Turkey’s EU minister, Maltese FM meet in Ankara

Turkey's EU Minister Ömer Çelik met Malta's Foreign Minister in Ankara on Thursday in order to discuss bilateral trade, commercial ties and the Mediterranean migration crisis.

The meeting between Çelik and Carmelo Abela, who is also the trade promotion minister, came ahead of an opening ceremony for the Maltese Embassy in the Turkish capital.

"Turkey opened its embassy in Malta in 2009. It is pleasing that Malta will also open an embassy in Ankara," Çelik told reporters ahead of their meeting.

Abela said the opening of the Maltese Embassy "marks an important milestone in our bilateral relations, which I have to say, are excellent".

Referring to the Mediterranean migration crisis, he said: "I believe that we should work together [with Turkey] to foster peace and stability in the Mediterranean.

"I must reiterate that our [Malta's] position has always been in favor of the Mediterranean and making other countries aware of the importance of having peace and stability in the Mediterranean."

Praising Turkey's efforts regarding the refugee crisis, Abela said: "Turkey is definitely doing its utmost in the refugee crisis. My country is also doing its utmost to try not only to save lives but also to give refuge to those people that need protection."

Turkey hosts more Syrian refugees than any other country in the world. The country has spent $30 billion from its own national resources for helping and sheltering refugees since the beginning of the Syrian civil war.