“The memorable concert that the Banda Musicale della Polizia Di Stato organised at the Mediterranean Conference Centre is the best indication that the new cultural agreement between Italy and Malta – which is due to be signed shortly – will be the same success as the one, the 40th anniversary of the signing of which we are celebrating.”

This was said by Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech in reaction to the success of the concert by the Banda Musicale Della Poizia Di Stato, conducted by Maestro Maurizio Billi on Wednesday, 11 July, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Cultural Agreement between Malta and Italy. The agreement was signed by Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amintore Fanfani, who also served as Prime Minister of Italy on various occasions, and by Dr Gorg Borg Olivier, Prime Minister of Malta and Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Dr Zammit Dimech said that the concert by the Banda Musicale Della Polizia Di Stato and their participation in the activities organised by the Malta Police are proof of the excellent relations that exist between the people of Malta and Italy.

He said that this, together with the membership of both countries in the European Union, contributed towards the strengthening of the cultural relations between the two

countries for the welfare of the people of Italy and Malta.

The minister thanked Italian Ambassador Paolo Andrea Trabalza for his endeavours to bring over to Malta the Banda Musicale della Polizia Di Stato. He also thanked Alcatel-Lucent who sponsored this cultural activity. He said that without their financial support the programme would not have been realised.