Malta is the voice of Small Islands States in the European Union
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, Senator Maxine Mc Clean, called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, George Vella.
Minister Mc Clean praised the Government of Malta for the organisation of the CHOGM, at which Barbados was represented by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, and congratulated Minister Vella for the chairing of the Ministerial sessions of the Summit.
Minister Mc Clean pointed out that Barbados looks at Malta as a model, especially in the fields of information technology, the business environment, and the efficient running of the civil service.
Minister Vella observed that, while relations between the two countries were established fairly recently, in October 2005, the two countries had registered substantial bilateral progress which also culminated in the finalisation of an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, as well as the training of Diplomats through online courses by Diplo officers as part of a scholarship offered by Malta.
The efforts made by Malta to address the challenges and environmental threats faced by small island states are highly valued by the Barbadian authorities. Its voice, as Minister Mc Clean pointed out, is instrumental in bringing these concerns to the fore of the agenda of the European Union.
Minister Vella also discussed the future of the Cotonou Agreement and the importance Malta will be giving during its presidency to maritime matters, small states, and climate change.
