PRESIDENT INVITES SPANISH SOVEREIGN TO VISIT MALTA

President Guido de Marco and Mrs de Marco yesterday attended the Fifth Centenary Celebrations commemorating the birth of Emperor Charles the Fifth, which are being held in Toledo.

It was this Emperor who passed Malta to the tutelage of the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem. This commemorative celebration is being organised by H.M. King Juan Carlos of Spain, who invited the heads of state of those countries who were associated with the reign of Emperor Charles the Fifth. Among the twelve heads of state attending these celebrations were also President Johannes Rau of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Mrs Rau, President Thomas Klestil of Austria and Mrs Klestil, H.M. King Albert and Queen Paola, Sovereigns of Belgium and Queen Beatriz of the Netherlands and President Ferenc Madl of Hungary and Mrs Madl.

President de Marco exchanged views with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia and invited the Spanish Sovereigns to visit Malta. President de Marco had, amongst others, encounters with H.M. King Albert of Belgium and President Ferenc Madl of Hungary. Also present for these celebrations was the President of the Government of Spain Jose Maria Aznar, with whom President de Marco discussed the situation in the Middle East. Both President de Marco and Mr. Aznar will be participating today, Friday, at the Foro Formentor in Palma de Mallorca. This conference is to discuss security in the Mediterranean and the President of Malta is to deliver a keynote speech.

On their arrival in Madrid on Wednesday evening, President and Mrs. de Marco were the guests of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the opera. They were invited together with President Ferenc Madl of Hungary and Grand Master Prince Andrew Bertie of S.M.O.M.

On their arrival at Toledo, yesterday morning, President and Mrs. de Marco were received by H.M. King Juan Carlos and by H.R.H. Prince Felipe of Asturias. Together with the other heads of state, President and Mrs de Marco proceeded to the Cathedral of Toledo for the commemorative addresses. They attended an official luncheon hosted by His Majesty, which was also attended by the President of the Government of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar. After lunch the delegations proceeded to the official opening of an exhibition entitled 'CAROLUS' on the life and times of Emperor Charles the Fifth.