I would not like to comment on the substance of Charles Flores’ article entitled “Café Pathetique” (TMIS, 21 May). However, what I would certainly like to point out is that it is not true that during the celebrations in Valletta on 9 May, the EU ambassadors accredited to Malta “were conspicuous by their absence”.

The truth is all the EU Ambassadors in Malta participated, both by being present on the day and supporting the event from day one, and also by supplying traditional food from their countries, including Malta, which was distributed in Republic Street in front of the Law Courts. Only one ambassador was absent as he was away from the island to attend meetings in his home country.

The 9 May event was publicly celebrated in Malta for the first time this year not only by the Café d’Europe initiative, which incidentally was organised in 27 different countries at the same time, but by a number of other events in Valletta occurring simultaneously. These included the participation of 450 schoolchildren in a lively debate on the future of Europe at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, the reading of the Schumann Declaration and a flag raising ceremony by the same children in the presence of the Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs and Tourism And Culture, the EU Ambassadors resident in Malta, the Head of the European Representation in Malta, MEPs and the general public. The above events were organised jointly by the European Commission Representation, the European Parliament Information Office, the Austrian Presidency, the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs and the Forum Malta in Europe. These events created an atmosphere that was far removed from the one that Mr Flores tried to depict in his article.

Edward Demicoli

Press Officer

European Commission Representation