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May 16, 2020 Malta again at the center of controversy and international cases. Valletta rejects what was reported by the French newspaper Le Monde that China has been conducting espionage activities against the European Commission through the Malta Embassy in Brussels. The headquarters was purchased by the Maltese government in 2004 for around 21 million euros and is located in a strategic position very close to the European Commission headquarters in rue Archimede.

According to Le Monde, in 2010 the British secret services would have warned their Belgian counterparts that China was carrying out espionage activities from the offices of the Maltese Representation to the EU in Brussels. According to the French newspaper, the Chinese government financed the purchase and renovation of the headquarters. But the Maltese government dismisses these revelations as false. According to the Government of Malta, however, the building was subjected to internal and external controls: "It is important to clarify that the security system of the Permanent Representation has changed and improved in the past two years," said the Maltese government. Former Maltese ambassador to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana, said the building was equipped with the highest security standards and was regularly certified by the Maltese security service.

Other diplomatic sources say that the real reason for the news published by Le Monde is the decision taken by the Maltese government not to participate in the EU naval operation 'Irini' to strengthen the United Nations arms embargo on Libya, through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime resources. Malta and China have a long-standing friendship since the founding of diplomatic ties almost 50 years ago. Both countries have developed a strong relationship at various levels, mainly those relating to the economy, energy, health, education and culture.

During the Nationalist administration in 2015, the Chinese government had purchased 19,000 square meters from the Maltese government in Pembroke for 7.8 million euros for the construction of a Chinese embassy. The decision was unanimously approved by the Maltese Parliament. The application for the issue of building permits was submitted to the Maltese authorities last month. Residents and environmentalists took sides against the project.

In the meantime, Malta has remained involved in another diplomatic controversy regarding the role of the new ambassador to Italy. Just four months after his appointment, the Maltese government has recalled its ambassador Joseph Cuschieri. According to local reports citing The Times of Malta, Cuschieri would have arrived in Rome in violation of the protocol. But the Maltese Foreign Ministry said that Cuschieri started working as a designated ambassador in Italy after receiving the ok from the Italian government and that it is a prerogative of the government to decide when to appoint or replace an ambassador, as needed. Cuschieri will be replaced by Carmel Vassallo, former commander of the armed forces of Malta.