President
Myriam Spiteri Debono

President
Myriam Spiteri Debono

President Myriam Spiteri Debono addresses the United Kingdom’s National Day celebration

It is a pleasure to be here this evening to mark the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles. This special occasion also presents us with an opportunity to reflect on the long-standing close relationship between our countries.

The excellent bilateral relations we enjoy today are not only the result of historical circumstance but also of sustained efforts, and a willingness on both sides to adapt to new realities. Over the years, a series of bilateral agreements across sectors such as education, trade, and health have further consolidated this partnership.

This strong bond is also reflected in the Maltese diaspora of approximately 25,000 Maltese living in the UK, and 70,000 UK citizens of Maltese ancestry. The British community in Malta is also a sizeable one, consisting of over 10,000 British citizens, including over 4,000 in gainful employment Our countries are also a popular travel destination for travellers at both ends. Around 640,000 UK citizens visited our islands last year, and 90,000 Maltese visited the British shores during the same period.

On this occasion, I also welcome the positive outcome of the recent Summit between the UK and the European Union last month. The discussions and commitments made during that meeting mark the beginning of a renewed phase in UK-EU relations and demonstrate the determination on both sides to strengthen cooperation.

Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine continues having a devastating toll on civilians. As we have been consistently stating from the beginning of this full-scale invasion over three years ago, the Russian Federation has the power to immediately end the war it started by withdrawing its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine. A just and lasting peace rooted in the UN Charter, in full respect of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognised borders is desperately needed. The people of Ukraine deserve a peaceful future, and we must not lose sight of this goal.

In parallel, the harrowing images from Gaza continue to remind us of the devastating consequences of unrestrained military action and flagrant disregard of international humanitarian law. The entire Gazan population is facing the risk of famine.

Palestinians are living in a state of hopelessness as they are confronted with constant threats of forced displacement and further brutality. Women are being denied their safety and their dignity, while children are being robbed of both their childhood and their future. Humanitarian aid workers and journalists have also paid the ultimate price.

The recent announcement by the Israeli government that it plans to construct 22 new settlements in the West Bank takes an already precarious situation closer to the precipice. Security Council Resolution 2334 unequivocally states that Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory constitute a flagrant violation of international law and are a major obstacle to the two-State solution.

It is our hope that the forthcoming high-level international conference in New York next week paves the way towards an irreversible realisation of the two-State solution in line with Security Council Resolutions and internationally agreed parameters.

However, as I have already had occasion to remark, if the two-State solution is to ultimately bring about lasting peace, it has to be taken on and be believed in by the two protagonists, namely Israel and the Palestinians.

In Libya, the political and security situation remains acutely fragile. Recent developments were a stark reminder that we must redouble our efforts so that the country can move towards stability and security in full enjoyment of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. A Libyan-led, Libyan-owned process is key and to this end we continue to encourage stakeholders to constructively work towards such a goal together with UN-led efforts.

Neither can we lose sight of Sudan, where the civil war has led to the largest displacement crisis in the world. The destruction of civilian infrastructure and the collapse of the health system has led to the spread of communicable diseases like cholera and measles. This man-made humanitarian catastrophe has resulted in 7.7 million people facing hunger and severe food insecurity. Malta commends the international community’s efforts, including those led by the United Kingdom, to alleviate suffering and uphold humanitarian principles in one of today’s gravest emergencies.

It is also imperative for the international community to treat contemporary global challenges with urgency. These threats are not constrained by national borders and must be tackled in a united and concerted manner. They underscore the importance of the United Nations and the multilateral system.

The climate crisis, for example, will have dire consequences all over the world if left unchecked. Here in the Mediterranean, higher temperatures, prolonged heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires are threatening agriculture, water resources, and public health. Sea-level rise is impacting small islands and developing states (SIDS) and coastal communities. Climate change is also acting as a threat-multiplier in conflict-affected areas, including in Africa, leading to further food and water insecurity.

The advent of AI also requires us to put in place clear international principles that uphold human dignity through shared ethical frameworks to safeguard against harmful effects. National legislation must include the principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, and gender equality, while consistency of input and direction by human beings remains a critically essential element.

Malta remains strongly committed to the Commonwealth, as also evidenced with the hosting of CHOGM in 2005 and 2015 and its membership of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, which is currently chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg.

The Commonwealth is instrumental in promoting democracy, good governance, peace, and the rule of law, and brings added value to multilateral diplomacy. Malta will continue to champion issues faced by small islands and developing states, a substantial part of the Commonwealth family, also through the Malta-based Commonwealth Small States Centre of Excellence.

High Commissioner Ward

As your term of service in Malta draws to a close, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your contribution to strengthening the ties between our two nations, and congratulate you on your achievements. I wish you the very best in the next chapter of your professional career.

On behalf of the people of Malta, I raise a toast to the wellbeing of His Majesty King Charles III, and to the people of the United Kingdom.

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President Myriam Spiteri Debono
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