Dr. Michael Frendo, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta, gave a lecture on “A Voice for Europe in the Mediterranean – Challenges and Opportunities” as the guest speaker of the 7th Manuel Chrysoloras International Lecture.
“A voice for Europe in the Mediterranean" refers to the ability of Europe, through the European Union primarily, to be present, active, and to positively influence the course of events in the Mediterranean region constituted of diverse and challenging realities” explained Dr. Frendo, noting the need of formulating an architecture for the Mediterranean, on the part of the EU, to effectively make use of the numerous groupings and organizations that have been created to further the engagement of Europe in the Mediterranean, with the latest being the Union for the Mediterranean, launched by French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
Dr Frendo, who launched the “Malta Initiative” in 2006, in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, which resulted in the first EU-Arab League of Foreign Ministers Meeting of 2008, underlined the importance of Europe’s voice in the Mediterranean as being one of moderation and of Europe establishing an open channel of direct dialogue with the Arab World, so as to advance the Mediterranean dimension of European Policy. “The EU needs to listen to, and to make better use of its Mediterranean Member States, which at the same time can (a) provide the sensitivity and expertise required around the European table and (b) also act as positive delivery agents for European diplomacy and public goods in the region that they know best” he noted, concluding his speech by saying that “our common future lies in the Mediterranean and in our ability to address its challenges and exploit its opportunities: let us Europeans and citizens of all Mediterranean states take them up successfully together maximizing on all the resources available to us”.
The EPLO launched the International Lecture Series in 2001, naming it after Manuel Chrysoloras (c. 1350-1415), the Greek scholar credited with spreading Greek literature in the West during the Middle Ages – today viewed as the symbol of the Hellenic contribution to the revival of European Culture.
Past speakers include (in chronological order):
Mr. Alecos Markides, former Attorney General of the Republic of Cyprus, Professor J.H.H. Weiler, Director of the Centre for International and Regional Economic Law & Justice, NYU Law School, Professor Vassilios Skouris, President of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, Dr. Nicolas Michel, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel of the United Nations, Dr. Bo Vesterdorf, President of the European Court of First Instance of the European Communities, and Mr. Michele Vietti, Parliamentarian and Spokesman of the Center Democratic Party of the Republic of Italy.
