EU trade ministers have given the green light to the European Commission to start talks over an investment deal with China.

The aim is to give greater protection to European investments in China, reduce bureaucracy and improve legal certainties for investors.

Ministers from 28 member states also agreed that negotiations should be wrapped up within two-and-a-half years from the start.

Economy Minister Chris Cardona, who attended the meeting in Luxembourg, hailed this “significant” decision, remarking that this would strengthen Malta’s relations with China and create job opportunities.

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