5 Ottobre 2012

Let me say how pleased I am to be here today, and to thank Prime Minister Gonzi for his warm and friendly welcome.

I also wish to congratulate you for preparing and organizing the "5 +5" meeting of Maghreb countries with their European neighbours. This first meeting since the Arab Spring movement is very important to strengthen cooperation between Mediterranean countries in this period of great changes and challenges.

With our partners of the southern shore we discussed a broad range of issues of common interest, from political issues to economic challenges and cultural aspects. In all of them we found a profound attachment to the Mediterranean as our common home.

I’m also pleased to report on the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Gonzi which has given us the opportunity to confirm the excellent relations between our two countries. Work at ministerial and technical level has enabled us in the last months to make significant progress on issues important not just for our two countries but also to neighbouring states. I am thinking, in particular, about coordination regarding search and rescue operations of people at risk in the Mediterranean sea can now be more effective thanks to the operational agreement between our Coast Guards signed on July the16th. Saving lives is a moral and ethical duty, which we have confirmed, today, at the highest level.

I am convinced that our already excellent cooperation will become even stronger in the future.