The Bridge

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Issue 16 January 2016

Minister Vella sees an opportunity for a Syrian-led political process by which to end the conflict

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella, welcomed the landmark UN Security Council Resolution on Syria adopted in December 2015, hailing it as a golden opportunity upon which to build a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political transition process aimed at ending the conflict in the Contents: country. EXCHANGE OF NEW YEAR 2 Addressing EU colleagues at a ministerial meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 18 GREETINGS WITH THE DIPLO- January, Minister Vella urged Member States to continue to act MATIC CORP AND HON. CON- SULS together in order to encourage all parties to seize the opportunity which the current diplomatic momentum has provided in order to stop the horrors and suffering in Syria. Minister Vella stated that the MEETING WITH DEPUTY SECRE- 3 glimmer of hope that has been provided by the Security Council TARY TO THE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY “must not be allowed to fade away.” FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS AND POLICY, SANDRO GOZI Referring to the dire humanitarian situation of Syrians trapped in

zones of fighting, Minister Vella expressed hope that all parties MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS 4 would allow for the safe passage of desperately needed aid convoys which are, in many cases, the WELCOMES THE FORMATION OF THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT OF only humanitarian lifelines for many hundreds of thousands of innocent people. NATIONAL ACCORD The Minister reiterated his insistence that a political process is the only possible means for a tenable

termination to the fighting and plight of the Syrian people, while repeating Malta’s full support for MOU SIGNED BETWEEN THE 5 the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. In this respect, he also augured that all MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS the parties would commit to take part in intra-Syrian talks on 25 January 2016 in Geneva, proposed AND THE ANNA LINDH FOUNDA by the UN Special Envoy.

Ministers also discussed the situation in Syria at a working lunch with Nasser Judeh, Minister of STATE VISIT TO ALGERIA 6-7 Foreign Affairs of Jordan, on the sidelined of the Council meeting. In this context, Minister Vella conveyed Malta’s full sympathies for the burden Jordan is undergoing as a result of the Syrian Crisis, notably the influx of refugees fleeing across the border from Syria. In addition to Syria, the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers also discussed the situation in Iraq, FANCY A TIMPANA IN MISSIS- 10 including the fight by Iraqi forces against Da’esh. Minister Vella reminded Ministers that the SAUGA? situation in Iraq, as well as in Syria, is of direct relevance to the security of Europe. He stated that the EU must continue to support a strong and united Iraq, while welcoming the implementation of reforms by the Iraqi government aimed at achieving these goals. Minister Vella underlined that the

EU should continue to encourage an inclusive process which accounts for the multi-ethnic makeup SNIPPETS FROM MISSIONS ABROAD 11- of Iraq, while projecting a united front against the barbarity of Da’esh. 13 Turning to the discussion on Ukraine, Malta once again urged a continued and accelerated commitment to fully implementing the Minsk Agreement. Minister Vella stated that this implementation is the only way to reduce tensions, while commending Ukraine’s own reform agenda which is also being supported by the Council of Europe.

Map of Malta and Sicily - 1808 (See page 8) Issue 16

Minister George W. Vella addresses the Diplomatic Corp during the annual exchange of New Year Greetings; highlights situation in Libya

On 15 January Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella spoke at length about the situation in our neighbouring country, Libya, in his annual address to Heads of Diplomatic Missions, held at Verdala Palace. Minister Vella also touched on the lack of a positive move on the Middle East process, but also about the situation prevailing in Syria.

Minister for Foreign Affairs also spoke about the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Malta last November and the Valletta Summit which in his opinion was a strong message to the rest of the global community that the EU will no longer stand passively when faced with humanitarian tragedies.

For Minister’s full speech click here.

