Doha, Qatar: Malta’s Ambassador to Qatar, H E Simon Pullicino (pictured), has highlighted, in his opinion piece, 2025 as a year of deepening cooperation and notable milestones in Malta–Qatar relations.
As 2025 draws to a close, the Embassy of Malta in Doha proudly looks back on a year of dynamic cooperation, milestones, and renewed momentum in the ever-strengthening partnership between Malta and the State of Qatar. This year was even more special, as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. For the first time since the opening of the Embassy in 2021, the Embassy organized a large-scale National Day reception with the attendance of several distinguished Qatari guests, diplomats, senior officials, business leaders, and community members to celebrate five decades of collaboration and shared values that unite our two nations.
Indeed, we have much to celebrate as bilateral relations continued to progress in various fields. The resumption of direct flights by Qatar Airways to Malta revitalised connectivity between Doha and Malta, opening new horizons for tourism, trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
Visit Malta was present at the 2025 edition of Qatar Travel Mart with a prominent stand. Meanwhile, the 2nd Round of Political Consultations, that were held in Doha last August, led from the Malta side by H E Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, underscored both countries’ commitment to further developing cooperation and addressing regional and global challenges through dialogue and diplomacy. This followed the 1st ever Round, held in Malta in January 2024.
During his 2nd visit to Qatar this year on 7 December, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Hon. Dr. Ian Borg held a number of high-level meetings, including with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, aimed at further strengthening Malta-Qatar relations.
The talks focused on expanding economic and commercial ties, boosting tourism and people-to-people contacts and opening new avenues of cooperation.
The Deputy Prime Minister also met with H E Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy CEO, to discuss opportunities for collaboration, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and long-term security of energy supply, priorities common to both countries.
During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister also participated in the 2025 edition of the Doha Forum, where he addressed global migration challenges, emphasizing the importance of humane, coordinated, and forward-looking solutions anchored in dialogue and international cooperation. His intervention was in full harmony with Qatar’s long-standing commitment to peace, humanitarian support, and multilateral engagement.
Allow me to wholeheartedly congratulate the State of Qatar for the successful organization of this year’s Doha Forum where, once again, Qatar confirmed its international status as a focal point for strategic dialogue and visionary policymaking. In this very context, I also wish to commend Qatar on a series of international events hosted during this year, including, inter alia, the 2nd World Summit for Social Development and the 11th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption, which continue to confirm Qatar’s leading role in multilateralism based on dialogue, conflict resolution through mediation and the support of humanitarian action.
Finally, this Mission wishes to join the friendly people of Qatar in celebrating their upcoming National Day. This year’s National Day slogan, inspired by the words of the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani – “With You It Rises, From You It Awaits” – will undoubtedly serve to rekindle the enduring spirit of generosity, unity, and national pride that binds Qatar’s leadership with its people.
It will also serve to commemorate the sacrifices of Qatar’s forefathers, who dedicated their lives to the glory of this country.
Malta remains steadfast in its commitment to further strengthen and consolidate ties with the State of Qatar. Together, in 2026, our countries will continue to build bridges of friendship and shared prosperity in our respective regions and beyond.
