LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A recent Eurobarometer survey reveals that the Maltese population remains unconvinced about the need to prioritize defence and security at the European level. Only 14% of respondents in Malta support the European Parliament making “the EU’s defence and security” its top priority, a three-percentage-point decrease from the previous year and less than half the European average (31%).

While the average European appears to prioritize defence and security just as much as in the previous year, according to the European Parliament’s special Eurobarometer Winter Survey 2025, the results come amid growing discussions in Malta about defence spending and the country’s neutrality, with both major political parties weighing in on the matter. Although the Labour government and the Nationalist opposition have both ruled out any changes to Malta’s neutrality, both parties have signaled their willingness to consider increased defence spending, particularly at the European level. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Robert Abela joined other EU leaders in endorsing an €800 billion European defence plan. He also suggested that Malta should boost its defence spending, though he emphasized on Sunday that the government aims to “build an economy around peace, not war”.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Nationalist Party (PN) noted that Opposition Leader Bernard Grech had expressed support for increased European defence spending in discussions with the European People’s Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament. Despite the reluctance of many Maltese to see more EU-level discussions on defence, a significant majority—four out of five—believe the EU should prioritize protecting its citizens more in the future. When asked about the union’s future priorities, 82% of Maltese respondents stated that they felt the EU’s role in protecting its citizens from global crises and security risks should become more important. This view was shared by 66% of Europeans overall. This Eurobarometer survey marks the first time that the bloc has asked its citizens about the future importance of its role in citizen protection.

The results come amid increased European militarisation and signals that the United States, a long-standing ally, may be shifting its focus away from defending its European partners. Malta was among the countries that placed the greatest emphasis on the EU’s future role in protecting its citizens, alongside Ireland and Denmark, and just behind Cyprus (83%), the Netherlands and Finland (both 84%), and Sweden (87%). Notably, despite its proximity to war-torn Ukraine and Belarus—an ally of Russia—Poland, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, placed the least importance (44%) on the EU’s role in protecting its citizens from future crises and security risks. While a majority of Maltese believe the EU should take a more active role in shielding its citizens, fewer are confident in the bloc’s future influence. Only 52% of Maltese and 44% of Europeans expressed belief that the EU will grow in importance on the world stage.

ITALIAN VERSION

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is participating in an Eu mission to train and equip Ukrainian troops for the fight against Russia, confirmed Prime Minister Robert Abela.

This confirmation came during a tense parliamentary session on Monday evening, where Abela delivered a ministerial statement on the recent European Council meeting in Brussels. During the discussion, Nationalist Mp Darren Carabott asked Abela to clarify whether Malta was involved in the Eu mission.

The Eu Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (Eumam) seeks to provide “substantial political, military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine,” including “unprecedented aid and assistance to Ukrainian Armed Forces,” according to the Eu. Abela clarified that Malta’s involvement consists of having a member of the Armed Forces of Malta (Afm) serving as “a liaison officer between the Uk, which is handling the training, and the EU.”

He emphasized that this role is mainly administrative, and Malta is not directly involved in the training process. Although Malta is part of the Eu mission to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Abela has repeatedly stated that “Ukraine cannot win this war.”

He remarked, “Idealism is idealism, and realism is realism” in reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this month, Abela expressed his belief that “investment in weapons, tanks, and ammunition cannot bring an end to the war,” asserting that “the only lasting solution is peace”.

Nevertheless, Abela voted in favor of an initiative aimed at increasing funding for rearming Europe and strengthening the bloc’s collective defense. He also supported the Council conclusions that reaffirmed support for Ukraine, including through the provision of weapons, a position that Hungary did not endorse.

-Foto IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MALTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed that Malta will push for a reform of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), expressing concerns that its interpretation by the European Court of Human Rights is hindering European nations’ efforts to deter asylum seekers.

Abela made the announcement in a ministerial statement, revealing that Malta will advocate for “convention reform” when it assumes the presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers for a six-month term starting in May.

His comments came during a migration-focused meeting, organized by the prime ministers of Italy, the Netherlands, and Denmark, on the sidelines of the recent EU summit. The session was attended by leaders from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, and Sweden, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Abela confirmed that the national leaders present supported Malta’s stance on the issue.

Abela repeatedly criticized what he called a “restrictive” interpretation of the ECHR, originally drafted in 1950 by the Council of Europe. He argued that this interpretation is limiting countries’ ability to manage asylum seeker flows effectively, claiming that protections under the convention are being “abused.”

While emphasizing Malta’s ongoing commitment to strengthening human rights, Abela clarified that these protections should only apply where they are genuinely warranted.

The prime minister expressed particular frustration with the European Court of Human Rights, which he believes is restricting countries’ ability to transfer asylum seekers to other countries.

Abela pointed out that the Strasbourg-based court often deems entire countries unsafe based on isolated regions, citing the example of a country being labeled unsafe simply because “5%” of its territory is considered so. He called for a reinterpretation of the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the deportation of individuals to countries where their safety is at risk, as enshrined in the Geneva Convention.