New Year Exchange of Greetings - Hon. Consuls

Page 2 Il-Pont Minister for Foreign Affairs George W. Vella meets Deputy Secretary to the Italian Prime Minister with responsibility for European Affairs and Policy, Sandro Gozi

On 12 January Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella met Deputy Secretary to the Italian Prime Minister with responsibility for European Affairs and Policy, Sandro Gozi. Minister Vella and Secretary Gozi agreed that the close relations between the two countries are intensifying even further in view of the common interests that are shared. The Minister explained how the Valletta Summit was a turning point in that this was the first time that a conference specifically on migration took place and produced not only a final declaration, but also an Action Plan with objectives to be reached in specified timeframes. Deputy Secre- tary Gozi expressed Italy’s appreciation for both the organisation and the outcome of the Summit, which is hoped, will result in a number of concrete projects. The discussion then moved on to developments in the Mediterranean in particular the situation in Libya and how it impinges on neighbouring countries. Minister Vella informed that during its EU Presidency Malta intends to bring to the fore the issues of migration, the Mediterranean and maritime issues. This will be in line with the priorities for Italy. Mr. Gozi also referred to the need to re-launch the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue.

Minister for Foreign Affairs George W. Vella meets the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic. H.E. Ivan Korcok on 11 January.

Minister Vella noted that there is increased level of engagements between the two sides in view of Trio Presidency but relations at the bilateral level are good. There is more scope for increased opportunities in terms of trade and tourism. The Slovak State Sec- retary agreed that state of bilateral relations is positive and Slovakia sees more scope for further diplomatic exchanges. He re- ferred to the role of the respective Ambassadors which is crucial to intensify exchanges in the field of trade and tourism. State Secretary Korcok also commended Malta for the role that it played in the organisation of the Valletta Summit and CHOGM. He expressed his appreciation and admiration for the excellent efforts made by Malta to deal with such two big international events in the same month and this augurs well for the organisational abilities that will be required during the Malta EU Presi- dency. In terms of their respective External Relations programme for the re- spective upcoming Presidencies, Minister Vella explained that it is only natural for Malta to focus on the three pillars it has identified as the main aspects for its Presidency, that is, Mediterranean, Migration and Maritime affairs. In turn State Secretary Korcok acknowledged the importance of the European neighbourhood and the instability within with invariably lead to destabilisation in Europe. Minister Vella also noted that Malta and Slovakia – both newcomers in the Presidency experience - are fortunate to form part of a Trio Presi- dency with The Netherlands, which offers the experience of eleven pre- vious Presidencies. Minister Vella also noted the healthy diversity that prevails in the Trio Presidency which represents Europe from North to South to East, reflecting therefore the all-encompassing characteristics of the Trio Programme. Minister Vella and State Secretary Korcok concluded by pledging further collaboration between the two countries in the prepara- tions for their respective Presidencies. The situation in Libya was amongst other matters discussed between Minister Vella and State Secretary Korcok. The Netherlands’ Presidency of the EU Council was launched on 1 January 2016, while Slovakia’s will commence on 1 July 2016. Malta will take on its role as President of the EU Council on 1 January 2017.

Page 3 Il-Pont Students awarded scholarships by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs visit Minister George W. Vella

On 27 January three students, two from Palestine and one from Tunisia, recipients of two scholarships in Humanitarian Action and one in Conservation of Buildings of Heritage paid a cour- tesy call on Minister George W. Vella, Minister for Foreign Af- fairs. Both scholarships are awarded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs via the University of Malta. Scholarships are at Masters level. In his opening remarks, Dr Vella noted the excellent bilateral relations with both Palestine and Tunisia and observed the difficulties both countries were facing in the context of the Mediterranean region. While auguring the students’ success in their studies, Minister Vella hoped that they would put the knowledge that they have acquired in Malta to good use upon return to their native countries. Ms. Stefania Fabri, Director, International and EU Office, on behalf of the University of Malta, thanked the Minister for For- eign Affairs for the support that his Ministry consistently ex- tended to her offices in the conferment of these scholarships, which also attested to Malta’s commitment to capacity- building in these countries and therefore to development.

Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomes the formation Minister George W. Vella participates in the Holocoust of the Libyan Government of National Accord Memorial Day at Verdala Palace on 27 January

The Government of Malta welcomed the formation of the Lib- yan Government of National Accord by the Presidency Council which was announced on 19 January. This follows the signing of an Agreement in Schirat, Morocco in December 2015.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr George W. Vella hailed today's development as a very important step towards the general stabilisation of Libya and thanked UN Special Representative Martin Kobler for his efforts to enable this accomplishment. Minister Vella also appealed to those who remain hesitant on endorsing UN efforts to look at the possibility of engagement in this process. At the same time, Minister Vella stated, the international community should keep all doors of dialogue open to ensure that the process becomes an all-inclusive one.

Latest developments in Libya continued to be discussed on the 19th during a Senior Officials Meeting with Special Repre- sentative Martin Kobler in Rome, at which Malta is ac- tively participating.

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MOU signed between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Anna Lindh Foundation

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella on 5 January had a meeting with the Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foun- dation, H.E Hatem Atallah, during which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry and the Foundation in preparation for the Third Edition of the Anna Lindh Mediterranean Forum which will be held in Malta on 24 and 25 October 2016. The Anna Lindh Foundation, based in Alexandria, Egypt, is an international organisation which promotes intercultural ex- changes and common projects among the civil societies of the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Ambassador Atallah praised Malta’s active and central role in the Anna Lindh Foundation, stating that the next session of the Mediter- ranean Forum could only be held in Malta in view of its pivotal role and sensitivity in Mediterranean matters. The Forum will also serve to form part of the legacy of Malta’s Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2017, as well as serve as an opportunity to further confirm Val- letta’s status as European Capital of Culture in 2018. Ambassador Atallah also expressed his personal appreciation to Minister Vella for his readiness to support the work of the Anna Lindh Foundation.

In expressing Malta’s continued support to the Foundation and its principles, Minister Vella reiterated his strong commitment to a suc- cessful outcome of the forthcoming Mediterranean Forum to be held in Malta which is expected to be attended by around 800 delegates. Minister Vella explained that the Mediterranean will feature as one of Malta’s main priorities of its EU Presidency in 2017, and underlined the need to have a long term vision for the Mediter- ranean which should be addressed as a single region. Minister Vella also welcomed the close collaboration between the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Union for the Mediterranean, emphasising the importance of increasing cultural and people-to-people to contacts through the implementation of projects and exchanges.

Minister for Foreign Affairs meets the new High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus

On 29 January 2016, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Dr George W. Vella, received the High Commissioner of the Repub- lic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Tasos A. Tzionis at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Valletta.

Minister Vella and the High Commissioner of Cyprus discussed matters concerning bilateral cooperation in diverse areas between the two countries, commerce, tourism, maritime policy and culture, and the possibility of high level visits. Both the Minister and the High Commissioner expressed a wish to strengthen the already excellent and long-established friendly relations between the two fellow Mediterranean islands and member states of the EU as well as the Commonwealth of Nations.

The discussions also centred on Malta’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2017, Mediterranean regional issues such as the Middle East, the situations in Syria and that in Libya, as well as energy.

During the meeting Minister Vella recalled his visit to Nicosia in March 2015 for talks with H.E. Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and also the visit to Malta by H.E. Mr Nicos Anastasiades, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as Foreign Minister Kasoulides, for the EU-Valletta Summit and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015 held in Malta last November.

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Minister Dr George W. Vella accompanies the President of the Republic on a State visit to Algeria 19-21 January 2016

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Malta and Algeria have much more to offer each other - President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca

“I share a sincere aspiration and desire to find ways to establish new partnerships and to expand trade and invest- ment opportunities between the businesses of our two countries” - the President of Malta addresses the Maltese- Algerian Business Forum in Algeria

As part of the programme of the current Presidential state visit, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca addressed the Maltese- Algerian Business Forum, attended by Maltese and Algerian businessmen, in the presence of Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal.

The President said that her presence at the forum is a true testimony of the im- portance which Malta gives in continuing to build closer collaboration with Al- geria and that it also testifies “the good will of both our countries to increase commercial interaction, collaboration, partnerships and joint ventures”.

