Czech President Václav Havel arrived in Malta yesterday evening for a two-day state visit.

A politician, playwright, and widely regarded as a hero of the new Czech Republic, Mr Havel and his wife Dagmar Havlova were greeted at the airport by President Guido de Marco and Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami.

Government MPs and ambassadors were also present at the welcoming ceremony.

Mr Havel is expected to attend a tree planting ceremony at San Anton Palace this morning, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial in Floriana.

Mr Havel will call on President de Marco and Opposition leader Alfred Sant, and will have official talks with Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami tomorrow.

Speaking at the end of the Nationalist Party`s general council yesterday, Dr Fenech Adami paid tribute to the Czech President.

"He was one of the protagonists of change in former communist countries. He inspires us with his vision and we thank him for coming to visit us," Dr Fenech Adami said.

Malta and the Czech Republic share fifth place in the number of special arrangements obtained so far in their respective accession negotiations with the European Union.

According to Aggornat, the weekly bulletin published by the EU-Malta Information Centre, the countries have both obtained 11 special arrangements, although Malta has only closed 21 chapters while the Czech Republic has closed 24.

The Group Poezijaplus yesterday also paid tribute to Mr Havel, describing him as one of the most unique writers and politicians of our time.

"Mr Havel`s contribution towards the cause of his nation and his ideology of liberation should serve as a model for our politicians and intellectuals, so that they will make known their ideas and spend more of their energy doing what is best for their country."