On Saturday 26 June, the Ambassador of Malta Carmelo Inguanez together with the Mayor of Saint Tropez Sylvie Siri launched the 20^th edition of the Trophée Bailli De Suffren – a yachting race from Saint Tropez to Malta. The 15 competing yachts are scheduled to make a stopover in Gozo, arriving in Malta on 8 July.

Dominic Micallef Director of MTA, Paris who was instrumental in organising the event together with Lionel Pean President of Mare Nostrum Racing Club participated in the launching of the race. Pascal Perez the Honorary Consul of Malta in Nice was also in attendance.In the statement delivered by Ambassador Inguanez for the occasion, reference was made to the event of 1748 when Pierre Andre de Suffren known as Bailli de Suffren, crossed the Mediterranean and sailed to Malta together with his brother Paul-Julien to take up an apprenticeship with the Order of the Knights of St Jean of Jerusalem.  Today, Malta and France cross the same mare nostrum to spread the words of friendship, tolerance, peace and stability in the Mediterranean region.