The legal affairs committee of the European Parliament has given its go-ahead for 12 member states to cooperate in divorce and legal separation law.

The decision, which has to be endorsed at a plenary sitting of the European Parliament next month, will allow couples who come from different countries to choose which country's laws should be applicable if they wish to separate or divorce. They must have a close connection with the chosen country, either by nationality or residence.

Malta is not among the countries which have opted to move ahead with cooperation, but it is considering its participation limitedly to separation cases, since it does not allow divorce.

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