OPR - Thursday, 15th December, 2005

The President of Malta, H.E. Dr. Edward Fenech Adami, was presented with the letters of commission by H.E. Mr. Jan Heidsma, Ambassador of Netherlands and by H.E. Mr. Rachid Marif, Ambassador of Algeria.

The ceremony took place in the Ambassadors’ Room at The Palace, Valletta.

This afternoon, the President and Mrs. Fenech Adami will host the newly accredited Ambassadors to an official luncheon at San Anton, Palace.

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H.E. Mr. Jan Heidsma was born in 1st May 1945 in Oegstegest in Netherlands.

Mr. Jan Heidsma graduated with a Masters Degree in International Relations at the University of Amsterdam. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1975 and served in different capacities in The Hague and abroad.

 President Fenech Adami being presented with letters of credence by Ambassador Heidsma

During the period 1990 -1992 he served as Counsellor/Deputy Head of Missions at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Budapest. This was followed by a five year posting at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Washington as Counsellor Economic Affairs.

During the period 1997 – 2001 he was appointed Minister-Counsellor Environment Affairs at the Netherlands Permanent Mission at the European Union in Brussels. In 2001 he was appointed Minister/Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Tokyo.

Mr. Jan Heidsma is married to Marjolijn Therese Heidsma nee Vermaase and they have two children.

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H.E. Mr.Rachid Marif was born on the 12th May 1943.

He earned a Diploma from the Police High School and from the Algerian School of Meunerie.

His career started in 1973 when he was appointed Director for Production of SN.SEMPAC and after three years he became the Director for Industrial Security of SN.SEMPAC. During 1976 and 1979 he became Commercial Director of the National Agency of Tourism (ATA).

In the year 1980 he held various positions which include that of Director (General Administration) of SN.ALTOUR; Director General of the National Office for Congresses and Conferences (ONCC); and Director General of Enterprise – Club des Pins.

 President Fenech Adami being presented with letters of credence by Ambassador Marif

In 1983 the Ambassador became General Director of SN.ALTOUR, Director General of the National Algerian Office for Tourism (ONAT) and Director of Enterprise – Club des Pins.

He was appointed Minister for Tourism in 1992.

The Ambassador has been serving as Counsellor for the President of the Republic and Director General of Protocol since 1999.

The Ambassador is an expert to the World Tourism Organization.

He is married and a father of a child.