The Ambassador of Malta Simon Pullicino, shares his final thoughts with Doha News, at the completion of his diplomatic tenure in Doha
I wish to start by paying tribute to His Highness the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away earlier this month. He was an exceptional statesman, who led his country through a defining period of its history, laying the foundations of a modern and progressive nation. Under his visionary leadership, Qatar emerged as a respected global actor, committed to humanitarian initiatives and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. To the people of Qatar, he was a father, distinguished by his kindness and always committed to their wellbeing and prosperity.
From my end, I leave Qatar, impressed with the significant strides in economic competitiveness, infrastructure, sustainability, education, healthcare and sports over the last years, reflecting its progress toward Qatar National Vision 2030 and I will carry these memories with me as I embark on my next post.
Furthermore, Qatar has demonstrated, with consistency and conviction, that dialogue and diplomacy are not instruments of last resort but of deliberate, principled choice. Malta and Qatar share a foreign policy identity rooted in multilateralism, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for the international rules-based order, values that have made cooperation between our two countries not merely cordial, but substantive.
Qatar’s role as a renowned mediator in the region stands as one of the most significant diplomatic contributions of our time. From facilitating landmark agreements, including the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, to persevering in ceasefire negotiations in Gaza when all other avenues seemed exhausted, Qatar has demonstrated that small states can exercise a moral authority that transcends geography.
Qatar’s exemplary temperament and composure in times of crises, including during recent attacks, which Malta unequivocally condemned, reflects the visionary leadership of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, whose principled stewardship of Qatar’s foreign policy continues to earn the admiration of the international community.
As an EU Member State, Malta values Qatar as a vital partner on regional stability, and economic cooperation, and looks forward to the continued deepening of ties in trade, investment, and cultural exchange between our two open, outward-looking economies.
Allow me to recall that last year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Malta-Qatar diplomatic relations, a milestone underpinned by numerous high-level visits, two rounds of political consultations, the reintroduction of direct Qatar Airways flights between Doha and Valletta, and a growing range of commercial and cultural exchanges. The Embassy of Malta is proud to have modestly contributed to this momentum.
I depart confident that the friendship between Malta and Qatar rests on solid and enduring foundations, and I thank the Government and People of Qatar for their cooperation and the warm welcome extended to me and my family throughout my tenure.
I would also like to acknowledge the small but vibrant Maltese community that has made Qatar their home and to commend them for their contribution to consolidating Malta-Qatari relations.
Finally, a word of sincere thanks to Mohammed Elshamy and the Doha News team for their genuine cooperation with the Embassy throughout my posting.
ا ركش، طرقىلإ وء اا (Thank you Qatar, until we meet again)
Simon Pullicino is the outgoing Ambassador of Malta to Qatar. This article is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the views of Doha News, its editorial board, or staff.
