Malta to join tribunal to prosecute Putin - but after the election
New tribunal wants to prosecute Russian president for crimes against Ukraine
Malta will join a special international tribunal to prosecute Russian President Vladimir Putin, but it can only do so after the general election.
Foreign Minister Ian Borg said Malta's decision was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers three weeks ago but was not in time to be ratified by parliament before the election was called.
Malta is among four EU member states that so far not signed up to the special tribunal to prosecute Putin for crimes of aggression against Ukraine.
The new international tribunal aimed at prosecuting Russia for its invasion of Ukraine has been described by Ukraine’s foreign minister as a major breakthrough in the pursuit of justice.
Last June, Borg in his capacity as President of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, presided over the signing of a landmark agreement establishing the tribunal.
When contacted, Borg made it clear Malta will join the tribunal should the Labour Party be re-elected.
The tribunal, which will be based in The Hague, has gained support from 36 countries, most of them European.
Friday's resolution was signed by Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.