The Government of Malta expressed its sincere condolences to the American people and to the family of former American President, George H.W. Bush, who passed away yesterday in Dallas, Texas, aged 94.

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former US President Bush: a patriot who believed the US should lead the world as a positive force. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the American people,” Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Carmelo Abela, said in a tweet.

The 41st US President and WWII veteran was one of the great leaders who presided over the end of the Cold War. In a few days, the world will commemorate the 29th anniversary of the Malta Summit, which took place in unforgettably stormy weather just off the Maltese port of Marsaxlokk on 2 and 3 December 1989, soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and said to have been the beginning of the dialogue which ended the Cold War.

President Bush’s career spanned across decades: from a naval aviator, who almost lost his life in World War II, to that of an entrepreneur, then devoting himself to public office inter alia as Ambassador of the United State to the United Nations, as US Special Envoy to China, and as CIA Director. His career culminated in the Oval Office, where he made bold decisions in the post-Vietnam era, which re-established the international standing of the US on the world stage.

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca also paid tribute.