Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1491408
4 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 1 FEBRUARY 2023 4 NEWS MATTHEW VELLA MALTA started its two-year term as a non-permanent mem- ber of the United Nations Securi- ty Council, the body responsible for maintaining global peace and security, in January. On 1 February, through Am- bassador Vanessa Frazier, Mal- ta's Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations, Malta will take over the presiden- cy of the Security Council for the month of February. The last time Malta served on this Council was 40 years ago. "Even though the work has been ongoing for many years, following Malta being elected on 10 June 2022 with 97.3% of the votes, our country intensified its work dur- ing the last months so that from tomorrow, the work programme can come into its full effect after the council members agree on it," foreign minister Ian Borg said in a press conference explaining the priorities and work programme for the UNSC presidency. Four activities by Malta are ex- pected to be attended by a num- ber of dignitaries, including the United Nations secretary-general Antonio Gutierrez, and the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell. The first debate will focus on the plight of children in conflict situations and the second activity will address the issue of sea level rise and its implications for peace and international security and its effect on small island states. The third activity will be an annual briefing on the relations between the European Union and the United Nations and the last activ- ity will be a debate in connection to the first year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Borg will himself chair the last three activities. "Our pri- orities are the protection of children who are in conflicts, the climate and the oceans, the role of women for peace and security, and literacy. We believe that these priorities, in thematic areas, are essential to the fulfilment of civil, politi- cal, social and economic rights around the world." Thanking all Maltese diplomats for their work, Borg's foreign ministry and the Malta Founda- tion for the Wellbeing of Society will also be signing an agreement, as part of the. minister's moti- vation to work on children in armed conflict. The main goal of this agree- ment, among others, is to effec- tively establish what the needs of children who arrive in Malta from conflict zones are, to ensure that the necessary support is pro- vided and that all decisions are taken in the best interest of these children. Children in conflict, sea level rise, EU and Ukraine in programme for Security Council Karl Cini refuses to answer questions during PAC testimony CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Currently, the PAC is exam- ining the Auditor General's re- port on the contracts awarded to Electrogas Ltd by Enemalta. The company had secured the tender to build and operate a gas power station and LNG terminal. Nexia BT was on the financial committee that was evaluating proposals by companies bid- ding to construct the gas-fired power station, and Cini was called to testify for this reason. "My client will not exercise a right to not incriminate your- self, but a right to silence," Cini's lawyer Stephen Tonna Lowell said at the start of the session. Nationalist MP Darren Car- abott said that the Speaker al- ready ruled on situations like this, after Konrad Mizzi had al- so refused to answer questions put to him when testifying be- fore the same committee in the previous legislature. Carabott insisted that Cini can only choose not to respond to questions that could incrim- inate him. All other questions had to be answered. Tonna Lowell maintained that his client has a right to re- main silent, and that this is a basic human right. Nationalist MP David Agius said it was was disrespectful to do this, especially when the committee was asking basic questions on his occupation. But Carabott delivered the questions as usual, asking about the tender process and Nexia BT's involvement in the Electrogas project. To each one, Cini replied: "I exercise my right to silence." "Didn't you feel that there was a conflict of interest when Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi were clients of Nexia BT while Nexia BT was chosen as a consultant for the tender?" "I exercise my right to si- lence." A question raised by Carabott on Nexia's dealings with Mos- sack Fonseca, of Panama Pa- pers notoriety, was met with criticism from Labour MP Glen Bedingfield, who said that the question was out of order. Nationalist MP David Agius responded that if Cini wanted to make anything clear about Nexia BT's dealings, he has the opportunity to tackle them now. Carabott said he will report what happened in the session to the Speaker of the House before Tuesday's parliamenta- ry sitting. "Then it's up to the speaker to take the necessary steps". Public Accounts Committee Chairman Darren Carabott later requested a ruling from Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia on whether witnesses testifying before the PAC can opt out of answering all ques- tions posed to them. Nexia BT partner Karl Cini refused to answer questions during a public accounts committee hearing examining the Auditor General's report on Electrogas Karl Cini 'exercised his right to silence' during a PAC hearing on Tuesday Foreign minister Ian Borg