UN and EU decisions often ineffective and not enforceable, says Malta’s President

George Vella claimed international paralysis meant the Mediterranean was not being supported

Boris Johnson, U.K. prime minister, right, shakes hands with George Vella, Malta's president, during their bilateral meeting inside number 10 Downing Street in London, U.K., on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Malta was hit by a scandal earlier in the year that shone an uncomfortable light on the European Union’s smallest member, one whose central banker nevertheless shares a seat at the table with the likes of Germany and France setting the euro-area’s monetary policy. Photographer: Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg

George Vella held talks with Boris Johnson on the post-Brexit relationship. Bloomberg

Mar 05, 2020

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.

Earlier today my wife Miriam and I called on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty showed interest about developments in Malta and vividly recalled memories of her visits to, and stay in Malta. Photos: PA Media pic.twitter.com/ec7l6jGs5j
— President of Malta (@presidentmt) March 4, 2020

“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.

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“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.