PRESIDENT PRESENTED WITH MIGRANTS CONVENTION REPORT

PRESIDENT PRESENTED WITH MIGRANTS CONVENTION REPORT

H.E. Prof. Guido de Marco, President of Malta, was this morning presented with a copy of the proceedings and report of the Convention of Leaders of Associations of Maltese Abroad and of Maltese Origin which was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre and the Emigrants Commission from 25^th January to 1^st February 2000.

The report was presented by the chairman of the convention's organising committee Mr George N. Busuttil who was accompanied by vice-chairman and director of the Emigrants Commission Mgr Philip Calleja and the committee's secretary Mr Victor Pace.

The President remarked that as the process of emigration from Malta substantially died down the figure of the migrant became a historic one, confined to the past. The Maltese communities in countries such as Australia, Canada and the US were growing older and naturally dying out.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. de Marco had pointed out that if a link were not created between Malta and the Maltese communities abroad, then this Maltese fact would be forgotten in the space of a few years. The Emigrants Commission has managed to maintain this link. Maltese embassies were urged to keep a register of Maltese people living abroad thus identifying a Maltese constituency that would take care of Maltese interests around the world.

"If Malta needs particular support in certain countries, the existence of a community there would be of great benefit in moments of difficulty," the President said.

"The aim of the convention was to create a link with the Maltese communities abroad who still feel Maltese even if they are two generations apart from direct Maltese origin. Perhaps one still has to give more thought to how this can happen, how one can create an epicentre which is removed from party politics."

The President took the opportunity to thank the Maltese communities around the world. "These communities have managed to survive so far practically only thanks to their love for Malta. We need to continue nurturing and fostering this love they have for their mother country. Wherever in the world there is a Maltese person, there is a piece of Malta."

20.06.2000