Malta Celebrates 62 Years of Independence in Luxembourg

On the evening of Wednesday 23 September 2026, the Ambassador of Malta to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Dr Vanni Xuereb, hosted an official reception marking the 62nd Anniversary of Malta's Independence.

The event welcomed around 100 guests, including diplomatic representatives, members of Luxembourg’s Maltese community and members of Luxembourg’s public institutions and business community to the Hotel Parc Belair in Luxembourg-Merl.

The reception was opened by Honorary Consul at the Honorary Consulate of Malta in Luxembourg, Michel Molitor, who welcomed the guests and noted that representing Malta in Luxembourg has been a privilege for him.

“Malta and Luxembourg may be two of the smaller countries in Europe, but I believe this is also part of what brings us together. Tonight is very much about friendship, and I am delighted to see so many of you here to celebrate with us,” said Michel Molitor. 

The Honorary Consul then introduced Ambassador Xuereb and thanked him for the “warm relationship we have built over the years and also for the great cooperation with you and with your team.”

Ambassador Xuereb welcomed those in attendance and emphasised that despite being based in Brussels and acting as a non-resident ambassador he has always felt present in Luxembourg because of the work of the Honorary Consulate and their shared activities in promoting Malta in the Grand Duchy. He said that this year, rather than hosting its Malta Day reception in Brussels, the Embassy chose to celebrate in Luxembourg, underscoring the “special friendship between the European Union's two smallest member states,” and to highlight the growing links between the two countries.

Following the playing of the national anthems of Malta and Luxembourg and the anthem of Europe Ambassador Xuereb addressed the reception guests, stating: “Your presence this evening is a testament to the strong and enduring friendship between Malta and Luxembourg, and to the many personal, professional and economic connections that unite our two countries. Indeed, Malta and Luxembourg are separated by geography, but united by many shared characteristics. Both are small states with an outward-looking mindset.”

The ambassador noted the similarities of Malta and Luxembourg, and how both have shown that “size is not a limitation when there is a vision, when there is determination and strong commitment to international engagement.”

He added: “Our countries have transformed challenges into opportunities. We have built resilient economies, developed competitive international sectors, and established ourselves as respected voices within Europe and beyond. Most importantly, Malta and Luxembourg share a firm belief in multilateralism, the rule of law and international cooperation. We understand, perhaps better than many others, that a rules-based international order is essential for the prosperity, security and resilience of world peace, world order and particularly of small states.”

Ambassador Xuereb highlighted the work of the Honorary Consulate of Malta in Luxembourg which he said has strengthened the ties between the two countries and supported Maltese nationals, facilitated commercial and cultural contacts and promoted Malta's interests in Luxembourg.

The ambassador’s speech was closed with a toast to “the enduring friendship between the peoples of Malta and Luxembourg, to the good health and well-being of Her Excellency, the President of Malta, and to the good health and well-being of the Royal Highnesses, the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.”

Guests were then invited to enjoy a buffet dinner and refreshments supplied by the hosts.

Caption: (L-R) Michel Molitor, Honorary Consul at the Honorary Consulate of Malta in Luxembourg; Dr Vanni Xuereb, Ambassador of Malta to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Credit: Steven Miller, Chronicle.lu