The Maltese public registry last year recognised 35 divorce decrees given abroad, according to information given in Parliament. 19 of those decrees were made in the UK, five in Australia, two in Germany, and the others one each in Russia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Syria, Souh Africa, France, Canada, Slovenia and Belgium.

The registry recognised 30 overseas divorce decrees in 2008; 37 in 2007, 42 in 2006 and 40 in 2005.

During the same period, 11 divorce decrees were recognised in the public registry in Gozo.

856 marriages annulled in five years

Replying to other questions, put by Labour MP Justyne Caruana, Dr Gatt said 854 marriages were annulled between 2005 and 2009 .

The minister gave the following figures:

2005: 158 cases 130 Civil and 26 ecclesiastical.

2006: 194 cases, 168 civil and 26 ecclesiastical;

2007: 163 cases - 133 civil and 30 ecclesiastical;

2008: 183 cases - 147civil and 36 ecclesiastical

2009: 158 cases - 112 civil and 46 ecclesiastical.

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