The Maltese President also mentioned the long history of mutual friendship which the two countries have, dating back to the nineteenth century, when Al- geria was the preferred destination of choice for Maltese migrants, resulting in some 10,000 Maltese people in Algeria in 1865.

The President said that she felt honoured to say that the relations between Malta and Algeria have reached an unprecedented peak during the last months and that “it is clear that both our countries have much more to offer each other”.

While speaking about her aspiration to find ways to establish new partnerships and to expand trade and investment opportunities between the businesses of Malta and Algeria, she mentioned that “friendly nations, peoples and businesses need connectivity between them”. The President praised a number of initiatives which have been taken as of recently, all of which were “a step in the right di- rection”.

These include the introduction of direct Air Malta flights in June 2013; the signing of the Air Services Agreement, the setting up of the Maltese Consulate in Algiers in 2014, and the recent appointment of a new Maltese Ambassador to Algeria, the last two being described by the Maltese President as the providers of “a solid framework for continued progress in all areas, particularly in bilat- eral trade and economic spheres, as well as tourism”.

The President said that the revival of the Mixed Commission, after an absence of 28 years, will also encourage a deepening of business links, and will lay the foundation for productive partnerships and ventures in new areas. The President added that she looks forward to the reconvening of the fifth session of the Maltese-Algerian Joint Mixed Commission later on this year, whilst looking forward to registering more significant process in the discussions which will lead to the signing of the Double Taxation Agreement.

“It is time to build a comprehensive and diversified business relationship with the growing recognition of our complementary strengths to the mutual benefit of our countries”. This was one of the Presi- dent’s concluding remarks. She added that she strongly feels that her State visit to the Republic of Algeria should be instrumental towards the estab- lishment of a Maltese-Algerian Business Council, which would help to provide an ongoing process which would contribute to more commercial and economic cooperation between the two countries.

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26 January: Ambassador designate of Cuba HE Mrs Alba Beatriz Soto Pimentel presents Copie d’Usage

Map of Malta and Sicily, 1808

27 January: Ambassador designate of Mauritania HE Ms Mariem Aouffa presents Copie d’Usage

The Declaration of Rights of the inhabitants of the Islands of Malta and Gozo

1803 cartoon about the evacuation of Malta

Map of Malta and Sicily - 1808

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The Declaration of Rights of the inhabitants of the Islands of Malta and Gozo

Malta Protectorate was the political term for Malta because it was officially part of the Kingdom of Sicily, while under British protection. This pro- tectorate happened between the capitulation of the French forces in Malta in 1800 and the transformation of the islands to a crown colony in 1813.

During the Maltese uprising against the French, the Maltese people formed a National Assembly as a provisional government. Messengers were sent to the British fleet in Sicily for help, and a British convoy consisting of 13 battered ships under Captain Sir James Saumarez appeared off the island in late September 1798. In October Sir Alexander Ball arrived in Malta, and a year later he was appointed as Civil Commissioner.

The French garrison under General Vaubois had been driven to Valletta, and finally surrendered on 4 September 1800. Malta therefore became a British Protectorate. In August 1801, the Civil Commissioner, Charles Cameron, appointed Emmanuel Vitale as Governor of Gozo instead of Fran- cesco Saverio Cassar. This effectively brought an end to Gozo's independence as la Nazione Gozitana.

Under the terms of the 1802 Treaty of Amiens, Britain was supposed to evacuate the islands, but failed to keep this obligation – one of several mutual cases of non- adherence to the treaty, which eventually led to its col- lapse and the resumption of war between Britain and France.

In June 1802, 104 representatives from the Maltese towns and vil- lages signed a declaration entitled La Dichiarazione dei Diritti degli abitanti delle Isole di Malta e Gozo (The Declaration of Rights of the inhabitants of the Islands of Malta and Gozo) by which they pro- claimed George III to be their king, and that he had no right to surrender Malta to another power. By the Declaration they also proclaimed that Malta should be self- governing while under British protection.

