Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia, is currently attending the international colloquium on political reforms in Algeria held by the Algeria Popular National Assembly between today and tomorrow.

In his opening address, Dr Farrugia said: “At the outset, before I address this meeting today, as we group around the table to discuss the political and constitutional reforms under way in Algeria, I must recall that inspirational maxim by the American writer William Arthur Ward: “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

 “Indeed, I here speak not only in my own name, but also on behalf of the rest of my delegation as I express our appreciation and heartfelt gratitude at the invitation that our Algerian hosts have extended to us to thus make it possible for Malta to be present too at this important colloquy in Algiers. 

“We are all very pleased to be here, to be captivated by the allure of your capital city, to be sitting side by side with other collaborators and partners with whom to empathize and to converse, among ourselves and with our courteous hosts,” he said.

Dr Farrugia pointed out that it is healthy for the government to enter into a forthright exchange of views as it introduces reforms to benefit the country and its people.

Quoting a document signed in Algiers nearly 36 years ago, on 25 July 1977, Dr Farrugia said: “Algeria and Malta are two neighbouring Mediterranean countries linked by a long tradition of close relations of friendship and of whole hearted cooperation.” 

The significance of that document has never been lost on us Maltese, he told those present.  “Algeria had then pledged to guarantee Malta’s neutrality throughout the difficult times that my country was braving, as the Maltese struggled hard to close down the military base that the British had made out of Fortress Malta,” he added.

“Those were arduous and strenuous moments in our history when the waves of uncertainty whipped and buffeted our small country from every direction. 

“The storm was assailing us with all its force, but there was no going back on the decision that had been taken.  No quarter was being granted as we approached that red-letter day of the 31 March 1979 when all British troops and the Royal Navy were to withdraw from Malta for good.  For the very first time in millennia, Malta was no longer to serve as the military base of a foreign power, and was to become independent de facto as well as de jure.

“Though the die had been cast, the future beyond still appeared dubious and fearsome.  Many harboured concerns that the departure of the British Forces would denude Malta of all physical ability to resist and to repel, to protect and to preserve, to support and to stave off.  The cynics were all afire, clamouring for safeguards and for assurances. 

“Those were trying times for the population, yet Malta’s allies had not deserted the island state fondly called ‘the Mediterranean’s belly button’.  Algeria was at the forefront then of those few friendly countries that had stood up to express their support and solidarity with the sovereign decision that the Maltese had taken,” Dr Farrugia said.

“Over the centuries, Algeria has been the home of several prehistoric cultures.  It is the largest country in Africa and in the Mediterranean. 

“Malta, on the other hand, is the smallest island state of the Mediterranean, yet it has itself been visited and settled, whether by coincidence or by design, by the nomads of so many other nations. 

“All of those who came have contributed, in their own different ways, to our country’s development and rich history and I witness an affinity between our two nations which goes beyond a simple twist of fate at sharing similar characteristics. 

“I feel gratified that Algeria is itself going through the throes of these beneficial economic, institutional, political and social reforms with the scope of transforming and modernising the country, and with the aim of raising living standards for all Algerians. 

“The initiative to publicly review the road map that has been designed to strengthen democracy and entrench good governance within the country’s social structures with friendly neighbours is laudable. 

“It is also commendable that the Algerian Parliament should be at the helm of these reforms, roping in other parliaments and other interlocutors to explain and discuss with them this regeneration exercise.”