Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality, Rebecca Buttigieg, met with Spanish Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, in Madrid to discuss EuroPride Valletta 2023 and the field of LGBTIQ+ rights.

Buttigieg expressed the Maltese government's enthusiasm for attending the Pride March in Madrid, one of the largest demonstrations of its kind worldwide.

This event presents as an opportunity for Malta to celebrate the achievements of the community whilst also promoting  EuroPride Valletta 2023, which will take place in Malta from 7 to 17 September.

"In September, we will give great importance to work in favour of inclusivity and diversity in the Mediterranean region, where Malta and Spain play important roles," said the Parliamentary Secretary.

Buttigieg also discussed the launch of the third national strategy on LGBTIQ+ rights, which includes initiatives aimed at achieving greater equality, with a focus on education to increase awareness and strengthen the fight against discrimination.

Minister Montero, who has held her position since January 2020, expressed admiration for the progress Malta has made in recent years. While acknowledging Malta as a role model in LGBTIQ+ rights, Montero highlighted Spain's adoption of legislation against conversion practices, inspired by Malta's pioneering efforts.

Minister Montero expressed her desire to collaborate with Malta in exploring means to improve gender recognition in Spain.

Both parties also discussed measures being taken in their respective countries to address the challenge of domestic violence. Among the topics discussed was the recent legislation in Malta that allows individuals to request a check to determine if their partner had a previous history of domestic violence.

Montero and Buttigieg also touched upon the challenges faced by women, particularly regarding attacks on women involved in politics and activism. They emphasised the importance of an efficient judicial process to ensure the safety of citizens.

As Spain assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Montero and Buttigieg committed themselves to working together to safeguard human rights and strengthen equality.

The meeting was also  attended by the Maltese Ambassador to Spain, Daniel Azzopardi.