About: Joseph Muscat
Malta disembarks migrants sparking Italy government clash
Forty-nine migrants disembarked in Malta on Wednesday (9 January) after spending more than two weeks stranded on board rescue ships, ending a standoff in which EU countries had refused to offer them a safe port.
Pope urges EU to show ‘solidarity’ with migrants stranded off Malta
Pope Francis on Sunday (6 January) urged EU leaders to show "concrete solidarity" with 49 migrants stranded on NGO ships off the coast of Malta who have been refused permission to land.
Maltese opposition calls for minister to quit over power station contract
Malta's opposition on Monday (12 November) called for the tourism minister and the prime minister's top aide to resign after an investigation by Reuters and Times of Malta showed that Panama companies they had set up had arranged to receive money through a mystery company called 17 Black in Dubai.
Malta PM claims EU leaders ‘almost unanimous’ for second Brexit vote
Malta's prime minister on Thursday (20 September) signalled unexpected support from EU leaders for a second referendum on Brexit in Britain, boosting a growing campaign for a new poll despite the British government's trenchant opposition.
Italian minister calls for sanctions on Malta over migrants
Italian Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli on Sunday (19 August) called for sanctions against Malta, accusing it of not rescuing migrant boats in the Mediterranean and leaving the burden to Italy, in the latest row between the two countries over the issue.
Maltese PM says name cleared in Panama Papers probe
Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Sunday (22 July) a year-long inquiry into allegations of financial wrongdoing linked to the Panama Papers scandal had cleared him.
NGO ship docks in Malta after seven countries pledge to take migrants
A humanitarian ship that has had about 230 rescued migrants on board for almost a week docked in Malta yesterday (27 June), ending a stand-off with Italy which refused to let the ship into one of its ports.
Malta’s sole power link to Europe feels the strain
Energy security is an increasingly hot topic in Malta. Imported electricity prices increased last year and Valetta had to rely more and more on the sole undersea cable that links it to the European grid via Sicily.
Maltese police arrest ten suspects in murder of anti-graft journalist
Maltese police have arrested ten suspects in the murder of anti-corruption blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Monday (4 December), after an EU delegation left the island last week saying there were serious concerns about the rule of law there.
Murder of Malta’s top investigative journalist provokes shock and outrage
Daphne Caruana Galizia, Malta’s top investigative journalist, was killed on Monday (16 October) when the car she was driving exploded shortly after she left her home.
Booming Malta to deliver verdict on scandal-hit PM
Maltese voters head to the polls tomorrow (3 June) to deliver their verdict on a government hit by corruption allegations linked to the Panama Papers scandal, but fortified by a booming economy.
Snap elections over Panama Papers scandal shake up Malta’s EU presidency
Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday (1 May) called a snap general election for 3 June, bowing to pressure over his family being embroiled in the Panama Papers scandal. Malta is holding the rotating presidency of the EU until 1 July when Estonia will take over.
Spain to host southern EU partners for preparatory summit
The leaders of seven Southern European countries will meet in Madrid on Monday (10 April) to scrutinise the consequences of Brexit and discuss their vision for the future of the European Union. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Valetta and Athens insist ‘social pillar’ should be part of Europe’s future
Malta and Greece have pledged to work more closely even in a “coalition of the willing” to seek more social Europe. EURACTIV Greece reports.
Senior Arab diplomat derides EU migrant discourse
A distinguished Arab diplomat remarked that EU politicians and think tank representatives did not make use of keywords such as “Iraq” or “Islam” while discussing the Union’s relations with its neighbours and the refugee crisis for several hours.
Letta: If Le Pen wins, it’s ‘game over’ for EU
Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta told an audience in Malta on Monday (27 February) that if the leader of the Front National wins the French elections, it would be "game over" for the EU. But there is a silver lining.
The Presidency: Migration mayday
The seasons are changing. As the weather gets better, Europe's migration crisis gets worse. In a year of critical elections, Malta brings its frontline Mediterranean experience to the leadership of the presidency of the European Union.
Malta’s new draft law raises concerns over internet freedom
Several thousand people took to the streets of Malta on Sunday (19 February) to protest against a new bill that is expected to force online news sites to register with the government.
Europe looks beyond March summit to forge vision
The 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaty next month is unlikely to be celebrated with a landmark roadmap for future EU integration, as diverging views continue to undermine efforts to forge a common vision.
Muscat: Rebutting Trump should not turn into anti-Americanism
EXCLUSIVE / Donald Trump is offering Europe the opportunity to gain the leadership role that it has always craved, but EU leaders should be vigilant not to fall into the anti-Americanism trap, Malta's premier told EURACTIV.com in a wide-ranging interview on internal and global challenges, outlining a vision for the future of Europe.
EU looks to limit migration from Libya
After blocking the main migrant route from the Middle East, the EU will this week seek ways to check a feared spring surge from Libya and North Africa across the Mediterranean.
Theresa May to attend first part of EU Malta summit on 3 February
UK Prime Minister Theresa May will attend the first part of a meeting of European Union leaders in Malta early next month, her spokeswoman said yesterday (18 January).
EU won’t punish Britain for Brexit, claims Juncker
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker today (18 January) said that the executive was not looking to punish Britain in EU-UK negotiations over Brexit.