It was announced recently in the local media that the Maltese and US governments had reached agreement regarding visas for Maltese citizens visiting the USA. It was also announced that the relations between the two countries are very strong. Congratulations for that agreement.

We would appreciate it if the Maltese government were to try and establish a better agreement with the US government regarding Maltese citizens emigration visas for those who have close relatives in the US – parents, brothers, or sisters. These could file a petition for an emigrant visa for their relatives in Malta who intend to join them in the US, without having to stay in the quota for many long years. Also, interviews should be held at the American embassy in Malta, and not at the American embassy in Naples Italy, as it is at present.

During the 1960s and 1970s emigrations visas used to be issued with immediate effect and interviews were held in Malta. As far as we are concerned we are a sovereign country.

It would also be very much appreciated by many Maltese Americans emigrants if the Maltese government were to start to negotiate with the US government to reach a similar reciprocal agreement that Malta has with Australia, Canada, Britain, and other countries especially as regards social security service and so on.

We are sure that this agreement could be possible considering the strong relationship that exists between the two countries. We are sure that Her Excellency the American ambassador would have done her best in this matter, and we thank her for what she has done and hope that her successor will continue to work to establish better relations between Malta and the USA especially in this regard.

We would appreciate it if the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Social Policy, and also the Leader of the Opposition and shadow ministers, the AD and AN parties, take notice of this matter in order for Maltese Americans emigrants and their relatives to have the same benefits that other Maltese migrants have around the world.

Joseph Sammut

BIRKIRKARA