A Maltese parliamentary delegation concluded a visit to the Republic of San Marino, held from 21 to 23 December 2025 and led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anġlu Farrugia. The Maltese delegation included Dr Edward Zammit Lewis, Dr Beppe Fenech Adami, Ambassador Joseph Cole, and Malta's Ambassador to San Marino, H.E. Daniel Azzopardi.
The visit was undertaken with the primary objective of strengthening the long-standing bilateral relationship between Malta and San Marino, enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation, and formally concluding a Memorandum of Understanding between the two legislatures.
Official engagements commenced at Palazzo Begni, seat of the State Congress, where Speaker Farrugia met with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Political Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Digital Transition, Mr Luca Beccari. Discussions focused on avenues for closer bilateral relations, enhanced parliamentary cooperation, and shared commitments to multilateralism, digital transition, and the rule of law.
During this meeting, Speaker Farrugia was honoured with the Order of Saint Agatha, Grand Cross-one of the highest distinctions of the Republic of San Marino. Following the ceremony, Speaker Farrugia and Secretary Beccari delivered statements to San Marino RTV.
The delegation then proceeded to Palazzo Pubblico, where Speaker Farrugia was received with a Guard of Honour and signed the official Guest Book in the Council of XII Hall. The programme culminated in a Public Audience with Their Excellencies the Captains Regent, Matteo Rossi and Lorenzo Bugli, held in the Great and General Council Hall.
The ceremony featured addresses by Secretary Beccari and the Captains Regent, as well as a lectio magistralis by Speaker Farrugia, who emphasised the shared constitutional principles uniting Malta and San Marino, the vital role of small states in international diplomacy, and the importance of continued dialogue between parliaments.
During the Public Audience, the Parliament of Malta and the Great and General Council of San Marino signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a structured framework for inter-parliamentary cooperation, the exchange of expertise, and closer institutional collaboration. Official photographs, gift exchanges, and media statements followed the signing ceremony.
The Maltese delegation also held inter-parliamentary consultations with Members of the Great and General Council, focusing on legislative processes, digital governance, democratic participation, and the ongoing negotiations relating to the Association Agreement between San Marino and the European Union.
In addition, the delegation visited the Library and State Archive of San Marino. The presentations received on archival heritage and digitalisation reinforced both countries' interest in expanding cooperation in the fields of cultural preservation, digital transition, and the management of parliamentary historical records.
This visit marked an important milestone in the enhancement of Malta-San Marino relations, a statement said. The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding represents a significant step forward in fostering a closer partnership between the two Parliaments. The spirit of goodwill and shared purpose expressed throughout the engagements is expected to contribute to continued collaboration rooted in common values and a shared European outlook.