The 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and the Czech Republic was celebrated with the presentation of commemorative medals to Maltese former dignitaries yesterday.
The short ceremony was held at the Lower Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, where a commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the 40th anniversary of the Prague Spring and the years of collaboration between Malta and the Czech Republic.
Former foreign ministers Dom Mintoff, Alex Sceberras Trigona, Ċensu Tabone, Guido de Marco, George Vella, Joe Borg, John Dalli and Michael Frendo, the present Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, and former ambassadors to the Czech Republic Maurice Lubrano, Frederick Amato Gauci, Joe Cassar, Charles Aquilina, William Spiteri, John Vella and George Hyzler were awarded the Jan Masaryk Medal for their contribution to diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Jan Masaryk was Czechoslovakia's Foreign Minister who was found dead two weeks after the Communists took control of the country on March 10, 1948. The question as to whether he was murdered by the Communists or took his own life has never been answered. The awards were presented by Vladimir Zavazal, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Malta.
"Despite our size the Czech Republic and Malta are active players on the international scene and their very interest in building a common Europe has brought them closer together," Mr Zavazal said.
Mr Zavazal also expressed his appreciation at the fact that The Times used a full front page in 1968 to report the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Newly elected Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli also spoke at the ceremony and announced the beginning of a consultation process to transform Valletta into a modern European capital to welcome residents and visitors alike.
He called for further cooperation with the Czech Republic and said that since the two countries joined the EU, their relationship has been stronger than ever.
"Today we are celebrating a journey, a journey which started 40 years ago and progressed gradually to where we are today," said Dr Dingli.
"Each and every one of the former ministers and ambassadors who will be accredited today contributed in some way or another towards making this journey a success," he said.