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Malta

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Capital: Valletta
Area: 316 sq km
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, D.C.
Population (July 2011 estimate): 408,333
Official language(s): Maltese and English
International Organizations and Agreements: United Nations, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO’s Partnership for Peace


Malta and the United States established full diplomatic relations upon Malta's independence in 1964.  Relations with the United States are close.  Malta is a member of the Partnership for Peace, the European Union, and the Schengen Treaty.   Despite its small geographic size, Malta's strategic location on the Southern Mediterranean less than 200 miles north of the North African Coast, makes it a significant actor in maintaining Mediterranean security.  In particular, Malta shares an important responsibility to enforce the Schengen Zone's common border, as well as the European Union's customs control.

U.S. Navy ships currently visit on a semi-regular basis. Additionally, the Maltese military has participated in EURASIA Capstone, SAR training center programs, Exercise Phoenix Express, and other engagements.  During the recent NATO operations in North Africa, Malta served as a Non Combatant Evacuation Safe Haven as well as a hub for international humanitarian assistance in North Africa.

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  • May 7, 2012

    Phoenix Express 2012 Begins in Souda Bay

    Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12), a multi-national exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. Naval forces, officially kicked off at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation Training Center (NMIOTC) in Souda Bay, May 7.
  • March 9, 2012

    Deputy Commander, Armed Forces of Malta visits Mount Whitney

    A senior military officer from the Maltese Armed Forces visited the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) at Palumbo Malta Shipyards in Valletta, Malta, Mar. 7.
  • January 15, 2012

    Navy Aircrew Assists in At-Sea Rescue

    An aircrew assigned to Patrol Squadron 47, operating from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, sprang into action to help rescue 68 people adrift on a powerless raft in the Mediterranean Sea, Jan. 15, more than 80 miles from the southwest coast of Malta.
  • December 7, 2011

    Eurasia Partnership Capstone 2011 Continues in Malta

    More than 100 multinational naval and coast guard representatives participate in a series of workshops at the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) headquarters, Luqa Barracks, Malta, beginning Dec. 4, to kick off the week-long Eurasia Partnership Capstone (EPC) 2011.
  • November 10, 2011

    NAVEUR-NAVAF Commander Visits Malta

    LUQA, Malta – Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, visited Luqa, Malta, Nov. 9-10, for a two-day visit with U.S., Maltese, and Armed Forces of Malta officials.
  • August 19, 2011

    USS Carney Departs Malta

    The guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) departed Valletta, Malta, Aug. 17. The regularly scheduled port visit was part of the 6th Fleet efforts to build global maritime partnerships with European nations, and improve maritime safety and security.
  • August 16, 2011

    USS Carney Pulls into Valletta, Malta

    The guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) arrived in Valletta for a regularly scheduled port visit, Aug. 14. The visit serves to continue U.S. 6th Fleet efforts to build global maritime partnerships with European nations and improve maritime safety and security.
  • June 10, 2011

    Phoenix Express 2011 Helps Prevent the Distribution of Components used to build Weapons of Mass Destruction

    An international maritime interdiction operations (MIO) team participating in Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11) executed a boarding scenario June 10 that supported the aims of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).
  • June 1, 2011

    Phoenix Express 2011 Prepares to Shift Colors

    Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), a multi-national maritime exercise between U.S., North African and European naval forces, held a pre-sail kickoff meeting here June 1, bringing together for the first time since the exercise began ten days ago the Task Force Phoenix Express commander and the commanding officers and crew of the eight ships participating in the exercise.
  • November 15, 2010

    EPC 10 Kicks Off in Malta

    Eurasia Partnership Capstone 2010 (EPC 10) kicked off with a reception attended by Douglas Kmiec the U.S. ambassador to Malta, Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, and Brig. Gen. Martin G. Xuereb, Malta’s chief of defense here, Nov. 14.