Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anġlu Farrugia, received a farewell visit from Cecilia Björner, whose term of office as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Malta is coming to an end.

Speaker Farrugia expressed his appreciation to Ambassador Björner for her contribution to enhancing bilateral relations, established on 21st June 1969, during her tenure of office.

He mentioned a visit back in March 2017 by a Swedish parliamentary delegation led by Mr Eskil Erlandsson, Vice-Chair of the Swedish Committee on EU Affairs and Deputy Member of the Committee on Environment and Agriculture, and referred to the next meeting of the Speakers of Parliament of the European Union, due to take place in Berlin in May 2021.

He noted that around 80 Maltese citizens live in Sweden, while around 1,500 Swedish nationals work in Malta. He also mentioned that Mtarfa and Marsaskala have twinned with Arvidsjaur (Lapland) and Oxelösund, respectively, since 2009.

The two dignitaries spoke about the present pandemic COVID-19 and how it was handled in Malta. They also exchanged views on the economic and political situation in Malta as well as on the excellent work being carried out by Pope Francis.