Palma.The British Consul, Paul Abrey, will now be responsible for Malta as well as the Balearics in sweeping changes which have been introduced by the Foreign Office.
The Consul is now effectively in charge of five islands, Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza-Formentera and now Malta.
The new era gets underway on Monday and comes after a very busy summer for the Consulate team in the Balearics. The Consulate in Palma handles the most number of hospital cases of the whole Consular network world-wide. Eventhough times are hard and money is tight the Foreign Office has decided that because of the big workload in the Balearics more staff will be recruited for next summer.
Th new era gets underway as another came to a close on Friday night with the retirement of long-time British Vice Consul Esteban Mas, MBE. A reception was held in Esteban´s honour on Friday night at the Balearic parliament attended by the Balearic President, Jose Ramon Bauza, the Central Government Delegate, Ramon Socias, the Speaker of the Balearic parliament, Pere Rotger, the British Consul Paul Abrey, and more than 100 friends and colleagues.
Paul Abrey in his speech thanked the Vice Consul for all his hard work and dedication over the years. The Consul also read a message praising Esteban from the British Ambassador, Giles Paxman.
Vice Consul Mas said that he had thoroughly enjoyed his 41 years and thanked all those present for their help and support over the years. He was also presented with a commemorative plaque from the Consulate team by Paul Abrey.
When Esteban joined the Consular Service 41 years ago, Malta was a crown dependency now it has become an administrative dependancy of the Palma British Consulate.