Juan Carlos arrived in Malta for a brief state visit on Wednesday afternoon, and is scheduled to depart the following day. His wife, Queen Sofía, was also set to visit, but her visit had to be called off because she was indisposed.

The President lauded the King’s efforts in restoring democracy to his country after succeeding dictator Francisco Franco as Spain’s head of state in 1975. Instead of following in the dictator’s footsteps, Juan Carlos immediately launched democratic reforms, relinquishing absolute power and thwarting a subsequent military coup in 1981.

“I wish to commend your Majesty’s contribution to democracy, since it is to your great credit that, immediately upon assuming office in 1975, you earnestly embarked on the necessary reforms to ensure that Spain returned to democracy, respect for fundamental human rights and the rule of law. Throughout your reign, you have amply demonstrated your commitment to democracy, to the concept of monarquía parlamentaria, and have thwarted any attempt to a return to an undemocratic system, calling for unambiguous support for the legitimate democratic government. You are an excellent example of a constitutional monarch and an essential symbol of your country’s unity,” Dr Abela said.

He recalled that the 2 countries had significant historical ties, with Malta an Aragonese possession between 1282 and 1469, when Aragon and Castile merged to form Spain. In 1530, Malta was offered to the Knights of St John, who had been recently expelled from Rhodes, and 8 Spanish Grandmasters were among those who ruled Malta during the Knights’ stay.

Dr Abela also mentioned Malta’s bid to host the European Asylum Support Office, a bid in which Malta faces stiff competition from Bulgaria, and stressed the disproportionate burden Malta faced due to asylum seekers.

Exports from Spain to Malta average around €100 million a year, while exports from Malta to Spain average around 10 per cent of that figure. Dr Abela expressed his hope that a more positive balance in trade flows be reached and that the recently-launched Maltese-Spanish Chamber of Commerce would assist in this aim.

The King is being accompanied by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos, who will have talks with his Maltese counterpart, Tonio Borg, and sign a number of cooperation agreements.

The last Spanish monarch to visit Malta was Juan Carlos’ predecessor, his grandfather Alfonso XIII, who visited Malta in 1927, and who was deposed when Spain became a republic in 1931. Juan Carlos’ father, Juan de Borbon, never became King of Spain: although Franco declared Spain to be a monarchy in 1947, he feared that Juan would be too liberal and reform the authoritarian régime. As a result, Franco later declared that Juan Carlos would become king once he died, only for the present Spanish monarch to institute the reforms he had feared.

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