WELCOME BY THE HOST

Dear Colleagues

On behalf of the Malta Standards Authority (MSA), I am pleased and honoured to host and invite you to the 6th CEN–CENELEC Annual Meeting, to be held between the 1 and 3 June 2010.

We welcome all National Standards bodies, Affiliates, Associates and Guests to sun-kissed and hospitable Malta. Malta is not just an exotic destination but a place where history is engrained in every corner of the island. There are more World Heritage sights per square kilometre in Malta than anywhere on the Globe. Malta is considered as the predecessor of the current European Union as in the sixteenth century the Knights of Malta came from the aristocratic societies of the existing nations of that time.

While as Malta Standards Authority we are celebrating our tenth Anniversary, but as depicted in the logo designed for the meetings, Malta’s Neolithic temples, in particular the one at Mnajdra is considered as the oldest standing physical time standard in the world over 6000 years old.

The venue chosen for the events is the Westin Dragonara Hotel located in a modern part of the island, while the Gala event will be taking place at the old Sacra Infermeria, the Knight’s hospital which has been turned into a Convention Centre situated in the World Heritage City of Valletta the capital.  

In its meeting in Lisbon in March 2000, the European Council set out its strategy for the decade commonly referred to as the Lisbon Agenda. Its aim was to make the EU "the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, and respect for the environment by 2010”. What really happened during these ten years? The various issues encountered are the subject for the 6th CEN – CENELEC Annual Meeting which has the theme ‘The Lisbon Agenda:  capitalize on the achievements and how to shape European standardization for tomorrow’.

From our part we are doing everything to ensure that all delegates and their partners will have a memorable stay in Malta. Being at the cross-road of three different cultures, Anglo-Saxon, Latin and Arabic, Malta is a unique destination and hope that you will find time to enjoy the many attractions of the island and in particular a visit to the capital Valletta, the fortified city of Mdina and the sister island of Gozo. I look forward to welcoming you in June.

Ing. Francis E. Farrugia

Chairman - MSA

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