Administration

The German-Maltese Circle is managed by an Executive Committee consisting of eleven members. The election by ballot of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and of six members takes place annually in January.  Another post is reserved for a representative of Corporate Members. An official in charge of the German language courses is also co-opted within the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee takes charge as from the first day it is elected and remains in office until the next election takes place. Unless or otherwise stipulated in the Articles of Association, all paid-up members of the German-Maltese Circle can be nominated for election to the Executive Committee. Vacancies in the Committee during the year are filled by the members who at the last election polled the highest number of votes among those who failed to get elected, in the absence of which the Executive Committee has the right to co-opt any other eligible member.

The Executive Committee of the German-Maltese Circle:

Hon. Patron: H.E. Ms Gudrun Sräga (Ambassador of Germany to Malta)
Honorary Presidents: Dr Albert Friggieri and Mrs Ingrid Kidder
President: Ing. Arthur Ciantar
Vice President: Mr Simon Alden
General Secretary: Mr Victor H Sammut
Asst.Secretary: Mr Manwel Farrugia
Treasurer: Mr Carmel Azzopardi
Asst. Treasurer: Mr Leonard Sammut
Officer i.c. Courses: Ms Claire Scicluna
Corporate Members Representative: Mr Bernd Ritschel
Members: Mrs Lorraine Heinrichs, Mr Victor P. Pace, Ms Sirka Vella-Facklam

General Meetings

The Articles of Association provide for the convening of an Annual General Meeting of all paid-up members of the German-Maltese Circle to be held in January. The business of this Annual General Meeting includes inter alia the election of the officials and of the members which would form the Executive Committee.

Extraordinary General Meetings during the year can be called by the Executive Committee or by members of the German-Maltese Circle acting in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association.

Profiles

President: Ing. Arthur Ciantar

Born in 1962. Secondary education at De La Salle College. Graduated in 1987 from the University of Malta as Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Honours) specialising in Power Systems. Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (UK) and registered with the Engineering Council (UK) as a Chartered Engineer. He was engaged for several years in the design and manufacture of medium and high voltage switchgear systems and transformer stations. Ing Ciantar currently provides consultancy services. He is also an active member in engineering associations in Malta, and has a particular interest in the promotion and development of cultural, industrial and commercial ties with Germany. Married to Anita neé Ferro with two daughters, Jessica and Alison.

General Secretary: Mr Victor H. Sammut

Born in 1946. Secondary education at The Lyceum. Tertiary education at the University of Malta from where he graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. Married to Doreen with two children, Herbert and Annabel. Joined the Customs Department in 1969 from where he retired from his position as Head of the Customs Laboratory in 2007. General Secretary of the German-Maltese Circle since 1972. Decorated in 1990 by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Freiherr Richard von Weizsäcker with the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande. In 2000, decorated by the Federal President Johannes Rau with the Bundesverdienstkreuz Erste Klasse for his outstanding contribution in the promotion of German – Maltese relations.

Treasurer: Mr Carmel Azzopardi

Born in 1951. Secondary education at the St Joseph Technical School. Apprentice at the Malta Drydocks (1967-1971). Attended the Malta College of Art, Science & Technology obtaining the Higher Technician Diploma. Until 1974 worked as a fitter on board ships. In 1975, awarded a Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft scholarship qualifying as Diplom Ingenieur in Shipbuilding and as welding Engineer. Between 1986 and 1995, surveyor with the Norwegian Classification Society (Det Norske Veritas). Obtained his Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Malta. Since 1996, teacher of mechanical engineering subjects. For many years a member of the German-Maltese Circle serving also in the Executive Committee.

Click here to download list of all past and present officials