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.
After substantially increased financial contributions from several NATO countries, 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

CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
8 February 2008
Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 8, 2008.
6 January 2005
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 6, 2005.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
2016Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 17, 2016.
2018
Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 26, 2018.

Both countries have a Memorandum on Migration Matters.

  • Ghana has a high commission in Valletta.
  • Malta has a high commission in Accra.
April 11, 2006
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 11, 2006.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    • see Libya–Malta relations
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations soon after Malta's independence.
  • Libya has an embassy in Balzan.
  • Malta has an embassy in Tripoli.
    • 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.

    Both countries collaborate through the 5+5 meeting format.

    2001Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 16, 2001.
    2008
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 15, 2008.

    • Both countries established official diplomatic relations soon after Malta's independence.
    • Malta has an embassy in Tunis.
    • Tunisia has an embassy in Valletta.
    • Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
    • Tunisian Foreign Affairs Ministry about relations with Malta
    • Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
    • Maltese and Tunisian Arabic are very similar languages. The two countries share very rich historical links.
    July 21, 2004
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 21, 2004.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

    • Americas

    CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
    July 23, 2004
    • Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 23, 2004.
    • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    2004Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 1, 2004.
    1975
    • Brazil is accredited to Malta from its embassy in Rome, Italy and maintains an honorary consulate in Valletta.
    • Malta is accredited to Brazil from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Valletta.
    1964
  • Canada is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome, Italy and a Consulate in Valletta.
  • Malta is represented in Canada through its embassy in Washington, with the Ambassador of Malta to the United States also serving as High Commissioner of Malta to Canada. Malta has a Consulate General in Toronto and honorary consulates in Quebec City, St. John's, and Edmonton.
  • A substantial Maltese diaspora exists in Canada.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    • 1989In July 2017, Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca paid an official visit to Chile.
    • Chile is accredited to Malta from its embassy in Rome, Italy and maintains an honorary consulate in Valletta.
    • Malta is accredited to Chile from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Valletta.
    1976
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 12, 1976.
  • Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations
    • October 29, 1975
  • Mexico is accredited to Malta from its embassy in Rome, Italy and maintains an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Malta is accredited to Mexico from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Valletta.
    • 2004
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 10, 2004.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    • 2009
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 24, 2009.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    • 1964see Malta–United States relationsMalta 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

    CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
    1993-05-27
    • Armenia is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome.
    • Malta is represented in Armenia through its embassy in Warsaw, Poland and has an honorary consulate in Yerevan.
    see Foreign relations of China
    May 20, 2003Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 20, 2003.
    1993-01-02
    see India–Malta relations
  • Malta opened a high commission in New Delhi in 2007.
  • India opened a high commission in Malta at St Venera in early 2018.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • Malta has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
  • Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
  • See also Maltese Jews.
  • In December 2015, Israel singled Malta and five other EU countries for sanctions because they supported a decision that goods made in Jewish communities in the West Bank and the Golan Heights should be specially marked.
    • February 19, 1993
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 19, 1993.
  • Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
    • 1971
  • The establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and Malta started in 1971.
  • Malta is represented in Pakistan through its embassy in Beijing and an honorary consulate in Karachi. Pakistan is represented in Malta through its embassy in Tripoli and an honorary consulate in Marsa.
  • In 2007, in a meeting in Malta between Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and Foreign Minister of Malta Michael Frendo, the two countries agreed to continue the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the United Nations and other international forums as well and reviewed bilateral ties with a view to strengthening relations between Pakistan and Malta in all spheres, especially trade and investment. Foreign Minister Kasuri emphasized the need for exchanging trade delegations to exploit true potential for enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries, which are the "gateways" to their respective regions. Dr. Michael Frendo agreed to send an expert delegation to Pakistan to seek opportunities for enhancing bilateral trade relations. Pakistan also sought Malta's support for Pakistan's initiative for equitable market access to the European Union through a Free Trade Agreement or similar mechanism. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • In 2002 a Maltese citizen, who was born in Pakistan, was sentenced to seven years in prison in Malta. He was found guilty of kidnapping 11 Pakistani babies that were brought to Malta for adoption. In 2009 it was reported that a Pakistan-based human trafficking ring has set up a successful business in Malta, where Pakistanis seeking illegal entry into mainland Europe are being furnished with new travel documents and transported on to Italy and Spain. It was reported that sources within the Pakistani Federal Investigation Agency said that the illegal migration of Pakistanis to Europe was being carried out through Malta, from where the migrants are being transported by ship to Sicily and onward to countries such as Italy and Spain.
    • 1960s
  • Malta has an embassy in Riyadh and an honorary consulate in Jeddah.
  • Saudi Arabia is represented through its embassy in Rome.
    • April 2, 1965The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Malta began on April 2, 1965.
    • On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations] in 2015 President Park Geun-hye exchanged celebratory messages with Maltese President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca
    • Bilateral Trade in 2014
    • * Exports 1,014,000,000 US dollars
    • * Imports 514,000,000 US dollars
    • Bilateral Investments:
    • * South Korea's investment in Malta was 31,490,000 US dollars
    • * Malta's investment in South Korea was 5,883,000,000 US dollars
    2007
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 25, 2007.
  • Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
    • See Malta–Turkey relations
  • Malta is represented in Turkey through its Consulate General in Istanbul.
  • Turkey is represented in Malta through its embassy in Valletta.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization and the Union for the Mediterranean. Also, Malta is an EU member and Turkey is a candidate.

