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Foreign Relations Of MaltaFor the first several years of independence, Malta followed a policy of close co-operation with the United Kingdom and other NATO countries. This relationship changed with the election of the Labour Party (Malta) government in June 1971 led by Dom Mintoff. The NATO subheadquarters in Malta was closed at the request of the Labour Party government, and the U.S. 6th Fleet discontinued recreational visits to the country. After substantially increased financial contributions from several NATO countries (including the United States), British forces remained in Malta until 1979. Following their departure, the Labour government charted a new course of neutrality and became an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Malta is an active participant in the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and the Council of Europe, OSCE, the Non-Aligned Movement, and various other international organisations. In these fora, Malta has frequently expressed its concern for the peace and economic development of the Mediterranean region. The Nationalist Party (Malta) -(Partit Nazzjonalista) government is continuing a policy of neutrality and non-alignment but in a Western context. The government desires close relations with the United States and western Europe, with an emphasis on increased trade and private investment. In 1992, U.S. Navy ships started paying liberty calls again and currently do so a regular basis, albeit it's against the Constitution of Malta. As of May 1 2004, Malta officially became a member of the European Union. It is one of ten new members of the European Union. Disputes - international: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Illicit drugs: minor trans-shipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe - See also : Malta
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