The international credit rating agency Fitch in its report declared that the Maltese financial banks are not in any immediate risk following the recent international turmoil in the banking sector. It emphasized the “exceptionally strong” level of liquidity, remarking also that by the end of the thrd quarter of 2022, Malta had the highest liquidity ratio. The ratio measures the share of assets held by financial institutions that can be sold quickly with little or no loss to their value. Malta’s A+ credit rating was confirmed by Fitch with a stable outlook, saying the country’s high per-capita income and track record of growth and debt reduction stand it to prosper. It said that Malta will be well positioned to reduce public debt in the medium- to long-term without slashing expenditure or hiking taxes, if it can grow the economy at a steady 3-4% per year. Malta’s economy grew by 6.9% in real terms last year, mainly through  the importation of aircraft material.cOnline gaming, information and technology and professional services were key sectors driving economic growth in 2022. By contrast, the construction sector contracted quite sharply. Inflation levels remained relatively under control when compared to other EU countries while unemployment “reached a new record low of 2.9%”. Fitch believes the Maltese economy will grow by 3.5% this year, rising to 3.7% in 2024. Fitch is of the opinion that the Maltese government achieved a 5.8% deficit in 2022, down from 7.5% the previous year, and expects the government to close 2023 with a 5.4% deficit. While Malta has been cushioned from the impact of energy inflation due to government subisidies on electricity and fuel prices, the agency declared its concern that the lack of a “clear exit strategy” for the government to end energy and fuel subsidies creates fiscal risks for the government, as it is at the mercy of international energy prices. Debt has risen by around 15 percentage points since 2019 and Fitch expects it to peak at just below 60% of GDP by 2024. The agency said that it would consider downgrading Malta if government debt continued on a clear upward trend or if it found evidence of further deterioration in governance or banking supervision, or concerns of a lack of transparency across the broader financial sector.

 

Photo Credits: www.agenziafotogramma.it

Source: medNews

TA’ QALI (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – In a press conference, the Italian national coach Roberto Mancini declared that he has maximum respect for the Maltese as their opponents for tomorrow’s game. He reiterated that he followed the match against Macedonia and even though the Maltese were defeated with a score of 2-1, he had words of praise for the Maltese team, and without mentioning specific names he claimed that several players attracted his interest. He also reiterated that the Maltese were compact and showed discipline in their performance especially in defense where the opponents found it difficult to penetrate. Mancini added that the national team is focusing on Sunday’s game following Thursday’s defeat against England. Meanwhile, he also said that there will be some changes from the last match.
– foto Image –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – At least two more tragedies occured in the Maltese search and rescue zone with at least seven Sub-Saharan migrants confirmed dead. The bodies were lifted by the Italian Coast Guard who managed to rescue tens of others. Meanwhile, a Tunisian fishing boat rescued a group of migrants and it is reported that on board there are three bodies being escorted to Lampedusa.

More migrants are leaving the Tunisian port city of Sfax by boat in search of reaching Italy. Between last Friday and Saturday, over 2,000 Sub-Saharan migrants arrived in Lampedusa which is 180 nautical miles away.

Around 78 migrants onboard a 12-metre rubber dinghy were rescued by the Emergency’s Life Support ship in the Maltese Search and Rescue area. The rubber dinghy was overcrowded and adrift, with no possibility of using the engine because it had run out of petrol. The dinghy was already damaged and they were all exhausted and dehydrated.

“The rescued people traveled for more than 20 hours without food and water,” said a nurse on board the Life Support research vessel. “The vessel was in international waters in the Maltese search and rescue area. Malta, despite having been informed immediately, did not coordinate the rescue activities or offer a safe port of disembarkation,” said Emanuele Nannini from the NGO Emergency.

While the Italian authorities instructed the NGO to proceed to the port of Brindisi as a place of safety, many other boats in distress, south of Lampedusa have been left without any other support intervention.

Ngo Sea Watch said that its reconnaissance aircraft found 17 boats in distress in the central Mediterranean. Many are built of sheet metal, some of them unable to maneuver without a running engine. Sea Watch added that all the boats location were forwarded to the Maltese rescue coordination center but have not received any response so far. It also said that contact was made with the Libyan rescue coordination center, but no one was able to speak English.

