Apr 08 - Chief Minister Tightens Links with Malta
The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo MP, and Financial Services and Gaming Minister, the Hon Albert Isola MP, have held an extensive number of meetings in Malta. In a gesture of the warmth that characterises the deep historic relationship between the people of Gibraltar and Malta, the flag of Gibraltar was flown from the Maltese Foreign Office for the arrival and departure of the Chief Minister's delegation.
The Gibraltar delegation held meetings with Malta's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon George Vella MP, to discuss the many EU issues which Gibraltar faces and the "culture of compliance" which characterises the approach of the Government to EU obligations.
This led to an exchange of different ideas on the potential areas for future co-operation.
This meeting was followed by a call on the long-time friend of Gibraltar and now Speaker of the Maltese Parliament, The Hon Anglu Farrugia MP. This meet up enabled the delegation to consider issues related to Parliamentary reform and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association issues.
Mr Farrugia provided the Chief Minister with copies of Maltese Parliamentary publications and extended his best wishes to Gibraltar’s Speaker, the Hon Adolfo Canepa MP.
The visit continued with a dinner hosted by the Chief Executive of the Maltese Financial Services Commission, Mr Joe Bannister.
Earlier in the day the delegation called on the British High Commissioner in Valetta, Mr Rob Luke. This meeting was both an opportunity to consider the excellent state of relations between the United Kingdom and Malta and a chance to consider how the UK might assist Gibraltar in seeking further to develop bilateral links with Malta.
Today the Chief Minister is holding further meetings before returning to Gibraltar on Wednesday.
