President IIir Meta,
Mr Speaker,
Honourable Ministers,
President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici,
Excellencies,
Honourable Member of Parliament,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Friends,
I would like to welcome Your Excellency, President Ilir Meta, on your visit to the Maltese Islands.
Your Excellency,
Since bilateral relations were first established between our countries, in 1973, Malta and Albania have entered into a number of wide-ranging agreements, including in the areas of double taxation, tourism, culture, and scientific research.
Moreover, on my state visit to Albania last year, with a strong trade mission from Malta, we initiated important processes of connection between our respective business communities. I augur that these connections shall continue to be strengthened, for the mutual prosperity of our peoples.
On the Other hand, the friendship that is developing between our nations also reflects the shared values that we hold dear, which is clearly evident by the presence of our respective diaspora communities and their contributions to the socio-economic development of our countries.
The presence in Albania of various Maltese religious organisations and civil society members is further proof of our commitment to enrich our societies in mutual ways.
Furthermore, our firm commitment to build sustainable peace within our respective regions of the Euro-Mediterranean and the Balkans, and achieving solidarity between all nations of goodwill, will continue to reinforce the friendship between us and our peoples.
For this reason, Malta continues to support the expansion of the European family of nations through the European Union.
Malta is prepared to give its full assistance, based upon our own experiences of European Union accession, to facilitate this process of inclusion, once Albania completes its necessary programme of reforms.
I believe that we must continue to build stronger links between and among all our countries and across the various regions of Europe, through an ongoing process of dialogue.
Let me therefore, encourage greater synergy between the cultural and business communities of our nations.
By developing such synergies, our cultural and business communities shall be able to effectively and efficiently identify new opportunities for mutual growth.
It is clear that a focus on the economic prosperity of our societies is essential, in order to address social concerns as well.
I would also like to take the opportunity to commend Albania for the programme of reforms already initiated and currently being undertaken by your country, to bring it closer to conformity with the EU and our shared values.
Such values can come to light most clearly, and create avenues for person-to-person contacts, through our efforts to nurture cultural diplomacy. Valletta’s term as European Capital of Culture 2018 offers us a perfect opportunity to engage on various levels of creative and cultural connection.
Your Excellency,
I believe that we must continue to strengthen these efforts, with a focus on education and culture, so that our children and young people, who shall one day take our place as the leaders of tomorrow, will enjoy a world that is conducive to peace and prosperity.
For this reason, we must be effective in our efforts, as an international community, to tackle the scourge of violent radicalisation. We can do so in an active way by creating economic and social opportunities for our young people, especially to be fully respected and valued participants in society.
Let us therefore explore further opportunities for our children and young people to come together so as to enhance their understanding of the ideals of peace, the principles of democratic participation, respect for human rights, and the upholding of the rule of law.
I invite everyone to raise their glasses and drink to the health of President Meta and to the friendship between the Maltese and Albanian peoples.
Speech by the President of the Republic of Albania Ilir Meta at the state dinner
Your Excellency, President Coleiro Preca,
Distinguished guests,
Toasts represent a very important feature in the Albanian culture and tradition, particularly in the city of my origin, where they are a real institution. The dinner must have a toastmaster, who follows a special ranking order to express the pleasure and joy of being surrounded by dear friends.
So my dear friend Marie-Louise, this toast goes first to you. My delegation and I wholeheartedly thank you for your warm hospitality and generosity, creating a truly friendly atmosphere and making us all feel at home. I wish you great success in your mandate as President, further success in your political career, and good health and prosperity to you and your family.
Secondly, I would like to toast in celebration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations established between Albania and Malta. As we both noted earlier in the day, our bilateral relations enjoy mutual trust and respect and have inherited amicable feelings and no disagreements between our governments and peoples. I fully share your enthusiasm and firm political will to make the best use of this positive stock and commit to further advance our cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. I see a great potential for partnership in the economic area, in which we must heavily invest our best reciprocal efforts.
Thirdly, I would like to express our gratitude for the staunch support you continue to provide for our EU path. Like Malta, Albania is a relatively small and modest country. Yet, by your example, we can learn a lot about how to make our EU membership process faster, steadier, and more efficient in transforming our country. I am further encouraged by your intention to favour a positive decision to open accession negotiations with Albania once the Commission forwards an unconditional recommendation. EU accession is Albania’s most strategic objective, and I am grateful that Malta continues to be immune to the fatigue syndrome and is on-board supporting our bid.
Sharing the Mediterranean, Albania has a very good understanding of the burden that Malta carries in view of regrettable developments in this region. Mediterranean partnership is an important component of our multilateral cooperation, also in view of strengthening peace and security in our neighbourhood.
On the other hand, we cannot but emphasise at every opportunity the importance we attach to Malta’s support for Kosovo’s independence and its European course, a direct contribution to peace and stability in the Western Balkans region.
Finally, hoping that this visit will incentivise an upgrade of our 45 year-old diplomatic relations, I would like to once again thank you Madam President for hosting me in your beautiful country, toasting to the continued development and prosperity of our countries and peoples.
Thank you