While Maltese heterosexual couples would still be able to adopt Russian children, Russian law prohibited adoption by same sex couples, Russian Ambassador to Malta Boris Yu Marchuk said.

He was speaking during a meeting with Social Policy Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca with whole he discussed adoptions from Russia.

Mr Marchuk said Russia always looked favourably upon Maltese families and adoptive heterosexual couples in Malta and continued to do so.

However, the Russian Federation had its own beliefs on same gender unions and recent legislation prohibited adoptions of children by same gender couples from countries where such unions were legalised.

Maltese heterosexual couples would still be able to adopt from Russia subject to the due processes as established by law and appropriate bilateral agreement.

A bilateral agreement on cooperation between Malta and Russia on adoptions is currently being negotiated with a view to its conclusion in the near future.

Minister Coleiro Preca reiterated that while Malta respected other countries' legislation, this would in no way hinder the established national procedures emanating from Maltese legislation.