OPR - Sunday, 3rd October, 2004 -- Valletta

Excellency,

In the hours spent in Malta, you will have discovered how much our two countries have in common in their cultural and spiritual heritage, in the assiduous nature of their people and in their common hope of bequeathing a better life to future generations.  

These common qualities create a natural bond that is strengthened by shared aspirations including that of a united Europe that cherishes the diversity of each community, generates prosperity for its peoples and contributes to regional and global stability.

Excellency,

Hope is always of inspiration, but particularly more so in difficult moments.  Hope reinforces our will and gives us the courage to act.  And in such crucial times, though we act alone, knowledge of the solidarity of others seconds hope and reinforces our will to that which is just.

Hope and solidarity were never so evident as in the dramatic days in Romania after December 22, 1989.  Live television transmissions enabled the world community to witness with anguish and trepidation each turn of events.

The people of Malta, who just weeks earlier had hosted the Bush-Gorbachev Summit, were with the people of Romania in those decisive days.  For us all, the indelible memory of the gaping hole in the Romanian flag remains of inspiration.  That gaping hole signified much more than a break with the past.  It symbolised an opening into the future.

As Your Excellency recalled earlier this year, the Romanian Revolution had as its fundamental goals the establishment of a constitutional, legal, institutional order and of an open, free democratic society.

The solidarity of the Maltese people remains alive to day, particularly in witnessing Romania’s progress towards European Union membership.  We understand the problems that may be encountered along this difficult path, having just traversed it ourselves and are ready to share our experiences with you.

Excellency,

In constructing the future, vision is essential, not merely in inspiring individual nations but also wider regions and the world community as a whole.

The hopes and aspirations we nurture for the benefit of our countries and our peoples, however, do not evolve in isolation.  Impacted by developments in the global community, these hopes may be frustrated, particularly by events that challenge the rule of law in the international community or undermine stability.

Foremost amongst these threats is the challenge posed by terrorism.  In the past three years obnoxious acts of terror have sown death amongst thousands and horrified the world community with their inhumanity.  In such times as these solidarity must be coupled with a common will to combat this evil of our times, as both our countries are doing within the United Nations, the OSCE and in the Council of Europe.

Excellency,

The future may indeed present strong challenges, but our determination to overcome them is just as strong.

In the world of engineering that Your Excellency knows so well, achievement often rests on the ability to identify means that help overcome obstacles.  It is the same in realising the notion of a shared prosperity-in-peace that inspired De Gasperi, Schumann, Spaak, Monnet, Adenauer and Spinelli when conceiving the concept of a united Europe.

In your distinguished professional career, the tapping of natural resources was an area of specialisation.

Later in politics, with faith in the value and worth of Romania’s human resources, Your Excellency inspired and channelled the aspirations of the whole nation for a better future.  In this noble mission, we augur the people of Romania and their leaders continued success.

It is with these thoughts that I ask you, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, to raise your glass and toast to the health of His Excellency Ion Iliescu and to the friendship between the Governments and people of Malta and Romania.