The Queen hails the 'natural affinity of the Maltese and British peoples'

The Queen is the effective symbol of the unity of the Commonwealth in all its magnificent diversity and the many-coloured splendour of its multiculturalism, President Eddie Fenech Adami said yesterday during the state dinner held in honour of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.

"It is now the achronic youthfulness or phoenix-like capacity of rejuvenation the Commonwealth displays that the image and presence of Your Majesty embodies for us. There are still many homes in Malta as I am sure there are in all parts of the world-wide Commonwealth, in which families still cherish cups and plates and other souvenirs through which they continued to be reminded - by Your Majesty's perennial radiation of inspiration - of the traditional values of the Commonwealth," Dr Fenech Adami said.

In his speech the President mentioned "those happy years" when the Queen first visited Malta as the wife of a young lieutenant then stationed in Malta and when the Duke of Edinburgh presented Malta with the Charter of Independence in 1964.

"Your Majesty was the Queen of Malta for a number of years in a similar constitutional relationship to the Maltese government as to the British. In this period, there occurred an incident which helped no end to foster the impression that, despite the passage of years and changing circumstances, Your Majesty was unalterably and essentially the same princess who lived in our imaginations forever in Maltese dress.

"A dispute had arisen between the Maltese and the British Governments; and the representative of Your Majesty as Queen of Malta, stated on your behalf, that he stood 'four-square' with the Maltese. That stance confirmed in our minds the belief in the indelible permanence of the honeymoon affectivity of that first encounter between us," Dr Fenech Adami said.

In her reply the Queen said that both Prince Philip and herself were very pleased to be back in Malta.

"We both retain a deep affection for your country and the outgoing, generous Maltese people who have always offered us the hand of friendship," she said.

"It seems fitting that we should return to Malta in what has been celebrated as the Year of the Sea and in the 60th anniversary year of the end of World War II. Our maritime links have been strong for many years. It was by sea that the British came to Malta two centuries ago at the invitation of the Maltese, and the experience of the two world wars added strength and depth to our enduring partnership. All of us owe Malta a huge debt of gratitude and respect for the part your country played in defence of freedom. I pay tribute to the wartime heroism, perseverance and indomitable spirit of the people of Malta, George Cross, which made an indelible mark on world history," she said.

The Queen said that in this new century Malta and Britain together face a challenge "and we have an opportunity".

"The challenge is to make the relationship between our two sovereign states more dynamic, even closer and more relevant to future generations; to strengthen what I believe to be the natural affinity of the Maltese and British peoples. The opportunity is to do so by making imaginative use of the full range of our existing ties of family, of friendship, of language and education, of the professions, of business and of leisure".

The Queen said that Malta brings to the European Union "as she has long brought to Commonwealth fora her expertise in negotiations to reconcile divergent opinions, her unparalleled network of friendships, particularly to the South and East of the Mediterranean and beyond, and her seasoned, democratic voice of reason and moderation".

The Queen said that it is in Malta and Britain's interests bilaterally, in the Commonwealth, and in the European Union that the two countries should work together to build on the unique ties of history and shared sacrifice, "to reaffirm the values we hold in common, and to reinvigorate the partnership between our two countries - what I am proud to describe as our partnership of choice. I am confident that our visit will be an important moment to remind ourselves of the special value we attach to this relationship".

The dinner was held at the Palace, in Valletta.