Ngo Alarm Phone declared that vast rescue efforts are needed as tens of boats with migrants on board are leaving from Tunisia. The Ngo said that it is unable to reach the majority of boats while trying to establish which arrived, been intercepted, or capsized.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TA’ QALI (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is set to play Italy at the National Stadium Tà Qali on Sunday in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers. The 16,000 seats at Tà Qali National Stadium have all been sold. Michele Marcolini, Maltàs national team coach, confirmed that of the 24 players selected for these first two games, everyone is available except maybe some players are still a little tired from the match against North Macedonia. He said that the risk of the Italian team in such matches is that they sometimes take it slowly but after suffering a defeat against England in the first game, “we are expecting a reaction against Malta”. Marcolini also said that although the opponent is a strong one, the Maltese team will not be completely defending. “However, when you play with a team of this caliber you automatically find yourself closing the spaces”. Asked about Retegui, Marcolini said that if he continues at this rate he should give a helping hand to the Italian team, but he hopes that he won’t do that tomorrow. Regarding Maltàs previous matches against Italy, Marcolini said that he hopes that the Maltese team will be tough for the Azzurri.
Marcolini concluded that he thinks that the Italian team will be creating chances and therefore the defense should be careful and close all the spaces.
Maltese midfielder Matthew Guillaumier said that the the national team is expecting a very difficult game and therefore it is important that the players play with the same attitude with which they came out against North Macedonia
After the press conference the Maltese team had a training session at the National Stadium with the local and international media being able to follow 15 minutes of this session.
In 17 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Italy have won 14 games and drawn three.
Malta come into this game on the back of a 2-1 loss to North Macedonia. Italy, on the other hand, lost 2-1 to 10-man England in their most recent game. Before losing to England on Thursday, Italy had won each of their previous 14 qualification games and were unbeaten in 40. Having also beaten Malta in all four past meetings without conceding a goal, Italy will expect to get off the mark with a first win of the campaign.
– photo: LivePhotoSport –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ALGIERS (ALGERIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The police in Algeria has dismanteled an international group of smugglers who were trafficking illegal immigrants to Europe from Syria and Lebanon, via the city of Benghazi in eastern Libya. 15 people were arrested – nine Syrians and six Algerians following five months of investigation with the participation of anti-organized crime teams.

The cross-border criminal network was condsidered by the investigators as “specialised in smuggling immigrants”. During the operation, the police seized more than $11,000 along with almost 9,000 euros.

The immigrants were being transported from Syria and Lebanon to Benghazi airport, and then they travel to the northwestern Libyan city of Ghadames, after which they are sent through the border of Debdab in Algeria, as they take the desert route towards the city port of Oran in Algeria to prepare for illegal sea crossings to Europe. Such crossing attempts which migrants have to pay exorbitant amount of money in foreign currency to reach Europe, claim the lives of thousands of migrants each year.

– photo Freepik –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILANO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The first Tunisian nurses from a group of 76 have arrived in Italy and will fill the hospital postitions made available by the GSD (San Donato Group) in support of the important initiative carried out in collaboration with the Italian Foreign and Home Affairs Ministries.
“Bilateral cooperation in health training must be encouraged, and the arrival of these nurses from Tunisia will mark the beginning of a cooperation that will see nurses be trained in the Italian language and culture to bring added value to both Italy and their country,” said the President of GKSD Kamel Ghribi declaring “it is also a legal and forward-looking response to the migration challenge which is a big issue for both Italy and Tunisia. It is proof that legal emigration can work.”
Ghribi, who is the promoter of this initiative, thanked all the Italian Government officials that contributed to realizing the project.

– foto ufficio stampa Gruppo San Donato –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Security in the Mediterranean, migration, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine were on the agenda during a state visit paid by Maltàs President George Vella in Latvia.
In Riga, President George Vella had official talks with the President of Latvia Egils Levits. Both sides discussed common issues, including the 31 years of bilateral relations.
George Vella referred in particular to the common problems within the European continent. “The biggest problem at the moment is the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Latvia is a country much closer to the problem than Malta. The Latvians are on the border with Russia. They are much more aware and feel the effect much more than we do, however, it is important to talk to them because when it comes to the common policy on what we are going to do about Russia one must be informed of all these opinions”, declared Vella.
Another meeting was with Latviàs Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgar Rinkevics. They discussed, among others, security in the Mediterranean, and the immigration situation in both countries.
President Vella said that at the top of the agenda was the Russian war in Ukraine, a subject of interest due to the position being taken in this regard due to the violation of international laws, despite Malta being a neutral country. President Vella added that the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to humanitarian abuses. “Although Malta is neutral, it did not remain silent about what is happening in Ukraine”, emphasizing that “Malta did not hesitate to condemn violations of international laws”.

