Malta represented in Israel, Ramallah

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg will be in Tel Aviv today to inaugurate Malta's first embassy to Israel after opening a new diplomatic representation in Ramallah yesterday.

Both the Ramallah representation, which will be headed by Alan Bugeja, and the embassy, headed by Ambassador Abraham Borg, are a joint initiative with Cyprus as part of a joint agreement signed last year.

Dr Borg said this was yet another important step towards fulfilling one of Malta's set objectives in foreign policy; that is, to increase representations abroad so as to offer improved services for Maltese living overseas.

The opening of the representative office in Ramallah reflected the close historical and traditional ties of friendship and solidarity that existed between the Maltese and Palestinian people, the minister said.

Dr Borg said the Israeli embassy would serve to analyse new opportunities.

"Potential sectors for Malta exist in the fields of tourism, IT, and renewable energy in which Israel is a leader with various types of renewable energy, both solar and wind based," he said.

Yesterday, Dr Borg held meetings with top Palestinian officials before laying wreaths at the tomb of Yasser Arafat.

Today he is expected to meet Israeli President Shimon Peres and Deputy Prime Minister Danny Meridor.