Malta, Spain agree on regular political consultations

Malta and Spain have agreed to hold political consultations on an annual basis in a bid to strengthen the relations between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos decided on Tuesday that the consultation meetings should be held alternately in the capital of each country.

The two foreign ministers met in Madrid where Dr Frendo is accompanying a delegation headed by President Eddie Fenech Adami.

Dr Frendo and Mr Moratinos continued their talks during a working lunch at the Foreign Ministry's Palacio Santa Cruz where they agreed to maintain close and intense collaboration on the issue of illegal immigration both within the European Union and within the context of the 5+5 (Western Mediterranean Forum).

They underlined the urgent need for a conclusion of talks on the EU financial perspectives, furthering investment, trade, tourism and cultural interchange, the Afro-European summit on migration and the 10th anniversary meeting of the Barcelona Process.

Dr Frendo said illegal immigration must to be addressed effectively while Mr Moratinos expressed Spain's support for the setting up of a Mediterranean office of the European Border Agency in Malta.

The ministers signed a double taxation agreement.