Contrary to a common perception, Dutch Premier Jan Peter Balkenende did not fly to Malta to inaugurate the Dutch embassy last Friday. He was already in Malta, enjoying a quiet few days with his wife Bianca and daughter Amelie, probably to celebrate his 39th birthday on 7 May.

He told the gathering at the Whitehall Mansions celebration that he is in love with Malta. The first time they visited, in 1997, his plane was late and while driving his rented car to St Julian’s ended up wandering in Valletta.

It is the whole family that loves Malta, he said, pointing out his small daughter, busy taking pictures of him, who told him that Popeye Village was the best thing she saw.

Dr Balkenende expressed thanks to former President Guido de Marco for the advice he gave him when the Dutch PM paid his first official visit in 2003 and praised Dr Gonzi as being steadast and dependable in EU Council meetings. He also said that he and Dr Gonzi shared the same umbrella at last Monday’s celebrations in the Red Square in Moscow, thus revealing the mystery asked by a The Guardian writer earlier last week: Who’s that next to the Maltese PM?

Fancy that, Dr Balkenende is known all over Europe for his resemblance to Harry Potter and The Guardian writer did not recognise him but recognised Dr Gonzi!