A memorandum of understanding and cooperation has been signed between the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies of the University of Malta and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This was made possible through a general cooperation agreement signed by Foreign Minister Michael Frendo with his Saudi counterpart when he visited Saudi Arabia in April 2003 and which was ratified by the Saudi authorities in July of this year.

The aims of the memorandum are to establish and strengthen cooperation in the areas of information, research activities and training programmes and exchange documents, studies and expertise between the two parties.

The Maltese Academy and the Saudi Institute agreed to cooperate in establishing joint programmes of basic and specialised training in view of improving their professional qualifications and to inform each other on matters related to teaching techniques and scientific research together with the exchange of relevant literature, publications and experts.

The memorandum has a duration of three years and was signed in Riyadh by Malta’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Godwin Montanaro and Ambassador Saad A Al Ammar on behalf of the Saudi Foreign Ministry.