PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER: Speaker of the House of Representatives closes Conference on Peace and Dialogue in the Mediterranean

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Space with call for renewed cooperation, peace and shared responsibility

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta today ended the Conference on Peace and Dialogue in the Mediterranean Space, hosted at the Parliament of Malta over two days of high-level reflection and exchange on the political, economic, cultural and religious dimensions of peace, coexistence and shared development in the Mediterranean region. The conference programme addressed four central themes: Culture, Faith and Mediterranean Citizenship: Paths for Dialogue and Peace; Geopolitical Transformations and Peacebuilding in the Mediterranean: A Critical Approach; Economic Integration and Shared Development; and Civil Society and Governance in Supporting Peace.

In his concluding address, the Speaker underlined that the Mediterranean must continue to be seen not as a line of division, but as a bridge between peoples, cultures and continents. He stated that the discussions held over the course of the conference confirmed that dialogue remains indispensable in a time marked by serious geopolitical tensions, regional instability, war, displacement and growing uncertainty across the wider Mediterranean and neighbouring regions. He stressed that, in such circumstances, peace cannot be sustained by words alone, but requires courage, responsible leadership, mutual respect and a practical commitment to cooperation.

A central outcome of the conference was the signing of The Mediterranean Charter for Peace, Cooperation and Dialogue among Civilizations. The Charter affirms a shared vision of the Mediterranean as a space of peace, cooperation and human progress. It recognises the Mediterranean as a natural bridge between Europe, Africa and Asia and calls for stronger dialogue among peoples and nations, closer economic, cultural and social cooperation, respect for human dignity and human rights, support for youth exchange, stronger parliamentary and institutional dialogue, and the creation of permanent networks of cooperation in the region. It also reaffirms the importance of stability, sovereignty, sustainable development and solidarity among Mediterranean peoples.

The Speaker stated that the signing of the Charter in Malta represents a meaningful and responsible step forward. He said that the document is not merely a formal declaration, but a statement of common intent: that the Mediterranean must not be resigned to conflict, fragmentation or mistrust, but must instead work towards becoming a region shaped by justice, cooperation, dialogue and shared prosperity. He also recalled the important reflections of the previous day, when participants explored the role of culture, faith and Mediterranean citizenship in opening paths towards dialogue and peace, as well as the urgent need for a critical and responsible response to the geopolitical transformations affecting the region. The signatories agreed to promote permanent networks of cooperation and to support the establishment of a Permanent Observatory aimed at strengthening the role of the Mediterranean as a bastion of global peace, under the name "MeCO - Mediterranean Civic Observatory". This reflects the clear intention of the parties not only to endorse principles, but also to create lasting structures for dialogue, monitoring, cooperation and follow-up across the Mediterranean space, stated Speaker Farrugia.

The conference concluded with a renewed appeal for all those present to carry forward the principles affirmed in Malta into their respective institutions, universities, organisations and communities. The Speaker reiterated that the Mediterranean still has the potential to serve as a model of dialogue and shared responsibility, if nations and peoples choose cooperation over confrontation and vision over division.

Photos (SPK)

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