11 August 2002 Media Statement

Malta PM to visit New Zealand

Malta’s Prime Minister, Dr Edward Fenech-Adami, arrives in New Zealand on Monday 12 August for a four-day visit, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.

“It is Dr Fenech-Adami’s first visit to New Zealand. It is also the first visit here by a Maltese Prime Minister,” Helen Clark said.

“There is a long history of friendship and cooperation between our two countries, stemming from our shared Commonwealth membership. We have always worked closely together, especially on Commonwealth and United Nations issues.”

A formal welcome for Dr Fenech-Adami will be held in Wellington on Tuesday 13 August. Helen Clark will hold talks with Dr Fenech Adami, who will also call on the Governor-General. Dr Fenech Adami will also meet members of the Maltese community in Wellington and in Auckland.

Dr Fenech Adami heads Malta’s Nationalist Party, which has been in government since 1987, apart from a two-year Labour government in 1996-98. Malta is on track to join the European Union in the next wave of accessions, probably by the end of 2004.

The last high level Maltese government representative to visit New Zealand was former President Tabone in 1993.

ENDS

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