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NEWS | Sunday, 09 September 2007

Sarko’s Mediterranean Council in Bighi? ‘Puro desiderio’, Frendo says

James Debono

The grandiose idea of housing in Malta the headquarters of a still-to-be-born “Council of the Mediterranean” – a brainchild of the new French President Nicolas Sarkozy – in the Old Naval Hospital in Bighi, as suggested in MIMCOL’s Grand Harbour report in Bighi, is still a “puro desiderio” (a wish) according to Foreign Minister Michael Frendo. Malta Investment Management’s (MIMCOL) Grand Harbour report suggests that government should retain the building for use by an international organisation, “for example to house a council for the Mediterranean.” The Ministry for Investment and Information Technology states this site “would be ideal for a permanent structure for inter-governmental relations” in the Mediterranean. Such a declaration prompted speculation that Malta was announcing its candidature to host Sarkozy’s grand Mediterranean deseign. Earlier this year, Nicolas Sarkozy had apologised for inadvertently omitting Malta from a list of countries forming the core of his proposed “Mediterranean Union”. After being ticked off by Malta’s ambassador to France, Vicki Ann Cremona, Sarkozy not only apologised for the omission, but made up for it by inviting Malta to participate in the Frontex exercise. Sarkozy’s choice of Malta as his holiday destination immediately after his election was interpreted by the French media as conciliatory gesture towards Malta. Accepting Malta as the host country of the council would be the French President’s final act of redemption. But Foreign Minister Michael Frendo excludes that Malta has reached any deal to house the proposed organisation. When contacted by MaltaToday, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo made it clear that the reference to a Mediterranean council was “just an example.” “We have not reached any deals with France or anybody else to house the Mediterranean council. But furthering co-operation in the Mediterranean remains one of Malta’s Foreign Policy objectives,” Frendo told MaltaToday. Frendo said it is normal for government to reserve certain buildings to house prestigious organisations to seize an opportunity when it comes. Malta already hosts the Secretariat for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean in Palazzo Spinola. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt


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