New Ambassador of Malta to the Portuguese Republic

 

On Friday, June 05, 2009, Dr. Joseph Cassar presented his credentials as Malta’s Ambassador to H.E. Aníbal Cavaco Silva, President of the Portuguese Republic, at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon.

President Cavaco Silva later received Ambassador Cassar in private audience also attended by the Secretary of State for European Affairs, the Hon. Teresa Ribeiro and the Secretary General of the Portuguese Foreign Ministry, H.E.  Vasco Taveira da Cunha Valente.

President Cavaco Silva said the excellent relations between Portugal and Malta were evident during the State Visit to Portugal of then President Edward Fenech Adami in November 2008.

He then requested Ambassador Cassar to renew his congratulations to President George Abela, stating that the consensus between the two major political parties on his election to the presidency was evidence of his fine qualities in nurturing national unity.

President Cavaco Silva and Ambassador Cassar then dwelt on the bilateral relations between the two countries and their potential for growth.

In conveying the greetings of President George Abela and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Ambassador Cassar said the Malta Government was particularly appreciative of Portugal’s early and constant support during the country’s quest to join the European Union and the personal contribution of President Cavaco Silva when Prime Minister of Portugal. Likewise, the Government of Malta strongly appreciated Portugal’s current support within the European Union in promoting the notion of greater solidarity concerning the problem of illegal migration.

 

President Cavaco Silva said solidarity was always important and particularly so in facing the challenges of the current global financial crisis.  Areas in which the economic relationship between the two countries could be strengthened were then discussed.

Before taking leave from the President of the Portuguese Republic, Ambassador Cassar expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and assistance given by the Portuguese Foreign Ministry to the Maltese Embassy and augured that his term in Lisbon would contribute towards the further strengthening of Maltese-Portuguese relations.