The Nationalist Party on Wednesday expressed its deep concern at reports that the United States government intends to close its Embassy in Malta.

Such a decision would mean that, for the first time since Independence, Malta would be left without an American Embassy - an institution which, over the years, has served as a vital bridge in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries not only on a political level, but also in areas such as trade, education, culture, and the arts, among others.

The PN urged the Maltese Government to immediately update the Maltese people on this deeply concerning development by clearly stating whether it has been officially informed of this decision. If it has, the government must reveal when it was notified and what action it has taken to prevent this from happening.

This decision by the United States Government towards our country would represent a significant setback in Malta-US relations and would be a clear sign of the American Government's lack of trust in the Maltese Government, the PN said.

The Nationalist Opposition said it remains ready to do everything it can and to assist in any possible way to ensure that this troubling development does not come to pass.