Dear Patron,
Malta and the UAE may be separated by
a seven-hour flight, but they could not be more similar. Both run by ambitious governments with the
vision and fortitude to make of their countries the best in their respective
regions and in the world, both believe that tolerant and respectful
multicultural societies, where all those who wish to contribute can do so and
thrive of their gains, are ultimately bound to reap an important dividend: a
happy and satisfactory life.
COVID-19 has certainly demonstrated
the importance of this concept and has also provided opportunities to both
countries’ people to show that with resilience and fortitude, wisdom and
discipline a country can overcome any predicament and indeed bring out the
best. In fact, both Malta and the UAE have
demonstrated these qualities.
Following the establishment of
diplomatic relations on 20 November 1973, Malta and the UAE went on to sign a
number of agreements namely the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement in 2006,
the Air Services Agreement in 1994 (amended in 2006,2007), and more recently, a
Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations signed in 2014 and a
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Public Administration signed in
2016.
Spurred by this robust legal
architecture, which both countries aim to expand in the coming months, both aim
to continue cooperating in innovation; education and training; instituting a culture of
public service accountability; enhancing e-services and digital platforms; and
accelerating programmes for start-ups.
In 2007, Malta was the EU country which conceived
of the Euro-Arab Dialogue, launching the first Ministerial Meeting between the
European Union and the League of Arab States in 2008 in Malta. As a European country which has traditionally
enjoyed strong links with the Arab world, Malta is uniquely placed to work with
our partners in the United Arab Emirates and in the Gulf.
The Embassy also salutes the expeditious and
hard-working Maltese diaspora in the UAE, which has long-represented Malta impeccably,
and continues to do so, through its hard work and contribution to the continuous
development of the United Arab Emirates.
I hope that you will find this webpage both helpful
and inspirational, and please do not hesitate to contact the Embassy should you
wish to obtain more information.
Please also follow us on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaltainUAE/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/malta_uae
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malta.in.uae/
Maria Camilleri Calleja
Ambassador
of the Republic of Malta