13 January 2011
Every time when a delegation from Utrecht visits Malta they meet Robbert Gabriëlse, the ambassador for The Netherlands in Malta. He is truly interested in the activities by Utrecht in Malta and how things are developing. Being in Holland for the yearly ambassadors conference he took the time to come to Utrecht. A pleasant and interesting visit.
Not only cultural cooperation or the ECoC ambitions were being discussed. Robbert Gabriëlse wants to contribute to broader exchanges between Malta and The Netherlands. One of the ideas that came along was the gaming industry, booming in Malta. Utrecht developed the Dutch Game Garden – a laboratory for young artistic talent in the creative gaming industry. The connection is being made.
Frits Lintmeijer, alderman for international affairs, cultural affairs and mobility, exchanged information on mobility and the carbon neutral ambition. Both Utrecht and Malta work on a cleaner and healthier air, although guests from Malta often praise the freshness in Utrecht. For Utrecht Eco Gozo would be an interesting example. We took the opportunity to show the ambassador our townhall, done by Spanish architect Miralles.
Of course we discussed the process to become cultural capital in 2018. The meaning of the candidacy was subject in the meeting with Peter de Haan and Bram Buijze, working for Foundation Peace Treaty of Utrecht 2013. With 2013 as a stepping stone this organisation sets up the bid book for 2018. Autumn 2013 the decision for The Netherlands will be clear. Before that Malta and Utrecht can certainly cooperate to make the meaning of this ambition visible to the inhabitants. In 2016-2017 The Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta will form a trio being chair of the European Union. For that matter the two countries will certainly be more visible.
