LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg refused to confirm or deny media reports that the Israeli government had asked Malta to block access to the humanitarian vessel Conscience before it was allegedly attacked by drones. Borg, describing the matter as “sensitive”, told the Times of Malta that the government would make official announcements on the matter when it deems appropriate.

“This is a sensitive issue and therefore we need to be cautious”, he said. The Conscience, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was on its way to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid when it was allegedly hit by drones on Friday 2 May. Following an inspection by a Maltese government-appointed marine surveyor, authorities announced that the Conscience suffered only minor damage and is considered seaworthy.

The inspection found no significant humanitarian aid on board, other than a limited amount of food and water intended primarily for the crew. The vessel was also carrying 32 tonnes of fuel. Despite the limited damage, Malta continues to refuse entry to the vessel into its ports. The Government has indicated that it will support the repairs needed for the vessel to continue its journey — thus allowing Malta to maintain a non-involvement stance while avoiding directly hindering the vessel’s humanitarian mission.

– Photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Starting this month, vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea are required to switch to cleaner fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10%, down from the previous limit of 0.50%.

The move marks the official implementation of the Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), a major environmental milestone expected to significantly reduce air pollution across the region.

Malta, home to the largest shipping registry in the EU and located on a key maritime route between Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, is particularly impacted by the new rules. Hundreds of commercial vessels and cruise liners that pass through Maltese waters will now be required to burn cleaner fuel, reducing pollution near the island.

The change affects traffic to both the Malta Freeport and Valletta’s Grand Harbour, reinforcing Malta’s role as a strategic maritime hub and a focal point for regional environmental compliance.

-Photo Valletta Cruise Port-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TRIPOLI (LYBIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Abdelsadeq, held high-level talks with Malta’s Ambassador to Libya, Charles Saliba, to deepen bilateral ties and explore new avenues for cooperation in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.

The meeting comes as Libya seeks to reinvigorate its energy industry and attract fresh foreign investment. According to a statement from Libya’s Ministry of Oil and Gas, discussions centered on Libya’s ongoing licensing round for oil and gas exploration, which offers new opportunities for international companies.

Both sides emphasized the potential of leveraging long-standing Libya-Malta relations to open up fresh horizons for collaboration in the energy space. Minister Abdelsadeq reiterated Libya’s openness to foreign investors, noting that the National Oil Corporation (NOC) aims to raise national oil output to two million barrels per day.

“This ambitious target,” he said, “presents significant opportunities for global partners looking to engage in Libya’s energy revival.” In a move to solidify economic collaboration, Abdelsadeq invited the Maltese embassy to coordinate with private sector entities in both countries to host a joint economic forum.

The proposed event is expected to provide a platform for experience-sharing, networking, and forming strategic partnerships within the energy industry. The talks follow Libya’s recent announcement of its first public bidding round for exploration and drilling since 2007. Launched in March by the NOC, the round includes 22 blocks—11 offshore and 11 onshore—spread across central and southern Libya.

The initiative is seen as a critical step in revitalizing the country’s oil sector and reaffirming Libya’s position as a key energy player in the Mediterranean region. The ongoing Libya-Malta dialogue underscores growing international interest in Libya’s untapped energy resources and highlights the country’s efforts to reemerge as a reliable energy partner on the global stage.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – There are numerous opportunities for collaboration between Italy and Saudi Arabia in the field of infrastructure. This was the key takeaway from a meeting between Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, and the Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Saleh Al-Jasser.

“Even now, several Italian entities are directly involved in major railway and metro projects, as well as in the construction of iconic architectural works,” the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) stated in a press release. “Among these, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Museum, designed by Studio Schiattarella and inaugurated on November 25, and the Al-Ula concert hall, designed by Studio Giò Forma together with Black Engineering, which hosted the High-Level Roundtable during the visit of the Italian Prime Minister.”

Here are Riyadh’s main infrastructure initiatives:
* NEOM Megacity: Aiming to boost its population by 2045, the project includes The Line, the industrial city of Oxagon, and Trojena. One goal is to build the elevated stadium for the 2034 World Cup final.
* Red Sea Global Development: A $16 billion investment featuring luxury hotels, marinas, and a cruise terminal. The focus is on ultra-luxury and regenerative tourism. Nearly all major international luxury hotel chains are participating.
* Qiddiya Entertainment City: A $20 billion development including six theme parks and a new stadium.
* King Salman International Airport: A $33 billion project.
* Diriyah Gate: Valued at $22.1 billion.
* New Murabba Centre: Featuring the Mukaab, the largest building in the world, at the center of a $50 billion project.
* ROSHN Residential Development: Aims to deliver 400,000 housing units by 2030.