    • Europe

    CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes

    • Austria is represented in Malta through an honorary consulate in Ta' Xbiex.
    • Malta has an embassy in Vienna and 4 honorary consulates.
    • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
    1991
  • Belarus is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome.
  • Malta is represented in Belarus through its embassy in Moscow.
    • See Belgium–Malta relations
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations soon after Malta's independence.
  • Belgium has an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Malta has an embassy in Brussels and an honorary consulate in Antwerp.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
  • Bulgaria is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome.
  • Malta has 2 honorary consulates in Bulgaria.
  • Malta joined the European Union as a full member on May 1, 2004, while Bulgaria joined on January 1, 2007.
    • 1992-06-30
  • Croatia is represented in Malta through it embassy in Rome.
  • Malta is represented in Croatia through its general embassy in Valletta and 2 honorary consulate in Zagreb and Split.
  • Malta joined the European Union as a full member on May 1, 2004, while Croatia joined on July 1, 2013.
    • See Cyprus–Malta relations
  • The two countries share membership of the European Union and the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • Cyprus is represented to Malta through its accredited embassy in Rome.
  • Malta is represented to Cyprus through its accredited embassy in Athens.
  • The political relations are close due to similarities between the 2 countries.
  • The Czech Republic is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome, and through an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Malta is represented in the Czech Republic through a non-resident ambassador based in the Foreign Ministry at Valletta.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
  • Denmark is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome and through an honorary general consulate in Valletta.
  • Malta has an embassy in Copenhagen and 3 honorary consulates.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
    • 1992-01-01
  • Malta recognised Estonia on August 26, 1991.
  • Estonia is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome.
  • Malta is represented in Estonia through a non-resident embassy based in Valletta and through an honorary consulate in Tallinn.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
  • The two countries share membership of the European Union.
  • France has an embassy in Malta.
  • The president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy went to Malta on a private trip just after his election in May 2007.
    • 1965
  • Germany opened an embassy in Valletta in 1965.
  • Malta has an embassy in Berlin.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
    • See Greece–Malta relations
  • Greece has an embassy in Valletta.
  • Malta has an embassy in Athens.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
    • 1965
  • The Holy See has a nunciature in Rabat.
  • Malta has an embassy to the Holy See located in Rome.
    • 1964
  • Hungary is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome, Italy and through an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Malta is represented in Hungary through its embassy in Vienna, Austria and through an honorary consulate in Budapest.
    • 1998Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 3, 1998.
    see Italy–Malta relations
    • Both countries established official diplomatic relations soon after Malta's independence.
    • Italy has an embassy in Valletta.
    • Malta has an embassy in Rome and 18 honorary consulates.
    • Both countries are full members of the European Union and of the Union for the Mediterranean.
  • Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008 and Malta recognised it on August 21, 2008.
  • Kosovo and Malta established diplomatic relations on September 22, 2011.
  • Malta is represented in Lithuania through a non-resident ambassador based in Valletta and an honorary consulate in Vilnius.
  • Lithuania is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome and an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
  • Malta is represented in Moldova through a non-resident embassy based in Valletta.
  • Moldova is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome.
  • 1964See Malta–Netherlands relations
  • The Netherlands have an embassy in Valletta.
  • Malta has an embassy in The Hague and 2 honorary consulates.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
    • 2017Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 25, 2017.

    • Malta has an embassy in Lisbon and 4 honorary consulates.
    • Portugal has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Valletta.
    • Both countries are full members of the European Union and of the Union for the Mediterranean.
  • Malta has an honorary consulate in Bucharest.
  • Romania has a non-resident embassy for Malta in Rome and an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
  • Malta joined the European Union as a full member on May 1, 2004, while Romania joined on January 1, 2007.
  • Malta has an embassy in Moscow and an honorary consulate in Saint Petersburg.
  • Russia has an embassy in San Ġwann.
  • 1964see Malta–Serbia relations
  • Malta is represented in Serbia through a non-resident ambassador based in Valletta.
  • Serbia is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome and through an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Malta is an EU member and Serbia is an EU candidate.
    • see Malta–Slovakia relations
  • Malta is represented in Slovakia through a non-resident ambassador based in Valletta.
  • Slovakia is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome and an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
  • The foreign relations between Malta and Slovakia are not very intensive. Foreign policy of Malta is concentrated rather on cooperation with Algeria, Tunis, Libya and Egypt. There is, however, 41 years lasting cooperation between those two countries.
  • In 2001 Slovak prime minister Mikuláš Dzurinda visited Malta at the invitation of Maltese premier Edward Fenech Adami, and negotiated the integration of both countries into European Union and economic cooperation between Malta and Slovakia.
  • In 2008 Slovakian agency SARIA signed a treaty of reciprocal assistance related to third-world countries, with Malta Enterprise.
  • Slovak prime minister Robert Fico visited Maltese capital Valletta in 2008.
  • Malta has an honorary consulate in Ljubljana.
  • Slovenia is represented through its embassy in Rome, Italy and through an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Both countries are members of the European Union and the Union for the Mediterranean.
    • 1977See Malta–Spain relations
  • Malta has an embassy in Madrid and 5 honorary consulates.
  • Spain has an embassy in Valletta.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and of the Union for the Mediterranean.
    • 1964
  • Malta is represented in Sweden through its embassy in Copenhagen and through 2 honorary consulates.
  • Sweden is represented in Malta through a non-resident ambassador and through an honorary consulate in Valletta.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
    • see Malta–Ukraine relations
  • The Maltese embassy in Moscow is also accredited as a non-resident embassy to Ukraine.
  • Ukraine is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome.
    • 1964see Malta – United Kingdom relationsIn 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

    CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
    1967see 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, and 4 honorary consulates.
    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". 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.
    2008
    Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 19, 2008.

    • Both countries have diplomatic relations.
    • Both countries a full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    2004Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 22, 2004.

    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.