Your Excellency

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is with great pleasure that my wife and I welcome Your Excellency and Mrs Köhler to Malta.

Nearly seventeen years have passed since the President of the Federal Republic of Germany His Excellency Richard von Weiszacker visited Malta.  Incidentally, 1990 was a year of crucial political importance for Germany and Malta.

In Germany, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the re-unification of a country, which had been divided for over forty years, was achieved on 3^rd October 1990.  East Germany was freed from dictatorship, ushered to the democratic reality of the West and introduced to the defining principles of a re-united country, namely Unity, Justice and Freedom. Re-unification signified a new beginning for Germany. For those whose lives and ties with their brethren had been unjustly severed, it was an act of homecoming.

A unified Germany served as a catalyst for a united and free Europe.  Such is the legacy of those who, against all odds, had the vision and courage to foresee and make it happen.  It is a legacy entrusted to present and future generations, to cherish and protect.

Last month Doctor Norbert Lammert, President of the German Bundestag, in his speech on the occasion of the Day of German Unity in Schwerin, echoed the feeling of many when stating that “On October 3^rd 1990, German unity in freedom was achieved.  Never in their history have the Germans been more fortunate.”

Mr President

It was also year 1990 when Malta submitted its application to join the European Union.  It marked the beginning of a long fourteen year journey which aimed at defining Malta’s political belongingness to, as well as its economic integration with, its main European trading partners. Malta’s European credentials are carved indelibly in its rich European history and its cultural and architectural heritage. In this respect, EU membership for Malta also signified a homecoming.

Mr President

Whilst Germany and Malta may be, respectively, the largest and smallest members of the European Union, size and influence have only strengthened further the fruitful and productive rapport, which had developed between our two countries since diplomatic relations were established in 1964.  Essentially, EU membership provided further scope for a more intensified collaboration on all aspects of EU endeavours, on a common footing, in the spirit of mutual respect and guided by the principles of solidarity and equal partnership.

Mr President

Following accession in the European Union, Malta developed its potential at every level: competitiveness, employment, foreign direct investment, financial services, high value-added manufacturing, tourism and the maritime sector.  This growth in potential is taking place against the backdrop of major investment in education, health and the environment.  This is creating a momentum of economic activity never seen before.

In this spirit we have been, and plan to remain, actively involved in the discussions on key issues such as migration, internal matters relating to competitiveness, transport, fisheries, environment protection and taxation.

With respect to migration in particular, Malta is grateful towards Germany for its decision to take over a number of refugees and also, to contribute to the Frontex operation ‘Nautilus’, meant to counter the phenomenon of irregular immigration in central Mediterranean.

As to the further integration process within the European Union, Malta will be adopting the Euro as its national currency as from 1^st January 2008, and start forming part of the Schengen zone as from next month. We are grateful for Germany’s overall support extended in these important endeavours.

Mr President

In 2007, Germany assumed the dual Presidency of the European Union and the G8.  German leadership has been crucial for the successes achieved so far. In March, we celebrated the anniversary of the Rome Treaties in Berlin, reminding ourselves, that for the last fifty years Europe has lived in peace and freedom – an achievement to be cherished but never to be taken for granted.  In October, building on the crucial work carried out under the German Presidency, the European Union reached agreement on a Reform Treaty, successfully retaining the substance of the Constitutional Treaty, while turning into reality three essential elements for the future of Europe: the strengthening of the European Union’s capacity to act both internally and externally; the bringing of Europe closer to its citizens; and the strengthening of the powers of National Parliaments.

Malta has been firmly behind Germany in its conviction that, only if we act jointly and purposefully can we strengthen both the European Union as well as our global resolve to meet the major challenges to humanity, including climate change, energy security and poverty reduction.  German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel captured this spirit, when in her speech to the European Parliament last June she said: “Europe is an obligation to help ensure that our earth remains a habitable planet, that fewer and fewer people are forced to leave their homes because of war and violence, that diseases such as Aids, malaria and tuberculosis can be fought successfully.”

Fully conscious of your personal engagement and commitment towards Africa and for drawing global attention towards the improvement of living conditions in this continent, Malta is fully committed to adhere and honour its Millennium Development Goals and to keep assisting the people of Africa generously in line with our traditional Christian values.

Excellency

In the sense of these thoughts I raise my glass to the health of Your Excellency, to the happiness and prosperity of the German People, and to deepening the friendship and cooperation between our two countries and Peoples.