More Maltese abroad seek embassies' help

More than 6,000 Maltese requested assistance from the country's embassies and consulates overseas in the first four months of this year.

The Foreign Ministry noted that there had been 7,400 requests for assistance over the whole of last year.

This year, a lot of Maltese abroad asked about the forthcoming European Parliament elections, with many wanting to know whether the practice of subsidised flights for Maltese to come to vote was to be retained. Many needed help or information about passports, visas and citizenship documents. Other questions related to tourism, trade and investment.

The embassies also had to deal with requests and reports of Maltese who ended up victims of theft and agression, and others who were arrested in the country they were living in. In countries where there were political or social risks, the embassies helped Maltese needing protection.

In a particular case, the embassy assisted a person who requested help to be transferred to another country because of war. The embassies also helped when there were natural disasters, such as following the earthquake in Italy in recent weeks. In this case, the Italian embassy helped three famileis who were among the victims who suffered because of the tragedy.

Minister Tonio Borg said that the increase in calls for assistance showed that the service offered by embassies and consulates was strengthening and that the country was committment to help the Maltese abroad.

He promised to continue strengthening the policy of increasing Malta's representations. For it was the government's duty to safeguard Maltese citizens, whether or not they were resident in Malta, he said.