H.E. Jean-Francois Delahaut, Ambassador of Belgium to Malta, paid a courtesy visit at the Headquarters of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) in St. Julians, Malta on 15 July, 2010.
The Belgian Ambassador was welcomed by PAM Secretary General, Dr. Sergio Piazzi with whom talks followed. H.E. Delahaut presented the priorities on which Belgium intended to focus its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which it took over as from 1 July until the end of 2010.
Areas of common interest between PAM and Belgium, and during its tenure of the EU Council Presidency, were explored. Two main issues were raised, namely migration, as well as the Balkan region, with particular attention to the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“Another topic on which PAM and Belgium can find common grounds for further cooperation is the dialogue between cultures and civilisations”, Dr Piazzi said. These issues are covered within the PAM 3rd Standing Committee, with the “Charter of the Mediterranean”, the political manifesto of PAM and the “Fez Programme”, the cultural approach to Mediterranean youths, representing two main outcomes of the work of the Assembly and the Standing Committees.
Ambassador Delahaut and Dr. Piazzi discussed also the possibility to work together on the organisation of a Music Festival to be held in Malta later on this year, with the participation of bands, from all the Mediterranean and Europe, to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Django Reinhardt, whose works denote how music can bring together different peoples and strengthen the proximity between the peoples of the region.
The visit of the Belgian diplomat to the Secretariat, was part of the ongoing exercise of regular meetings with Ambassadors of PAM member states and with those representing countries, which consider themselves as having a role and a particular interest in Mediterranean affairs.