Relations with Malta
NATO values its relations with Malta, which shares the fundamental partnership principles of protecting and promoting human rights, and safeguarding freedom, justice and peace through democracy.
- NATO fully respects Malta's policy of neutrality.
- Malta first joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme in 1995. It suspended participation in 1996 but reactivated its PfP membership in 2008. Malta recognises that it can help address emerging security challenges and contribute to international peace, security and stability through the PfP framework.
- Malta is a member of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), a forum for dialogue which brings together all Allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area.
- Participation in the PfP programme is fully compatible with Malta's commitment to the principle of neutrality.
- Areas of cooperation and specific events in which Malta wishes to participate within the PfP framework are detailed in its Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP), which is jointly agreed with NATO.
Key areas of cooperation
Malta’s cooperation with NATO is mutually beneficial and includes:
Building capabilities and interoperability
- Malta is considering future participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP). This process would form a basis for identifying and evaluating select national elements of the armed forces, which could provide capabilities that might be made available for multinational training, exercises and peace-support operations.
- Malta is also seeking to develop cooperation in promoting transparency in defence planning and budgeting, in assuring democratic control of the armed forces, in arms control and in the improvement of anti- and counter-terrorism capabilities.
- Malta has worked with Allies and other partner countries on issues such as border security in the Mediterranean region, and may also consider working with them to possibly enhance maritime search-and-rescue operational capabilities, as well as further develop maritime law enforcement and airspace management.
- Malta has much to offer the Alliance as its partnership with NATO develops. The country has special expertise in international maritime law, diplomatic studies and search and rescue, as well as in Arabic culture and language training.
Wider cooperation
- Malta participates in NATO’s Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, and has played a leading role in activities in the fields of advanced technology and cyber defence. Maltese scientists have been actively involved in research and development projects focusing on quantum communications and computing, among other topics.