The usually quiet territorial space of foreign diplomacy has been in the headlines this past week but not always for the right reason.

I write to mention two occurrences that ought not to be overlooked. Both events underscore the stable, harmonious and creative aspects of the collaborative work of the United States and the European Union.

First, just a few weeks ago, Barack Obama eloquently reaffirmed the common ground and common values shared by the EU and the US at a summit in Lisbon. The President described our work together as “the most complete partnership.”

This is true.

Second, within the diplomatic corps in Malta, experiencing the completeness of that partnership is also often a genuine pleasure. A good example of this is this week’s World Music Festival (December 9-11) under the superb leadership of Ambassador Jean-Francois Delahaut of Belgium whose President has ably served for the past half year as president of the European Council. President George Abela has thoughtfully extended his patronage to this unique festival, and I was pleased to help in small ways with encouragement and planning, since among other things, the American actor and humorist Woody Allen has pervasively employed the Django jazz traditions of Belgium as a backdrop in a number of popular films. The concert builds on the Django style and promises to illustrate the harmonious origins of the music of many nations in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Indeed, one can hear this lively music all the way in California, which is a nice reminder of the truth of President Obama’s recent observation.

The EU and the US are indeed “complete partners,” and not even an alleged unlawful leaking of documents, should ever be thought capable of undermining it. Ambassador Delahaut has brought creativity and ingenuity to his diplomatic work by using music to fulfil the call of the European Parliament and Council to promote intercultural dialogue.