Malta joined the European Union 1st May 2004 and it has been a member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Malta is a single-chamber parliamentary republic with a head of government - the prime minister - and a head of state - the president - whose role is largely ceremonial. The country is divided into 5 regions. Each has its own regional committee, which serves as the intermediary between local and national government.

There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Malta.

EU - Malta

Lost in Europe on Wednesday won the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism for its investigation into the disappearance of over 50 000 unaccompanied child migrants. The investigation, run by media from Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and the UK revealed that at least 51 433 unaccompanied child migrants disappeared after arriving in European countries between 2021 and 2023. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno, Vice-President responsible for the Prize, and representatives of the independent European-wide Jury of the Prize participated in the award ceremony held in the European Parliament’s Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room in Strasbourg.

President Metsola said: "Daphne Caruana Galizia’s legacy continues through the work of journalists who live to tell the truth and refuse to be silenced. Their fight for justice prevails over the threats that try to undermine their important work. Press freedom is non-negotiable. Seven years after Daphne’s assassination, we continue to honour her memory with a prize that reminds us of this Parliament’s long-standing commitment to these fundamental values”.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed. Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in Malta

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

EP President Roberta Metsola visits Malta, where she meets students from the Mediterranean College of Sport and St Albert the Great College and takes part in a discussion organised by the Malta Business Network.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, official visit to Malta

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta

President meets students at St Joseph School and pays tributeon Paulina Dembska's murder site in Sliema.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta

President's visit to Seifert Systems in Birżebbugia. The company received EU funding recently.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Speech at 'A Women's Archive at the University of Malta'

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Participation at the event 'Celebrating Women who push Boundaries'

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to St. Augustine College

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to San Anton School

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to Foster Clarks, San Gwann

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to Metallform Malta Ltd. Birżebbuġa

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting with financial and economic actors in Malta: Deloitte Malta, PwC Malta and Ganado Advocates

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to Our Lady Immaculate School, Msida

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting at KPMG Malta

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Victoria Gozo ( Malta ) - Meeting with the Gozo Business Chamber

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting with students at St Albert the Great College

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting with students at the Mediterranean College of Sport

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Address to the Malta Diversity & Inclusion Charter conference on "Women on Boards"

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to the National Archives

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to San Andrea school

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to the Archbishop Seminary Secondary School

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to Lufthansa Technik Malta

EP Plenary session - Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta

Parliament will review the developments in the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death and the ensuing political reforms, five years after her murder. In particular, MEPs will look into the situation of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in the country. Opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Parliament reviews the developments in the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death and the ensuing political reforms, five years after her murder. Parliament has followed closely the Maltese authorities’ response to Ms Caruana Galizia’s murder and the rule of law shortcomings it revealed in the judicial system, the protection of journalists, corruption and the country’s citizenship and residence by investment schemes.

The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: extracts from the debate

During her visit to Malta, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, paid tribute Daphne Caruana Galizia in Valletta. She lays a wreath at the site where she was assassinated. Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese journalist, blogger and anti-corruption activist who reported extensively on corruption, money laundering, organised crime, sale of citizenship and the Maltese government’s links to the Panama Papers. Following harassment and threats, she was murdered in a car bomb explosion on 16 October 2017.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President laying a wreath on Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination site: arrival and extracts from the ceremony

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, is in Valletta, Malta, to meet President George Vella.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: meeting with George VELLA, President of Malta

David SASSOLI, President of the European Parliament, meets Robert ABELA, Prime Minister of Malta, ahead of the European Council, taking place on 24 June 2021, in Brussels.

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Robert ABELA, Maltese Prime Minister: welcome, photo opportunity and roundtable

During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) at the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (second part of the debate). Closing statement by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency.

Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta: closing statement by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) at the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (first part of the debate).

Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) at the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (second part of the debate).

Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) at the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta: Opening statements by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency. (This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery).

Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta: opening statements by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

Statements by Matthew CARUANA GALIZIA, David CASA, EP Quaestor and Heidi HAUTALA, EP Vice-President on the launch a new annual Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, rewarding outstanding journalism centred on the EU’s principles and values, on 16 October, the date that Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Maltese anti-corruption investigative journalist and blogger, was killed in a car bomb attack in 2017.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Award presentation: statements by Matthew CARUANA GALIZIA, David CASA, EP Quaestor and Heidi HAUTALA, EP Vice-President

This Infoclip illustrates general views of the City of Valletta, the Maltese Parliament, the Court of Justice, Maltese broadcasters, the Newsrooms of the 'Malta Independent' and the 'Times of Malta' where Daphne Caruana Galizia worked, a monument in honour of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Statements by the chief editors of both newspapers on Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Infoclip: Freedom of the press - illustration shots of the City of Valletta (Malta) and statements by the chief editors of the newspapers Daphne Caruana Galizia worked for

Visit of Robert ABELA, Maltese Prime Minister, to the European Parliament in Brussels. Arrival, welcome and roundtable.

David SASSOLI, EP President, meets with Robert ABELA, Maltese Prime Minister: arrival, welcome and roundtable

The Ad-hoc LIBE delegation to Malta presents its draft mission report to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament, in Brussels. Statements by Sophia IN'T VELD (RE, NL), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), Assita KANKO (ECR, BE) and Sylwia SPUREK (S&D, PL).

Ad-hoc LIBE delegation to Malta, 2-4 December 2019: extacts from the presentation of a draft mission report

MEPs put to the vote a resolution on the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder, the journalist and writer killed in 2017, and the political turmoil in Malta, during the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Rule of Law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia: extracts from the vote

MEPs discuss the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder, the journalist and writer killed in 2017, and the political turmoil in Malta, during the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Statements by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President, Values and Transparency.

Rule of law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia: extracts from the opening statement

Live replay of the EP plenary sitting in Strasbourg, 16th until 19th December. MEPs debate the The Rule of Law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. First round of political group speakers

EP Plenary session The Rule of Law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia - First round of political group speakers (9:10 - 9:34)

Live replay of the EP plenary sitting in Strasbourg, 16th until 19th December. MEPs debate the The Rule of Law in Malta, afterthe recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Opening

EP Plenary session: The Rule of Law in Malta, afterthe recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia - Opening by Chair and Opening statement by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President in charge of Values and Transparency (9:00 - 9:10)

Live replay of the EP plenary sitting in Strasbourg, 16th until 19th December. MEPs debate the The Rule of Law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. MEPs debate 2/2

EP Plenary session: The Rule of Law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia - MEPs debate (part 2/2) and Catch the eye (10:25 - 11:27)

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