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(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government recorded a €95 million deficit at the end of February 2025, following a surplus of €151.4 million the previous month, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Monday.
The significant shift in the government’s financial position was attributed to a combination of falling revenue and rising expenditure. Compared to February 2024, recurrent revenue saw a notable decline of €103.8 million, while total expenditure increased by €142.6 million. This resulted in a negative change in the Government’s Consolidated Fund, which dropped by €246.4 million.
A breakdown of the figures shows that the largest decrease in revenue occurred under Income Tax, which fell by €179.0 million. On the expenditure side, the biggest increase was seen in the Programmes and Initiatives category, which rose by €63.3 million.
As of the end of February 2025, the Central Government Debt stood at €10.9 billion, reflecting an increase of €859.1 million compared to the same period in 2024.
Government capital spending for February 2025 amounted to €38.6 million, which was €23.6 million lower than the same period in 2024. The reduction in capital expenditure was particularly noticeable in sectors such as road construction and improvements, where spending decreased by €14.4 million, as well as in property, plant, and equipment, which saw a €5.3 million drop.
The NSO data highlights the ongoing financial challenges facing the government, with the shift from a surplus to a deficit marking a significant change in fiscal policy dynamics.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALY) – Emilio Di Marzio, President pro tempore of ANDISU, the Italian association of student affairs bodies, last night was elected for the next two years as Vice President of ECSTA, the umbrella organization that represents the student services bodies from all european countries, Turkey included, in favour of more than 20 millions of university students.

‘This is a strategic role for Italy, with the aim of promoting the social dimension of higher education in Europe, understanding differences, promoting professional exchange of student affairs staff and the mobility of university students within the framework of the Bologna process’ – says Di Marzio.

‘Best residence halls and dining services, more financial aids, wider social and psycological counseling for students could make a fairer environment for european students, especially disadvantaged students. We should mantain a continuous confrontation with European Commission on these issues. So, I am very grateful to my colleagues for this opportunity and my best wishes to the elected President of ECSTA Matthias Anbuhl (Deutsches Studierendenwerk  President) and to all my fellow board members’ – concludes Di Marzio.

– Photo Press office Andisu –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The death toll from Israeli air strikes on Gaza last night has risen to 304. This was stated by the Hamas-led Ministry of Health. The ministry increased the death toll from the surprise resumption of Israeli air strikes last night, which previously stood at 244. The source added that over 1,000 people were injured.

Hamas’s information has not been verified and does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Footage from Gaza shows dozens of children, women and elderly people among the victims. In the Israeli air strikes conducted last night on Gaza, Issam Da’alis, prime minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, lost his life. According to “al Arabiya” TV, al Da’alis was in his home at the time of the air strike.

Among the top officials killed in the Gaza attacks was Mahmoud Abu Watfa, who headed the terror group’s Interior Ministry. Abu Watfa, who headed Hamas’s police and internal security services in the Gaza Strip, was killed in an attack in Gaza City, two sources said, one of whom was an Interior Ministry official.

According to Gaza media reports, Issam Da’alis was a member of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza and head of the government’s monitoring committee, a position roughly similar to that of Hamas’s prime minister.

Abu Ubaida Al-Jamassi, also a member of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza and reportedly head of Hamas’s emergency committee, which ran Gaza during the war, was also killed overnight.

Another top official killed was Bahjat Abu Sultan, a high-ranking official in Hamas’s Interior Ministry, the ministry responsible for security forces outside of its military wing. Additionally, Ahmad Al-Khatta, director general of Hamas’s Justice Ministry in Gaza, was also killed.

Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the war in Gaza as a political “lifeboat” from internal crises, even if that meant “sacrificing” hostages still being held alive in the Palestinian enclave. A Hamas statement released by Izzat al-Rishq, a member of its political bureau, said that after two months of unprecedented air strikes on the Gaza Strip, “Netanyahu’s decision to resume the war is a decision to sacrifice the prisoners of the occupation and a death sentence against them.” It added that “Netanyahu has decided to resume the war of extermination as a lifeboat from internal crises.”

The Israeli IDF said it continued to carry out strikes against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets across the Gaza Strip. Targets hit in the past few hours included terrorist cells, rocket launchers, weapons and other military infrastructure, the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement. The weapons and infrastructure were meant to be used by terror groups in planned attacks against Israel, the army added.

– Photo Ipa/Agency –

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, met with King Abdullah II of Jordan at Palazzo Chigi. “The meeting,” reads the statement from Palazzo Chigi, “focused first of all on the situation in Gaza, where humanitarian needs remain urgent. In this regard, the two leaders expressed appreciation for the solid cooperation between the two nations in humanitarian assistance, both in the framework of the Italian Food for Gaza initiative and with the Jordanian initiative for an air bridge, to which Italy contributed with helicopters made available by the Ministry of Defense”.

