Taghna Lkoll update: Labour Party radio station manager and Labour mass meeting MC presents his credentials as Malta’s ambassador to Belgium
At last, they’ve had to accept him. He’s been floating around in diplomatic limbo since the early summer. The government’s Department of Information has issued a press release and two charming photographs: pr140134 ENG
I looked at the photographs, had a sudden vivid insight into the manner and tone of the conversation and the thoughts passing through the minds of both the individuals involved, and had to go off and make myself some builder’s tea to get my strength back.
Ambassador of Belgium Ray Azzopardi presents his credentials
On Thursday, 9th January 2014, H.E. Ray Azzopardi presented His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians, with his Letters of Credence to accredit him as the new Ambassador of Malta to the Kingdom of Belgium. The ceremony was held at Château de Laeken, the official Royal residence.
Following the ceremony, H.E. Azzopardi was granted an audience with the King, whom acknowledged the excellent relations between the two countries, and expressed his wish to further cooperate on political, economic, educational and social issues. In turn Ambassador Azzopardi emphasised, in particular, his commitment towards furthering economic cooperation between the two States, especially on aspects of tourism and language-student exchange.
The newly accredited Ambassador also expressed his gratitude for Belgium’s continued assistance in the restoration of the unique tapestries at St John’s co-cathedral in Valletta. He augured that the King would one day conduct a State visit to Malta, which H.M. King Philippe greatly welcomed.
Ambassador Azzopardi was accompanied by Mr Stefan Muscat, First Secretary and Consul-General to the Kingdom of Belgium.
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Guess who’s up to play The Penguin in the next Batman movie.
And like all penguins, he waddles.
The Deparment of Information is now speaking Labourese.
1. His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians.
2. H.E. Azzopardi was granted an audience with the King, whom acknowledged the excellent relations between the two countries.
Even the two photos attached, especially the second one, show our man Ray taking the stance as if ready to go for the king and get it all over and done with.
King Philippe meets Emperor Penguin.
Ambassador OF Belgium?
Kemm qeghdin sew, jahasra.
I’m not sure but I think the buttons on H.E. Azzopardi’s waistcoat are wrongly aligned with the buttonholes.
It’s either that or a tight waistcoat a’ la Joseph Muscat.
The king looks a trifle bemused. I don’t think he had been briefed that he was going to pick up a penguin.
Also how pompous: “His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians”.
It’s an overkill. It’s either His Majesty etc etc, or the King of BelgiuM.
It’s actually King of the Belgians, something to do with Belgium’s constitutional set up.
Has he been receiving an Ambassador’s salary since last summer?
Cringeworthy.
The zuwwmazt tal-bannda on his way to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic.
Time for Baxxter to script another conversation.
Yes please.
Baxxter! We want your version of the press release! Pleeeease …
Ambassador tal-Brussels Ray Azzopardi presents a sheet of paper wot given to him by the ministry
On Thursday, 9th January 2014 at 1000hrs CET, His Excellency MC Hammer Ray Azzopardi presented His Majesty King Fillip, King of the Eurobelgians, with his Letters of Credence Clearwater Revival to send him as the new Ambassador of Malta to the Kingdom of Brazil. The ceremony was made at Gateau de Laeken, the official and very expensive Royal residence.
Following the ceremony, His Excellency Azzopardee The Dominatin’ MC, Him Who Like No Punani, was most graciously granted a good photo op for the crowds back home with Fillip King, whom acknowledged the excellent relations between the two countries, cos you never knows in life, and expressed his wish to further copperrate on political, economic, educational, social issues, on health, dieting, fashion, tourism, cooking, gardening, chocolate-making and sales of lots of passports yes but no but yes but no the Eurobrussels People don’t need them cos they olready Europes, like. In turn Ambassador Azzopardi emphasised, in particular, his commitment towards furthering economic cooperation between the two States, especially on aspects of tourism and language-student exchange, and also on cultural exchanges such as carnival and Smurf costumes cos these were invented by the Belgians peoples.