In 1813 the island was transformed into a British crown colony by the Bathurst Constitution. On 23 July Sir Thomas Mait- land replaced Sir Hildebrand Oakes and was the first Civil Commis- sioner to be given the title of "Governor". Malta offi- cially became a colony by the Treaty of Paris in 1814. Sir Alexander Ball, Civil Commissioner of Malta 1799-1801 and 1802-1809

Photos on left by Martin Bonnici

The Declaration of Rights of the in- habitants of the Islands of Malta and Gozo, of 1802, at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

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Riċetta ta’ ikel tradizzjonali Malti f’pubblikazzjoni Ewropea bil-lingwa Belarussa

Id-Delegazzjoni tal-Unjoni Ewropea f’Minsk, il-Belarus, ippubblikat ktieb ta’ riċetti ta’ ikel tradizzjonali minn madwar l-Unjoni Ewropea. Il-pubblikazzjoni hija ntitolata "The EU Cookbook" u hija ppubblikata bil-Belarus. Ir-riċetta popolari tat-Timpana, wieħed mill-platti tradizzjonali Maltin, hija fost ir-riċetti Ewropej oħra li ġew ippublikati. L- Ambaxxata ta’ Malta f’Varsavja, li hija akkreditata għall-Belarus, ħadet sehem f'dan il-proġett.

Togħma Maltija ‘l barra minn xtutna

La bdejna bl-ikel ... Min jaf kemm-il darba nkunu msefrin, forsi għal perjodu kemxejn twil u f’daqqa waħda jiġik l-aptit ta’ xi ‘ħaġa’ Maltija! Illum-il ġurnata hemm diversi postijiet barra minn Malta fejn tista’ ssib ikla tipika u tradizzjonali Maltija. Ħa naraw biss żewġ postijiet. Mal-Maltin li jsiefru, l-Ingilterra dejjem tibqa’ l-aktar destinazzjoni popolari. Issa jekk tkun Londra u l-istonku jibda jfakkrek f’xi biċċa ftira Maltija biż-żejt u l-kunserva, kemm tmur s’għand il-Papparellu, Fulham Palace Road. Għandu għażla sabiħa ta’ togħmiet tipiċi Maltin. Ir-ritratti t’hawn isfel huma dak li jiġi servut għandu:

Maltese Platter (for 2 people)

Maltese Ftira,

gbejniet, bigilla, capers, olives, sundried tomatoes,

galletti

£6.50

L-istess għal min ikun qed iżur il-qraba fil-Kanada. F’Mississauga ssib “Nannu’s Pastizzi”, b’menu varjat li jinkludi ikel Malti:

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Promoting Malta ... Snippets from our Missions Abroad

Promotion of Malta at the travel fair in Vienna

Malta has been promoted as an attractive destination at the travel fair held in Vienna, the capital city of Austria, from 14-17 January. During this fair, the Malta Tourism Authority distributed information and promotional material as well as Maltese food from its stand. The travel fair is one of the most popular trade fair events for the Austrian people and this also explains why the Maltese stand was visited by a considerable number of persons asking for more information about the Maltese Islands.

Ambassador Keith Azzopardi visited the travel fair and availed of this opportunity to meet the tour operators and other persons visiting the stand.

