The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Dr Tonio Borg, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cecilia Attard Pirotta, announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be organising The Convention of Maltese Living Abroad 2010. The convention will be held between the 15^{th and 18th of March 2010 at the Chamber of Commerce, in Republic Street, Valletta.}

Dr Tonio Borg said that the aim of this Convention is that of examining the progress and developments registered during the last ten years as regards protection of the rights and interests of Maltese living abroad. But it should serve as a spring board for new initiatives for the future.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that a committee has been set up, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cecilia Attard Pirotta. The purpose of this committee is to ensure a successful organisation for the conference. A considerable number of ideas and suggestions have been put forward by organisations and associations representing Maltese abroad. He said that this committee is already evaluating the possible areas that the convention will delve into. Dr Tonio Borg emphasised the consultation that this committee is conducting with a number of organisations.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tonio Borg said that the committee will also give due importance to participation by youths in order to secure a convention, which not only looks to the past and the present, but also to the future.

During the press conference, Dr Tonio Borg mentioned the issue of the Citizenship Law which has been upgraded in the past years. He said that the "liberalisation of our country’s nationality law through the 2000 and 2007 legislative reforms have guaranteed access to Maltese citizenship to any person, wherever he was born, who can prove a relationship in the direct line with any person of Maltese nationality born in Malta. Nationality, in brief, has now been extended even to generations of Maltese beyond the first generation born abroad".

"Our target, once this radical legislative reform has been secured, is to give more strength to the rights arising from nationality given to Maltese persons who have settled abroad. The first idea which comes to my mind is education and learning. We should strive to enhance and expand the teaching of the Maltese language abroad-as well as instruction in Maltese history and the peculiarities, traditions and folklore of our nation. This can be done through the proper use of the modern means of communication."

During the Press Conference the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that there will be co-funding, by application of travelling expenses for participants coming from far away countries. Criteria will be transparent. Preference will be given to representatives of associations and organisations.

This is the third Convention which is being organised for the Maltese living abroad. The first Convention was organised in 1969 whereas the last convention was held in the year 2000. The 2010 Convention will be another commitment honoured by the government of Malta in respect to the Electoral Manifesto for the last general election.

For further information the public can access the official website of the Convention on ^{www.foreign.gov.mt/convention Those who wish to seek further information regarding the ‘Convention of Maltese Living Abroad 2010’}

can contact Ms Doris Zammit on ^{events.foreign@gov.mt.}