Will EU membership make military service (lieva) compulsory in Malta?

No. Malta's membership will not affect military service in Malta. The EU has no power to introduce military service in EU countries.

Except during World War Two, military service in Malta has been voluntary. Malta took on the tradition of the British armed services which are to this very day, all voluntary. In other European countries, military service which was compulsory up to a certain age, is now being phased out.

When Malta joins the EU, young Maltese men, and women, will be free to follow a career in the Armed Forces of Malta as they can do now. No one will be forced to serve in the military service or under military discipline. "Lieva" as military service is known in Maltese, will not have to be introduced.

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