Merhba bikom fi Malta.

Welcome to the Republic of Malta, location of the world's oldest known free-standing man-made structures, such as the megalithic temples at Hagar Qim on the main island of Malta or Ggantija on the island of Gozo. Welcome to a country with a rich history as a strategic crossroads between Europe and Africa. Malta, an independent republic since 1964, has been ruled at various times by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, Spanish, French, the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem – also known as the Knights of Malta—and the British. Welcome to the land of the Maltese Cross, worn by the Knights, with its eight points representing eight nationalities: Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castile, England, Germany and Italy. Welcome to a country with a complex history and an exciting future.

Malta is the largest of the three inhabited islands that comprise the Republic of Malta and is home to the capital city of Valletta. Despite its diminutive size – 26 miles long by nine miles wide – Malta has been viewed for centuries as some of the most prized real estate in the region because its location at the heart of the Mediterranean makes it militarily and commercially strategic and a natural maritime crossroads for travel between Europe, Africa and the Levant.

An Epic History

Not surprisingly,Malta’s 7,000 years of history is a violent and bloody one replete with epic naval battles, surprise invasions and repeated occupation. Malta was the most bombed real estate, per square meter, of any country during the Second World War.

Malta was ruled by Britain from 1814 until it achieved a peaceful independence in 1964. The British legacy left an indelible mark on the culture, cuisine, education, health care, government and language. Maltese and English are both official languages, and in May 2004, Malta became a member of the European Union.

Malta is seeking to transition from an economy based largely on tourism and manufacturing to one that is more knowledge-based, as evidenced by the recent announcement of SmartCity@Malta, a government-sponsored information technology park being created by Dubai-based investors and modeled on the successful Dubai SmartCity concept.

Several major motion pictures have been filmed, in whole or part, in Malta, including The DaVinci Code, Munich, U-571, Troy, Gladiator, Popeye and Midnight Express.

Malta is one of the smallest nations in Europe, approximately twice the size of Washington, D.C. The population of 400,000 swells to nearly one million in the summer months, which are generally hot and dry. Many tourists come from Europe – especially Great Britain – and Asia. A number of cruise ships are either based in Valletta's Grand Harbour or are regular visitors during their Mediterranean cruises.

The tourists are attracted by more than 300 days of annual sunshine, some of the best diving in the region, affordable accommodations, dramatic scenery and Malta’s rich history and architecture.

Flying in, visitors can see that the Maltese islands are not volcanic in origin. They are rounded lumps of ancient seafloor that were pushed above water level when the African and European tectonic plates collided. The terrain is mostly low, rocky hills and steep sea cliffs with little in the way of natural water or landbased wildlife. Grass and trees are sparse.

The islands feature indented coastlines, numerous bays, rock-terraced fields and clusters of homes that form the many sprawling villages. The contrast between the honey-colored stone of buildings – built from quarried Maltese limestone – and the deep azure hue of the sea is striking. The unique quality of light in Malta is celebrated by photo enthusiasts and landscape artists alike.

U.S. Presence

The United States has had a diplomatic presence in Malta since 1796 and an embassy since Malta became independent in 1964. Malta’s location and importance in shipping drives much of U.S. interests.

The country is situated on one of the world’s main east-west trading routes, and approximately 30 percent of all global container cargo passes through Maltese waters. The Malta Freeport is a major regional container transshipment facility serving ships trading between North Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

Embassy staff, in concert with the Department of Homeland Security, State’s Bureau of International Security and Non-Proliferation and other U.S. government agencies, work closely with Freeport officials to ensure robust controls are in place to prevent and detect the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

The U.S. government donated a Vehicle and Container Inspection System mobile screening unit to Maltese Customs and conducts extensive training with Maltese authorities on detection techniques. The United States has also donated most of the funding for two 87-foot coastal patrol boats to the Maltese Maritime Squadron for search and rescue operations and border control.

The United States and Malta recently signed an updated extradition agreement and are finalizing a Proliferation Security Initiative agreement. The embassy’s Defense Attaché Office works closely with the Maltese Armed Forces on a variety of issues, and the resident Naval Criminal Investigative Services attaché works with Maltese authorities on port visits of U.S. Navy vessels transiting or stationed in the Mediterranean theater of operations.

The consular section, in addition to routine consular work, instituted monthly citizen services visits this year to the neighboring island of Gozo. This initiative has been well received by the many dual-national citizens who reside there. Other embassy officers accompany the consular team on their visits and expand their contacts with the local leadership of this somewhat culturally separate sister island of Malta.

Following its entry into the EU in May 2004, Malta hopes to capitalize on its historically strong ties to North Africa and strategic location to persuade more American businesses to locate to Malta. American businesses already directly employ approximately 3,000 Maltese citizens, and American franchises increase that number considerably. Ambassador Molly Bordonaro and embassy staff see that inquiries from potential U.S. commercial interests are presented to Maltese business executives and government officials.

All these mission programs are supported by a multifaceted public diplomacy program. The ambassador is an active speaker to local organizations and business associations. Embassy staff and family members participate in outreach activities, such as the successful local school program, that pairs them with groups of students to speak about subjects the teachers propose in advance. Schools report enthusiastic responses from their students, and embassy presenters are gratified to talk about America.

In December, the purchase of a 10-acre site for the construction of a new embassy compound should be completed, and construction will follow according to the Office of Overseas Buildings Operations timetable. This is a much-anticipated event for all embassy employees.

Working at a small post such as Malta has its advantages. For one, people typically perform multiple tasks and have overlapping and numerous responsibilities not typical for an officer at a larger post. And while the isolation of life on a small island isn’t for everyone, it is perfect for some, and Sicily is only a 45-minute ferry ride away. Families with children love the generally safe and friendly atmosphere of the islands, not to mention the weather.

So, as they say in Maltese, Sahaa – good health and see you soon.