and this has happened especially in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian issue where we have EU involvement in the past which didn’t anywhere,” Mr Vella added.
He said that Europe needed to be reminded that the Mediterranean region was not a distant, far-off place but a neighbour.
But he also referenced the often confused approach that southern Mediterranean countries have taken to migration from North Africa. Nations such as Malta have refused to take in migrants rescued at sea by non-governmental organisations.
“Frontline countries like Malta, like Cyprus, like Greece, they lack solidarity and they lack support. There is no real burden sharing the European Union, so this is a divisive issue in the European Union itself”
“We have to keep in mind these are not just numbers, these are human beings.”
Mr Vella also held talks in London with Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.