PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Presentation of the Letters of Appointment to Mr David Muscat as Malta’s Representative to the State of Palestine

Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, presented the Letters of Appointment to Mr David Muscat, as Malta's Representative to the State of Palestine.

Mr Muscat succeeds His Excellency Franklin J. Aquilina, who was recently appointed Ambassador to Libya.

Mr Muscat's appointment as Malta's Representative to the State of Palestine took place on the same day that Malta, through the Prime Minister Robert Abela, formally recognised the State of Palestine during the United Nations Assembly in New York, United States of America.

During the meeting, held at San Anton Palace, the President highlighted that Malta's historic step, taken together with other nations, may serve to advance the cause of lasting peace.

Mr Muscat reiterated the importance and the need for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip to continue receiving the necessary humanitarian assistance, noting that in recent days the Maltese Government had dispatched a consignment of 250 tonnes of flour.

The President further appealed for this historic step to be regarded as an opportunity to continue building and strengthening the relationship between Malta and the State of Palestine.