German ambassador bestows Michael Zammit Cutajar with Order of Merit

Michael Zammit Cutajar is well known not only in international circles but in his native island too, although he has lived a large part of his adult life abroad, having joined the UN in 1967. He comes from a distinguished business family, the firm P. Cutajar Co Ltd. which sees its root as far back as 1861. They are leading importers and distributors and import world renowned brands such as Lavazza, Nutella and Mon Cheri to name my favourites from an impressive portfolio. When I travel to the States to visit my young one, on her wish list is invariably a box (or two) of Mon Cheri chocolates – she says she has as yet to find them in New York, “Even Eataly don’t seem to stock them, ma.”

Apart from sheer business acumen several members of the family are talented outside the world of business: Pippa and Paul are great photographers, Joan, and Michael’s children, Simon and Francesca, artists although they seem to make little use of this enviable talent.

 Instead of opting to join the family business Michael joined the UN, mainly working in and around the United Nations on international cooperation for development and the environment.  He retired in 2002, holding the rank of Assistant Secretary-General of the U.N, no mean feat for a citizen of tiny Malta and in the highly competitive world that is the UN. Before retiring Mr Cutajar set up the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), heading it as Executive Secretary until his retirement.

Indeed, by any standards Mr Zammit Cutajar had a most distinguished career and Malta is justifiably proud of this son of hers whose achievements are far too many to list here.

Several honours were bestowed upon him – from his mother country, Malta, from Hungary and France. The country of Napoleon bestowed upon him France’s highest award for his work on climate change – Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur only 18 months ago.

At an intimate ceremony at Villa Ajkla in Lija, the residence of the German ambassador and Mrs Ulla Brandes (who told me they had always wanted to come to Malta), family and friends gathered to celebrate another award, this time the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany which is not bestowed lightly.

On a chilly evening last week Ambassador Klaus-Peter Brandes and  Mrs Brandes  together with Mr Zammit Cutajar welcomed guests into a warm drawing room – floor heating was installed a few years ago and what a treat that is in Malta where entering any building at this time of year, is like taking a trip to Siberia.

In his speech Mr Brandes said that Villa Ajkla which is about 400 years old had rarely witnessed the presentation of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Let me note that this elegant villa was erected in the early 17th century as a summer country retreat.  I know from my friend Milica whose mother was a Sant Fournier, that this villa has connections to the Sant family. In fact the building owes its present appearance to alterations carried out by Gio’ Francesco Sant (born 1748) the second Count, who named his country retreat Villa Sant. His son Publio Maria Sant later became Archbishop. (For those interested in the nobility in Malta go to our friend Google and enter Libro d’Oro. I guarantee you hours of entertainment.)  In 1994 Villa Sant was rented by the Federal Republic of Germany for use as a residence. The first ambassador to live there renamed it Villa Ajkla after the Federal Eagle on the German flag flown over the entrance.

Between 2007-8 the residence was completely renovated and modernized, hence the central heating.

In his speech Mr Brandes after delineating Mr Cutajar’s achievements, reminded us that “it was during your  leadership that the Climate Change Secretariat moved to Bonn in 1996. You have contributed in an admirable way to assuring that important international conventions like the Kyoto Protocol have finally entered into force – in spite of many setbacks and through many most difficult negotiations. As the former German Minister for the Environment, Mr Jügen Trittin, said in his farewell speech on the occasion of your departure from Bonn in 2002: ‘Your name is intertwined with the UN Framework on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Without your engagement, your professionalism, your acumen, your creativity, your wisdom and your forsightedness, the international regime of climate protection would not have been possible.’”

Mr Brandes continued: “Your devotion to the cause of climate change certainly did not end after you left Germany. You continued your activities as Malta’s Ambassador of Climate Change, you advised the European Union and the World Bank. You also served as Chair of different working groups on the Kyoto Protocol, the Long-Term Cooperative Action and the like. In 2012 you accepted the position of Chairperson of the Guardian of Future Generations thus continuing your dedicated work…”

The ambassador then quoted an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, you go alone, If you want to go far, you go together.” Mr Cutajar, said the ambassador, has achieved both: he went fast and came far.

After the medal was pinned to his lapel Mr Zammit Cutajar, who like the ambassador, was in a light-hearted mood, said a few words in German and then went on to give his thanks and appreciation. After thanking the President of the Republic of Germany, friends and colleagues with whom he has worked, he also thanked the four ministers who were all present – Mr Pullicino, Dr Frendo, Dr De Marco and the present Minister Leo Brincat. These four had charged him to be Ambassador of Climate Change and Guardian of Future Generations. Mr Zammit Cutajar went on to talk about Germany’s ‘success story’ in the second half of the 20th century. “Like my generation, I grew up considering Germany as a country to read about but not visit. So my move to Germany in the mid 90s was a journey of discovery.” He said he discovered a country rebuilt not only physically and economically, but also one that had faced its dark past and rebuilt its political morality, its confidence in itself and eventually its unity. “I discovered a well-rooted and flourishing democracy, in a city that made me and my family feel at home and I am very proud that this country that has achieved so much has honoured me,” he went on to tell his audience.

He pointed out that the Greens have been in the German Parliament for 30 years; that the Environment ministry is a strong ministry and a stepping stone to the top – and he gave as an example Chancellor Angela Merkel and Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel.

Speaking as Guardian of Future Generations he said that although Malta’s political scene is rich in debate and polemics that capture headlines and compete for votes but long-term common good – such as sustainable development – needs consensus “because both problems and solutions last beyond electoral mandates. We’ve done it before (the framework for financial services in the mid-1990s) and we can do it again.”

He then mentioned some long-term sustainability issues “which are local and in our faces”: water scarcity, traffic congestion, the march of new buildings which are threatening irreversible loss of landscape and coastline, while decaying cities and shoddy buildings cry for renovation. “Can we convert the drive of the construction industry from Quantity to Quality” this man of great experience asks.

“Other issues, not unique to Malta are predictable but hidden around the corner and risk being swept under the carpet of political convenience: Are we ready for the end of EU ‘handouts’ as we rise up the league table of prosperity? Are we ready for the challenges of an ageing population such as residential care for the elderly and disabled among other problems? These are tough questions to address among ourselves and with friends in the EU. He pointed out that there is food for Maltese-German cooperation here too.

Many of us ask these questions constantly and wonder if politicians are going to ever address them.  

Mr Zammit Cutajar is an international expert. I believe we should listen to what he is saying and use his vast experience for the benefit of those who are coming after us. Let’s not leave them an unholy mess.

A most pleasant reception followed which gave us a chance to speak to like-minded people and enjoy the evening in the warm embrace of a heated villa.

Congratulations Michael! He was one of the handful of heart throbs of my generation.