The newly accredited Ambassador DJ Excellency also expressed his gawning gratitude for Belgium’s continued assistance in the restoration of some hanging carpets at The Cathedral in Valletta. He augured that the King would one day conduct a State visit to Malta, so Joseph and especially Michelle can take many nice photos and the twins too, and Michelle can wear her Bulgari and be on the cover of many magazines, which H.M. King Flips greatly welcomed, and then offered coffee to HE the Plenitude l’Oréal.
Ambassador Super One Azzopardi was accompanied by Mr Stefan Muscat, First Secretary and Consul-General to the Kingdom of Belgium, who will be carrying out all the duties of the ambassador except of course receptions and cutting ribbons at Dar Malta and organising Lejla Maltijas with pastizzi, Kinnie and Twistees out of the diplomatic bag.
Ambassador OF Belgium? Useless people.
Ir-Re u l-bidillu.
Let’s nitpick then.
Why is “States” spelled with a capital S?
Next, the white tie. It wouldn’t be too bad, were it not for the oversize shirt.
He looks like something that has escaped from an ”Alice in Wonderland” film set: the Black Rabbit, maybe.
Not bad for an ex-orderly at the X-ray department at SLH.
Our dear Joseph however, didn’t.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-01-28/news/no-meeting-planned-between-pm-and-commissioner-reding-3807182850/
What was it he said about ongoing discussions and common ground?
And look, the Caribbean Islands have better governance than Muscat’s Malta.
Paspar Guz, ibqa’ sejjer hekk.
Arah hej H.E l-Ambaxxatur bit-tails (or as he says it, ‘tejss’). Propja penguin kemm hu helu.
Alla biss jaf kemm tnejku bih minn wara daru…. Cioe bina l-Maltin.
In the second photograph, the King is seen asking details of his new hairdresser.
Caption competition regarding photo no.2?
‘Vera tixraqlek, tafx, avolja mqartas wahda nobis, xbin’
OR
‘Qisek Gahan liebes ghat-tieg’
OR
‘Minn fejn ix-z.bb iddubbajtu dak il-frac, mill-hanut ta’ Marlene?’
“Insejt tilbes il-panciera?”
Remember that His Excellency hails from the Island of Fairy Tails. Hence the garb.
What a sad sight. A king and a charlatan (in an ill-fitting suit).
He sure looks like a stuffed penguin.
This is a symbol of Labour’s meritocracy which was preached by Joseph Muscat before the last general election. From a health assistant at St. Luke’s Hospital to an ambassador of Belgium. His credentials include the running of Super One complex and the formation of the Labour Party band.
Ftakar li ukoll jekk qasir bhalna ghandek cans tahdem maghna. Ahna mhux bhalhom; ahna inkejjluk.
“Mr Azzopardi served as public relations officer to Health Minister Vincent Moran up to 1987 and then became head of One Radio and head of outdoor activities of the Labour Party.” (Times of Malta)
What an impressive CV. Head of outdoor activities. How do you come up with something like that?
How much cotton wool did he stuff into his shoes to make them fit?
What cheek!
Malta deserves top people to represent us abroad and not party propaganda announcers. As far as I know, this guy’s job was to inform the public ‘fi x’hin se jitlaq il-coach (b’hafna Laburisti go fih) ghal mass meeting tal-Belt.
God have mercy on Malta and the Maltese.
The last time George Vella congregated his envoys, he stressed and so did the press repeat, that he will be monitoring the performance of each and every ambassador, consul, envoy.
He will be noting in particular their efforts to attract business to Malta, to attract investment to create jobs and most of all that each will be giving his fair share in the effort to create THE WEALTH OF THE NATION.
In these present circumstances I do sincerely believe that the next edition of the opus will be published and printed in Belgium where the costs are by far cheaper than anywhere else and where we are represented by His Excellency Raymond Azzopardi, former chief of the Labour Party’s “outdoor activities”.
Love the white bowtie. Madonna, how cute he is in it.
I suppose that H.E. Azzopardi briefed the king fully on his experience with a microphone and Warda Kanta.
