The government will be putting forward proposals for a change in law, so that adopted children receive Maltese citizenship.

At present adoptive parents must go through a whole court procedure for their adopted children to take Maltese citizenship, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said.

Muscat was addresing the first National Conference in Malta regarding adoption. The Prime Minister said that these children are equal to other children, and should be given the same level of dignity.

Family Minister Michael Falzon added that the government will continue to facilitate the adoption process. He said that Malta abides by international regulations and standards, and that there are legal obligations that must be followed.