L-Ambaxxatur Ray Azzopardi jżur il-Parlament ta’ Brussell Fil-21 ta’ Jannar 2016, l-Ambaxxatur ta’ Malta għar-Renju tal-Belġju l-E.T. Ray Azzopardi kien mistieden mill-Parlament Reġjonali ta’ Brussell u mill-President tal-Parlament tal-Komunità Fjammingi ta’ Brussell, l-Onorevoli Carla Dejonghe, biex jagħti tagħrif dwar il-kultura, l-istorja u l-bażi tal-ekonomija Maltija, lill-grupp ta’ studenti Belġjani. L-istudenti jinsabu fl-aħħar sena tal-iskola sekondarja tagħhom u se jżuru Malta f’Marzu 2016. L-istudenti Belġjani se jingħataw taħriġ fis-settur tat-turiżmu u t-teknoloġija tal-informatika f’Malta. Din l-opportunità ta’ taħrig f’Malta hija parti mill-programm Leonardo da Vinci li huwa iffinanzjat mill-Unjoni Ewropea. Waqt il-preżentazzjoni, l-Ambaxxatur Azzopardi wassal tagħrif dwar il-gżejjer Maltin bi preżentazzjoni viżiva, u ħeġġeġ lill- istudenti biex jiskopru l-wirt storiku u kulturali ta’ Malta. L- Ambaxxatur Azzopardi tkellem ukoll dwar id-diversità fl-oqsma soċjo-kulturali u reliġjużi ta’ pajjiżna, l-edukazzjoni u l-ekonomija Maltija. L-Ambaxxatur Azzopardi ħeġġeġ lill-istudenti biex jagħmlu użu siewi tal-esperjenza f’Malta, kif ukoll ikattru l-ħiliet tagħhom għall-proġetti futuri li eventwalment se jiltaqgħu magħhom fid-dinja tax-xogħol. Wara l-preżentazzjoni l-Ambaxxatur Azzopardi flimkien mad- Deputat Ambaxxatur Stefan Muscat ippreżentaw tifkira ta’ Malta lill-studenti Belġjani, mgħotija mill-Awtorità Maltija tat-Turiżmu.

New Honorary Consul for Malta in Düsseldorf

Professor Dr. Jürgen Wettke is Malta's new honorary consul in Düsseldorf, with jurisdiction over the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Ambassador of Malta Dr. Albert Friggieri, representatives from the government of North Rhine-Westphalia, city authorities, 30 members of the Düsseldorf consular corps, the president of the German-Maltese Association, Mr Christian Launer, journalists and leading members of the busi- ness community attended the official inauguration of the Honorary Consulate at the renowned “Industrie Club” of Düsseldorf.

In their speeches, the State Secretary of North Rhine-Westphalia responsible for European and Federal Affairs, Dr Marc Jan Eumann, and the dean of the consular corps of Düsseldorf, Consul General Nebojsa Kosutic, underlined the special role that Malta plays in the Mediterranean and in Europe. Honorary Consul Professor Wettke referred to his various visits and, with the help of numerous artistic black-and-white photographs that he took, presented his own personal impressions of Malta. He underscored the attractiveness of Malta not only as a tourist destination but also for foreign direct investment.

Ambassador Friggieri thanked Professor Wettke for accepting to represent Malta in North Rhine- Westphalia and wished him success in his new role. He emphasised the new honorary consul’s ex- cellent reputation, his knowledge of the region, the many contacts he has established during his long and successful career in the fields of pharmacy, medicine and management, and his philan- thropic work. The Ambassador highlighted the importance of the new honorary consulate and the good relations that already exist between Malta and North Rhine-Westphalia in the industrial, com- mercial, tourist and educational sectors.

Picture shows from l. to r. Dr Marc Jan Eumann, Dr Albert Friggieri and Professor Jürgen Wettke.

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Promoting Malta ... Snippets from our Missions Abroad

Joseph Cuschieri jippreżenta l-Kredenzjali bħala l-Ambaxxatur ġdid tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta għall-Greċja

L-Ambaxxatur il-ġdid ta’ Malta għall-Greċja l-E.T. Joseph Cuschieri nhar il-Ħamis 21 ta’ Jannar, ippreżenta l-kredenzjali tiegħu bħala l-Ambaxxatur ġdid tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta għall-Greċja, lill-President Grieg l-E.T. Prokopis Pavlopoulos, fil-preżenza tad-Deputat Ministru tal-Affarijiet Barranin, Ioannis Amanatidis u s-Segretarju Ġenerali tal-Uffiċċju tal- President Grieg, Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos.

