Malta » International Relations

The Malta's Relations with International Community

Malta has strong economic ties with Libya and its North African neighbours, and works to ensure that political relations remain warm too. Malta supports the idea of Libya joining the EuroMed partnership but Libya has not applied to join. Then Prime Minister Fenech Adami visited Libya in March 2004. Prime Minister Gonzi made Libya his first foreign destination shortly afterwards. Libya is an attractive market for Maltese manufacturers and services suppliers.

Trade And Investment With UK

There are strong historical ties between Britain and Malta, going back to 1800, when the British Royal Navy blockaded the entrance of Grand Harbour and helped see off Napoleon. Malta remains a popular port of call for Royal Navy ships, including HMS Illustrious, the flagship of the fleet, in November 2005.

The British Council maintains a small but highly active operation in Valletta, focussing on cultural and educational links with the younger generations of Maltese. Postgraduate educational ties are strong particularly in the professions. Family and business links are also strong. Over 400,000 British tourists visit the Maltese islands each year. The resident British population is over 4,000.

HM The Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh returned to Malta between 23-26 November 2005. They had last been in Malta together in 1992, the 50th Anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh returned in 2001. In October 2000, President Guido de Marco made the first official visit to the UK by a Maltese President since Independence in 1964. Dr Lawrence Gonzi visited London on 23-24 October 2005, meeting the Prime Minister and the Foreign and Home Secretaries.