It is my pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate Ireland’s National Day.
St Patrick’s Day holds a special place in the heart of the people of Ireland. It is a time when you celebrate your rich traditions and cultural heritage. It is an occasion that captures the warmth and sense of community of the Irish people. It is a day that brings happiness, and that draws local populations across the globe, including in Malta, to enthusiastically join their Irish friends in their festivities. The phrase ‘Everyone is a little Irish on St Patrick’s day’ perfectly encapsulates the joyful and inclusive spirit that this day has come to represent.
Excellencies, distinguished guests
As island states connected by common values, Ireland and Malta hold strong people-to-people relations. This year, our nations will be celebrating thirty-five (35) years of diplomatic relations. There is no doubt in my mind that our political, economic, and cultural ties, and the natural affinity that our peoples feel towards each other, will serve as solid foundation to continue building on what has been achieved so far, and to explore new avenues of cooperation.
The establishment of the Irish Business Network in 2023, an organisation that is essential to support Irish businesspeople in creating their futures in Malta, is a prime example of this. This culture bridging facilitates partnership and cultivates an ecosystem where businesses succeed together.
Ireland and Malta have kept connectivity at the forefront of their operations. Around 45,000 Irish nationals travel to Malta every year to immerse themselves in the history and heritage that our country offers.
The introduction of direct flights by Aer Lingus three times per week is a welcome development that will bring our countries even closer.
We also have a history of collaboration in the educational sphere, and this allows students from both countries to visit and experience our cultures through various programmes such as Erasmus+.
Excellencies, distinguished guests
Malta and Ireland are equally strong partners on the international scene. Both our countries uphold the utmost respect for the UN Charter. This is of paramount importance, especially at the present time when the multilateral system, international law, and international humanitarian law are being put under excessive and unsustainable strain. This trend is particularly troubling. The way diplomatic exchanges are unfolding is resulting in an erosion of the trust which should underlie international relations.
I stand firm in my belief that countries like Ireland and Malta, also as EU members, cannot simply accept such actions and narratives as the new normal. As principled and respected multilateralists, we have the moral duty to be advocates of the multilateral system that has served us so well over the past 80 years.
We must continue to defend human rights around the world. A system in which ‘might is right’ would reverse decades of progress, a prospect that would have devastating consequences on all states, particularly small states.
We are two countries that are never afraid to speak up for what is right, guided by a strong desire to be a force for good and a voice for the vulnerable.
This could be clearly seen in our back-to-back terms as elected members of the United Nations Security Council in 2021-22 and 2023-24 respectively.
Here, I wish to commend the remarkable work carried out by Ireland, particularly in co-penning resolution 2664 in 2022, which allows humanitarian workers to continue to operate in areas that are subject to UN sanctions. The landmark resolution is a testament to the fact that every country can contribute to international peace and security in a concrete manner, regardless of size or resources. What truly matters is the quality of the idea, and the willingness and determination to leave a positive mark.
Neither can we forget about Ireland’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions around the world. This is another area in which our two countries enjoy close collaboration, since Malta has nine officers deployed to UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) as part of the Irish battalion.
Following our term as an elected member of the Security Council and as Chairperson of the OSCE last year, Malta now is eager to offer a positive contribution through our Presidency of the Council of Europe from May through November. In this capacity we are committed to strengthening human rights and democracy across Europe. We shall be putting particular emphasis on:
- Engaging and empowering young people in democratic life;
- Enhancing and promoting the protection of children and the best interests of the child;
- Combating violence and discrimination in all its forms while promoting equality; and
- Safeguarding the European Convention on Human Rights system.
These topics signify a continuation of our commitment to invest in human capital in order to create the right environment for everyone to succeed, and to establish strong foundations for lasting peace, security, and harmony among peoples.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the people of Malta, I raise a toast to the wellbeing of the people of Ireland, and to the special friendship that binds our peoples.
I kindly ask Your Excellency to convey my warmest greetings to His Excellency Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland.
I thank you.
