Saudi Arabia has declined Malta’s nominee for the post of ambassador in Riyadh, The Sunday Times of Malta can confirm.
Soon after Labour’s return to power last year, the government nominated Jaime Cremona, a 77-year-old retired obstetrician, to the post.
However, sources told this newspaper that the Saudi government has turned down the nomination and asked the Maltese government to submit a new nominee instead.
“It seems that the Saudi government was not very comfortable with the nomination of Dr Cremona, particularly as the obstetrician used to serve the Saudi Royal family in the past,” the sources said. “Although the Maltese government initially insisted on its nomination it had to change plans as the Saudi government continued to oppose Dr Cremona’s appointment.”
Although a government has the right to nominate whoever it wants to represent its interests abroad, diplomatic courtesy requires that it must be first ascertained whether the proposed appointee is acceptable to the receiving State.
Asked for an official reason as to Dr Cremona’s snub by the Saudi government, the Maltese Foreign Ministry declined to comment.“The ministry does not usually give any information about people who are not officially appointed as ambassadors.”
The Sunday Times of Malta is informed that following the Saudi government’s decision, the Foreign Office has now decided to transfer its current ambassador to the Netherlands, Martin Valentino, to run its embassy in Riyadh.
The Saudi government has accepted the new nomination. The Saudi objection to Dr Cremona’s nomination is not the first.
Following the change of administration in 1987, Dr Cremona was also nominated by the then Nationalist government to occupy the post of ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis had also turned down Malta’s nomination on that occasion.
Meanwhile, changes are also in the pipeline in the top echelons of Malta’s diplomatic corps.
Government sources said current Permanent Secretary Joe Cole is to be replaced by a new official after only a year in office.
Soon after last year’s election, Mr Cole was replaced as Malta’s ambassador to the US by Marisa Micallef.
Sources said Mr Cole will receive another posting abroad.