The business community of ASSOMALTA enthusiastically welcomes the appointment of Valentina Setta as the new Ambassador of Italy to Malta. Ambassador Setta – a diplomat from Pescara with over twenty years of career – presented her letters of credence to the President of the Republic of Malta, H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono, in an official ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Valletta.
During the event, the Ambassador underlined the excellent relations between Italy and Malta and reiterated her commitment to strengthening this bond, particularly in the fields of diplomacy, culture and education, with a special focus on the teaching of the Italian language in the archipelago.
For her part, President Spiteri Debono expressed Malta’s appreciation for the cooperation offered by Italy in various areas since the beginning of bilateral relations, highlighting in particular the importance of collaboration in the energy sector. During the meeting, the Maltese President also recalled her recent meeting in Rome with the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, an occasion in which common challenges – such as European security – were addressed and Malta’s active role in promoting peace and human rights, in line with the objectives of Italian foreign policy, was reaffirmed. At the end of the ceremony, H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono congratulated Ambassador Setta on the start of her new position.
The first statements of Ambassador Setta
In her first official comments to the press, Ambassador Valentina Setta expressed enthusiasm and determination to take up the post in Malta. “I am enthusiastically and proudly taking over the leadership of the Italian Embassy in Malta, with the commitment to strengthen the historical, cultural and economic ties between our countries, promoting dialogue, cooperation and shared values in the European and Mediterranean context,” said Setta, outlining his diplomatic mission right from the start.
These first words highlight the desire to give continuity and new impetus to an already excellent bilateral relationship. The new Ambassador, who took over from Ambassador Fabrizio Romano at the beginning of June 2025, also addressed a warm greeting to the Italian community residing in Malta, assuring her commitment to be – together with the entire Embassy team – a point of reference for compatriots and an effective link between Italian and Maltese institutions.
Strengthening relations between Italy and Malta
Relations between Italy and Malta are traditionally very close and are based on a long shared history. Recently, during an official visit to Rome, President Spiteri Debono recalled the deep bonds of friendship that have united the two peoples since before Malta’s Independence, as well as the solid cultural, historical and political ties that characterize the bilateral relationship.
On this already favorable basis, Ambassador Valentina Setta intends to promote a proactive vision to take Italian-Maltese relations to an even higher level.
ASSOMALTA’s greeting
ASSOMALTA (Italian-Maltese Trade Association) has particularly welcomed the arrival of the new Ambassador, seeing in this appointment a further stimulus for bilateral relations. Stefano Colombetti, President of ASSOMALTA, said: “Ambassador Setta’s experience and vision represent an important added value. We are confident that, thanks to his leadership, the already strong relations between Italy and Malta will experience a new impetus, with concrete benefits for both communities. ASSOMALTA, for its part, remains at your complete disposal to collaborate with the Embassy in initiatives that strengthen the bridge between our two countries, promoting shared projects in the economic, cultural and institutional fields.”
Along the same lines, Sergio Passariello, Secretary General of ASSOMALTA, underlined the importance of working in synergy with the new Italian diplomatic representation: “The arrival of Ambassador Setta in Valletta opens a phase full of opportunities. His declared attention to key sectors such as commerce, culture and education gives us hope for a further consolidation of Italian-Maltese ties. As an association committed to creating connections between the realities of the two countries, we are excited to be able to support the Embassy in projects that bring added value to both the business community and civil society of Malta and Italy.”
The appointment of Valentina Setta as Ambassador of Italy to Malta marks the start of a new chapter in relations between the two countries. Thanks to his dynamic vision and the support of Italian-Maltese institutions and organizations such as ASSOMALTA, we expect a further strengthening of an already excellent relationship, in the name of cooperation, shared development and mutual friendship.
