VIENNA, 12 June 2025 – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Ian Borg, addressed the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and presented Malta’s Presidency priorities.
In his capacity as President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Hon. Borg reaffirmed Malta’s strong commitment to multilateralism and to strengthening cooperation between multilateral organisations, including between the OSCE and the Council of Europe. He highlighted the pressing need to defend democracy, peace, and human rights in the face of mounting global challenges. “This is a decisive moment for Europe,” Hon. Borg stated, underlining the importance of collective action in addressing growing threats to multilateralism and fundamental values.
The Deputy Prime Minister also shared Malta’s Presidency priorities, placing a strong focus on support to Ukraine, youth empowerment and giving a voice to those facing vulnerability and marginalisation. “Across our continent and beyond, wea re increasingly confronted by rhetoric that undermines human dignity and threatens the fundamental values that unite us. It is for this reason that we will strive to combat violence and discrimination, while upholding human dignity”, Hon. Borg explained.
Marking a key milestone, Malta’s Presidency coincides with the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Deputy Prime Minister described this Convention as a “cornerstone of human rights protection, democracy and the rule of law,” noting that the Presidency will work to reinforce these values across Europe, including by giving a voice to those who are often unheard.
Reflecting on Malta’s experience as Chair of the OSCE in 2024 and as current President of the Committee of Council of Europe, Hon. Borg emphasised the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation. “Together, we can reinforce our collective efforts towards a stronger and more resilient Europe. We owe it to our people,” he concluded.
In the margins of the discussion, Hon. Ian Borg held bilateral meetings with senior OSCE officials, including Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu and the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Jan Braathu. Both were among the top four officials appointed through unanimous consensus during Malta’s OSCE Chairpersonship in 2024. He also met Finland’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen, congratulating Finland on its 2025 Chairpersonship of the OSCE and expressing Malta’s continued support as a member of the OSCE Troika.
