Beppe Fenech Adami, Darren Carabott, and Mario De Marco (Photo:PN)The Nationalist Party has called for transparency from prime minister Robert Abela following revelations in Parliament regarding Malta’s participation in the EU Military Assistance Mission in Ukraine.
The Opposition is demanding a clear and honest statement from the Prime Minister, questioning whether he was aware of this involvement or if he has lost control over his own government.
Although Malta’s constitution enshrines the country’s neutrality, yesterday Abela confirmed that Malta is participating in the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), a programme aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s armed forces.
The issue came to light when Carabott pressed Abela on Malta’s involvement after the Prime Minister had delivered a ministerial statement on a recent European summit. Initially evasive, Abela eventually acknowledged that a single Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) officer was participating in the mission, acting as a liaison between the UK—where the training is conducted—and the EU.
Abela downplayed the role, insisting it was purely administrative and that Malta was not directly involved in military training. However, he did not clarify when or why Malta decided to take part, despite past government assurances that Maltese soldiers would not be engaged in foreign conflicts.
While the AFM later issued a statement denying that any Maltese soldiers were involved in military operations in Ukraine, it confirmed that one officer was stationed in the UK as part of the EU-led initiative.
During a press conference today, shadow ministers Darren Carabott, Beppe Fenech Adami, and Mario De Marco criticised Abela’s handling of the matter.
They highlighted that, during a Parliamentary session on Monday, Abela confirmed Malta’s role in the training of Ukrainian soldiers. However, he appeared unprepared for the question and had to rely on text messages from home affairs minister Byron Camilleri to provide his response.
The PN MPs raised concerns about the secrecy surrounding Malta’s participation, stating that “until yesterday, the Maltese public was completely unaware of this situation.”
They argued that it was the Opposition that exposed the issue in Parliament, forcing the government to acknowledge it. Despite previous assurances that Malta would not be involved in military conflict, the Labour Government had, in fact, sent an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) officer to coordinate training in the United Kingdom.
“If Maltese soldiers are truly only carrying out administrative work, then why has a military officer in full Armed Forces of Malta uniform been sent?” the Nationalist Party questioned.
The PN accused the Labour Government of inconsistency in its approach to defence and security, stating that “Robert Abela’s Labour Government is doing through its constant U-turns, saying one thing in the morning and doing the opposite by the evening; saying one thing in Malta and behaving differently in Brussels.”
Reassuring members of the AFM, the PN pledged that a future Nationalist Government would invest in the army’s personnel, equipment, and training, restoring the reputation it deserves.
The Nationalist Party also expressed gratitude to individuals who have provided information on what it described as the government’s “secretive actions.” It reiterated that Malta’s and Europe’s defence and security require serious and transparent investment, rather than what it described as the current administration’s inconsistent approach.
