Leticia BragaHe once again insisted Malta is waiting for a United Nations conference to take place before officially recognising Palestinian statehood. “We are now waiting for the conference to be assigned a date, and then we will evaluate what position countries like France will be taking. If the circumstances we had discussed ahead of the declaration are met, we will proceed,” Abela said on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister fielded questions from the media following a ministerial statement on Tuesday afternoon. PM Abela said questions being fielded to him stem from “misreporting of facts”.
“I had insisted recognising Palestine statehood would depend on the conference’s conclusions,” Abela said.
He also insisted Malta’s track record on the issue has always been clear to see, with calls for ceasefires and a two-state solution. The PM also said the country’s balanced approach after 7 October attacks allows the country to take consistent positions on the issue.
In May, Abela promised that Malta will formally recognise the State of Palestine during a United Nations conference on the Israel-Palestine issue in June. However, the June deadline passed without any formal recognition on Malta’s part.
The original conference was scheduled for 20 June but later postponed after Israel launched a military attack on Iran. In March 2024, Malta was among four European countries that said they are ready to recognise the State of Palestine when the conditions allow for it.
Malta already recognises the Palestinian right to a state, but this would recognise a ‘future’ state. From the four countries that made their interest public, only Malta is yet to recognise Palestinian statehood.
PM: Malta will continue to push two-state solution amid Israel-Hamas conflict
Robert Abela said Malta will condemn all forms of violence while promoting peace
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that Malta will continue to push for a two-state solution amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
“Malta has always had this consensus of pushing for a two-state solution, and that is what Malta is still pushing,” he said. The Maltese government has consistently advocated for a two-state resolution. Abela reaffirmed this commitment, and said Malta will always push for peace.
“We push as a country the condemnation of all forms of violence and push a message of peace,” he said. Abela also reiterated the parliament’s stance on the matter, which was publicly communicated on Thursday night.
The Maltese parliament condemned attacks by Hamas in Israel, but also acknowledged that the Israeli siege is illegal. He stressed that Malta’s firm support for a two-state solution reflects the country’s commitment to promoting lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Malta will also continue its financial aid to Palestine. Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said the government is thinking of ways to help Palestinians financially without donations reaching Hamas.
Malta donated almost €85,000 in development aid to Palestine last year, of which €80,000 was donated to the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA). The remaining money was used to provide a Palestinian student a scholarship in international relations.
This year, Malta donated €124,000 in development assistance to Palestine, of which €75,000 was donated to the UNRWA. The rest was allocated to two postgraduate academic scholarships at the University of Malta. Both students have arrived in Malta and begun their studies.
Dr. Robert Abela took office as the 14th Prime Minister of Malta on 13 January 2020.
Dr. Robert Abela was born in Sliema on 7 December 1977. He received his primary education at the Sisters’ School and St. Francis School and St. Aloysius’ College. He graduated as a lawyer from the University of Malta in 2002.
Dr. Abela worked in the family law firm, specialising in industrial and labour law, and has acted as legal representative of various entities such as the Planning Authority and Airmalta. He was elected as a Member of Parliament in June 2017 and was appointed as legal adviser to the Prime Minister by Dr. Joseph Muscat.
Dr. Abela is married to Lydia, nee’ Zerafa, also a lawyer and they have a daughter Giorgia Mae.
Associated Press
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Alexis Parker