PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER The Speaker holds meetings with the Ambassadors of Italy and Germany

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Carmelo Abela, held separate bilateral meetings with the Ambassador of Italy to Malta, Valentina Setta, and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Malta, Tanja Beyer, during which he discussed Malta's relations with both countries and opportunities for further strengthening bilateral and parliamentary cooperation.

During his meeting with Ambassador Setta, Speaker Abela highlighted the excellent and longstanding relations between Malta and Italy, underpinned by geographical proximity, a shared Mediterranean identity and common objectives within the European Union. He recalled the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries, noting that Italy was among the first countries to recognise Malta following independence and that diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 21 September 1964.

The discussion with the Italian Ambassador focused on the continued strengthening of bilateral and parliamentary cooperation, as well as collaboration on key regional issues, including security, energy, migration and EU affairs. The strong academic and cultural links between the two countries were also welcomed, including cooperation involving Maltese and Italian academic institutions, town-twinning arrangements and participation in major cultural and artistic events.

During his meeting with Ambassador Beyer, Speaker Abela highlighted the strong and multifaceted relations between Malta and Germany, based on shared European values, support for multilateralism and the rules-based international order, as well as a common commitment to peace, security and stability in Europe and the Mediterranean. He noted that Germany remains an important partner for Malta within the European Union and welcomed the continued high-level political dialogue between the two countries.

Both dignitaries exchanged views on the respective Parliamentary practices in Malta and Germany which included the gender mechanisms, electoral process and how these affect the formation of Parliament as well as the official status of Members of Parliament.

Reference was also made to the longstanding cooperation between Germany and the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC). Speaker Abela expressed Malta's appreciation for Germany's continued support for MEDAC, including through financial contributions, scholarships and the German Chair in Peace and Conflict Studies, which contributes to diplomatic capacity-building and the promotion of peace, dialogue and regional stability across the Mediterranean and the wider MENA region.

The meeting also addressed the strong educational and cultural links between Malta and Germany. Speaker Abela welcomed the growing cooperation between Maltese and German educational and research institutions, as well as exchanges in the fields of culture, visual and performing arts, film and cultural diplomacy, which continue to strengthen people-to-people relations.

The Speaker's meetings with the two Ambassadors reaffirmed Malta's commitment to maintaining and further strengthening its close relations with two of its key European and Mediterranean partners. Speaker Abela stressed the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in complementing government-to-government relations and in fostering closer institutional, economic, cultural and people-to-people links, while promoting cooperation on common European, Mediterranean and global challenges.