We gather here this evening to mark the National Day of the Republic of Italy. An occasion which also provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm the close and enduring relations that exist between our two nations.
Our bond is deeply founded on our European and Mediterranean identities. Over the years, it has developed into a partnership built on trust and common values, further reinforced by the natural affinity that exists between our peoples; an affinity not only rooted in geographical proximity, encompassing cultural, legal, philosophical, medical, literary, and artistic influences going back centuries.
Italy was one of the very first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Malta, this on the very same day that we attained our independence in September 1964, a prompt recognition of Malta’s new status as a sovereign nation.
Since then, numerous high-level visits and a wide range of agreements have been signed between our countries, a clear reflection of the shared commitment to further expand and deepen our relationship.
I recall with appreciation my own visit to Rome in January 2025, particularly my meetings with President Mattarella, during which we reaffirmed these sentiments of friendship and our mutual desire to continue enhancing our ties.
The foundations for this cooperation are strong and ongoing. Italy remains one of Malta’s principal trading partners, reflected in substantial flows of trade in goods and services, as well as investment, across key sectors such as machinery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, technology and other high-value activities. Bilateral cooperation continues to deepen through partnerships between SMEs, regional cooperation with Sicily, and institutional dialogue.
Tourist flows between our countries are also remarkable, with a significant number of Italian visitors travelling to Malta and a strong movement of Maltese travellers heading to Italy. Maintaining and improving the excellent level of connectivity we currently enjoy through frequent direct flights is of utmost importance. In doing so, we would be ensuring that our citizens can continue to enjoy the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage that our countries have to offer.
Cooperation in the energy sector is also of critical importance to Malta. We remain deeply appreciative of the Italian Government’s support for the second Malta-Italy interconnector, which will strengthen Malta’s energy connections, help meet the growing demand, and enhance energy security overall.
Collaboration in the cultural sector also remains vibrant, as evidenced by the participation of five Italian artists at the 2026 edition of the Malta Biennale and Malta’s presence at the Venice Art Biennale with the national pavilion entitled ‘No Need to Sparkle’, as well as the first ever participation of a Maltese artist in the pavilion of the European Cultural Centre in Italy.
Both sides remain committed to further strengthening cultural ties, while the Maltese and Italian Embassies continue to play a pivotal role through the organisation of cultural events throughout the year. These initiatives showcase the richness of our artistic expression in fields such as art, music, dance, literature, and poetry, while bringing our peoples ever closer together.
Twinning agreements between Maltese and Italian towns also greatly contribute to nurturing closer relations between our communities and promoting people-to-people contacts.
Ladies and gentlemen
As two Mediterranean States facing common realities, Malta and Italy remain firmly committed to promoting peace and stability in our region. We pursue this objective by actively engaging in dialogue on emerging threats and challenges, both within the European Union, as well as in other regional and international fora.
Both our countries are active within the MED9, an important platform for ensuring that Mediterranean priorities remain high on the European agenda. Malta and Italy actively participate in initiatives undertaken within the framework of the 5+5 Western Mediterranean Forum, to address regional challenges.
We also attach great importance to promoting cooperation in key sectoral areas in the Mediterranean, such as trade, employment, energy, water management, the environment and sustainable blue economy. In this regard, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Pact for the Mediterranean, offer valuable fora to pursue this deeper collaboration.
Migration is one such challenge that our countries must address. This contemporary phenomenon requires a collective approach, as only through shared and concerted efforts can we achieve effective and sustainable solutions – solutions rooted in the principles of solidarity and the fair sharing of responsibility.
Cooperation with third countries remains essential, particularly in the areas of prevention and returns, and in combating human trafficking and smuggling.
Over the years, Malta and Italy have both played a leading role in addressing this important issue, spearheading initiatives such as the Valletta Summit of November 2015, which led to the adoption of the Valletta Principles, and the launch of the Rome Process at the International Conference on Development and Migration in July 2023. I have no doubt that we will continue to work together in the years ahead to advance these and other related processes.
At the same time, other pressing issues persist. The international community needs to rekindle diplomacy and dialogue to find just and lasting solutions to conflicts that have been going on for far too long. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the extremely volatile situation in the Middle East exacerbate the need for global leaders to choose the path of negotiation and to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner.
In an increasingly globalised and interconnected world, wars and conflicts have consequences that extend far beyond national borders, with ripple effects on global markets, in particular food security, energy supplies, and maritime navigation.
To this end, we must all safeguard the multilateral system with the United Nations at its core. We must protect it from contempt and efforts that seek to undermine it.
The price of inaction and indifference would be far too high, especially for small states. It is paramount that all countries recognise this reality, and that we ensure that the UN is adequately structured and funded for current circumstances.
In closing, I once again extend my sincere thanks to Ambassador Setta for hosting us this evening. Malta looks ahead with optimism and remains committed to continuing our close cooperation with Italy within the European Union, the United Nations, and other international fora in the months and years ahead.
On behalf of the people of Malta, I raise a toast to the continued well-being of His Excellency Sergio Mattarella, and to the enduring friendship between our nations and our peoples.