The House of Representatives this evening unanimously approved a motion to thank President Eddie Fenech Adami for his service to the country.
Dr Fenech Adami's term as President ends on Saturday.
The motion was moved by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and seconded by Opposition leader Joseph Muscat.
Dr Gonzi said this was a special and rare occasion and said he wanted to use the opportunity to pay tribute to all politicians who had served their country.
Dr Fenech Adami had dedicated his life for the common good and had earned the respect also of his political opponents. He deserved the nation's appreciation especially for his five years of service as President.
Dr Gonzi recalled that Dr Fenech Adami was appointed President a few days before Malta joined the EU. One of the reasons why he was nominated for the post was that Malta needed a person who could continue to raise Malta's standing, now within the EU, but also as a Mediterranean state. His role was also to continue to uphold the Office as his predecessors had done.
Five years on, he could say the Fenech Adami presidency had fulfilled the country's needs in the most complete of manners. Some of the highlights included how he was given the rare honour of addressing the European Parliament, where he received a standing ovation. He also led Malta's political leaders at the funeral of Pope John Paul II and the canonisation of Dun Gorg Preca, among other occasions.
The President had also served the country in several official visits abroad, with his visits to Libya, Tunisia and Algeria being particularly important from a political point of view. His visits to Australia were also important for the Maltese community there.
Dr Fenech Adami had been a worthy representative of the all the Maltese people.
At his inauguration on April 4, 2004 he said that he was proud to be Maltese. That, indeed, was what marked out his entire political life.
Other characteristics of his presidency, and indeed, of his political life, were his Christian values, the importance he gave to the family unit, human dignity, respect for life even in the womb, the value of work, solidarity and his strong sense of service.
Dr Fenech Adami in his address also thanked Mrs Fenech Adami and their family.
Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said Dr Fenech Adami had continued to uphold the Office of the President with the dignity it deserved. The Opposition, he said, had made its political judgment of Dr Fenech Adami, but it wanted to salute him for having done his duty as President in the past five years.
His locality visits and his meetings with the people were important for the institutions to be closer to the people.
He also praised Mrs Fenech Adami for being down to earth and an example of how one, despite his position, could remain linked with reality.
The motion was than approved unanimously.