MaltaMedia.com

As proof of the ever-stronger links between Malta and the region of La Marne, Malta was invited by the Conseil General de la Marne to be the guest of honour at the 64th edition of the Fair of Châlons en Champagne, held between 27th August and 6th September.

The Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs, the Hon. George Pullicino is expected to visit the Fair on Friday 3 September 2010. French Minister of Agriculture, Bruno Le Maire, will also be visiting the fair on the same day. Minister Pullicino will have the opportunity to visit the Malta stand and meet the main decision-makers of the region. In the evening he will also meet a number of cooperatives of the region and discuss co-operation in the agro-alimentary industry

The Fair of Châlons en Champagne is a very prestigious and important fair and it is considered to be only second in importance to the renowned Salon de l’Agriculture, the annual show-case of the French agricultural produce. Politicians who have already visited the fair include Hervé Morin; Minister of Defence, François Hollande, former general secretary of the Socialist Party and a potential candidate at the forthcoming Presidential elections, and Jean-Louis Borloo; Minister of State responsible amongst others of energy and the environment. Minister Borloo took the time to visit the Maltese stand and to say how much he enjoys visiting time in Malta. Other Ministers and top politicians are expected to visit the Fair in the coming days.

Six themes: Culture, Heritage, Sport, Education, Agriculture and Tourism, have been identified for this year’s edition of the Fair.

In order to mark the day dedicated to heritage, a conference was held with the participation of Mark Miggiani, Malta’s Ambassador to France, and Count Dominique de la Rochefoucauld-Montbel, President of the French Association of the Order of Malta. Ambassador Miggiani delivered an introductory speech on Malta, past and present; followed by Count de la Rochefoucauld-Montbel who spoke about the role of the Order of Malta today.

The sports theme of the fair will feature the group of French boxers who visited Malta earlier this year following an invitation by Ambassador Rondeau and who will be talking about their experience in Malta.

On Thursday 2 September 2010, the day dedicated to education, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between 3 schools of the Region of La Marne and the Principal of St Theresa College, Dr Francis Fabri. Ambassadors Miggiani and Rondeau who both worked hard for the realization of these projects are expected to be present for the signing. The Marne region, which is the birthplace of Ambassador Rondeau is very proud of its Ambassador who has always sought to make this region known in Malta.

The Embassy of Malta in France, the office of the Malta Tourism Authority in France and Malta Enterprise have been working jointly on the promotion of tourism to Malta from the region and industrial investment. A chartered flight has already been confirmed and in view of the positive response by the public a second flight is being organized. This partnership with the region will be further consolidated on Saturday 4 September 2010 when Ambassador Miggiani and Thierry Durand, Head of the MTA Office in France will meet the main tour operators of the region and participate on a local radio station that has been running different programs on Malta.

The Malta stand has so far been a great success with the visitors of the Fair. Malta Enterprise, Malta Tourism Authority and the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs are all present on the stand. Visitors can obtain information on tourism, investing in Malta or they can just savor Maltese food and appreciate Maltese manufacture. Those who have never been to Malta can also appreciate the Maltese stone which is being exhibited by a Maltese company based in France.