H.E. PROF. DE MARCO ATTENDS ACTIVITIES CONNECTED TO MALTA EVENT IN GENEVA

H.E Prof Guido de Marco conducted an official visit to the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva today. This visit is connected to a series of cultural events organised by the Permanent Mission of Malta in Geneva at the Palais des Nations, with the theme of the event "Malta Crossroads of Civilizations". This forms part of the United Nations programme 2001 Year of Dialogue among Civilizations.

President de Marco started the visit to the Palais des Nations with a press meeting. H.E. Prof. de Marco stated that the international situation does not constitute a clash of cultures but a curtain of prejudice which has to be removed. He emphasised that, since Malta is in the middle of the Mediterranean, it is concerned with events happening in the region. He also stated that if we want peace in the region, the Mediterranean cannot remain a great divide. Malta, which is at the Crossroads of Civilisations, is helping to bring about a greater awareness. In reply to a question on possible solutions to end this curtain of prejudice, President de Marco replied by saying that there are many suggestions but few facts. The Euro-Med process is one of the initiatives which if properly pursued can contribute to the lifting of this curtain.

Following the press encounter, President de Marco had a meeting with Mr Vladimir Petrovsky, Director General of the United Nations in Geneva, whereby the present international situation was discussed with particular reference to the current military action in Afghanistan. The Middle East Peace Process and possible reforms in the United Nations, were also discussed.

After the meeting, the President of Malta viewed an art exhibition of Maltese artists set up at The Palais des Nations followed by a concert by the Nicolo` Isouard and the Santa Marija band clubs of Mosta at the General Assembly Hall. Later Prof. De Marco accompanied by the Hon Censu Galea and Ambassador Michael Bartolo, was hosted to a luncheon by Mr Petrovsky. Guests for this luncheon included Mr Ruud Lubbers, High Commissioner for Refugees and former premier of The Netherlands, Mr Brunson McKinley, Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration, Ambassador Andrea Negrotto Cambiaso, Permanent Representative of Italy and former Ambassador to Malta, and Ambassador Francois Nordmann, Permanent Representative of Switzerland. Also present for the luncheon were Prof Roger Ellul Micallef, Rector, University of Malta, Dr John C. Grech, Chairman, Malta Tourism Authority, and Dr Marc Bonello, Chairman, Malta Maritime Authority.

President de Marco also discussed current developments and issues of mutual concern with the Director General of the International Labour Organisation, Juan Somavia, during a meeting in the afternoon.

In the evening, the President attended a concert by pianist Brian Schembri and soprano Lydia Caruana at the World Intellectual Property Headquarters.