So Marlene Farrugia wants citizenship now, Residence Later.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-01-28/news/marlene-farrugia-calls-for-residency-period-after-citizenship-is-granted-3810426881/
And what if the new citizen does not comply with the residency requirement after obtaining the new EU passport – will Joseph Muscat scrap his legal advice by the Attorney General, the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Henley & Everything, and withdraw the passport and citizenship?
In any case, this is still a sale of citizenship, except that this time it has a condition attached.
I am morally convinced that Joseph Muscat is making manouvres behind the scenes.
Why haven’t journalists asked him what it was he talked about with the European Commission?
Why doesn’t someone tell Marlene Farrugia that her reasoning on this matter is tommy-rot?
Has she been given the role of party “jester,” coming up with the sublime to ridiculous card at every period of overheat?
His trousers are too short.
A man’s socks should not be seen when he is walking.
I`m sure he`s well qualified as a “butler”.
Should not that have been a morning coat, rather than white tie?
Would he have known the difference in the first place? As long as he is not au courant the details do not matter. It is the substance in small bottles that is important according to His Master`s Voice.
Daphne, you missed the last part of the DOI press release. It’s quite hilarious.
He looks more like the king’s maggiordomo than the ambassador of Malta.
Oh Lord
What have we done to merit this?
The ex DJ must be fancy dressing for the upcoming carnival.
X’misthijja.
The esteemed ambassador might have taken more care when hiring his outfit. His trousers seem to be at half mast.
Marlene Farrugia wants a citizenship sale with some conditions attached. Never heard of a citizenship scheme which has conditions attached once the citizenship is granted.
Why should a citizen who buys his citizenship be made to comply with conditions which other natural citizens do not have to comply with?
Wouldn’t this be a sort of second class citizens? Wouldn’t this be discrimnatory?
While at it, Marlene Farrugia should also suggest a further condition to be attached to the citizenship: the citizenship buyer must undertake to vote Labour.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140128/local/marlene-farrugia-calls-for-a-form-of-residence-requirement-for-citizenship-applicants.504535
It’s a pity that his late long-term boyfriend was murdered by a kid he picked up for money on the Gzira front. He could have dyed and teased his hair for such an important high-class event.
In my opinion H.E. Azzopardi’s trousers are a bit too short.
Daphne, can you please tell us what the Speaker’s ruling of tonight means in terms of timing for a new motion to be passed through parliament iro impeachment of LFS?
Minn hosptal auxiliary fid-darkroom tal-X-rays fl-isptar San Luqa, inewwel xi film lil radiographer, ghall-ambaxxatur fil-Belgju. Meritokrazija, my foot.
Xempju ta l-intelligenza.
An iced bun of all iced buns, worth waiting for. Tanalkolltanalkoltanalkolltanatanatananabiss.
But why do I have the impression that these people can’t find a suit to fit? Is it my imagination that the trousers are a bit short?
The right person for the job. His diplomatic prowess is legendary. X’naqghu ghan-nejk. Prosit lil min ivvotalhom.
Ara Ray kemm lahaq, Alla jbierek.
Don’t these people have necks?
And he’s got his stabilisers wide open.
Ray Azzopardi looks like an ambassador from Transylvania.
http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Dracula.jpg
Queen Mathilde is even taller, and breeding shines out of her every pore.
Putting Ray and King Philippe in the same room just makes the difference all the more palpable.
X’faqar ta’ pajjiz spiccajna nghixu fih.
Grazzi lil dawk kollha li riedu biedla ghax in-Nazzjonalisti kienu ilhom hafna fil-gvern.
Dan hu pajjiz mimli b’nies laghqin, li iridu kollox minghajr ma jaghmlu xejn, nies li jghixu ghal-pjaciri u korruzzjoni, nies li jghijru ghal xi hadd li ikun kapaci, nies li jahsbu fihom infushom biss, nies li jahsbu li d-dinja iddur madwarhom, nies li jifhmu f’kollox, nies li ihobbu jidhru kullimkien.
