Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Admiral James Stavridis, yesterday stressed that the frequent fighter landings in Malta were for “emergency situations only”.

On a visit to the island, Admiral Stavridis thanked Malta for its “tremendous” work during the Nato operation in Libya.

“Malta has been very helpful with the possibility of landing our aircraft here, in emergency situations only, on several occasions,” he told reporters as he was taken around Valletta.

Admiral Stavridis held talks with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and met Brigadier Martin Xuereb and Director of Defence Matters Vanessa Frazier for “very productive talks”.

The Prime Minister told the admiral that he had come to the island at a “very important time”. The US, he said, was being helpful in tackling Malta’s “modern challenges” including illegal migration.

Admiral Stavridis, who was taken round Grand Har-bour in a patrol boat, also praised Malta for being “extremely professional in its response to the refugee situation”.

Right after the 2008 election, the government had reactivated Malta’s membership in Nato’s Partnership for Peace programme, which allows partner countries to build an individual relationship with Nato, choosing their own priorities for cooperation.