Wara ċ-ċerimonja f’laqgħa mall-President Grieg, l-E.T. Prokopis Pavlopoulos feraħ lis-Sur Cuschieri għall-ħatra ġdida tiegħu. Matul il-laqgħa kienu diskussi r-relazzjonijiet bilaterali bejn iż-żewġ pajjiżi fl-isfond li din is-sena hija l-ħamsin anniversarju minn meta kienu stabiliti r-relazzjonjiet bejn iż-żewġ pajjiżi. Fost temi wkoll diskussi kien hemm il- problema tar-refuġjati u l-Immigrazzjoni rregolari, kif ukoll il-problemi tas-sitwazzjoni ekonomika preżenti tal-Greċja.

Temi oħra diskussa kienu t-tisħiħ tal-koperazzjoni u l-appoġġ bilaterali bejn iż-żewġ pajjiżi fil-fora internazzjonali kif ukoll l-interessi kommuni fil- politika Mediterranja.

Waqt il-laqgħa kien ukoll diskuss il-bzonn ta’ aktar ħidma u koperazzjoni bejn iż-żewġ pajjiżi biex jissaħħu oqsma bħal ma huma l-kummerċ, il- qasam marittimu, t-turiżmu u l-kultura. Matul il-laqgħa l-President Grieg offra l-għajnuna u l-esperjenza tal-Gvern Grieg lill-Gvern ta’ Malta matul iż-żmien li pajjiżna se jmmexxi l-Presidenza tal-Unjoni Ewropea fl-ewwel sitt xhur tal-2017.

Maltese Ambassador in Kuwait participates in GET-2016

On 26th January 2016, the Ambassador of Malta to Kuwait Mr Patrick Cole was invited to attended the 2nd Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications (GET– 2016) organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The forum attracted approximately 500 participants from around 90 countries including government ministers, national regulators, leading academics, United Nations organisations, NGOs, CEOs of private sector companies and experts in the field of ICT for disaster management.

The event provided an opportunity for policy makers and stakeholders to debate and adopt concrete strategies on how effective disaster risk reduction and management supported by information and communication technology can contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21 in December 2015. The adopted outcomes of GET-2016 will provide strategic guidance in this field to the national and international community and national organisations.

L-Ambaxxatur ta' Malta għall-Polonja fl-laqgħa mal-Viċi Marixxall tas-Sejm Pollakk

Fid-19 ta’ Jannar 2016 l-Ambaxxatur ta’ Malta għall-Polonja, s-Sur Pierre Clive Agius, kellu laqgħa mas-Sinjura Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska li hija Viċi-Marixxall tas-Sejm Pollakk (Deputy Speaker tal-Parlament tar-Repubblika tal-Polonja).

Matul din il-laqgħa kordjali ħafna kienu diskussi r-relazzjonijiet bejn Malta u l-Polonja, l-istat tal-Unjoni Ewropea u l-isfidi komuni, bħall- immigrazzjoni li l-pajjiżi membri tal-Unjoni Ewropea qegħdin jaffaċċjaw flimkien.

L-Ambaxxatur Agius tenna l-istedina mill-Ispeaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati ta’ Malta lill-Marixxall tas-Sejm Pollakk biex iżżur Malta fil-futur qrib. L- istedina ġiet aċċettata.

Sadanittant, l-Ambaxxata ta’ Malta f’Varsavja f’Jannar informat lill-pubbliku li ġie stabbilit Konsulat Onorarju ta’ Malta f’Chisinau, l-belt kapitali tar-Repubblika tal- Moldova.

Il-Konsolat Onorarju jinsab f’dan l-indirizz: Cuza Voda 29/1, Chisinau, Moldova Tel - 00373 22 205 524 Il-Konslu Onorarju ta’ Malta fil-Moldova huwa l-Prof Adrian Hotineanu.

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Promoting Malta ... Snippets from our Missions Abroad

Malta promoted as a destination during a tourism Fair in Utrecht

A Tourism Fair was held in Utrecht where tourist destinations are being pro- moted among business networks and visitors that are seeking information on tourist destinations for their next vacation. On the 12 January Ambassador Joseph Cole accompanied by Mrs Cole attended the fair and the stand set up by the office of the Malta Tourism Authority in Amsterdam. The stand included promotional material and traditional Maltese food and drinks. It was an occasion to meet the representatives of the MTA office and establish networks with the operators in the tourism sector.

