MaltaMedia.com

Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg has annouced that a practical and convenient manual so that embassies can be of greater service more than ever before has been issued for those travelling abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a ‘Travel Manual’ for those wishing to travel abroad. This manual forms part of a continuous programme which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been engaged in throughout the period of time when travelling is more popular and thus when travellers most encounter difficulties in preparing for travel.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Tonio Borg, said that this manual is a useful commodity that has long been considered necessary. This manual does not only serve those preparing for travel but it is also a useful guide to carry whilst travelling abroad.

The Deputy Prime Minister commented that in the recent months there has been an increase in the demand for information relating to travel, namely information requests on passports, visas and other relevant documentations. Consequently, the Ministry has felt the need to gather all the relevant information in the above mentioned manual so as to facilitate the process by which the general public gains access to this useful information.

The increasing trend in requests for assistance goes hand in hand with the substantial increase in assistance which the various embassies and Maltese consuls receive. It is relevant to point out that the number of requests for assistance received by the embassies and Maltese consuls outside Malta, in the first five months of 2009, exceeded the total number of requests that were received in the year 2008.

This is due to the fact that there were about 7,500 requests till the end of May. In the same period there were 250 requests for information from commercial entities, both local entities and foreign companies which showed interest in investing in Malta.

‘Travel Manual – Your Information Passport’ is the name of the manual and it contains information on necessary travel documents, as well as information relating to the procedures to follow in certain circumstances such as getting married abroad, accidents and several others. Other information which can be found in the manual relates to the relevant information regarding the embassies and the consuls that are found outside Malta.

Minister Tonio Borg explained that this manual is not only useful for business travellers but is especially useful to those who do not regularly travel abroad and are thus not familiar with all that is required to travel.

This manual may be acquired from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Palazzo Parisio, Valletta. It will also be available from the head offices and branches of the companies who have financed this initiative, namely: Middlesea Insurance, the European Institute of Education, Air Malta and Banif Bank. The manuals have been printed in English and Maltese.