The possibility of a collaboration between the Vatican and PBS explored during talks with Vatican officials

The Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for social dialogue and public broadcasting had a number of meetings spread over two days at the State of the Vatican City.

The purpose of these meetings was that, apart from further strengthening the excellent relations between the two sides, we explore a number of possibilities on how we can cooperate more for the benefit of the Maltese and Gozitan people. The dignitaries of the Vatican City State said that they look forward to further strengthen relations between the two states.

The Minister responsible for Public Broadcasting said: “I am  looking forward so that through exploration of a collaboration with PBS, we continue to expand and strengthen the relations with the Vatican City State”.

PBS is exploring collaboration opportunities with the Vatican from the aspect of information and education regarding the Catholic Church and the ties between Malta and the Vatican. This is being done as part of PBS’s commitment to stregthen its contacts with foreign broadcasters with the aim of producing TV and radio productions to viewers and listeners locally.

The meetings that Minister Abela had, amongst others, were with the Secretary of the Vatican City State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is equivalent to the Prime Minister; with the Substitute within the Secretariat of the Holy See State, Rev. Mons. Edgar Pena Parra, who is equivalent to the Minister of the Interior in the Vatican City State; with Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, the Governor of the Vatican City State; and with the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Communications Department of the Vatican City State, Dr Paolo Ruffini.

Minister Carmelo Abela was accompanied by the Maltese Ambassador to the Holy See Frank Zammit and the PBS Head of News Mrs Norma Saliba.

Photos: MSD5 Attachments