UN General Assembly
1964

5. I think one can safely say that Britain, Canada and Australia between them now have more citizens of Maltese origin than the total population at present living in Malta. It is as a European country that we hope to cultivate a close association with the institutions of Europe. Indeed, we look forward to participating in the work of the Council of Europe. We expect also, within the United Nations, to contribute to the activities of the Economic Commission for Europe and hope that this would not exclude the possibility of our enjoying a special status in regard to the deliberations of the Economic Commission for Africa in view of our ties with North Africa.