MaltaMedia.com

The Ambassador of Malta to the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Mr. Pierre Clive Agius inaugurated on the 4th of August 2010 a photographic exhibition entitled ‘Malte, l’essence de la Méditerranée’. The exhibition consist of 25 pieces of work by the renowned Maltese photographer Gino Galea who was present for the event. Also present for this inauguration were Mme. Danielle Sarlet, the Secretary General of the Public Service of the Region of Wallonia, Mr. Pierre Huart, the Mayor of the Town of Nivelles, and Mr. André Flahaut, the newly elected President of the Belgian Federal Parliament and former Defence Minister of Belgium.

The exhibition, held at the Cultural Centre of the Town of Nivelles, will run through August. It is being organized by the Embassy of Malta jointly with the Region of Wallonie to celebrate the Belgian Presidency of the European Union.

In her inauguration comments Mme. Sarlet outlined the results of the European Union, including higher consumer security, environmental protection, and unparalleled standards of living. Mme. Sarlet praised the quality of the photographic exhibition and described Malta as an island full of treasures and a place of living history.

Ambassador Pierre Clive Agius thanked the French-speaking Region of Wallonie for the initiative because it was aimed to bring Europe closer to its people. He recalled that Malta was this year added to the list of destinations where Walloons can travel on regional grants to study English. In this respect, he said, Malta is establishing closer relations with the Region not only at institutional level but also between the people themselves. This he described as the best kind of politics for Europe.

During the reception which followed the inauguration Maltese wines and Maltese gastronomic specialties were served. This was possible through the valuable assistance of the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs of Malta, the national airline Air Malta and the Malta Tourism Office. About three hundred people attended the event.