Reece Delia, a 25-year-old youth placed second in an international creative French writing competition named  La Plume D’Or, amongst thousands of students from Francophonie countries. He was greeted by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela and French Ambassador to Malta Brigitte Curmi, who congratulated him for his outstanding accomplishment putting both his name as well as that of Malta high in this international classification of the French language. “It is always a matter of pride for me and my ministry to see Maltese youth registering this kind of success”, said Minister Abela. 

The minister remarked about how from a broader perspective, Mr Delia’s achievement fits in very smoothly with the steps Malta has been taking as a country with regard to the French language. He added how Malta joined the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), as an observer country only a few months ago at the October Yerevan Summit, and that this year for the first time, with a number of embassies in Malta, our country took a number of initiatives to celebrate the day of ‘La Francophonie’. The ministry is pleased that PBS, the national television station, collaborated with TV5 Monde to air a number of productions in the French language. “Following the signing of an MoU on cooperation among diplomats, I am pleased to note that this is already being implemented”, said Minister Abela. He reiterated the strong diplomatic relations with France and the aim of having stronger people-to-people relationships through tourism, cultural exchanges, student exchanges also with Francophone countries.

Minister Abela conveyed a message about the importance for the Maltese society to study a third language, and if possible even more. He referred to the value of the French language, which is one of the most used languages in EU institutions and the world. 

Reece Delia stated that he started his studies in the French language at the age of 10. Mr Delia always had the study of foreign languages, in particular French, close to heart and today he is able to speak seven different languages including Spanish, Portuguese and German. La Plume D’Or is an international writing contest structured specifically around writing, with questions on French grammar, French culture as well as a short essay on a given theme. His chosen theme for the essay revolved around the value of the family.