St Tropez signs historic agreement with Birgu

A unique international agreement was signed on the weekend of the Rolex Middle Sea Race between the French port of St Tropez and Birgu as a direct result of the Mediterranean's most beautiful yacht race, the annual Camper & Nicholson's sponsored Trophee Bailli du Suffren.

Recognising close links spanning two centuries, the two ports have now officially agreed to work together to promote sustainable tourism, particularly in the maritime sector.

The delegation from St Tropez included Deputy Mayor Claude Berard, Jean Francois TOURRET, port director and Christian Benoit one of the three founders of the Trophee Bailli du Suffren joined by Ben Stuart, General Manager of the C&N Grand Harbour Marina.  The idea was a direct result of "Camper & Nicholson's Trophee Bailli de Suffren" a race which since 2000 has seen classic sailing yachts race from St Tropez to Malta. 

Yachts competing in the C&N Trophee Bailli du Suffren finish the race at Grand Harbour Marina in the revitalised port area beneath the walls of Fort St Angelo. 

The signing ceremony took place at the Auberge de France, the seat of the Birgu Local Council.  The French delegation included the French Ambassador to Malta, Dr. Michael Vandepoorter and former Maltese Ambassadors to France, Professor Salvino Busuttil and Dr. Mark Miggani.

At the signing ceremony in the Auberge de France, Birgu's  Mayor observed that this special agreement was between one of the youngest cities in the Maltese Islands, the smallest island in the middle of the Mediterranean and smallest country in the EU and one of the richest cities in France.