Other major projects in the capital include the $2.7 billion King Salman Park (one of the world’s largest urban parks), the 135-km Sports Boulevard (completion expected in 2026), and the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), which is operational but not yet fully running. The Transport Minister also launched a Special Logistics Zone in Riyadh, with Apple as its first major investor.

Saudi Arabia’s railway network, which currently transports 25 million tons of goods per year, includes four main lines: SAR East, SAR North trunkline, Haramain High-Speed Railway, and the Mecca Metro. Plans are in place to expand the network from 5,000 km to 8,000 km of track, with 50% of logistics and transport funding allocated to rail improvements.

Regarding ports:
* Jeddah Port handles 65% of the country’s maritime imports.
* King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam is the largest Gulf port.
* King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu is the largest in size and capacity, primarily serving the hydrocarbons sector.
Saudi Arabia has 26 airports, including seven international hubs:
* King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) is the largest and busiest, with a terminal dedicated to Hajj pilgrims.
* King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh) is the second largest.
* Dammam Airport is the third largest and the main gateway to Gulf states.
* Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina serves mainly pilgrim traffic.
The aviation sector aims to increase passenger capacity from 100 million to 330 million by 2030, anchored by the $33 billion King Salman International Airport project, which aims to serve 120 million passengers annually. In addition, the new NEOM Airport aims to handle 20 million passengers by 2030.
Italian companies are particularly interested in:
* The extension of Metro Line 2 (valued at about $3 billion) and the construction of new Line 7 (valued at about $20 billion). Riyadh’s metro, officially inaugurated remotely by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on November 28, currently has six lines and is the longest driverless metro system in the world. In its first two months of operation, it exceeded 18 million passengers, with the Financial District (KAFD) station, designed by Zaha Hadid, alone seeing 3 million passengers.
* Q-Express, a high-speed rail line linking Riyadh Airport with Qiddiya.
* Extension of the Landbridge rail project linking Jeddah to Jubail.
* New Riyadh International Airport.
* NEOM developments (The Line, Oxagon, and Trojena).
* Railway connections to the King Salman Energy Park, an industrial city developed by Aramco in the Eastern Province.

Salvini reiterated to his counterpart Saleh Al-Jasser “Italy’s willingness to collaborate and leverage the expertise, both public and private, that our country offers.” He also emphasized “MIT’s commitment to other sectors such as housing and water.”

– photo press office ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Maltese surveyor has been allowed aboard the humanitarian vessel Conscience following a suspected drone attack, Prime Minister Robert Abela informed Parliament on Monday. In a briefing ahead of the afternoon plenary session, Abela said officials from Transport Malta and representatives of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition held discussions on Sunday to address the situation after the ship was left disabled by what activists described as a drone strike.

The Conscience, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was en route to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid when it reportedly came under attack on Friday. The strike left the ship severely damaged, without electricity, and taking on water. Activists aboard have said the vessel is unable to navigate and in urgent need of repairs.

According to Abela, representatives of the vessel initially demanded automatic entry into Malta as a condition for allowing a Maltese surveyor aboard — a request that was refused. A second proposal, to permit a surveyor on board if the ship was allowed to enter Maltese waters, was also denied.

A third proposal involved the boarding of three unrelated individuals in exchange for the surveyor’s access, but that too was not accepted. Ultimately, the vessel’s representatives agreed to allow the surveyor aboard under conditions set by the Maltese government.

– photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has seen a significant increase in tax revenue, with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announcing that €650 million more in income tax was collected last year compared to the previous year. Of this, €400 million was attributed to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the fight against tax evasion.

During an interview on the national tv station, Minister Caruana highlighted how the AI system has helped streamline tax collection efforts and crack down on those attempting to evade taxes. He explained that the system is capable of identifying potential tax evaders, both individuals and businesses, before they can exploit any loopholes. The minister emphasized that this initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to ensure that all due taxes are collected.

– Photo DOI –

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The United Nations Human Rights Office has called for an independent investigation following a reported drone attack on a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship in international waters near Malta early Friday morning.

