PM Robert Abela And Wife Lydia Abela Visit Maltese Community In Astoria, New York

Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife, Dr Lydia Abela, have met the Maltese and Gozitan community in New York during a visit to the Maltese Centre in Astoria.

The visit forms part of the Prime Minister’s engagements in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, whose high-level week is taking place from the 22nd to the 28th of September.

World leaders are gathering for the General Debate under the theme ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all’.

During their visit, the Abelas spoke with Maltese and Gozitan residents who have lived in the US for decades, as well as younger generations who continue to maintain strong ties with Malta.

Abela thanked the community for keeping Maltese language, culture and traditions alive despite the distance from home, while highlighting the importance of passing the language on to younger generations.

The Astoria Maltese Centre, established in 1979 and run by volunteers, provides a space for the community to meet and hosts cultural and social activities, including Maltese language lessons.

Abela also highlighted the importance of the direct Malta-New York flight in strengthening links between the two countries.

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