President Meloni reiterated “full support for the important role played by Jordan in the Middle East region, as a force for peace and dialogue”.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Syria, underlining “the need for an end to violence and for an inclusive transition involving all components of society. In this context, economic recovery remains crucial, also with a view to enabling a voluntary, dignified, safe and sustainable return of refugees to Syria”.

In conclusion of the meeting, highlighting “the excellent state of bilateral relations in all sectors”, the two leaders agreed that “the next meeting of the Aqaba Process for strengthening international cooperation in countering terrorism, with a focus on the West African region, will take place in Rome during the current year”.

– Photo www.governo.it –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “For Italy it is always an honour to have you here in Rome and for me it is an honour and a pleasure to welcome you here at the Quirinale. Your presence here in Rome in this moment of particular difficulty is very important to be able to exchange opinions and analyze together the complicated situation in which our common neighborhood is evolving and it is very important for us to be able to maintain close coordination with Jordan, because your country, Your Majesty, is carrying out an exemplary work of coordination, mediation and connection in the region. We are close and support the action that Jordan is carrying out with such importance”. This was stated by the President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, during a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

“Thank you very much, as always, for your kind hospitality and it is an honour for me and my delegation to be here in Rome. These are difficult times for our region, but there are also many opportunities if we work together to make our part of the world a better place,” said the Jordanian sovereign.

“We value the special relationship we have with Italy. This is an opportunity for me to thank your forces once again for providing helicopters to transport supplies together with our vehicles to Gaza a few weeks ago. We continue to look at the humanitarian challenges facing the people of Gaza and the West Bank. Italy has historically played an extremely important role in our part of the world. I believe that the opportunities before us – whether in Lebanon, in Syria, and hopefully on the path to peace between Israelis and Palestinians – make your country an essential partner for all of us as we move forward together”.

– Photo Quirinale press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – During a conference hosted in Malta this week, representatives of more than 60 countries concluded negotiations on a revised set of United Nations (UN) guiding principles for national and regional counter-terrorism strategies. The United Nations Conference on National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies, organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Malta and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).

The negotiations culminated in the launch of the Valletta Principles. The Valletta Principles build on the Bogotà Principles, which were announced in 2013 during a similar conference in Colombia, to offer guidance on counter-terrorism. The review concluded in Malta this week was necessary to ensure that counter-terrorism strategies remain effective, rights-respecting, and adaptable to changing circumstances. The revised principles will serve as the global cornerstone to guide countries in developing and implementing national and regional counter-terrorism strategies, focusing on capacity-building, countering the financing of terrorism, protecting human rights, safeguarding the rights of terrorism victims, and enhancing border management, among other key areas. Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg will be formally submitting the Valletta Principles to the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly in the coming days.

In her opening speech, the President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono highlighted Maltàs continued role as a contributor and promoter of international peace and security. In this spirit, the President also noted the initiatives undertaken by Malta as a member of the United Nations Security Council to address the challenge of terrorism holistically, while respecting the rights of citizens. The President emphasised that “the scourge of terrorism transcends borders. Terrorist attacks brutally and indiscriminately end the lives of civilians and shatter families. The scars that such barbaric acts leave on affected communities never fully heal.”

Maltàs Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg explained that by hosting this international conference, Malta is reaffirming its commitment to the vital work being conducted by the United Nations and other multilateral organisations to address terrorism and its root causes. “The Valletta Principles will ensure that these guidelines, which served as a guiding light for nations for over a decade, continue to be relevant, practical and a source of inspiration for us all,” Borg explained. “Terrorism is a grave threat with serious consequences to societal cohesion. This transnational threat can only be effectively countered through an all-government approach, with closer cooperation between governments and competent authorities. Together, we must continue to innovate and adapt our strategies to stay ahead of evolving threats.”

He also reaffirmed that Malta continues to prioritise efforts to address transnational threats through national actions as well as international cooperation. Recently, during its term as a member of the UN Security Council, Malta chaired the 1267 Committee, which oversees the Council’s sanctions against terrorism. As the 2024 Chairperson of the OSCE, Malta hosted a conference on addressing anti-Semitism, racism, Islamophobia, anti-Christian sentiments, and other forms of discrimination, driven by a commitment to interfaith and intercultural dialogue as essential tools in combating violent extremism.

– photo: DOI –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

GAZA (ITALPRESS) – Hamas confirmed it has accepted a proposal to release hostage soldier Edan Alexander, a US citizen, and the bodies of four other slain dual nationals.

This was stated in a statement by the Palestinian group. Alexander is a soldier who was stationed near the Gaza Strip on the morning of October 7 when he was taken prisoner by Hamas. The group did not provide the names of the four slain dual nationals.

Hamas said it is “fully prepared to enter into negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement on the issues of the second phase, while demanding the occupier to fully implement its obligations.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews