Hundreds of MEPs, staff from various EU institutions and about 250 Maltese currently residing in the EU capital last Wednesday evening thronged to a 'Malta Night' party, thrown by Nationalist MEPs Simon Busuttil and David Casa to celebrate the adoption of the euro by Malta and the joining of the EU's borderless zone, commonly known as Schengen.

The 'Malta Night' evening, the second following another similar successful event last year in Strasbourg, was inaugurated by EU Commissioner Joe Borg and Malta's Permanent Representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana.

Typical Maltese food was flown over directly for the occasion. The reception was held at the MEPs restaurant at the European Parliament. The party was well attended.

A group of five cooks from James Caterers was also sent to Brussels to prepare the Maltese delicacies including the typical pastizzi, qassatat, bigilla, lampuki pies, qarnit and many other goodies. Maltese wine provided by Marsovin and Kinnie was also served.

The evening also included Maltese jazz music, provided by guitarist Tony Pace and an info-point distributing Maltese plastic and chocolate euro coins to all those present.

A delegation from the Nationalist Party headed by Secretary General Joe Saliba, was also present for the occasion.