Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George Vella today signed a Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Malta and the Federal Republic of Somalia.
On the fringes of the European Union, League of Arab States meeting in Athens, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella signed this communique with Somali Ambassador HE Ali Said Faqi.
This is the first ever agreement between Malta and Somalia, and marks the beginning of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Attempts to establish relations between the two countries had been going on for quite some time.
Malta’s interest in establishing diplomatic relations stemmed from the fact that the majority of irregular migrants arriving in Malta and asking for asylum come from Somalia.
The establishment of such diplomatic relations will make it easier for Malta to ask for help of Somali experts to identify whether migrants arriving in Malta are really coming from Somalia.
Malta has in the recent past pledged financial help to Somalia, and also was actively engaged in training Somali military personnel, and in action against piracy off the Somali coast, by participating in an EU mission intended to contribute to the attainment of peace and stability in Somalia and warding off piracy from the Somali coast.
Source: Malta Independent
The post Malta signs first ever agreement with Somalia appeared first on WardheerNews.