Malta and Slovakia have signed a memorandum of understanding setting the framework within which authorities from the two countries will identify, screen and facilitate the process of adoption of Slovak children by couples in Malta.

The MoU was signed yesterday by Social Policy Minister and Slovak Social Affairs Minister Viera Tomanova in Slovakia.

Both ministers emphasised that the priority would be the welfare of the children, who would be assisted to integrate into their adoptive Maltese families whilst retaining ties with Slovakia, their country of birth.

They agreed that this process of integration would actually be facilitated by the fact that the two countries share similar values and traditions.

The two ministers also discussed the sustainability of pensions, gender equality, protection of children as well as challenges facing the labour market in these particularly difficult times for small countries with open economies such as Malta and Slovakia.