LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has issued an exploration licence to a Maltese subsidiary of an oil and gas company based in Jersey to drill in two maritime zones of the souteast coast of Malta. The zone is considered to have the same characteristics of several offshore oil fields in Libya and has a hgh potentional for oil and gas. However previous attempts ended without positive outcome. The Ministry of Finance stated that Albion Energy Malta Ltd will have the right to explore zones two and seven, covering an area of around 18,000 square kilomteres for a period of two years. Albion Energy Malta Ltd is expected to carry put geological and geophysical studies on existing data. This is the first announcement of its kind in recent years. Over the past months no active oil exploration licences in Malta and its waters were awarded. Albion Energy has extensive history of drilling in several sub-Saharan African countries and is considered as one of the globol oil and gas producer. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Buckingham, is also the founder of Heritage Oil. The company was granted an oil exploration licence by Malta for the same two offshore zones in 2007.
(ITALPRESS).
-photo credit agenziafotogramma.it-

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg categorically declared that the Maltese Labour government has no plans for Malta to join NATO even though two European nations with a long history of neutrality – Sweden and Finland are ready to join the transatlantic alliance.
Responding to Politico, Minister Ian Borg stated: “my answer is a straight no. The concept of neutrality is enshrined in the Maltese Constitution, and Malta’s foreign policy has been guided by this principle ever since it was introduced in our constitution in the late 1980s”.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine popular support for NATO membership in Sweden and Finland has risen dramatically. However, despite the war in Ukraine has brought a fundamental change among the European countries, the Maltese government has not shown any signs of changing the decision taken in 1987 to enshrine neutrality in its Constitution.
However, the Nationalist Opposition through its MP Mario de Marco is arguing that it is high time for Malta to consider whether the neutrality clause introduced in the Constitution in 1987 is still relevant 35 years later, particularly in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The former PN deputy leader who was speaking in Parliament some months ago, observed that the clause was introduced in a completely different context, when the Maltese government chose to be part of the non-alignment movement during the Cold War between two superpowers; the former Soviet Union and the United States of America.
-photo agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese and Algerian officials have discussed the possibility of Malta to start importing liquefied natural gas from the north African country.
During a recent visit to Algiers, Christopher Cutajar, permanent secretary in the foreign affairs ministry met his counterpart Abdelkrim Aouissi. Both officials discussed future collaboration in renewable energy. Algeria is considered as Africàs biggest gas producer which has become a country of interest for the European Union to diversy its importation of gas following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The European bloc imported 10% of gas imports from Algeria before the Ukrainian war; the third largest supplier after Russia and Norway. The gas is exported through pipelines to Spain and Italy and by tankers from two LNG terminals.
(ITALPRESS).
-photo credit Department of Information Malta-

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Robbie Williams, one of the world’s biggest artists, who rose to fame with the band Take That and then as a solo artist, will perform in Malta as part of his European tour. The English singer and songwriter is celebrating 25 years of his solo career and will be performing in Floriana on the 24th August.
The European Tour, which also coincides with the release of Robbie Williams’ new Greatest Hits album, kicked off with a spectacular show in Bologna, Italy three days ago. During this tour he is expected to perform across Europe including Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin, before setting off to Asia and Australia.
Set to be “a joyous celebration of Robbiès 25 years as a solo artist,” featuring some of Robbie Williams’ greatest hits including ‘Angels’, ‘Let Me Entertain Yoù, ‘Millennium’, ‘Rock DJ’, ‘Feel’, and ‘Shès The Onè, all those attending will get the chance to experience the kind of high-octane concert that Robbie has become known for.
“It is truly encouraging that another busy entertaining calendar is ahead of us. Welcoming Robbie Williams in the Maltese Islands showcases the country’s potential in attracting reputable worldwide artists that will provide an added value experience for all those tourists who visit Malta during the peak summer months. We are optimistic that Robbie Williams in concert will be another event to be remembered in Maltàs cultural and entertainment itinerary,” outlined Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo.
-photo agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Customs intercepted 40kgs of cocaine at the Malta Freeport in a reefer container en-route from Puerto Rico to Cairo. Most of the cocaine is transported to and through Puerto Rico from drug trafficking organizations in the Dominican Republic and Colombia, and criminal organizations who operate in the Caribbean island.
The cocaine was found in 40 packets each containing approximately 1kg of the narcotic, concealed in a compartment known as the reefer-area. The Maltese Customs stated that the reefer was transporting a shipment of medical products. This was the latest successful operation in the fight against cocaine trafficking via Malta with 2019 recording a total of 750kg in 13 separate seizures, in 2020 612kg were intercepted in 1 seizure, in 2021 when 740kg were confiscated in 1 seizure and last year 800kg and 1494kg were found in two separate seizures.

Foto: ufficio stampa dogana meltese
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – During the exchange of greetings with the Diplomatic Corps, the Maltese authorities appealed for international peace in the wake of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. The President of Malta George Vella remarked that the war in Ukraine is bringing new challenges not just in Malta but everywhere. President Vella noted that Malta is committing itself in international fora to push principles of security, sustainability and solidarity.
During the exchange of new year greetings with the Diplomatic Corps at the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, President Vella said that following the pandemic, new challenges have emerged and added how disappointing it is that divergent opinions still exist between nations about the causes and consequences of this war, and praised the Ukrainian people for their fortitude and courage.
The President stressed that the European Union, as a group of countries with the same opinion despite internal differences, has the potential to establish both the tone and substance on the challenges in its region, thus giving direction and influencing the results.
The President assured that Malta will continue to do its utmost in full cooperation with its partners, through conviction and persuasion, by maintaining a transparent agenda guided by the three pillars of Security, Sustainability and Solidarity.
The Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela also greeted the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Malta, and stated that Malta as a neutral country has to remain strong and show its concerns whenever peace is threatened while working towards peace.
Abela mentioned the diplomatic efforts being carried out in various countries, as well as to Maltàs priorities since it became a member of the United Nations Security Council with effect from this year.
During the exchange of greetings with the Diplomatic Corps, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela referred to the war in Ukraine and stressed on Maltàs opportunity to contribute to the safeguarding of principles and values in favour of peace.