The vessel, named Conscience and organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza Strip when it was allegedly struck, sparking a fire onboard and prompting a distress call. However, according to the Saudi Al Arabiya news channel, which cited a Western security source, the ship was arranged by the Palestinian group Hamas.

The authorities in Malta, Greece, and Turkey had subsequently warned that they would seize the Conscience if it attempted to dock in their ports, citing concerns about its alleged affiliation with Hamas. Meanwhile, the captain of the vessel has approved the Maltese Government’s request, made through Transport Malta, to permit a Maltese maritime surveyor on board to evaluate any damage. The surveyor will conduct the inspection while the ship stays outside Maltese territorial waters.

-Photo Department of Information Malta-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Italian composer Maestro Pietro Cangiano has officially presented the publication of his groundbreaking musical performance, Il Grande Assedio di Malta to the President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono.

The work, a symphonic poem, is the first musical composition to recount the dramatic events of the Great Siege of 1565 — a pivotal moment in Maltese and Mediterranean history when the island’s population, alongside the Knights of the Order of St. John, repelled the invading Ottoman forces.

During the formal presentation, Maestro Cangiano was accompanied by Fabrizio Romano, the Italian Ambassador to Malta, his wife Nancy Milesis Romano, and officials from the Italian Embassy in Malta. The musical project marks a cultural milestone in the relationship between Italy and Malta, highlighting shared historical memories through the universal language of music.

– Photo Malta Presidential office –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

PALERMO (ITALPRESS) – The exhibition “Palermo Blossoms Again with Saint Rosalia” will arrive in Malta in the coming days, marking the second stop of its international tour. It will be on display from May 8 to 18 at the prestigious Parliament building, an initiative by the Municipality of Palermo in collaboration with the Parliament of Malta, under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Malta and in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute of Valletta.

The 27 photographs—taken by professional photographers and photojournalists during the Festino on July 14, 2024—were selected as part of a photography contest organized by the Municipality of Palermo.

The jury included prominent figures such as Roberto Gueli, President of the Order of Journalists of Sicily; Gianfranco Marrone, Professor of Semiotics at the University of Palermo; and Maria Francesca Martinez Tagliavia, Director of the Gallery of Modern Art in Palermo.

The exhibition, organized by the Municipality of Palermo, is curated by Sandro Follari, Deputy Chief of Staff; Maria Francesca Martinez Tagliavia, Director of the GAM; Valentina Falletta, National Relations; and Claudia Giocondo, Head of Communications for the institution, in collaboration with the Department of Culture. It is presented by Civita Sicilia with the support of the Western Sicily Sea Port System Authority.

– Photo Ufficio stampa Civita –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has offered to fund repairs for a Gaza-bound vessel currently stranded, but continues to refuse the ship entry into Maltese territorial waters and ports until certain conditions are met, including an inspection of the ship’s cargo.

Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed Sunday that Malta would cover the cost of repairs, but only after verifying that the ship is indeed carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. “We are offering to pay for the repairs after we confirm the ship is, indeed, carrying humanitarian aid,” Abela told reporters.

However, the prime minister emphasized that the government requires the crew to provide a detailed list of the ship’s contents before making any further decisions.

Malta’s government is also demanding confirmation that the damage to the vessel aligns with the aftermath of an attack, as claimed by the ship’s crew. “The damage sustained by the ship must be compatible with the damage from an attack,” Abela explained.

He added that the government has been in communication with Israeli officials at the ministerial level, although he declined to elaborate on the specifics of those discussions.

As of now, the government remains cautious, asserting that the drone attack on the vessel is still an allegation and not a verified fact. “The moment we confirm it’s humanitarian aid for Gaza, we will take care of the repairs,” Abela reiterated.

Malta’s position underscores its commitment to ensuring that any aid reaching Gaza is legitimate and properly documented. The ship, which is reportedly carrying critical supplies, has yet to reach its destination as it waits for the situation to be resolved.

The ongoing standoff has sparked discussions about the complexities of humanitarian aid delivery and the scrutiny of vessels heading to Gaza amid heightened security concerns. Malta, a member of the European Union, has long navigated a delicate balance between supporting humanitarian efforts and adhering to international regulations and security protocols.

-Photo Department of Information Malta-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews