As part of her working visit to the United Arab Emirates, the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, delivered a speech during an event organised for the Maltese Community in Dubai, on the occasion of the National Day of Malta.
President Coleiro Preca said that the visit to the UAE is aimed at continuing the consolidation of “our excellent relations among our governments, authorities, and also between the private sectors of both Malta and the United Arab Emirates,” adding that Malta’s participation at the CityScape Global Expo, through Property Malta’s initiative, the fruitful meeting with Emirates Airlines, and the visit to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, had achieved just that – a consolidation of the already present excellent relations, and the creation of tangible cooperation.
“Unity is an essential value, which must be shared by all of our nations.”
President Coleiro Preca conveyed her congratulations, on behalf of the people of Malta, to the people of the United Arab Emirates, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed, further stating that many of the values which were promoted by the late Sheikh are perfectly in synch with our Maltese commitments, namely, to encourage the participation of people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, faith traditions, and backgrounds, in the life of our respective societies.
The President quoted Sheikh Zayed, who had said that, “Past years have emphasised the importance of unity as a vital necessity for providing a better life to the people, for ensuring stability in the country and for realising the hopes and aspirations of our people,” adding that she could not agree more with this inspiring statement.
“I believe that the strong friendship existing between the peoples of the United Arab Emirates, and Malta, is a compelling example to other peoples, within our respective regions and beyond.”
The President said that mutual collaboration, respect and trust, can result in benefits which can be enjoyed by all.
President Coleiro Preca commended the Maltese diaspora in Dubai, which amounts to approximately 1,500 people, for not only contributing to the prosperity of the UAE, but for also helping in strengthening the friendship between both countries, whilst also thanking them for giving further positive visibility to the Maltese Islands.
She commended Malta’s chargé d’affaires and the Consulate General in Dubai for the hard work which they are doing, to keep their Maltese brothers and sisters connected to their homeland.
In terms of the cultural contacts, the President said that she is looking forward to the forthcoming exhibition entitled “Sheikh Zayed and the Europeans”, which will also feature a photograph of the former Prime Minister of Malta, Dom Mintoff, during a meeting which he had with Sheikh Zayed in 1978 – a fact which is also proof of the long-standing friendship between our nations.
“I am proud to say that today’s celebration of Malta Day is also a celebration of the values which define us, as the people of the Maltese Islands.”
President Coleiro Preca said that the values of resilience in the face of adversity, our sense of determination to succeed and overcome challenges, together with the spirit of solidarity, are some of the most treasured legacies, left by our foremothers and forefathers – legacies which connect us dearly to the people of the UAE.
“I augur that these values will continue to guide us, as a Maltese nation, along the paths of peace, prosperity, and wellbeing, for the benefit of both our peoples, in the present and in the future,” the President concluded.