Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1297549
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 OCTOBER 2020 OPINION Mutual respect between sovereign nations THE United States and Malta have long held a relationship based on shared val- ues and mutual respewct. As a testament to the strength and value of that relation- ship, U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper recently visited as part of a larger trip to the Southern Mediterrane- an-North Africa region. This was the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of Defense in fifty years and just the third cabinet level offi- cial to visit Malta since independence. It was an honour to accompany Sec- retary Esper and introduce him to His Excellency Dr George Vella, President of Malta, and Prime Minister Robert Ab- ela during his visit last week. Secretary Esper also met with Forein Minister Af- fairs Evarist Bartolo, Home Affairs and National Security Minister Byron Camill- eri, and Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi. Secretary Esper's visit to the region in- cluded Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Malta as a demonstration of U.S. com- mitment to stability in North Africa. The United States recognises and appreciates Malta's geostrategic role in the region and its excellent relations with its North Af- rican neighbours. Malta has long proved invaluable in defending peace, liberty, and human rights. Secretary Esper's visit underscored the U.S. view of Malta as a trusted international partner and inter- locutor on issues of regional stability, in particular Libya and the southern Medi- terranean. Our work at the U.S. Embassy in Mal- ta focuses on issues related to security, innovation and commercial diplomacy, and empowerment, particularly of under- served and minority populations, and Sec- retary Esper's visit revolved around those key aspects of our relationship. During our meetings, Secretary Es- per acknowledged the complex security challenges facing the Mediterranean and noted Malta's strategic role as a sover- eign state and member of the European Union. Together with our Maltese part- ners, we discussed ways to collaborate on transnational challenges like terrorism, irregular migration, and malign foreign influence. President Vella and Secretary Esper emphasized the United States' commit- ment to strengthening its partnership with Malta as like-minded, sovereign na- tions. Secretary Esper and Prime Minis- ter Abela discussed the complex security challenges facing the Mediterranean and welcomed the opportunity to strengthen our already robust defence cooperation. The United States appreciates the excel- lent bilateral relationship that Malta and Libya have enjoyed for decades and wel- comes Malta's understanding of regional issues and its contribution to regional dia- logue. Along those lines, during Secretary Esper's visit we engaged in robust discus- sions about the continued instability in Libya, its impact on Malta, and poten- tial paths to resolution and stabilisation. Secretary Esper expressed his gratitude for the insight and perspective these dis- cussions provided as he prepared to meet with U.S. partners in North Africa. During these discussions, Secretary Es- per conveyed concerns about attempts by China and Russia to increase the influ- ence of their authoritarian regimes in the region, including in Malta. Libya has become the venue for Russia's malign efforts to exploit regional con- flicts for its own narrow political and eco- nomic gain. Russia's role in Libya directly impacts Malta with increased migrant flows, human trafficking, and illicit fuel smuggling across the Central Mediterra- nean. We also discussed our concerns about China's debt trap diplomacy, opaque fi- nancing practices, poor governance, and disregard for internationally-accepted norms and standards, which undermine many of the standards and principles that we rely upon to promote sustainable, in- clusive development, and to promote sta- bility and prosperity. Given Secretary Esper's leadership on security issues, our discussions with the Maltese government also focused on our shared objective to develop the Armed Forces of Malta's capability to conduct at sea counter-terrorism and counter-traf- ficking boardings. Our long-standing International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance and other U.S. funding has played an important role in developing the Armed Forces' robust capacity in a number of areas, including counterterrorism, counter illicit traffick- ing, and search and rescue (SAR). The two sides agreed that Maltese of- ficers and soldiers will continue to attend specialised training in the United States and special teams from the United States will continue to provide training in Malta to reach more Maltese soldiers. On behalf of the United States, Secre- tary Esper took the opportunity of his vis- it to thank Malta for its active role in the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). In particular, he recognised the impor- tant role Malta plays as the host of the GCTF-inspired International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), inau- gurated in 2014. The IIJ provides rule of law-based training to lawmakers, police, prosecutors, judges, corrections officials, and other justice sector stakeholders on how to address terrorism and related transnational criminal activities within a rule of law framework. The United States is the largest single contributor to the IIJ, although other members and the EU are increasing their support. Other governments and inter- national, regional, and nongovernmen- tal organizations are partnering with the IIJ in its development. Malta is an ideal home for the IIJ, due to its stability, neu- trality, geographic location, and historical ties to Africa and Europe. The IIJ's mul- tinational, educational, and North Africa orientation fit well into the Maltese gov- ernment's strategic vision of Malta as a trusted international convener, a vision we support. As Chargé d'Affaires, I am proud to rep- resent the United States in Malta and I believe that our strong ties as democratic, sovereign states will go from strength to strength. On behalf of Secretary Esper and his team I extend heartfelt thanks to His Ex- cellency President Vella, Prime Minister Abela, and all our Maltese partners for their warm hospitality and expert support that ensured an exceptionally successful and fruitful visit. Secretary Esper and his team will not forget this impressive island and its people. Gwendolyn S. Green Gwendolyn S. Green is U.S. Chargé d'Affaires U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper (right) with Prime Minister Robert Abela