SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR EDWARD FENECH ADAMI, PRESIDENT OF MALTA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE DINNER GIVEN IN HIS HONOUR BY HER EXCELLENCY DR. VAIRA VIKE-FREIBERGA, PRESIDENT OF LATVIA

RIGA – 19^th JUNE 2006

Madame President and Professor Freibergs

Excellencies

Distinguished guests

It is an honour and a true pleasure for me to be visiting Latvia on a State Visit.  This is a significant occasion, as it is the first ever visit to Latvia by a Head of State of Malta.

Excellency,

Latvia and Malta are characterised by a diverse and rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of national identity, as well as of the role they play on the European and international scenes.  They are united by the same overriding values and ideals, and by a common concern for the prosperity and security of Europe.

Malta lies at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, halfway between Gibraltar and Suez and between the South of Europe and Northern Africa; Latvia at the crossroads of Northern and Eastern Europe.  The routes have been traversed from earliest times by a continuous traffic of traders and conquerors, with the result that both countries have inevitably become the pawn of their power games.  The strategic location of both countries has been a major influence on their diverse historical and cultural experiences.

Although enriched by European culture, both countries have an indigenous quality which is striking when one considers their land area.  They have similar historical experiences and ties, Malta having suffered lengthy periods of rule by foreign powers, Latvia with its long history of invasions, occupations and a forced annexation – both never surrendering their determination to make a reality from the dream of a sovereign and independent State.

Excellency,

For more than two years now, Latvia and Malta have been member States of the European Union.  We participated in the process of the development of the European Union during the course of these years.  We ratified the European Constitutional Treaty and thus expressed our views on the future of the Union.  We embraced the overall fundamental values of the European Union – including freedom and sovereignty, peace and security, as well as democracy, the rule of law and respect of fundamental human rights – and found expression of our own national fundamental values therein.

The adoption of a basic Treaty or Charter for the European Union would be a step in the direction of strengthening the political dimension of the Union.  Furthermore, it would ensure the ability of its institutions to function effectively and to formulate coherent strategies adept to face the challenges of economic growth and of security. 

Excellency,

We, in Malta admire the considerable accomplishments that the people of Latvia have achieved.  Barely fifteen years have passed since the renewal of your independence.  During the relatively short time period that has passed since 1991, Latvia has managed to renew and develop a stable democracy, to transform its economy into a thriving free-market economy and to regain its rightful place in the European family of nations.

Malta has also recently undertaken several root-and-branch reforms, not least in preparation for membership of the European Union.  It seems to me that the EU has had an extraordinary catalytic effect in stimulating countries to embrace reform.  I want to pay tribute to both our countries, as well as to all the other new members of the European Union, for having successfully gone through such a difficult test. 

Excellency,

The relations between Malta and Latvia have grown closer over the past years.  In Your Excellency’s words, spoken during your State Visit to Malta in February 2004:  “As fellow travellers on this common journey to EU membership, the people of Malta and Latvia have come to know each other better, to share their experiences and to support each other when necessary”.  We are now in an unprecedented position to join our efforts for building a new and better Europe. 

Our countries have a role to play not only within the European Union, but also within the international community.  Albert Einstein is quoted as having said that “once we accept our limits, we go beyond them”.  I believe that Malta and Latvia have gone beyond their limits.  It has rightly been said that it is not the size of a country’s territory or its population that matter most, but rather the strength of its ideas, the clarity of its vision and the quality of its contribution to the common good. 

With the latest expansion, the European Union has extended its borders and obtained new neighbours.  Latvia and Malta are both border States of the European Union, situated geographically at the far ends of the Union:  Malta strengthens the southern dimension of the Union, while Latvia crystallises the northern dimension.  Malta perceives itself and is perceived to be, a bridge between Europe and Northern Africa, as Latvia has also always been seen as a bridge, a gateway from where the East meets the West. 

Latvia and Malta are separated by a considerable geographic distance.  Latvia lies in a strategic position on the shores of the Baltic Sea and places great importance on increasingly close cooperation between the ten countries of the Baltic Sea region and on promoting closer relations with the Union’s Eastern European neighbours.  Malta lies within the Mediterranean region and promotes closer relations with the Union’s southern neighbours.  A traditional pillar of our foreign policy is that of promoting stability and security of the Mediterranean region.  It is understandable therefore that both our countries place great priority on the EU's Neighbourhood Policy. 

Malta and Latvia are reliable partners in the building of a united Europe.  It is my understanding that since Latvia regained independence, integration policy has been a key issue in its domestic affairs.  Continuous integration of its various ethnic communities ensures Latvia's continued stability and future prosperity.  On the other hand, the challenge faced by Malta is that of an unprecedented influx of irregular immigrants, placing a disproportionate strain on the limited resources of our island.  This phenomenon is putting the capacity of the European Mediterranean States to cope with the seemingly incessant influx of people through a harsh test.  This is a common European challenge that requires a collective and unitary effort. 

This visit to Latvia, upon Your Excellency’s kind invitation, confirms the excellent character of our mutual relations and our common determination to strengthen bonds of cooperation and complementarity.  I am confident that the friendship and confidence that exist between our two countries will only deepen further with time. 

With these thoughts, may I invite you Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen to raise your glass and to toast to the health of Her Excellency the President and Professor Freibergs and for prosperity and friendship between our Peoples.