Med news english

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg condemned the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola for visiting Israel and giving the impression the European Union is indifferent to the human catastrophe in Gaza.
“The EU is not solely represented by Roberta Metsola, nor does her presence alongside the Israeli president represent all EU institutions. There are multiple institutions within the EU, and Roberta Metsola represents only the institution that elected her as its president,” Borg said on the national television station.
Metsola visited Israel with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week in a show of solidarity with Israeli victims of Hamas. She accused Hamas terrorists of having pushed the prospect of lasting peace “further away”.
The Maltese foreign minister said the EU’s foreign policy is articulated by External Relations Commissioner Josep Borrell, who condemned the Hamas attacks but also criticized Israel’s response. Borrell did not visit Israel.
He condemned Hamas’s actions in Israel and acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself. But Borg insisted Israel had to respect international law.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “Italy is following with great attention and equal concern the current situation in the Middle East, a crisis which could cause serious repercussions on the stability of the region with the risk of an escalation in the Mediterranean. For this reason, the Defense and the Italian Government are working in an attempt to promote dialogue and peace. In this perspective Saudi Arabia plays a strategic role in the stabilization process of the entire area.”This was emphasized by the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto at the end of his visit in Saudi Arabia where he met his counterpart, Prince Khalid Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz.
The two Ministers discussed current issues, highlighting the common commitment to strengthening dialogue and collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Italy. They also focused their discussion on the stability and security of all the Mediterranean region.
“The stabilization of the Sahel area and the all
the Mediterranean region represents a priority for security, and Italy, through highly inclusive and representative political dialogue, will continue to work to avoid further deteriorations of the current situation, especially in the Middle East, so that a “line of no return” is not crossed,” Crosetto said.
On the Sahel region he added: “The dynamics of the area are reflected on the European continent. The delicate situation is aggravated by demographic dynamics and the weakness of institutions, as well by the predatory posture of some international figures. This is why the Italian Government is promoting a renewed “Mattei Plan” which allows the countries of the region to exploit the natural riches at their disposal in order to increase the well-being of their population and strengthen their economies”.
Crosetto declared that Italy is ready to explore new areas of collaboration to increase the interoperability of the Armed Forces of the two countries for the benefit of security and stability in the Mediterranean area and the Arabian Gulf.
Currently there are already several Saudi officers carrying out training sessions in Italy, at the Military Academies, the flight schools of the Air Force or at the Centro Alti Studi of the Defence.
The meeting was also an opportunity to deepen the dialogue between the two countries and to thank the Italian Embassy staff “for the commitment aimed at strengthening friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and Saudi Arabia”.
Crosetto will be visiting Qatar for further official meetings.

– Photo press office ministry of Defence –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government will not be halting its development aid to Palestine, which includes supporting refugees and Palestinian students pursuing their studies at the University of Malta. This was declared by the Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg in view of the present conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terror group Hamas. Maltese Foreign Affairs Minister made Maltàs position clear during an extraordinary EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, during which he insisted on the importance of not suspending EU development funds access to Palestinian civilians.
Last year, Malta donated a total of 84.950 euro in development assistance to Palestine: 80.000 euro was donated to the UNRWA, which cares for Palestinians and Palestinian refugees throughout the Middle East, while the remaining 4.950 euro was allocated for a scholarship for a Palestinian student to pursue an undergraduate degree in international relations.
This year, the Maltese government increased its assistance to 124.000 euro: 75.000 euro in donations to UNRWA and 49.000 euro for two postgraduate academic scholarships at the University of Malta. Both Palestinian students have arrived in Malta and begun their studies.
– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Parlament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has condemned the recent attacks against Israel by the terrorist group Hamas. During an emergency meeting that discussed Maltàs position on the recent attacks, all members agreed there is no justification for such an attack on Israel.
In his speech, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg explained that Israel has the unequivocal right to defend itself within the parameters of international law and in adherence to the rules of war and self-defence. However, the Committee considered the Nationalist Oppositions observation that “it is also an act of aggression, depriving the Gaza territory of food, water, medicine, and electricity”. Reacting to this statement, Minister Borg agreed but also recalled the hundreds of hostages that Hamas has in their possession. The committee agreed that Maltàs stance should include not only the condemnation of all attacks but also the call for the unconditional immediate release of hostages.
The committee also included a call for “a safe corridor” through Egypt for Gaza residents who wish or need to leave before they become victims of Israeli attacks. The Foreign Affairs Minister also pointed out that as an elected member of the UN Security Committee, Malta immediately called for an urgent meeting in response to the recent events. He said that the meeting took place on Sunday, with the clear message of condemning the attacks and upholding the right to defend. Borg disclosed that he had telephone conversations with the Israeli and Palestinian foreign affairs ministers. “The Palestinian minister acknowledged that Hamas is not the Palestinian Authority, and I conveyed Maltàs profound concern regarding the abduction and killing of innocent individuals. I emphasised that when innocent lives, including those of children, are lost, no distinction should be made, as such actions are equally condemnable,” Borg said.
Speaking of the decision of the European Union to stop all financial aid to Palestine, Borg clarified that the EU knows that collective punishment is not a viable solution to the ongoing conflict but is thinking of ways to help Palestinians financially without donations reaching Hamas.
(ITALPRESS).
– photo credit: Malta Parliament press office –

