Bastille Day 2026: Building a common future for Malta and France

Yesterday, July 14, France celebrated the storming of the Bastille and reaffirmed its commitment to its values of liberty, equality and fraternity. On this meaningful day, the presence of Prime Minister Robert Abela in Paris and the parading of Maltese troops on the Champs-Élysées were an honour and yet another illustration of our friendship’s depth.

The relationship between France and Malta is rooted in centuries of collective history and embedded in our common Mediterranean identity. It remains vibrant and grows stronger every day.

Our two nations share common values and stand together in an increasingly complex international environment, to say the least. In this context, France, like Malta, is both strongly committed to multilateralism and to the preservation of a rules-based international order. The ongoing war in Ukraine is a grim illustration of the new reality the world lives in today.

On the one hand, we must continue to call for respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and for constructive negotiations in order to pave the way for peace. On the other hand, and in the meantime, our efforts to prevent the financing of the illegal invasion of Ukraine must continue, in particular by fighting the Russian shadow fleet’s activities.

In the Middle East, our two nations share concerns over the escalating tensions and steadily deteriorating situation. This was at the centre of the G7 Summit held in Evian in June 2026. In Israel and Palestine, both France and Malta advocate the two-state solution. This position was reinforced by our common recognition of the State of Palestine in September 2025.

In the Persian Gulf, both France and Malta are concerned about the instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the effects of ongoing tensions on maritime security. Shipping lanes and maritime flows must be preserved. International maritime law must be respected.

In this context of turmoil, our message is crystal clear: France remains a reliable partner, within a European Union that must awaken to its own power. Indeed, a sovereign Europe and a strengthened Union, able to protect its citizens, must be our main means of responding to the challenges we face.

France remains a reliable partner within a European Union that must awaken to its own power

Let’s also remember that, beyond geopolitical tensions, climate change is becoming the main threat facing humanity. Our response to this issue must be collective. Although it will not replace behavioural and structural change, innovation can help us meet this great challenge.

Hence, France is committed to remaining a beacon of innovation as illustrated by our country’s drive to champion new ideas, through the organisation of the 9th Choose France Summit, the VivaTech Summit and the upcoming Spatial Summit. Hand in hand with Malta and other European partners, we must act to ensure that Europe remains a land of attractiveness and innovation.

Although our cooperation within the European framework is of utmost importance, we must also hail the richness and continuity of our bilateral ties. Indeed, in recent years, our cooperation has deepened and expanded across a wide range of sectors, reflecting the strength and maturity of our relationship.

Earlier this year, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot had the great pleasure of welcoming to Paris Ian Borg, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and then-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism. Furthermore, both our parliaments exchanged delegations, strengthening the ties between these institutions that form the basis of our democratic systems.

On the economic front, our partnership continues to flourish. The value of goods exchanged between our countries reached €1.5 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, maintaining France as one of Malta’s key trading partners. Leading French companies such as STMicroelectronics, CMA-CGM  and, more recently, FDJ United are firmly established in Malta. They play a vital role in strengthening our economic relationship and deepening mutual trust.

Tourism is also a key sector for the Maltese economy. Thanks to the significant number of direct air connections between Malta and France, 285,000 French tourists visited the Maltese islands in 2025.

Our cultural and educational collaboration remains equally strong. France was thrilled to once again host a French Pavilion at the Malta Biennale, which welcomed 26,000 visitors. Furthermore, more than 80 events have been organised by the French Embassy’s cultural service, from conferences and concerts to sporting events, art exhibitions and even theatre performances.

This year, we also brought back the Fête de la Musique to Malta, in collaboration with the Alliance Française Malte-Méditerranée.

Finally, we are very proud of the opening last September of Malta’s first French school: the Lycée Français Bilingue International, further anchoring our country and its language in Malta.

Sandrine Lelong-Motta is the Ambassador of France.