Foreign relations of Malta
After independence in 1964, Malta followed a policy of close co-operation with NATO countries. Since 1971, the country sought relations with the rest of the world, including communist countries in Eastern Europe and the non-aligned countries.
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Malta |
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After substantially increased financial contributions from several NATO countries (including the United States), the Royal Navy remained in the Malta Dockyard until 1979. Following their departure, Malta charted a new course of neutrality and became an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Malta is an active participant in the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Council of Europe, OSCE, and various other international organisations. In these forums, Malta has frequently expressed its concern for the peace and economic development of the Mediterranean region.
On May 1, 2004, Malta withdrew from the Non-Aligned Movement and became a full member of the European Union, with which it had an association agreement since 1971. It was one of ten new members which joined on that date. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, at Palazzo Parisio, oversees the direction of Maltese foreign policy. The country has close relations with most sovereign countries, with an emphasis on increased trade and foreign direct investment.
Bilateral relations
Africa
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Burkina Faso | 8 February 2008 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 8, 2008.[1] |
Botswana | 6 January 2005 |
|
Cape Verde | 2016 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 17, 2016.[3] |
Djibouti | 2018 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 26, 2018.[4] |
Egypt | ||
Gambia |
Both countries have a Memorandum on Migration Matters.[7] | |
Ghana |
| |
Lesotho | April 11, 2006 |
|
Libya | see Libya–Malta relations
Malta has enjoyed cordial relations with Libya ever since its Independence. In 1984, a Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation was signed with Gaddafi's regime by Dom Mintoff. This treaty included a security protocol in which Libyan forces agreed to train and arm their Maltese counterparts. Libya supplied Malta with refined crude oil starting in 1975. Libyan nationals did not require visas to enter Malta until 2004. | |
Mauritania |
Both countries collaborate through the 5+5 meeting format.[10] | |
Morocco |
| |
Sierra Leone | 2001 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 16, 2001.[11] |
Togo | 2008 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 15, 2008.[12] |
Tunisia |
| |
Uganda | July 21, 2004 |
|
Americas
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Antigua and Barbuda | July 23, 2004 |
|
Belize | 2004 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 1, 2004.[16] |
Brazil | 1975 |
|
Canada | 1964 |
|
Chile | 1989 |
In July 2017, Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca paid an official visit to Chile.
|
Guyana | 1976 |
|
Mexico | October 29, 1975 |
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 2004 |
|
Trinidad and Tobago | 2009 |
|
United States | 1964 | see Malta–United States relations
Malta and the United States established full diplomatic relations upon Malta's independence in 1964; overall relations are currently active and cordial. The United States has been sympathetic to Malta's campaign to attract private investment, and some firms operating in Malta have U.S. ownership or investment. These include major hotels, manufacturing and repair facilities, and some offices servicing local and regional operations. |
Asia
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Armenia | 1993-05-27 | |
China | see China–Malta relations | |
East Timor | May 20, 2003 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 20, 2003.[22] |
Georgia | 1993-01-02 |
|
India | see India–Malta relations
| |
Israel |
| |
Kyrgyzstan | February 19, 1993 |
|
North Korea | 1971 |
|
Pakistan |
| |
Saudi Arabia | 1960s | |
South Korea | April 2, 1965[34] |
The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Malta began on April 2, 1965.
|
Tajikistan | 2007 |
|
Turkey | See Malta–Turkey relations
| |
Vietnam | See Foreign relations of Vietnam |
Europe
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Austria |
| |
Belarus | 1991 | |
Belgium | See Belgium–Malta relations | |
Bulgaria |
| |
Croatia | 1992-06-30 |
|
Cyprus | See Cyprus–Malta relations
| |
Czech Republic |
| |
Denmark |
| |
Estonia | 1992-01-01 |
|
Finland | See Finland–Malta relations | |
France |
| |
Germany | 1965 |
|
Greece | See Greece–Malta relations
| |
Holy See | 1965 |
|
Hungary | 1964 | |
Iceland | 1998 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 3, 1998.[53] |
Italy | see Italy–Malta relations
| |
Kosovo |
| |
Lithuania |
| |
Moldova |
| |
Netherlands | 1964 | See Malta–Netherlands relations
|
North Macedonia | 2017 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 25, 2017.[65] |
Portugal |
| |
Romania |
| |
Russia | See Malta–Russia relations
| |
Serbia | 1964 | see Malta–Serbia relations |
Slovakia | see Malta–Slovakia relations
| |
Slovenia |
| |
Spain | 1977 | See Malta–Spain relations
|
Sweden | 1964 |
|
Ukraine | see Malta–Ukraine relations
| |
United Kingdom | 1964 | see Malta – United Kingdom relations
In the 1950s and 1960s, serious consideration was given in both countries to the idea of a political union between the United Kingdom and Malta. However, this plan for "Integration with Britain" foundered, and Malta gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1964. |
Oceania
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | 1967 | see Australia–Malta relations
Both countries have full embassy level diplomatic relations since 1967. Australia has a High Commission in Valletta. Malta has a High Commission in Canberra, 2 Consulates-General (in Melbourne and Sydney), and 4 honorary consulates (in Adelaide, Ascot Vale, Melbourne and Perth). Maltese president Eddie Fenech Adami embarked on a state visit to Australia in February 2009, where he met with Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. During an official dinner in honour of the Maltese President, Kevin Rudd declared "Australia would not be as complete without Malta".[86] In the same month, Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg visited Australia for discussions with Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith, where the commercial relationship between the two countries were discussed, in particular the signing of a contract between a Perth-based shipbuilding company and the Maltese armed forces for the construction and delivery of four inshore patrol craft.[87] |
Nauru | 2008 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 19, 2008.[88] |
Papua New Guinea |
| |
Samoa | 2004 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 22, 2004.[90][91] |
Malta and the Commonwealth of Nations
Malta has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations since 1964, when it became an independent Dominion under the name 'State of Malta'.
Malta became a Commonwealth republic on December 13, 1974, when the last Governor-General of Malta, Sir Anthony Mamo became the first President of Malta.
See also
References
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