PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker of the House of Representatives marks Malta’s Independence Day in Ankara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta today addressed guests gathered in Ankara for the celebration of Malta’s National Day, organised by the Embassy of Malta in Türkiye.

In his remarks, the Speaker extended his warmest greetings to the Turkish hosts and to all those present, underlining that Malta’s National Day is a moment of reflection, pride, and gratitude. He noted that it marks the journey of the Maltese people towards independence and sovereignty, while also reaffirming Malta’s enduring values of peace, dialogue, and respect for human dignity.

The Speaker recalled the longstanding relations between Malta and Türkiye, rooted in their shared Mediterranean identity. He welcomed the establishment of the Malta–Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Group, emphasising that it will serve to deepen dialogue and cooperation between the two legislatures.

On the international agenda, the Speaker stressed Malta’s commitment to multilateralism and its principles of peace and justice, recalling that Malta officially recognised the State of Palestine. He described this moment as being a historic day, noting that a consignment of 250 tonnes of flour from Malta had just arrived in Gaza as part of Malta’s humanitarian support to the Palestinian people.

Later in the day, the Speaker met with his counterpart, Prof. Dr Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. Discussions focused on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy between Malta and Türkiye, exploring new avenues for enhanced cooperation, and reaffirming the commitment of both countries to dialogue and mutual understanding.

The Speaker expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador of Malta in Ankara, Dr Marisa Farrugia and her team for their tireless efforts in organising the celebration and for their work in strengthening the friendship between Malta and Türkiye.