The US ambassador designate to Malta, Douglas Kmiec believes that the double taxation agreement between the two countries would be ratified by the US Congress in autumm.

Prof. Kmiec said this during a courtesy visit to Malta’s ambassador in the US Mark Miceli at the Maltese Embassy in Washington DC.

The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and Prof. Kmiec emphasised that he was looking forward to taking up his post.

During the talks the two sides discussed a number of subjects including Malta’s prehistory, its Catholic faith and areas of possible cooperation such as education, sustainable energy and the movie industry, as well as the double taxation agreement which is awaiting ratification at the US Congress.

The two sides also discussed the illegal migration problem.

Ambassador Miceli thanked the US for helping Malta cope with the significant number of refugees it has received in recent years.

Prof. Kmiec’s nomination as ambassador to Malta had caused a stir in pro-life Catholic circles because of the Malta’s strong pro-life stance and laws prohibiting abortion.

A Pepperdine University law professor, Prof. Kmiec drew scorn during the Obama Presidential campaign because of his support for Obama, an abortion advocate.