By Carlotta Duken.
On the 18th of September, the Embassy of Malta invited to celebrate Malta‘s National Day, commemorating the independence which it gained from Great Britain in 1964. This years‘ celebration concurred with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
H.E. Joseph Cole, Ambassador of Malta and his wife Bernadette Cole warmly welcomed all their guests. The guests enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere of the reception and the variety of Maltese specialties served. Among the delicacies were Bigilla dip, a dip made from broad beans, Twistees, a rice based and savory snack, and Biskutelli, traditional Maltese biscuits.
For a photo-album on Malta National Day 2015, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157658853810942
In his welcome speech, the ambassador stressed the positive history of diplomatic relations between Malta and the Netherlands, „guided by trust, goodwill and respect for each other“. In the present and in the future, the Ambassador sees strong potential to strengthen co-operation on a political, economic and cultural level. The bilateral relations have been strengthened through a number of initiatives amongst which one can list:
– The military cooperation where the Armed Forces of Malta have participated in EUTM Somalia for a number of years, on Dutch military vessels. Maltese soldiers received medals for their participation and there is no doubt that many of them will be volunteering for similar exercises in the future.
– The export of potatoes from Malta to The Netherlands.
– Tourism between the two countries is doing very well.
– Culturally, Valletta and Leeuwarden will have the honor of holding the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018.
– Malta and the Netherlands together with Slovakia will form the next trio of the EU Presidency from January 2016 to June 2017.
In the near future, Malta will host the EU/Africa Summit which will bring together EU and African leaders to discuss how Europe and Africa can cooperate together to face current challenges and seek further opportunities how to consolidate the relationship between the continents.
Among the guests were Mr. Roelof van Ees, Director of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, ambassadors of Egypt HE Mr. Taher Farahat, Albania HE Ms. Adia Sakiqi, Belgium HE Mr. Chris Hoornaert, Estonia HE Mr. Peep Jahilo, HE Archbishop Aldo Cavalli Apostolic Nuncio, the Charge d’Affaires of Indonesia Mr. Ibnu Wahyutomo, Kosovo HE Ms. Vjosa Dobruna, Morocco HE Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Saudi Arabia HE Mr. Abdulaziz Abohaimed, Lithuania HE Mr. Darius Jonas Semaška, Philippines HE Mr. Jaime Victor Ledda, Ghana HE Mr. Tony Aidoo, Slovenia HE Mr. Roman Kirn, New Zealand HE Ms. Janet Lowe, Tunisia Karim Ben Becher and the new Ambassador of Australia H.E. Dr Brett Mason.
