The Europeanisation of Maltese foreign policy and the issue of irregular migration

Abstract

For the last twenty years, Malta’s Foreign Policy has been dominated by of irregular migration. Since joining the European Union in 2004, Malta has lobbied on the issue at European level, and placed it at the peak of its national agenda. Malta also negotiated with neighbouring countries like Libya and Italy, both also affected by irregular migration. This research will first analyse how Malta’s membership in the European Union has affected its Foreign Policy, beginning at the nation’s independence until the present. We will then look into how relations between Malta, Libya and Italy have evolved. Another aim of this research is define how Malta is affected by irregular migration, and actions taken by the Government over the past twenty years. This will be done through a case study showing the situation of migrants in Malta.