Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Russia, China – and now, Kuwait
We continue to shift away from Europe – or maybe that’s just the perception I’m getting. Either way, the government’s stream of publicity about meetings, agreements and handshakes with Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Russia, China and now Kuwait seems to be to be a clear indication of its focus and its priorities. There has been no similar news stream about meetings, agreements and handshakes with leaders in Europe or anywhere else in the democratic world.
While in New York, Malta signed an “aviation agreement” with Kuwait, we have been told now. Times of Malta acerbically reports that “no further details of the agreement were given”.
Well, how about if you were to ask, keep asking and don’t let up even when they refuse to say anything – just like you did with Tonio Fenech’s clock? This is way more important.
12 Comments Comment
Leave a Comment
I may be wrong, but I suspect that this is some sort of a bilateral Open skies agreement. Basically it would allow Kuwaiti airlines to use Malta as a hub to reach other destinations. And vice versa of course. Though Air Malta needs bigger airplanes than it currently has to exploit this.
Next up – an agreement with Assad’s Syria on the repatriation of migrants.
And after that: an agreement with Iran on the reciprocal control over the internet and cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment, with special emphasis on blogs.
Later: an agreement with North Korea on the provision of a new consignment of artificial manure for use in agriculture and a few nuclear warheads for ‘the navy’ – you know, because North Korea has become a nuclear power since the secret agreements signed by Alex Sceberras Trigona.
With whom do you think most of Europe is doing business? Yes, it’s stupid to deal with dictatorships but money talks.
[Daphne – You miss the point, Joe. This is not an argument against doing business with undemocratic countries, but an observation that this appears to be the Maltese government’s primary focus.]
But what else were people expecting?
In absolute terms I do not think there’s any harm in doing business with “those” countries.
All European countries are almost begging to grab a slice of the cakes available in those countries.
The problem, actually, is that Labor will not easily convince. What they seem unable to discern is that they cannot rebuild relations with countries like Algeria after more than a quarter of a century of nearly no relations at all. It is not because Mintoff was in sync with Boumedienne (the strong man of Algeria in the seventies) that it will work again today.
Both countries have moved since then, the guys at the helm are not the same and their perceptions of things have changed dramatically.
For the anecdote: a couple of months ago, a faint tremor was registered in the north of Algeria, causing a small wall of a derelict house to collapse, injuring 5 people in the process. Mr Speaker hastened to send a message of sympathy to his Algerian vis-à-vis.
Now, we’re talking here about something that wasnt even reported in the Maltese media. The Algerian speaker must’ve been amused and puzzled when he received the message of sympathy. No advisers in protocol and diplomatic matters in the office of the Speaker?
One last comment: Algeria aint a dictatorship. Have a look at the local independent newspapers in French (and Arabic).
I think there was something with India last week.
What the hell is an aviation agreement anyway? There was something recently in the Times that Malta is set to become an aviation hub.
Malta is becoming already an aviation and certainly not due to JM and his acolytes and Malta’s civil aviation industry (and all relative support services, be it legal, financial, corporate, fiscal and so on) were and still are benefiting immensely.
Again, not through JM’s foresight or wisdom but rather through the sheer foresight which the PN in government had years ago when it sought to take advantage of Malta’s geographical position.
Funny how the PN and the PL in government are extreme poles even in the manner they publicise their achievements. The PL in government heralds as its very own all the PN’s achievements whilst the PN had a very serious communication problem. I would bet my last cent that the PL will also manage to ram it down people’s throat that it was thanks to its efforts the Malta joined the EU.
Actually under PN such communications were ignored by average Joe – ghax mhux ser ihalsu l-kont tad-dawl u l-ilma – and were the norm by the said government.
Under PL such communications are wow and “ara kemm nafu nghamlu bizzniz ahna wkoll hii”
Is Parliament being bypassed in reaching all these agreements with foreign countries? They should be tabled before Parliament and subject to its scrutiny.
This is the way he wants to make Malta the best European Country.
Joseph Muscat takes pictures with the leaders of the democratic west, and then signs deals with shady leaders of corrupt dictatorships.