Merkel on two-day visit next week

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be in Malta on Monday and Tuesday.

She arrives on Monday and will have talks with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, addressing a joint press conference later at Castille, in Valletta. She will also pay courtesy calls on President George Abela and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat. The government said Dr Merkel would pay a private visit to St John’s Co-Cathedral, in Valletta.

Dr Merkel leads the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, part of the same EU group of parties as the Nationalist Party.

The police said yesterday the following roads and areas would be classified as tow zones during the visit from Monday 5 a.m. onwards: Ġirolomu Cassar Avenue, the Central Bank parking area, Pope Pius V Street, Castille Square, St Paul’s Street, the Upper Barrakka Gardens area, the Stock Exchange parking area and St John’s Square, Valletta.