Malta’s Ambassador to Germany, Vanni Xuereb, paid an official visit to the Free Hanseatic City-State of Bremen on
31 May, where he had official meetings with State authorities and, business
representatives and visited the Malta Centre at the University of Bremen.
Founded in 2012 and jointly supported
by the University of Malta and the University of Bremen, the Malta Centre is a
centre for the promotion of the Maltese language and culture. Its principal
role is to promote research on the Maltese language through scientific methods
and instruments. To date, this is the only organisation of its kind outside of
Malta. Ambassador Xuereb was welcomed by the Rector-designate of the University
of Bremen, Prof. Dr Jutta Günther, and the Director of the Centre, Prof. Dr
Thomas Stolz who announced that the two universities had just finalised a
further two-year extension of their cooperation agreement. The Ambassador
expressed his deep appreciation for the work being carried out at the University
to study and promote the Maltese language., The Ambassador thanked all those
involved in the Centre for their excellent contribution in promoting the
Maltese language at an international level. It was agreed that the Embassy and
the Centre would work closer together and also organise joint events in Germany.
During the course of his visit, the
Ambassador had separate meetings with Bremen Mayor Maike Schaefer who is also the
State Minister (Senator) for Climate Protection, Environment, Mobility, Urban
Development and Housing, and with the President of the State Parliament, Frank
Imhoff. Ambassador Xuereb also had a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce with a
delegation of the Chamber led by Vice-President Michael Frieß.
These meetings served as an
opportunity to discuss many topics that are of mutual interest to both Malta
and Bremen, especially considering the numerous similarities between the two
states. Both Bremen and Malta, for example, have a thriving maritime industry,
both have approximately the same population and are almost identical in land
area. This means that they face similar challenges and opportunities and, thus,
working together could be mutually beneficial.
During the meeting with Mayor Schaefer,
the two sides agreed that, being small presented both challenges and opportunities
such as the advantage of having decision-makers who are closer to the people. Discussions
also revolved around infrastructure challenges, most notably when it comes to
traffic management, and how the respective governments are tackling them. The
Ambassador explained the initiatives undertaken by the Maltese Government such
as the extensive projects to ease traffic issues and the decision to make public
transport free for all from October.
Trade was the centre of the meeting at
the Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador emphasised the Government’s active
support for the private sector and for foreign entrepreneurs interested in
investing in or doing business with Malta. He also highlighted the Government’s
vital support for the private sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore,
Ambassador Xuereb also highlighted measures adopted to counter the increase in
the inflation rate.
The discussions also touched upon existent
commercial activity between the two states, with the Ambassador explaining
which sectors Malta was keen on promoting in terms of foreign investment. It
was agreed to keep the communication channels open between the Chamber and the
Embassy with a view to undertaking initiatives to increase trade between the
two States.
At the State Parliament, the
discussions with the President revolved predominantly
around issues relating to Climate Change, the War in Ukraine, the political
situation in Malta and in Bremen and tourism.
Ambassador Xuereb was accompanied by
Dr Thomas Stocker, Honorary Consul General of Malta for Bremen and Lower Saxony
and Mark Anthony Abela, Deputy Head of Mission.
© Matej MezaUniversität Bremen © Matej MezaUniversität Bremen
© Matej MezaUniversität Bremen