MALTA' S AMBASSADOR TO PORTUGAL AND TO ANDORRA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

MALTA' S AMBASSADOR TO PORTUGAL AND TO ANDORRA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

Professor Salvino Busuttil accompanied by Mrs. Busuttil, presented his Credentials as Ambassador to Portugal and to Andorra last week. He is also Malta's Ambassador to France. On 15 March 2000 in Lisbon, Professor Busuttil with Ms. Ella Strickland (from the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is attached to the Portuguese Foreign Ministry during the term of their presidency), was received in the forecourt of the Presidential Palace at Belem, by a guard of honour which presented arms following the playing of the Maltese and Portuguese national anthems.

After receiving the new Ambassador's credentials, H.E. M. G. Sampaio, the President of Portugal, gave Professor Busuttil a private audience. Remarking that this was the same room where, four years ago, his predecessor, Dr. Mario Soares, had decorated Professor Busuttil with the 'Order of Don Henrique', the President examined with the Ambassador Malta's now open path to Brussels. Dr. Sampaio explained Portugal's wish that Malta be among the first new entrants to the E.U. and promised that his colleagues would do all they could to ease Malta's approach to the E.U. The President and the Ambassador also exchanged views on the Mediterranean and the Middle East, Dr. Sampaio lauding Malta's role in the Euro-Mediterranean process.

The President finally recalled that he and the Ambassador had worked together at the Council of Europe, the President on the Commission of Human Rights and the Ambassador on the Independent Committee of the European Social Charter.

Also present at the audience were the Secretary of State for Co-operation, Dr. Luis Filippe Marques Amado, the Secretary-General of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Francisco Ribeiro de Meneses, and the Head of Protocol, Mr. Rui Goulart de Avila. Before taking leave of the President, the Ambassador was introduced to the civil and military households of the Presidency and, in turn, Professor Busuttil introduced Ms. Ella Strickland to the President and his retinue.

On the previous day, the Ambassador had extensive talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose Secretary-General wished to visit Malta at an early opportunity. With the Secretary of State for co-operation, the ambassador exchanged views on the current negotiations on which Dr. Luis Filippe Marques Amedo offered every facilitating assistance.

The Ambassador and Mrs. Busuttil were also the guests of honour at a dinner given by Dr. M. Ruivo, former Foreign Minister of Portugal, on behalf of Dr. M. Soares (who was unavoidably absent in Strasbourg).

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As Andorra is governed by two co-Princes, the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell (in Spain), the Ambassador first presented his Credentials to President Chirac at the Elysee, on 9 February 2000, and subsequently, on 16 March 2000, to the Bishop of Urgell, Joan Marti Alanis, at his Palace.

After the presentation of Credentials, at which the Andorran Foreign Minister, Mr. Albert Pintat, and the Director General of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Elisenda Vives were present, the Bishop received Prof. Salvino Busuttil privately. The Andorran and the Maltese positions on the E.U. were reviewed. The Co-Prince felt that Malta, given its long Catholic tradition, could help in sustaining Christian values within the E.U.

The Ambassador also visited the Andorran Parliament and was later received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who welcomed Malta's progress toward E.U. accession. Interest was also expressed in sending young Andorran diplomats for training at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. Afterwards, the Minister and the Ambassador addressed a joint Press Conference, the Ambassador's visit being widely covered both in Catalunya (Spain) where Urgell is situated, and in Andorra.

23.03.2000