On the 103rd anniversary of Dom Mintoff's birth, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela inaugurated a hall dedicated to the memory of Mintoff at Palazzo Parisio in Valletta which serves as the building of the Ministry.
Between 1971 and 1981 Dom Mintoff served as the second Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta as an Independent country and the first Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta as a Republic.
In his speech, Minister Abela said, "till today - when abroad and Malta is mentioned, the name Mintoff is still pronounced. In his life and after, he remained one of those personalities who is either loved or hated - but surely a personality one cannot be indifferent about".
Minister Abela added that through the inauguration of this hall, the Ministry will continue to reckon Don Mintoff's vision and values in the area of foreign affairs. In this regard he referred to the importance given by Mintoff to security in the Mediterranean in order for there to be peace and security in Europe. He also made reference to the relationship with countries and nations across the world, and the boost in employment due to commerce.