On Friday 3rd June 2022,
Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg officially
inaugurated the Embassy of the Republic of Malta in Brazil, in the capital city
of Brasilia.
Minister Ian Borg stated that the
Maltese Government’s decision to open this embassy is a very important step for
our country’s foreign policy. He said that this is also being done even after
the Maltese foreign policy strategy specified that Malta should seek to
strengthen bilateral relations with Latin American countries to explore new
political and even economic avenues.
Minister Borg remarked that this
inauguration should serve as a starting point for Malta to expand its work in
this important region. He thanked Ambassador John Aquilina and Deputy Head of
Mission Steve Cachia for their commitment and work to make this opportunity a
reality.
Ambassador of Malta to Brazil, John
Aquilina, said that he feels honoured to have been given the confidence to be
the first Maltese Ambassador in Latin America and hence feels that he has the
responsibility and obligation to bring more opportunities to our country,
especially those related to trade.
The Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mr Christopher Cutajar explained that the work
within the ministry for our country to have a wider representation around the
world, has been going on for a long time. He called this move a strategically
important one which would continue to open more diplomatic avenues. Mr Cutajar
referred to ongoing work in the context of other embassies around the world.
Present
at the inauguration were a number of other European ambassadors to Brazil and
senior officials of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.