On the occasion of the 54^th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Malta, the Embassy of Malta in Ankara hosted a commemorative reception on the 20^th September 2018 at the Sheraton Ankara Hotel and Convention Centre. Largely financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, the event was also partly sponsored by a Turkish entrepreneur.

Following the playing of the National Anthems of Turkey and Malta, Ambassador Carmel and Mrs Mary Anne Vassallo greeted the distinguished guests; this was followed by the releasing of the message that the Hon Mr Carmelo Abela, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, had recorded to mark the special occasion, which was displayed on two large screens.

H.E. Mr Faruk Kaymakcı, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for EU Matters, delivered a speech during which the strong diplomatic, trade and commercial relations between Malta and Turkey, as well as the two countries’ Euro-Mediterranean vocation, were highlighted. Later on during the evening, the event was graced with the presence of H.E. Prof Fuat Oktay, Vice-President of the Republic of Turkey who, together with Ambassador Vassallo and Consul-General Aquilina, briefly reached out to all the distinguished guests attending the reception.The event was well-attended by Ambassadors and other representatives from foreign Missions, as well as representatives from the Turkish society including the cultural, health, academia, business and entrepreneurial sectors, political parties, former Ambassadors to Malta and the Hon Consul of Malta in Izmir.