We are gathered today to commemorate the sixtieth (60) anniversary of the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and Canada, established on the 21st December 1964.
As we look back at this important milestone, we are also reminded of the value-rich and enduring relationship that exists between our two nations.
During these sixty years, Malta and Canada have found ways to develop warm political and commercial relations, inherently converged through our shared values of rule of law, prosperity, and democracy, despite the obvious geographical distance between our two nations.
This partnership has not only benefited our governments but also enriched the lives of our peoples, thus, developing our people-to-people relations.
Indeed, these people-to-people relations pre-date, by far, the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. The foundation of the Maltese Canadian relationship is entrenched in trickles of emigration dating to the late 19th century.
But, it was only in the world war 2 period that large numbers of emigrants from Malta began arriving in Canada.
It is estimated that between 1946 and 1981, some 18,000 Maltese people emigrated and settled in Canada. So that today, an estimated 70,000 individuals of Maltese ancestry are Canadian Citizens.
Despite the distances between our two countries, the Maltese found a niche in their new home. Their ability to adapt, their resilience and the welcoming attitudes of Canadian Authorities and societies also contributed to their integration in this new environment.
People-to-people relations are the foundation of our excellent relations. The establishment of various Maltese Canadian centres and initiatives across Canada, have played a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange and better understanding of our culture in Canadian society.
The efforts made by NGOs and other volunteer organisations, in collaboration with the Council of Maltese Living Abroad, are crucial in actively seeking to bolster an environment that promotes multi-culturalism and educates the younger generation to appreciate diversity.
Amongst the efforts made, one notes a networking breakfast organised by the High Commission at its residence on 22 November 2024 for Maltese Canadian academics, professionals and artists who are interested in promoting people to people exchanges.
Such activities raise a considerable amount of awareness regarding culture and traditions. This also directly impacts tourism to Malta. In fact, Malta registered almost 21,000 Canadian tourists in 2023, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years.
Despite diversity, the strong socio-political bond between our two countries is reflected in a thriving commercial relationship. Malta registered a trade surplus with Canada over the past years, hence Canada emerges as a priority nation for us. Malta will continue to explore opportunities for Maltese entities to set base in Canada and to attract direct Canadian investment here in Malta.
Malta and Canada have always been strong promoters and defenders of democracy and human rights. Malta has used every opportunity to collaborate with like-minded nations like Canada to strengthen these two important pillars.
From a human rights perspective, Canada has been a trailblazer in advancing LGBTIQ+ equality, especially when it legalised same-sex marriage in 2005.
Malta followed suit in 2017 and has since become one of the lead worldwide nations when it comes to promotion of LGBTIQ+ rights.
Both Canada and Malta are members of the United Nations LGBTI Core Group and the Equal Rights Coalition. Through their participation in these groups, Canada and Malta actively engage in promoting and protecting LGBTIQ rights on an international scale.
The collaboration between our countries also extends to the multilateral sphere, where our two nations are active in the promotion of equality, peace, and stability across regions.
Malta’s tenures as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council and also as Chair-in-Office of the OSCE have come to an end. However, we remain as committed as ever to continue with our active contribution to a constructive international dialogue and the maintenance of global peace and security.
We are committed to furthering our mission of peace and security resulting from meaningful dialogue and cooperation also during our Presidency of the Council of Europe between May and November 2025. In this forum we shall be focusing on promoting an inclusive society that promotes gender equality and participation, concentrates on empowering the contribution by young people in the democratic setup, enhancing and promoting the protection of children and generally upholding human rights.
As an active member of the European Union, Malta is preoccupied with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine especially in the light of threats to security in the Baltic region.
It is noted that, from the very beginning of the Russian transgression of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Canada has retained a very strong position regarding this transgression and the way in which the conflict is being conducted. So much so that in April 2022, the Canadian House of Commence unanimously declared that Russia, “was conducting a genocide against the Ukrainian People”.
With regards to excessive methods of warfare, far removed even from the tenets of what was formerly the Law of War before the supposedly outlawing of war, one also has to keep in focus excessive retaliation measures employed in the Hamas Israeli conflict.
Malta’s position is the advocation of peaceful coexistence by two states, and Malta has been very cautious not to jeopardize in any way its position as a possible moderator and interlocutor for peace so that at long last, the situation in the Middle-East, may have a peaceful solution based on security, progress and wellbeing of the two peoples.
Malta and Canada are also members of the Commonwealth. Malta is a member of the Commonwealth ministerial action group for the period 2024 – 2026. Canada’s contribution to the Commonwealth, both as a founding member in 1931 and as a result of the fact that Canada is one of the Commonwealth’s top donors, put Canada in a very favourable position to exert influence internally in commonwealth structures. As an interstate organisation, bringing together 56 nations, the Commonwealth is in a position to exert more influence on the international stage as a group than it has done up to now.
As a general remark, it is perhaps pertinent to pinpoint that at national levels, particularly in democratic countries, there are worrying fluctuations as regards socio-political evaluations.
Internationally, it is important that, greater emphasis is placed on the way that international trade and commerce can impinge on global security.
On this 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, may we, Malta and Canada, reaffirm our commitment to deepening our bilateral ties, strengthen our international cooperation and look forward of many more years for friendship and collaboration.
In conclusion I extend my deepest gratitude to the High Commissioner and her dedicated staff for their efforts in strengthening the ties between our nations.