– foto Department of Information Malta –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government decided to join the European Commission’s legal action against the Hungarian government over a law banning LGBTIQ+ content from being shown to children at school.

The case is already before the Court of Justice of the European Union. The Maltese government is insisting that the Hungarian law discriminates against the LGBTIQ+ community. The Maltese government stated, “Malta has some of the most progressive and inclusive laws and policies, which protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals and serve as an example and inspiration for other countries to follow, so that no one is left behind.”

The Hungarian Parliament approved the wide-ranging law against pedophilia and includes tougher penalties against child abuse and rules out LGBTIQ+ content, including sex education and media content from being available to children at schools.

The law was presented by Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party and refers to the banning of disseminating what it refers to as “promoting” gender change or homosexuality in schools and generally to anyone under 18. Human rights activists say it resembles Russiàs 2013 “gay propaganda” law and that is against children’s rights and the freedom of expression.

The European Commission is arguing that the law violates various fundamental human rights, including human dignity, freedom of expression and information, and the right to respect private life.

In September Malta will host Europride, providing an opportunity to reiterate Maltàs commitment to achieving greater equality.

– photo Agenziafotogramma.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – As more sub-Saharian migrants are escaping from Tunisia, another tragedy is unfolding with at least five migrants are confirmed dead and another 28 are still missing after their boat sank off the coastline of the southern city of Sfax while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy.
The Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights confirmed the latest tragedy. In recent weeks, Sfax became the major departure point for migrants fleeing from Tunisia and other African and Middle Eastern countries because of poverty and conflicts in search of a better life in Europe.
The recent political upheaval, and the economic and financial crises are increasing significanty the departure of migrants from Tunisia towards Italy. Italy’s increase in migrants is largely due to the three days between March 9-11 when as many as 4,566 people reached the Italian shores.
However, according to humanitarian and life-saving NGOs, Maltàs political decision not to intervene and save lives in distress in its search and rescue area, is making it more difficult for migrants to reach Europe.
Maurice Stiel from Alarm Phone, confirmed that more voyages are being attempted from Tunisia but believes the main factor is “Maltàs systematic non-assistance policy”. “Migrant boats nowadays are trying to cross the Maltese search and rescue zone in order to reach Lampedusa or even Sicily, which of course prolongs journeys and makes them more dangerous. He added, “migrants trying to escape from northern Africa, especially Libya, seem to be aware that they cannot rely on any assistance coming from Malta.”
Tamino Bohm from NGO Sea Watch, also believes the small number of migrants saved by the Maltese Armed Forces is due to a lack of action on the part of Maltese authorities. “This is not a new trend and is connected to the current policies of the government,” he said, observing that aircraft belonging to Armed Forces Malta (AFM) remain “very active” in southern waters and is passing information to the Libyan coastguard.
According to unofficial United Nations data, 12,000 of those who have reached Italy this year set sail from Tunisia, compared with 1,300 in the same period of 2022. Previously, Libya was the main escape route for migrants from the North African region.
credit photo agenziafotogramma.it
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Home affairs minister, Byron Camilleri, was forced in Parliament to defend the government’s decision to sign up for an EU ammunition procurement initiative that will also serve to replenish Ukrainian stockpiles, highlighting that the arrangement both safeguarded Maltàs neutrality and was clearly beneficial to its interests. The European Defence Agency’s “Collaborative Procurement of Ammunition” project, made it clear that helping Ukraine militarily was one of the project’s main immediate objectives. However, the signing of the agreement by the Maltese government was under scrutiny in Parliament by a government MP.
Minister Camilleri admitted that the decision was bound to cause controversy whilst arguing that any concerns were misplaced. The Minister explained “everyone knows that the price of military equipment has exploded because of the war: including the ammunition that the Armed Forces of Malta use in their training exercises” while adding “finding material to purchase has become challenging”. Minister Camilleri declared that it is with this in mind that Malta joined the EDA initiative so that all countries involved acquire their ammunition jointly with the advantages of guaranteeing lower prices and security of supply. Camilleri suggested that the EDA’s initial statement helped contribute to the controversy, since it declared that all signatories would be helping Ukraine. The EDA’s website now makes clear that “in full respect of sovereign national decisions, the project may be used to replenish member states’ national stockpiles and/or aid Ukraine”. Camilleri emphasised that Malta has made clear that it would be limiting itself to send humanitarian as it has already done.
(ITALPRESS).
-photo credit agenziafotogramma.it-

Source: medNews