Insomma, nies li kollha jixbhu lil Prim Ministru.
Ghalhekk l-ahhar elezzjoni intrebhet u intilfet b’distakk enormi.
Li tkun tixbah lill Prim Ministru mhi xejn, Il gwaj ikun meta tkun tixbah lill Prim Ministru minn barra u minn gewwa jkollok il karattru ta Mintoff. Miraklu biss irid ifejjqejk ghax ma hawnx rimedju ghal dak il gwaj.
I truly admire the Belgian King.
Obviously, being forewarned of the background of this little twerp, he ‘played the game’, controlled his distaste (check his smile), did his diplomatic duty and retired.
H.P Baxxter, can we get sartorial reviews, please?
Thanks.
Since it’s obviously a rented outfit, from a Brussels outfitter, it passes all sartorial tests. Except that the person wearing it is built like a leprechaun. With a paunch.
So the poor outfitter’s had to furnish him with a shirt to fit around the ample waist, leaving a lot of excess around the chest. Hence the warping on the shirt front.
Ditto for the trousers. That’s a 48-inch waist, give or take, usually found only on seven-foot giants, not stool-sized jacked-up MCs.
Our plenipotentiary looks like he’s had a an accident with a chainsaw on his way to see the king.
If I were an ambassador I’d spend my enormous salary on getting myself in shape and my clothes tailored to perfection. Really, I don’t know what these people do with their money. Hoard it? Spend it on diamonds and fur coats for their mistresses and trophy wives?
They look like shit – politicians, ambassadors, CEOs, chairmen, professors, all of them.
It isn’t even about representing your country or your profession. It’s about how you value things. When a man has no conception of aesthetics, it scares me.
Ray Azzopardi has neither a mistress, nor a trophy wife. His long time lover, murdered in highly compromising circumstances, was a hairdresser who had a wife and family.
Does it pass sartorial tests? The trouser legs are clearly shorter than they should be.
He looks like the butler.
Were they conversing in French? and was that an application form for a Maltese passport that the Ambassador was handing over to His Royal Highness?
“if you want a Maltese passport for 650,000 euros, kellimni. We are looking for nies ta’ kalibru and would like a couple of kings.”
Poor Malta. It’s gone straight to the dogs in no time.
Perfect timing. Now his first official function can be hosting the screening of Malta’s “Song for Europe” competition on Friday week – right up his street.
The King of Belgium seems to have obeyed the 1970s advertisement to pick up a Penguin.
Kemm qieghed sew kief Alla jridu
How embarrassing
Another photo which DOI didn’t publish:
http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Penguins_of_Madagascar_-_Private_2051.jpg
From MC to HE. Oh the irony of it all.
Nice pic at the top. I really like it.
I can imagine Sur Azzopardi saying: “Lim karta trid, Kink, ghax jien ghadni gdid hawn u daqxejn differenti mill-mass meetinkss.”
He actually looks like a fat Mr. Bean cut in half. How out of place he looks. Imagine the conversation: “Aw King, nice place you got here, ta. Stil rustiku.”
Ray Azzopardi’s favourite TV series apparently:
http://www.freewebs.com/maplins/YRML%20cast%203.jpg
Must have been a very thick file considering his long list of credentials. Pathetic (Pronounced: /pəˈθɛtɪk Definition:miserably inadequate – Oxford Dictionary).
Hu u hiereg mil palazz qallu ‘Jkollok xi mass meeting il Grande Plaz ghajdli ta ghax jien bully ghalihom!’
H.E. Ray Azzopardi explaining to His Majesty King Philippe how the partnership he worked so hard for, won the 2003 referendum.
At very, very long last – the presenter of band marches, festi, murtali and murtaletti, pavaljuni and bandalori, dressed up in the garb of renowned Maestros like Muti, Barenboim, Karajan, Stravinsky…the problem is that he is certainly delivering the wrong symphony at the wrong theatre, though pacing to the tune of a Spanish march.
What is it with certain types of Maltese men and their trousers ?