Honour for outgoing US Ambassador

Outgoing US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro's three-year term in Malta ended with an honorary membership of the National Order of Merit, bestowed upon her in recognition of her contribution to US-Malta relations.

Ms Bordonara has distinguished herself through her service to Malta and acquired the respect and gratitude of the Maltese, the citation read, listing her many long-standing achievements throughout her tenure.

Accompanied by her family and in the presence of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Ms Bordonaro, who leaves Malta today, received the honour in the grade of officer during an investiture ceremony at the President's Palace in Valletta. She first called on President Eddie Fenech Adami to bid him farewell.

Over the years, Ms Bordonaro left her mark by taking several initiatives and bringing them to a successful conclusion. These include a Double Taxation Agreement and the Visa Waiver Programme for Maltese citizens travelling to the US.

Ms Bordonaro's interest in immigrants landing in Malta translated into the introduction of the US Voluntary Resettlement Project that saw hundreds of refugees going to the US.

She has also been instrumental in securing the support of the UNHCR in developing similar programmes for the resettlement of Maltese-based refugees at European level while actively encouraging the training of AFM personnel at prestigious US institutions.

She also supported relations between the University of Malta and US universities and consolidated commercial ties, attracting investment.

Echoing the words of her daughter, Brooke, the "honoured" ambassador said she was "extremely sad to be saying goodbye to such a beautiful country and our friends... But we are looking with anticipation to going home".

Following her tenure as ambassador, Ms Bordonaro said she would be doing her part to contribute to rebuilding the US economy. Her next job is in the private sector, where she is leaping into commercial real estate development.