The Maltese High Commission in London assisted some 52 Maltese patients in flying to London for medical purposes during June. Throughout this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the High Commission, assisted 350 patients. This adds up to an average of 60 persons per month.

Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg acknowledged the effort carried out by the High Commission in this respect. In their majority, cases are sensitive in nature, involving ailing persons and their relatives. In addition, within the High Commission in London, there is a person responsible for handling these cases in a professional manner.

The Maltese High Commission is giving a helping hand to those Maltese patients in various ways, namely in consulate assistance, information on a particular locality and hospitals, as well as aid to their relatives in terms of accommodation, transport and logistical information.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the embassies and consulates spread in various countries, is working to improve their performance. Throughout the first six months of this year, the Ministry received and assisted some 750 contacts related to business and investment interests. The Maltese embassies and consulates view these contacts as potential for attracting investment; thus they keep in contact with concerned entities in Malta, for instance Malta Enterprise.

Throughout this legislature, some 18 bilateral agreements were signed on the Avoidance of Double Taxation. In the past days, the American Senate approved the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, signed with Malta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instrumental so that this treaty could come into effect. Meanwhile, some 88 bilateral agreements were signed, ratified or realised between the Government of Malta and other countries.

At the same time, the Ministry assists developing countries. Throughout the first 28 months of this legislature, the Ministry financed, thanks to Outside Development Aid funds, thirty infrastructural and educational projects in Third World countries. This year €250,000 were donated to 16 charitable organisations.

In previous weeks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued its efforts in providing aid and consular information to Maltese persons travelling abroad. This is part of the Ministry’s mission to provide information to Maltese citizens before travelling. This information can be accessed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website www.foreign.gov.mt.