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The United States “is on Israel’s side, we will always defend you”. This reassurance was given by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
“This is the message I carry with me from Biden,” he added, guaranteeing that there is “bipartisan support for Israel” within the U.S. Congress. And “we are here to support Israel and your government”.
The head of US diplomacy said he was convinced that “Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people and their legitimate expectations”. This despite the Islamic group governing the Gaza Strip “with repressive tactics”.
He then recalled that the United States is “providing ammunition to Israel, as well as other defense aid” and “other material is on its way.” “We will provide additional weapons and other support to help protect the Israeli population,” he added.
For his part, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, assured that “just as the Islamic State was destroyed”, the Palestinian movement Hamas “must be crushed”.
Speaking during the press conference with Blinken he said: “There will be difficult days, but the strength of civilization will win.” “It is a particular moment, in which we must be united against evil. Thanks to the United States for always standing by Israel”, he added.
In his speech, Netanyahu thanked Washington for its support in Israel’s war “against the barbarity of Hamas”. “Your visit,” added Netanyahu while addressing Blinken, “is another tangible example of the United States’ unequivocal support for Israel”.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Four flights scheduled to arrive at Maltàs International Airport were diverted to Sicily; three to Catania and another to Palermo after a military drone developed an engine problem on the airport’s only operational runway.
The drone is operated by the European agency Frontex for surveillance flights over the Mediterranean. The incident happened at 11.30am.
The flights had been heading to Malta from London Gatwick, Newcastle, London Stanstead, and London Luton.
The runway was reopened once the drone was removed from the runway. The airport’s secondary runway is closed for maintenance.
– Photo: Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

MARRAKECH (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “The macroeconomic prospects of the global markets are weak and highly uncertain. Global growth will slow down significantly in 2023 and 2024 and the risks are clearly oriented downwards, reflecting not only the loss of momentum in some sectors, but also the possibility that climate and geopolitical tensions could trigger further increase in food and energy prices”. The Governor of the Bank of Italy, Ignazio Visco Made this observation while addressing the 108th meeting of the Development Committee of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Marrakech.
“While savings are still high, albeit slightly in decline,” he added, “most of the emerging countries and in the developing world remains highly vulnerable to global risks. In this context it is fundamental the action from multilateral and international financial institutions to provide rapid support to the most vulnerable countries, build inclusive and resilient economies and generate sustainable growth”.
For Visco the earthquake in Morocco and the floods in Libya “renew attention to the need to strengthen the resilience to extreme natural events”. “Our most sincere condolences go to the many thousands of people injured and displaced,”
he added.
Visco declared, “we remain inspired by the Ukrainian people, who continues to face Russian aggression with courage and determination”, while expressed strong support for Israel and unequivocal condemnation of the appalling and vile terrorism acts by Hamas”.

– Photo: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

TEL AVIV (ITALPRESS/MNA) – An Israeli army spokesman, Jonathan Conricus, announced that the Israeli death toll from the attack launched by Hamas against settlements around Gaza has risen to 1,200 people. However, 2,700 people were injured. This as the military escalation between the Israeli army and Hamas enters its fifth day. Conricus said in a live broadcast on the Israeli army’s page on platform “X” (formerly Twitter) that this assessment is not final. He added that Hamas is holding dozens of prisoners, “including many with dual citizenship from countries including the United States, Britain, Italy and Argentina.” On the other hand, Gaza’s Health Ministry said that at least 900 Palestinians have been killed and around 4,600 others have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on the Strip since Saturday. Conricus explained that the Israeli army struck targets of the Palestinian Hamas movement with great force yesterday. Its forces are fighting on three fronts, which has led to suffering “very heavy losses”, noting that Hezbollah has fired missiles and anti-tank shells at Israeli army positions on the northern front. He added: “The missiles were launched at us from Syria and we don’t know who launched them.” Meanwhile, the White House has announced that the President of the United States, Joe Biden, expressed US support “which is on its way to Israel” in a phone call to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.The White House said Biden explained to Netanyahu that US support consisted, in addition to sending the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean, in ammunition, Iron Dome missiles and other defensive equipment. Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli army, said earlier through his account on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter) that the first plane loaded with advanced US ammunition landed on Tuesday night at the Nevatim air base, saying that this ammunition allows the army to “conduct concrete attacks and prepare” for other scenarios. Furthermore, yesterday the American aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford arrived in the Mediterranean waters off the coast of Israel. This comes after the Israeli Air Force said this morning that dozens of planes bombed more than 200 targets around the Al-Furqan neighborhood in the Gaza Strip. “This is the third wave of raids in Al-Furqan neighborhood, as we attacked more than 450 targets in the neighborhood in one day.” On the other hand, the Palestine Information Center reported that a violent bombing by Israeli warplanes targeted the western area of ??Gaza, near the port. At the same time, reports from Gaza reported that Israeli gunboats had fired heavy shells on Al-Rashid Street and the coastal strip west of Gaza City. The bombings targeting Al-Rashid Street, opposite the Gaza port, continue to this day. The Israeli army announced that its forces attacked naval targets belonging to Hamas.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma-
(ITALPRESS)