Prime Minister Robert Abela said Monday that he would like to see a serious, national discussion on whether the country's constitutional position on defence reflect today's realities.
Abela was speaking to Maltese media in Brussels at a one-day informal meeting for European Union leaders being held today on defence, the first of its kind this year.
Abela said that a national discussion should be held to determine whether today's constitution adequately serves the country's defence necessities, and whether it is valid for present and future conflicts and realities.
He clarified that Malta will not be fighting anyone's war, but will continue to provide support within its constitutional limits. However, he would like to see this "interesting" discussion divulge, round a table with the Opposition.
Abela said that the country's position is particular and unique among the 27 EU Member States, and while Malta is not the only one with constitutional limitations, he believes the country's constitution regarding neutrality and non-alignment is a clear and rigid one, but is also not as excessively traditional.
"We already financially contribute to the European Peace Facility, but the line we do not cross is that of lethal apparatus. We contribute in the provision of non-lethal apparatus, and this respects our constitutional position," Abela said.
He said, however, that he does not believe that given Malta's position, the country is unaware and cut off from surrounding realities.
Abela said that this is not realistic, and conflicts in the vicinities can impact Malta. He said that the informal discussion must be a constructive one, which does not solely focus on how to increase expenditure in defence, but push the important message of peace and diplomacy to solve conflicts.
"The approach must be balances, understanding the realities of member states who are geographically closer to certain conflicts of today, and future ones, but the message must be absolute respect towards the specific defence policy of a country," Abela said.
Abela said he felt pleased that EU Council President Antonio Costa referred to Malta when saying that today's discussion must respect the specific defence policy of certain countries, and this will be communicated in the discussion.
He also said he believes 2025 can be the year where human tragedies can be reduced, having a positive attitude towards the resolution of the Middle East conflicts and the Ukraine-Russian war.
Abela also said that he would like to see more expenditure allocated towards the country's army, investing in defence as the country might "not be fully equipped for all that is happening," clarifying, however, that Malta will not be entering any wars.