EU, Arab League foreign ministers gather for talks in Malta

(VALLETTA) - Foreign ministers from the European Union and the Arab League began gathering Monday for a two-day meeting aimed at fostering "political engagement" between the two regions.

Inter-cultural dialogue, global warming, energy security, immigration and economic, social and political development are on the agenda for the talks, according to Maltese Foreign Minister Michael Frendo.

The ministers are also expected to discuss the situation in the Palestinian territories and the Middle East peace process.

"Bringing together these two worlds in Malta is in itself a political message in favour of the politics of moderation and against extremism and division," Frendo told AFP last week.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was to open the talks Monday, when the participants were to have a working dinner, to be followed by another meeting Tuesday morning.

Nine EU countries and 12 member states of the Arab League are being represented at the foreign minister level at the talks, including Spain, Italy, Ireland, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Current EU president Slovenia is co-chairing the talks along with Saudi Arabia and host Malta.

Frendo launched the initiative for the talks in September 2006 with a letter to the then-Finnish EU presidency.

Slovenia has described the meeting as "a unique and highly opportune event, as dialogue with Arab partners is currently of vital importance in view of the current regional and global challenges in world politics."