The Malta Independent on Sunday
Reception at French residence
The Ambassador to France M. Michel Vanderpoorter hosted a reception in conjunction with the FrancoMaltese Chamber of Commerce at his residence in Zebbug in honour of the Junior Chamber International European Conference which was being held in Malta last week. Some 2000 people from around Europe and further afield attended this conference. Enjoying the reception in the gardens at Zebbug was an important delegation which included the former ambassador to Malta Dr Mark Miggiani; Mr Shine Bhaskaran, President of JCI; M. Ismaël Haznedar, Executive Vice-President of JCI Europe; M. Jocelyn Lauret, President of the Jeune Chambre Economique Française and M. Jacques Arnal, President of the Association des Sénateurs Européens. I met at least two leading businessmen at the reception, Pier Luca Demajo, who needs no introduction and Mike Aroskin, Director of Renault Services and Insurance (RSI) who has been in Malta for just three months. The French ambassador told me that Mr Aroskin speaks perfect French. Besides the ambassador there were three other members of his team at the French Embassy: Laurent Croset, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, Frédéric Depétris, Premier Conseiller and last but not least Laurence Laude, the ambassador ‘s personal assistant. There are only six members of staff at the embassy and it is a wonder that they manage to achieve so much.
There were short and pleasant speeches and naturally Champagne and nibbles. I met a M. Michel Tizio and his wife. He is the mayor of Bouffay and told me that although his surname is Italian however, some of his ancestors were Maltese who emigrated to Tunis and he is hoping to track them down. I shall see what can be done to help him. He will give me further details on email.
A most enjoyable evening as the weather is still pleasant and the high temperatures and humidity have not yet hit us.