– foto agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Italian market accounted for most of the passenger movements in Malta for the month of December last year. This was confirmed by the Malta International Airport which experienced the strongest recovery rate to pre-pandemic levels. 421,468 passengers passed through the international airport; equivalent to 88.3% of the pre-pandemic traffic levels. The most busy days were December 23, 29 and 30, with an average movement of 17,000 passengers.
Passengers arriving from Italy reached 21.4% followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Poland. The French and Polish markets grew above pre-pandemic levels, with an increase of 26% and 58.7% over 2019 respectively. The number of passengers travelling to and from the other three markets was lower than pre-pandemic December levels. 5.8 million passengers passed through the Malta International Airport in 2022, 20% less than those resgistered in 2019. While August was the busiest month with 712,122 passenger movements, December registered the strongest recovery rate.
(ITALPRESS).
-photo credit agenziafotogramma.it-

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government agrees with the latest decision taken by the Italian government to curb the crossings of migrants from North Africa to Italy. The new policy is enforced through the publication of a decree by the Italian government to enforce measures including the issue of penalties up to 50,000 euros to international non-governmental organisations that operate rescue missions to save migrants. The decree allows the Italian authorties to confiscate the ships operated by the NGOs and requires rescue ships to call a port and sail to it immediately after a rescue, rather than staying at sea looking for other migrant boats in distress.
Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri who was answering questions from the local media during a press conference said that the rescue ships operated by the NGOs in the Mediterranean serve as a “pull factor” for migrants willing to cross the Mediterranean sea from North Africa towards Europe. Camilleri added that he could undertsand the decision taken by the Italian government, adding “many say that NGOs are a pull factor. What Italy is doing is aimed at preventing NGOs from being a pull factor”.
Citing the excellent bilateral relations, the Home Affairs Minister added that Malta will continue cooperating with the Italian government to fight illegal migration. Camilleri also said that such cooperation will continue with the Libyan coastguard. “It is not right that a person has to go through human traffickers to travel to Europe,” declared the Home Affairs Minister adding that Malta is successfully fighting human trafficking and preventing deaths at sea.
Last summer, Minister Camilleri insisted that the Armed Forces of Maltàs conduct in search-and-rescue operations was being unfairly tarnished by “those who work with traffickers” in a clear reference to NGOs. “I understand that there are the agendas of others, including those who work with traffickers or those who intend to traffic people into Europe. We can never be accomplices to this trafficking.”
However, 20 humanitarian NGOs are accusing the Italian government of breaching the human rights, and the decree goes against the international maritime law and could cause more deaths of migrants at sea.
-photo agenziafotogramma.it-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government changed its policy within days regarding travellers arriving in Malta from China. From next Monday they must present a negative rapid test for Covid-19 in view of the growing number of infections in China. There are no direct flights from Malta to China, however, the Maltese government is insisting that the measure would apply to all travelling originating from China.
The Superintendent of Public Health said these travellers should be tested no more than 48 hours before their arrival in Malta. This does not apply to children aged 11 or under.
Last week, the Maltese health authorities said that there was no immediate plan for the introduction of such tests for travelers arriving from China. However, the Maltese government was assessing the situation with the help of the European Commission and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
Many diplomats from several European countries met in Brussels to decide on a plan against the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in China. All diplomats said EU member states should recommend that all people on flights to and from China wear face masks.
Additionally, they have encouraged countries to request a negative test before they leave China.
China has recently shown little agreement with these decisions, so much so that a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that screening travellers from China against Covid-19 is unacceptable. Despite this, Italy has already ordered the test for travelers arriving from China. Spain, France and the United Kingdom immediately followed suit while Portugal and The Netherlands will follow Maltàs decision.

– foto agenziafotogramma.it –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The international NGO Alarm Phone has accused for once more the Maltese authorities of Malta of ignoring a distress call to rescue around 75 people at sea. The NGO said that the migrants have been reportedly rescued by Italy. “Although the authorities do not provide us with information, we believe that the 75 people in distress arrived in Lampedusa. Once more, the authorities of Malta failed to conduct a rescue in the vast Maltese Search and Rescue zone,” Alarm Phone tweeted on Thursday. Among this group of migrants, there were sick and elderly people, and the group did not have food or water and were asking for urgent assistance. Last year, Malta was accused of shirking its responsibilities following the death of Loujin Ahmed Nasif, a four-year-old Syrian girl who died of thirst in Maltàs territorial waters. Days later, another six people, including two babies, died of dehydration on a migrant boat that arrived in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. One of the survivors, a 6-year-old Syrian girl who was medically airlifted to Malta, was in danger of dying after drinking sea water during the attempted crossing from Libya to Europe.
According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 1,377 migrants drowned during 2022 while attempting to reach Europe across the Central Mediterranean.

foto: agenziafotogramma.it

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews