Excellent ambassadors

You find yourself in a hospital bed in a foreign country, hardly anyone speaking a word of English. After the first sleepless night, early in the morning you receive a mobile call from Malta's Consul in Hungary, with instructions from the Maltese ambassador for Austria to check that I am being well looked after in this state hospital.

I immediately enquired about the full concern and interest shown by himself and the ambassador. Within the hour I received a call from His Excellency himself, Mr Walter Balzan, enquiring about my health, and whether the embassy can be of any immediate assistance.

Without asking twice, he was on the phone with the Ministry of Health in Malta to make sure that a European Health Insurance Card was issued the next morning for my wife and daughter to collect before flying out to my bedside.

This not being enough, he took it on himself to pre-arrange my airline ticket, due to my extended stay in hospital. At time of departure from Budapest airport, the newly amended electronic ticket was there.

I would like to show my full appreciation to a worthy ambassador of Malta for his complete dedication to ensure the well being of a citizen of his country at a time of distress.

Yes, Malta should have ambassadors, preferably in all countries, especially now with our integration in the EU. However ambassadors must have the charisma, drive and know-how of what it takes to be like our Ambassador Balzan.

To add to the Hungarian saga, at time of departure from Budapest Airport, the Air Malta flight had to be delayed by six hours due to a storm and ground handlers Malev were continuously objecting to refuel the aircraft.

Thanks to the sheer determination and dedication of the Maltese pilot, Captain Frank Xerri, we managed to take off after he came to the departure lounge three times to explain to about 120 passengers the reason for the delay and all the problems pertaining to our late return to Malta.

Yes, these are the true representatives of our country, especially when they conduct their work with diligence, love for their country and fellow citizens

Thank you Ambassador, thank you Captain Xerri, for making me proud to be Maltese in a foreign country.