MaltaMedia.com

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Tonio Borg participated in 30 official visits abroad during 2009, with the ultimate aim to strengthen Malta’s foreign policy abroad.

In addition to these 30 visits, Malta participates every month in the General Affairs and External Relations Council, better known as GAERC, in which Malta is represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, together with Malta’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Richard Cachia Caruana.

Third of these visits were carried out outside the European Union, mostly among Middle East countries, Arab states, the United States and Australia. The remaining visits were in the European countries.

Among the most important visits abroad, the Deputy Prime Minister inaugurated the Maltese Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Diplomatic Representation in Ramallah in June 2009. Dr Tonio Borg visited also other Middle East countries mainly Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, during which 5 bilateral agreements were signed.

In August, Deputy Prime Minister accompanied the President of Malta Dr George Abela in a state visit to Qatar, during which six bilateral agreements were signed. This visit proved to be a success in terms of investment and promotion, so much so that Qatar Airways secured an agreement with Lufthansa Technik to start using their facilities in Malta for the maintenance of their aircrafts. Qatar Airways has already started to employ Maltese people.

Earlier this year, Dr Tonio Borg accompanied President Emeritus Dr Fenech Adami during the state visit in Poland in January. A record delegation of 60 business people was part of the state visit.

Meetings were also held between Malta, Italy and Libya during this year on the issue of illegal migration.

Before the beginning of every Presidency of the EU, Malta meets the Head of State of that particular country. This has already been the case with Sweden and with Spain. During these meetings, Malta puts forward its ideas on what the new presidency should focus on and prioritise during its six months in office.

During 2009, the role of the Protocol and Consular Services Directorate within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instrumental in setting up 45 official visits, including the visit by the King of Spain and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth to Malta. The visits originated from more than 25 countries and included 3 Vice Presidents of the European Commission and 4 other EU Commissioners. The newly nominated High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, also paid a visit in Malta in May, at the time serving as EU Commissioner responsible for Trade.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible, through the Protocol and Consular Services Directorate in the organisation of state visits. The Directorate, in conjunction with the Office of the President and the Office of the Prime Minister coordinates the logistics for both State and Official Visits. The Directorate also plays a pivotal role in the organisation of official visits, through advising on correct ceremonial procedures, assisting incoming and outgoing delegations, publishing official and cultural programs and in liaison with the Police, coordinating security measures.

One of the major visits this year was the State Visit by His Majesty the King of Spain in November. During this visit, His Majesty was accompanied by the Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyabe’. During this visit, the Foreign Affairs Minister signed six bilateral agreements that cover a number of areas, ranging from investment promotion, to cultural and educational ones.

Another major event during this year was the inauguration of the EC-LAS office in October. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was vital in setting up this official inauguration, which was attended by the EU Commissioner responsible for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States Amre Moussa.

In January, 25 non-resident Ambassadors were present at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to exchange New Year’s greetings. In March, over 85 Consuls representing Malta abroad met for the Consular Representation Conference held in Malta.

Malta secured international media coverage thanks to these visits in all continents.