The EU country categorically refused to be a member of NATO
Malta is not going to join military blocs and become part of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo stated this in an interview with Izvestia, according to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
The publication noted that Malta is one of the few EU countries that is not a member of NATO, and asked whether there are plans to become part of the North Atlantic Alliance.
"No. Look, we have served for centuries as a military, naval base for anyone who wanted to control the Mediterranean. And when they did, they did it for themselves, not to protect the Maltese. When we were used as a military, naval base, it was against us, because they did not want us to develop our economy, our society,” said the head of the Maltese Foreign Ministry.
When the country officially said in 1979 that there would no longer be any bases on its territory, “that changed centuries of history,” he said.
“And it was a great step forward for us. We don't want to hurt anyone, but we don't want to be used or hurt either. And the best way to do this is to not be a military or naval base for anyone. And this will not change,” concluded Bartolo.
The EU member state has categorically refused to become a NATO member.