Tunisian, Maltese FMs meet on ME, Europe

An official Tunisian source said that the Maltese minister of foreign affairs and the environment on Thursday started an official visit to Tunisia in order to hold talks with his Tunisian counterpart, Saeed Bin Mustafa, on the Middle East and Europe.

The source added that the two ministers discussed the suspended Middle East peace process and relations between the two countries in preparation for convening the European-Mediterranean ministerial meeting on June 3 and 4 in Palermo, Italy.

Meanwhile, the Italian foreign ministry said on Thursday that the stalemated Middle East peace process will be the main topic to be discussed at the Palermo meeting by the European Union's foreign ministers and 12 countries overlooking the Mediterranean which will be held on June 3 and 4.

Xinhua quoted the ministry as saying that the Palermo meeting will discuss organized crime, terrorism, weapons illegal trafficking and human rights. The unofficial forum will be cochaired by British Foreign office secretary Robin Cook and the Italian Foreign minister, representing the hosting country.