Former judge is Malta’s new ambassador to Portugal

Former judge Joseph A. Filletti has presented his credentials as the new non-resident Ambassador of Malta to Portugal to H.E. Anibal Cavaco Silva, President of the Republic of Portugal.

The presentation ceremony was held on September 17 at Belem Palace in Lisbon.

Ambassador Filletti received the traditional military salute by the Republican Guard at the Palace Courtyard followed by the playing of the national anthems by the Guard's Military Band. He was accompanied by Dr Raymond Bondin, Chargé d'Affaires.

At the Corinthia-Lisboa Hotel, a Maltese investment, the new Ambassador had occasion to address a number of guests and meet, among others, the four Portuguese Honorary Consuls for Malta, senior representatives of the Lisbon Chamber of Commerce, the Chairman of Banif Bank Group, and Mr. Roderick Micallef, the Hotel's General Manager.

Until recently, the Maltese government was expected to insist on its nomination of Judge Joseph Filletti to the General Court of the European Court of Justice, despite a selection panel having turned down the former Constitutional Court judge's nomination earlier this year.