Maltese OSCE Chairperson Visits Montenegro and North Macedonia

Nov 13 2024

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Ian Borg, who chairs the 2024 Maltese OSCE Chairpersonship, visited Montenegro and North Macedonia this week. The four-day tour, which started in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will conclude with meetings in Albania on Wednesday.

On Tuesday morning, in Montenegro’s capital Podgorica, Borg met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović to discuss Montenegro’s OSCE collaboration. Borg praised the country’s progress on democratic reforms, particularly in strengthening institutions and rule of law, while reaffirming the OSCE’s support.

The delegation also addressed media freedom and journalist safety in Montenegro, condemning a recent attack on a local journalist and commending the swift action taken by authorities.

In the afternoon, Borg traveled to Skopje, North Macedonia, where he met with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski. Borg reflected on the ongoing challenges, including the war in Ukraine, stressing the OSCE’s role in maintaining peace and stability. The meeting also involved discussions with the 2025 OSCE Chairperson, Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, ahead of next month’s Ministerial Council in Malta.

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Malta Records 124 Cruise Liner Calls in 2024, Passenger Traffic Up 4.1%

Nov 13 2024

Malta’s cruise liner industry continued to experience growth in 2024, with 124 calls recorded during the third quarter, marking a 16-call increase compared to the same period in 2023. Transit passengers made up the majority of traffic, totalling 271,268, or 84.3 percent, though the average number of passengers per vessel fell to 2,595, a decrease of 629 from the previous year.

Passengers from EU countries represented 44.7% of total traffic, with Italy and Germany being the top markets, at 17.4% and 8.5%, respectively. Non-EU passengers totalled 178,124, with the UK and US accounting for 36.8% and 36.2%.

More female passengers were recorded (53.4%), and the largest age group was 40-59 years (32.7%), followed by 60-79 years (30.8%).

In total, 672,276 passengers visited Malta during the first three quarters of 2024, a 4.1% increase from last year. Despite a 7.6% drop in third-quarter traffic, there was a rise in calls, with 271 recorded for the year so far, 44 more than in 2023.

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Malta Airport Welcomes 8 Millionth Passenger For 2024

Nov 13 2024

The Malta International Airport have just welcomed their 8 millionth passenger for the year 2024 – ‘a new milestone’ for the airport.

‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of our airport team, including our valued stakeholders, and each and every passenger who travelled through our airport this year.’

Did you travel this year?

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Malta Police Salute Memory Of Late Constable Roger Debattista

Nov 13 2024

The Malta Police Force yesterday commemorated the ex-PC 949 Roger Debattista, who tragically lost his life 23 years ago whilst on duty.

On November 12th 2001, Roger made the sacrifice during a bank hold-up in Ta’ Farsina Qormi to protect the people present.

A father of two, Debattista noted three armed robbers making their way towards the entrance and tried to lock the door.

However, one of the robbers shot in his direction, with the bullet going through the door and hitting the constable. The robber, later identified as Andy Calleja, aimed and shot at Debattista, killing him.

‘Mario Borg, Ian Galdes and Mark Falzon were charged with the armed robbery. Borg and Falzon were sentenced to five years and Galdes to seven years imprisonment. Andy Calleja was charged for the cold-blooded murder and the armed robbery amongst other charges. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, confirmed on appeal in 2004.’

Members from the police corp gathered at the bust erected in Ta’ Farsina to honour his memory.

‘Despite the ultimate price Roger paid in the line of duty, his mother’s gentle look and heartfelt words remind us why we serve. Her strength and grace give us the motivation to keep following his footsteps of bravery and dedication.’

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