MaltaMedia.com

Russian News Agency Ria Novosti has reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed gratitude to Malta for its cooperation in resolving the case of the Arctic Sea ship, which went missing in the Atlantic this summer.

“The problem was successfully resolved, and our productive and friendly cooperation contributed to this,” Lavrov told a news conference after a meeting with his Maltese counterpart Tonio Borg.

The Arctic Sea cargo vessel disappeared in the Atlantic on 24th July while carrying a $2 million shipment of timber from Finland to Algeria. It was intercepted by the Russian Navy off West Africa on August 17, when eight alleged hijackers were arrested.

The ship’s disappearance, which triggered a major international search effort, raised suspicions that it was carrying a “secret cargo” of drugs or weapons. Russian authorities have denied the rumors, saying the vessel was hijacked by criminals who demanded a ransom.

The freighter was handed over to Maltese authorities in late October. The ship was given permission to enter the port following a thorough inspection by Maltese officials. In early November, four sailors, who had remained on board the Arctic Sea, returned to their home base in northern Russia.

Ria Novosti reported that the Arctic Sea, sailing under a new 14-member crew, left the Maltese port for Algeria on 11th November, to resume its route interrupted by hijackers.

During discussions Foreign Minister Tonio Borg gave an overview of Malta’s role in the European Union and the way the Maltese economy evolved in the last two decades.

Dr Borg emphasised the need to strengthen further trade relations between Malta and Russia, emphasising the fact that there is a huge potential to increase investment from Russia, and to open new market opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Malta exports almost two million euro per year to Russia. Currently there are 307 companies registered under Russian ownership in Malta.

Both sides agreed to further discuss the technical issues of the pending Agreement on avoidance of double taxation. The facilitation of Visa issuance was also part of the discussions especially considering the fact that Russian tourists are increasingly showing interest to come to Malta for a holiday, as implied by Minister Lavrov.

The visit by the Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tonio Borg is the first ministerial visit in Russia in the last 20 years.