The new offices of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) were officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, together with Efthimios Mitropoulos, secretary general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Paul Mifsud, co-ordinator Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Prior to the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, Mr Mifsud, Mr Mitropoulos and the Dr Gonzi addressed guests which included Lino Vassallo, Malta's permanent representative to IMO, members of the Diplomatic Corps resident in Malta, MPs, senior Maltese government officials and two former directors of the centre, Philippe Le Lourd and Rear Admiral Roberto Patruno.
A reception hosted by Frederic Hebert, director of REMPEC, followed.