Among the distinguished guests were the President of Malta, His Excellency Dr Edward Fenech Adami, and Mrs Mary Fenech Adami, the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi and Mrs Gonzi, his Grace the Archbishop of Malta Joseph Mercieca, numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps in Malta as well as prominent members of the judiciary, the Civil Service, the commercial community, and the Accademia.

In their speeches, both the Italian Ambassador, Dr Memmo, and the President, Dr Fenech Adami, focused on the importance of strengthening even further the already strong traditional ties linking Italy to Malta in this seminal moment of Malta’s accession to the European Union.