Malta has downgraded its diplomatic mission in Lisbon following the closure of Portugal’s embassy in Valletta last year.
Diplomatic sources in Lisbon told The Times that Malta had withdrawn its permanent ambassador and instead appointed former Nationalist MP Ray Bondin as resident chargé d’affairs.
“This is a downgrade and not a full withdrawal,” a source said.
“Instead of closing its representation in Lisbon, Malta notched down its level of representation from ambassadorial to chargé d’affairs level. Though the island could have closed off its offices in the Portuguese capital it still decided to keep its presence although at a lower level.”
Portugal’s decision to close its doors in Malta last year was a direct result of the severe austerity measures being implemented in the country, which had to ask for a bailout due to unsustainable debt levels.
Apart from Malta’s, Portugal also decided to close its embassies in a number of other EU member states including Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. Embassies in Andorra, Bosnia and Kenya were also closed down.
Instead of a full-time ambassador, Malta has now appointed retired Judge Joseph Filletti as non-resident Ambassador to Portugal.
The latter was given the appointment after failing to make it to the post of judge at the European Court of Justice. The Government’s nomination had been turned down by a group of ECJ judges on the basis of Judge Filletti’s limited knowledge of EU law.
During this legislature, Malta has opened a number of diplomatic missions including in Israel, in the Palestinian Occupied territories and most recently in Kuwait.
It is also planning to open an embassy in Oman.