PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Speech by Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono President of Malta Biennial Meeting with the Honorary Consuls

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism

Permanent Secretary

Honorary Consuls

Distinguished Guests

I thank you for attending this biennial meeting of Honorary Consuls. I begin by extending a warm welcome to those of you who were appointed since the last gathering in 2024 and who are attending for the first time.

At the outset, I commend each and every one of you for the work you have carried out in the past two years. You are an integral part of Malta's diplomatic network and play a valuable role in facilitating our country's engagement with an array of countries around the world. Your presence and contributions are even more significant for a small state like Malta, particularly in those places where a fully-fledged diplomatic mission is not within our means.

I encourage you to make the most of your time on our islands to hold one-to-one meetings with different entities and stakeholders, including the Directorate for Consular Services and Maltese Living Abroad.

I am also deeply aware of the fact that you carry out your duties without remuneration and with limited resources, a situation which puts additional demands on your role. Rest assured that the Presidency greatly appreciates your dedication and the way in which you continuously fulfil your functions with great professionalism.

Your efforts and contributions lead to tangible and measurable benefits. They strengthen bilateral relations, expand trade opportunities, and foster people-to-people contacts, all of which are central to Malta's foreign policy.

In this context, I am pleased to note that Malta's economy has continued to flourish over the past year, and our economy now ranks ninth in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita. Foreign workers are greatly contributing to this growth and have become a key part of our workforce.

This morning's panel on the Malta Labour Migration Policy was an opportunity for you to have an in-depth discussion on this policy, which is intended to better regulate the inflow of foreign workers to Malta while safeguarding their rights and interests. I trust that the session provided you with a clearer understanding of the policy framework and of how labour migration is increasingly shaping Malta's diplomatic engagement with partner countries.

The rest of the programme also provides opportunities for substantive exchanges, such as that on Vision 2050. Its specific focus on Trade, Tourism, and Investment seeks to explore ways in which Honorary Consuls can support key entities in Malta, namely Trade Malta, Malta Enterprise, and the Malta Tourism Authority.

Your diverse backgrounds and perspectives are an invaluable asset to Malta's diplomatic interactions. I encourage you to make full use of this time together to share your experiences, to exchange constructive ideas and suggestions, and to learn from one another. By drawing on your collective wisdom, this meeting can spark new ideas and meaningful initiatives.

As Honorary Consuls you also play a vital role in aiding Maltese citizens who find themselves in distress when travelling overseas, offering them comfort and support when they need it most.

Unfortunately, we have seen several accidents involving Maltese citizens overseas in 2025 that have resulted in their hospitalisation or death. Those of you who had to face such circumstances were instrumental in providing compassionate assistance to affected families in their time of need, and such timely interventions would not have been possible without your knowledge of local services and procedures.

Ladies and gentlemen

Beyond your core responsibilities, please also allow me to offer a brief reflection on the broader international landscape.

We are facing a global environment marked by conflict, geopolitical tensions, and growing violations of international law and human rights.

The Mediterranean continues to face instability and socio-economic inequalities. In Europe, Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has just entered its fifth year, with consequences to the region and the continent. In the Middle East, the devastating consequences of the protracted wars, unresolved disputes, and underlying tensions remain of great concern. Recent events in Venezuela have underlined the fragility of international norms. In Africa, ongoing conflicts and security challenges continue to plague the continent, leading to human rights violations, humanitarian crises, and instability.

All these situations highlight the importance of safeguarding the United Nations and international law, the importance of the multilateral system, and the need for responsible leadership that prioritises dialogue and cooperation among nations on which lasting peace is built.

Beyond geopolitical realities, global challenges such as climate change, irregular migration, and cyber security, to name a few, also require joint and determined efforts if they are to be addressed in an efficient and effective manner. These realities demonstrate the continued need to invest in diplomacy, dialogue, and institutions that support the peaceful resolution of disputes, and that, above all, keep the human being at the centre of their considerations.

I stand firm in my belief that a world ruled by force would be detrimental to all countries, and especially to small states. It is incumbent upon us to fully uphold and defend the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. This is the only path that can lead us to a just, peaceful, and prosperous future for all humanity.

In closing, I once again express my sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for your contribution to Malta's diplomatic outreach. I am truly pleased that your long-standing and distinguished service will be formally recognised by the Deputy Prime Minister at the newly introduced recognition ceremony tomorrow.

Until then, I wish you all the best for a fruitful and enriching continuation of this meeting.