co-operation. TheGeneral Assembly hasinrecentyearscontributed towardsthisprocess through theadoption ofconsensus resolutions ontheMediterranean wherethe objectives forMediterranean co-operation areclearly spelled out.Wehopethat thisAssembly willagainthisyearactinsupportofourregional initiatives for peace. Problems areundoubtedly notinshortsupplywhichtestandchallenge the determination ofStatestowor.ktowardsstability andco-operation intheir respective regions. IntheMediterranean itselftheproblems ofCyprusandofthe MiddleEastposethemostformidable challenges toourcollective endeavours. Maltalooksupontheproblem ofCypruswithparticular concern because ofthe bondsoffriendship andsympathy whichgeographical proximity andvarious national similarities instilinourtwopeoples. Weareconscious ofthedeepcomnitment-----------_.--------------~-~- JVM/ll A/40/PV.3l 37 (Mr.Trigona. Malta) oftheunitedNations Secretary-General personally toworkoutasolution tothe problem. Weofferhimourfullest co-operation andsupport. Invariably, a resolution oftheCyprusproblem mustdealwiththreerelatedaspects: the withdrawal offoreign trooD~fromtheisland; themaintenance ofitsunity, sovereignty, territorial integrity andnon-aligned status; andtheconclusion of arrangements whichmeetthesecurity andeconomic concerns ofbothcommunities on theisland. IntheMiddleEast,Maltahasrepeatedly spelled outwhatitconsiders tobe theessential issuesandthemethods bywhichtheyaretoberesolved. Wesupport therightofthePalestinian peopleunderthesoleleadership ofthePalestine Liberation Organization (PLO)toahomeland oftheirown.WecallforIsrael's withdrawal fromallterritories occupied aftertheJune1967war.Wepleadthat theprocessofnational reconciliation inLebanon beallowed tounfoldthrough peaceful methodS. weurgethatallStatesintheregionbepermitted tolivein peacewithinsecureandinternationally recognized boundaries. Fortheseobjectives tobeachieved weurgeIsraeltoabandonitsill-fated dependence ontheuseofforceandwecalluponallinterested parties toengagein aprocessofconsultation andnegotiation eventually culmi.nating inapeace conference, asenvisaged inGeneral Assembly resolution 38/58C.Inthiscontext wesupport theinitiative launched lastFebruary byKingHussein and Chairman Arafatasproviding agoodbasisforprogressQ Wewelcome theexpressions ofsupport whichhaverecently emerged fromvarious quarters insupportofthis initiative. Wealsoreiterate thecallforWestern European Statestoplayamoredirect andenergetic roleinthesearchforaMiddleEastsettlement. Itwillberecalled thattheUnitedNations seminar onPalestine, whichwasheldinMaltainApril 1982,clearly identified therolethatWestern European statescanandshouldplay intheMiddleEastquestion. Actioninthisdirection hassofarbeensporadic and.'JVM/ll A/40/PV.3l 38 (Mr.Trigona, Malta) half-hearted. Thetimeislongoverdue formoreeffective initiatives tobe undertaken. Arab-Israeli confrontation cannotgoonforever. Likethehistoryof intra-European confrontation, nowsettled for40years,theArab-Israeli confrontation callsforgreater understanding. AtthispointIhavetorefertolastweek'sbombing byIsraelofthe Palestinian campnearTunis. Byundertaking thisextremely misguided action, which Maltahasalready joinedinunequivocally condemning, Israelhasdeliberately soughttodoirremediable harmtothenascent peaceprocess intheMiddleEast. Israel's actionhasalsoinjected intotheMediterranean anewfactoroftension andinstability which,aswehaveseenoverthepastfewdays,mustinevitably have veryserious anddangerous repercussions. NoMediterranean state,beitamemberofanarmedalliance, orneutral or non-aligned, cantolerate foronesinglemomenttheassumption byanother regional Stateofaself-imposed policing roleintheregion. Wewillforcefully resist thisdevelopment andwewilltakeallnecessary measures, inconsultation withour neighbours, toavoiditsrecurrence. Outside theMediterranean theissuesthatcallforurgentandeffective collective actionforpeacearemanyandcomplex. Insouthern Africathelong awaitedcrisisbrought aboutbytheinjustices of!par~ isfastapproaching. Thecallforforceful sanctions against thewhit~minority regimeofSouthAfrica isnolongerdebatable inprinciple.. Thequestion isonlyontheprecise natureof thesanctions tobeundertaken andonthemeasures tobedevised toprovide assistance tothoseStateswhichwillbearthebruntoftheeffortonsanctions. Maltaextendsitsfullsupport totheseefforts. InthewarbetweenIranandrraq,thetragedy andsuffering cominginthewake ofthislingering conflict havenotyetprevailed uponthecontestants tofinda peaceful resolution oftheirdifferences. Wecanonlylendsupport toalleffortsJVMIII A/40/PV.3l 39·. (~r.Trigona, Malta)
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on international relations, geopolitics, and conflicts, with a specific emphasis on the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. It discusses the need for co-operation, peace, and stability, and criticizes certain actions of countries, such as Israel. The text also touches on issues like sanctions, humanitarian aid, and the role of the United Nations. Given its focus on international relations, conflicts, and geopolitics, it is likely that the text falls under the categories related to international relations and diplomacy.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief