Malta's Permanent representative to the United Nations

Last Friday Ambassador Walter Balzan, presented his credentials, as Malta's new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to H.E. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

During an exchange of views which followed thereafter, Ambassador Balzan began by recalling that throughout its thirty-five years of membership Malta had always actively contributed to the work of the United Nations and assured the Secretary-General that the Maltese Government remains committed towards this end. Secretary-General Kofi Annan acknowledged the active role played by Malta in the Organisation, particularly during its Presidency of the forty-fifth session of the General Assembly.

Ambassador Balzan highlighted Malta's important initiatives with particular reference to the Law of the Sea Convention. He then referred to the recent sad demise of Ambassador Arvid Pardo, Permanent Representative of Malta at the time, who had introduced the concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind, which had eventually led to the adoption of the Convention on the Law of the Sea. H.E. Kofi Annan paid tribute to Ambassador Pardo and requested Ambassador Balzan to convey his personal condolences to Ambassador Pardo's family.

Ambassador Balzan then referred to Malta's reactivation of its EU application and the current screening process it is undergoing with the EU. He said that Malta envisaged that the forthcoming EU Helsinki Summit would approve the commencement of formal negotiations leading to eventual EU membership. Ambassador Balzan also cited the Mediterranean dimension of Malta's foreign policy and Malta's active involvement in the fostering of peace and stability in the region.

Towards the end of the meeting the Secretary-General requested Ambassador Balzan to communicate his regards to H.E. the President of Malta, Prof. Guido de Marco, who has always been such a source of ideas in the international arena and to the Government and People of Malta.

The Secretary-General was accompanied by Mr. Alvaro De Soto, Assistant-Secretary for Political Affairs and Mr. Benon Sevan, Assistant Secretary-General, whilst Ambassador Balzan was accompanied by Mr. Gaetano Brincau, Deputy Permanent Representative, and Dr. Anton Tabone, First Secretary.