Malta Ratifies IAEA Additional Protocol

The Maltese House of Representatives yesterday ratified the Additional Protocol to its International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards agreement, the Times of Malta reported (see GSN, May 5).

Although Malta does not have a nuclear weapons program, guarding against illicit transport of nuclear-related materials through its seaport remains a priority, said Foreign Minister Michael Frendo.

“This is a responsibility which we take very seriously,” Frendo said. “The government is committed to continuing to ensure that the level of security at the Freeport remains at least as high, and possibly higher, than at other neighboring harbors so as to prevent the transport of weapons or other dangerous material.”

Malta is the 63rd country to ratify the Additional Protocol, which allows for more intrusive inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the Times reported. The island nation pledged to ratify its protocol as part of its entrance in 2004 into European Union (The Times of Malta, May 5).

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