During this week Malta will be promoted as a tourist destination with operators and agencies as well as lure the Dutch fair visitors to choose Malta as their next holiday destination.

These are just snippets from all work done by our missions abroad. For all Press Releases issued and other, click on picture at left to visit the site:

http://foreignaffairs.gov.mt/en/Pages/Missions-Websites.aspx

Malta u s-Seychelles jiffirmaw Memorandum of Understanding

Il-Ministeru għall-Affarijiet Barranin tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta u l-Ministeru tal-Affarijiet Barranin u Trasport tar-Repubblika tas-Seychelles iffirmaw Memorandum of Understanding dwar Koperazzjoni. Il-ftehim kien iffirmat fil-Kummissjoni Għolja Maltija f’Londra mill-E.T. Norman Hamilton, Kummissarju Għoli ta’ Malta fir -Renju Unit u l-E.T. Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Kummissarju Għoli tas-Seychelles fir-Renju Unit. L-għan ewlieni ta’ dan il-ftehim huwa li jippromovi relazzjonijiet ta’ ħbiberija u koperazzjoni fl-oqsma politiċi, ekonomiċi u wkoll oħrajn, bejn iż-żewġ pajjiżi. Jirrikonoxxi wkoll li konsultazzjonijiet u bdil ta’ informazzjoni dwar oqsma bilaterali, reġjonali u wkoll dawk internazzjonali ta’ nteress komuni jikkontribwixxu għal tisħiħ ta’ relazzjonijiet.

Il-Kummissarju Għoli Hamilton awgura li dan il-ftehim isaħħaħ aktar ir-relazzjonijiet eċċellenti li diġa hemm bejn Malta u s-Seychelles.

Malta’s Representative to Palestine visits the Princess Basma Health Centre in East Jerusalem On 20 January 2016, the Representative of the Republic of Malta in Ramallah, Palestine, Mr Reuben Gauci, visited the Princess Basma Rehabilitation Centre (PBC) in East Jerusalem and distributed educational puzzles for the use of children within the autism spectrum. In December 2015, the Representative Office of Malta gave a donation from the Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Malta, funds which are distributed on a yearly basis for international development overseas.

Mr Gauci praised the work done by the Princess Basma Centre and said that the subject of autism is becoming more topical in this day and age.

He said that the Maltese Government is giving importance to the subject of autism and autism research (amongst others) and was proud to assist institutions overseas which are also dealing with the subject. The Maltese Representative commended the work of this Rehabilitation Centre and said that he will be making more such visits to the centre in the future.

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Editor’s note

I really enjoyed compiling this matic Corp at the Ministry for Nowadays you can get a Maltese newsletter, and hope that you do Foreign Affairs, accompanies ftira in Fulham Road, London and enjoy reading it! them to Castille, where the Prime a Timpana in Mississauga! Minister also exchanges greet- Libya is very much in the news, ings and also to the Palace, with Talking about food, Timpana was as all those who follow the news, HE The President exchanging selected by the EU to feature in a be it on TV, Radio or online, greetings with all. special publication, “The EU know. Cookbook”. The Diplomatic Corp are then Reading through this newsletter invited - this year for the second Read all about these and more, one is informed of Minister for time - to Verdala Palace for din- in this newsletter. As usual, any Abroad? Longing for a bite Foreign Affairs, Dr. George W. ner and a detailed view of the contributions for publication are of Maltese food? Get a Vella’s several meetings on the past year in Foreign Affairs. more than welcome! Timpana for 7 Canadian subject, Libya being on the top Dollars in Mississauga! Pg 10. part of the agenda. During this month Minister Vella Have a good year! also accompanied HE The Presi- New Year also heralds the tradi- dent of the Republic on a State tional New Year’s Greetings with Visit to Algeria. Etienne St. John the Diplomatic Corp and with the Communications Coordinator Honorary Consuls. I enjoyed researching local tradi- Ministry for Foreign Affairs tional food with an international Minister Vella meets the Diplo- taste!