Woman takes over as ambassador to Spain

Cecilia Attard Pirotta was yesterday presented with her letters of credence as Malta's ambassador to Spain, making her the first ever Maltese woman career diplomat to have been nominated as resident ambassador in another country.

The presentation was made by President Guido de Marco, who said that the appointment was a further contribution to maintaining and strengthening friendship and cooperation between Malta and Spain.

Ms Pirotta, 38, said it was always an honour to represent one's country abroad, and her appointment had more value in that she was the first woman to be appointed resident ambassador.

The foreign ministry now had a number of female diplomats and she hoped her appointment would be the first of a series for women over the coming years.

Ms Attard Pirotta said she would be doing her best to strengthen political relations and felt there was especially scope for strengthened commercial and tourism relations between Malta and Spain.

Ms Attard Pirotta succeeds Mr Charles Aquilina, who has moved to Malta's new embassy in Copenhagen.

Spain closed its embassy to Malta in 1998 but has since confirmed that it has taken a political decision to reopen it, although no date has been announced.

Ms Attard Pirotta joined the foreign ministry in the 1980s and her last post was as bilateral relations director.