Malta bids farewell to King Juan Carlos
King Juan Carlos of Spain this afternoon concluded his short state visit to Malta with a ceremonial departure ceremony at the newly rehabilitated Palace Square in Valletta.
He then expressed his appreciation for the hospitality by hugging President George Abela.
Earlier in the morning he had formal meetings with Dr Abela, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, who arrived late for the meeting because of traffic.
The PL described Dr Muscat's meeting with King Juan Carlos as very cordial. It said they had discussed bilateral relations, unemployment, illegal immigration and the forthcoming Spanish presidency of the EU.
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Dave Herrera
Nov 27th 2009, 18:32
It is easy to be on time if you have a driver 24/7 like Dr. Gonzi.
Lino Seracino
Nov 27th 2009, 18:03
I am sure that Dr. Muscat will never be late anymore, after all these comments)))) Time to be organised, our country is getting on the map!
Paul Gauci
Nov 27th 2009, 17:45
u mhux hekk imbazwru ftit 'l hawn u ftit 'l hemm .... xahra fl-ghagin ... senifeteti etc etc ... ahjar ma qal xejn mill qal li wehel fit-traffic ... dik l-iskuza konna nuzawha meta naslu tard ghal-lectures mhux meta irridu niltaqghu ma' kap ta' pajjiz iehor, hallina hey!
Joe Xuereb
Nov 27th 2009, 16:17
Dr. Muscat could have taken a room in Strait Street, spent the night there and, walk two minutes to Palace Square in time for the appointment.
That said, the monarchy, any monarchy, I can take or leave. In mediaeval times, when kings behaved like good people or 'off with their heads' tyrants, very much depending on whether their gout was playing them up or not, or according to whether they got out of bed on the left or the right on any particular day - well, mediaeval times are mediaeval times. Not 2009. That said, good time-keeping IS important. So, a room round the corner, or a camp-bed at Castille, could be the answer. Otherwise, sort out traffic problems. But that is too far a long shot.
A Camilleri
Nov 27th 2009, 11:09
All those who condone Dr Muscat’s delay should be thought the basic ethical conduct in time management related to a senior official. No excuse is good enough in arriving late for an appointment with someone who is your senior, much less to the king of a country whom you are hosting. Shame! Further, these people should also know that it is the senior person’s prerogative to arrive late for a meeting or reception. Comparing delays that were effected by others to justify this unruly conduct does not make sense at all.
I shudder to think if, God forbid, Dr Muscat were to rule our country ignorant of such basic ethical behaviour. Where is this country heading?
K Vella
Nov 27th 2009, 10:59
Lateness (yet again) for such an important diplomatic occasion shows a gross disrespect not only for Malta and the Maltese but also to the king, Spain and the Spanish people. If Muscat is so disrespectful why should we expect that he would treat us any better should we elect him PM?
Ghaziz poplu Malti, ejjew nifthu ghajnejna
stephan mifsud
Nov 26th 2009, 23:08
Dr Gonzi, ghaddejtu min Naxxar Road Birkirkara lir-Re jew?
C. Lia
Nov 26th 2009, 23:02
Joseph Muscat qed juri li lanqas hu kapaci jmexxi partit ahseb w'ara kemm se nafdah imexxi l-pajjiz tieghi u ta` wliedi.
PS Jien Laburist li bridt minn meta lahaq hu u tajna bis-sieq lill-bniedem bhal George Abela.
A Mangion
Nov 26th 2009, 21:27
Dr Joseph Muscat cannot be a "schoolboy politician" because a politician knows what protocol demands of him and a schoolboy is hardly late for school. Dr Joseph Muscat's shoes are too big for him and he is too young to lead / govern a country.
Edwin Cachia
Nov 26th 2009, 20:05
@ Johann Zammit..
Ir-re mhux veru li wasal siegha tard. It-tifel tieghi kien prezenti. L-istudenti hadu gost kbir, kienet esperjenza kbira ghalihom. Ma xtaqux jitilqu minn hemm, ahseb u ara kemm kif qed tghid inti.U meta staqsejtu dwar suldati li hasshom hazin qalli hu ma ra xejn u kien ezatt hdejhom.
L-unika wiehed li mar tard kien il-kap tal-oppozizzjoni. Alla jbierek wehhel fit-traffiku ! U d-delegazzjoni tal-PL kif waslet fil-hin ? Ma kienx hemm traffiku ghal ohrajn ?
DIn hija turija tal-arroganza u s-superficjalita ta' Joseph Muscat. tal-misthija, iwaqqana ghac-cajt !
M Portelli
Nov 26th 2009, 19:57
If you are hosting someone you don't arrive late. We (Malta) were hosting so its really rude and unprofessional and also ARROGANT to arrive late being Joseph Muscat or not!
Vincent Borg
Nov 26th 2009, 19:11
Dejjem tficcu ix-xaghra fl-ghagina meta jidhol Dr. Muscat.
Turu li ma ghandkomx fuq hiex tikkumentaw.
Nahseb li kull min kiteb hadd qatt ma wasal trad ghal xi laqgha importanti.
Zammit Johann
Nov 26th 2009, 18:25
The best thing of this article is to mention Joseph Muscat arriving late.
The king arrived one hour late leaving students and everybody waiting under an unpredictable heat.Two soldiers fainted for the long wait.
L-aqwa li Muscat wasal tard.
guido farrugia
Nov 26th 2009, 18:21
The comments by some indivisuals are rockbottom and totally out of place. Trying to create a storm in a tea cup everytime Dr. Muscat is involved. Someone, i can,t bother to mention by name even called him a schoolboy politician. What an arrogant statement.
Maria Zammit
Nov 26th 2009, 17:45
I'm sorry but chronic lateness is not acceptable in anyone let alone someone who aspires to be Prime Minister. It is an insult to those present and I for one do not tolerate insults by anyone!
Imagine if he's late now being in the opposition what we should expect if he should be in power! Some equate lateness with superiority but I for one equate it with laziness.
Ivan Grech Mintoff
Nov 26th 2009, 17:40
Republic since 1974.... and in 2009 we still have "Present Arms!" being shouted out...
We should have impressed out foreign guests more by shouting the spanish equivalent!
Dear, oh dear..!
Philip Grima
Nov 26th 2009, 16:57
Dr.Muscat 's constant bad time keeping is so off putting and rude. Is it plain bad manners.
Charles Micallef
Nov 26th 2009, 15:37
Someone should explain to Dr Muscat. that is unacceptable to be late for an appointment with our Prime Minister, but also with the King of Spain!
Let us be serious and proffesional in our approach Dr Muscat if we wish to be taken seriously!!
Joann Bugeja
Nov 26th 2009, 15:30
@ E.Gatt- You're right !! No more said :)
E Gatt
Nov 26th 2009, 15:06
Dr J Muscat is making a habit of being late.
He feels he should apologise to the Spanish King but not to the Maltese PM for turning up late for a televised debate at TVM.