On Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister George W. Vella unveiled a memorial in honour of Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic. In a short ceremony which took place at Hastings garden in Valletta, Dr Vella hailed the memory of Mr Havel, describing him as both a mentor for change and a visionary that led his country towards the acquisition of freedom and Independence from Soviet domination. Dr Vella recalled a message that Mr Havel had delivered to the nation on New Year of 2003, wherein he most forcefully called for a united Europe based on freedom of expression and the rule of law. Almost twenty five years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Havel's vision is still relevant and an inspiration to all those who cherish these noble values.

The event was attended to by H.E. Petr Burianek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Malta, Mr Tonio Casapinta, Honorary Consul of Malta to the Czech Republic and other distinguished guests.