The Swedish Liberal MP who is campaigning to harmonise EU legislation on abortion has admitted that the practice "cannot be imposed on Malta".
Brigitta Ohlsson said her Make Noise for Free Choice Campaign, which seeks to collect a million signatures for the cause, was only aimed at sparking a debate and supporting pro-abortion campaigners in Malta and the two EU member states - Ireland and Poland - where abortion was limited and almost impossible to perform.
"From a liberal perspective, the right to abortion is not just a Swedish or European issue, it's a global issue," Ms Ohlsson said in an interview with a Swedish newspaper.
"We are not pushing for a European law. We're not seeking to change Maltese or Irish law. If the target of one million signatures is reached, the Commission would need to raise the issue but they cannot force countries to do anything," she admitted.
The petition was also a great opportunity to support activists in Malta, Ireland or Poland, Ms Ohlsson added.
Described as a "cheap publicity stunt" by pro-life campaigners, the internet campaign kicked off last month aiming to pressure the EU and the European Parliament to introduce legislation that forces Malta to introduce the "right of abortion".
So far the petition has attracted some 4,000 signatures but the campaigners' intention is to step up their efforts and keep them up until October 2010.
The initiative is being taken according to new rules which will enter into force once the Lisbon Treaty, which has yet to be ratified by Ireland, enters into force, possibly by January.
The treaty provides for a "citizen's initiative" clause through which one million citizens can call on the Commission to legislate on a particular law.
According to this clause, the Commission is obliged to consider any proposal signed by at least one million citizens from a number - not yet specified in the treaty - of member states. However, the EU would still have no right to introduce legislation on abortion or divorce in member states as this falls outside its competence.
Before EU accession in 2004, Malta had also taken the necessary precautions to counter any future EU initiative to impose abortion on Malta. A specific protocol was added to its accession treaty stating that nothing in the EU Treaties "shall affect the application in the territory of Malta of national legislation relating to abortion".
Ms Ohlsson's pro-abortion campaign has prompted Gozo Bishop Mario Grech to warn the EU not to be ethically indifferent and sceptical towards fundamental values.
He said the Maltese should be proactive and send Europe a message of hope. He appealed to families to educate their children in human and Christian values to prepare for a new political generation for the future.