Former diplomat Evarist Saliba shares his experiences in a new book entitled No, Honourable Minister - The Memoirs Of A Senior Maltese Diplomat.

The 450-page book will be launched by BDL - Book Distributors Ltd during the forthcoming Book Fair at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta between Wednesday and November 18.

Mr Saliba was one of the handful of men recruited to launch the island's diplomatic service after Malta became independent.

He served his country for over 30 years in several countries and was one of the key figures in the notorious Helsinki and Madrid negotiations where his negotiating skills helped achieve a sort of consensus following Prime Minister Dom Mintoff's hard-headed approach.

He also played a part in the negotiations that led to Malta joining the EU and was present in Athens when the island formally joined the Union on May 1, 2004.

Mr Saliba will be at the BDL stand to sign his memoirs on November 16 between 7 and 8 p.m., on November 17 between 7 and 8.30 p.m. and on November 18 between 11 a.m. and noon and between 6 and 7 p.m.

Crime historian Eddie Attard will be releasing two titles at the Book Fair: the eighth number of Delitti U Misteri magazine and the ninth volume in the series Delitti Li Jibqghu Jissemmew.

Delitti U Misteri deals with thefts from Maltese churches, including Sacro Cuor, in Sliema, and Our lady of Mount Carmel, in Valletta. The publication also gives the latest information about the trial by jury connected with the cold-blooded murder of Stephen Sam Portelli in Paceville in 2001 and on a murder at the Hal Far Detention Centre in 2004.

Delitti Li Jibqghu Jissemmew gives information about the concept of diminished responsibility in English law and about the MacNaghten Rules.

In the first week of December, BDL will also be launching the first of a number of volumes with unique photographs taken by Richard Ellis: Richard Ellis - The Photography Collection - Valletta and Floriana.