The US Embassy in Malta on Saturday denied reports that it will be closing down as a part of US State Department budget cuts.
In posts on the social media, the US Embassy in Malta wrote: "Don't believe the rumors: Embassy Malta is not closing. We continue to operate normally and proudly represent the American people.
This confirms what The Malta Independent was told last Wednesday. In comments to this newspaper, Christy Gillmore, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Malta said that "no embassy or consulate closures have been announced, and operations continue as normal."
Earlier this week international news agency Reuters reported that the US Embassy in Malta was considered to be among 10 that could eventually be closed down by the US government.
The nine other embassies in question are based in Luxembourg, Lesotho, Eritrea, Grenada, South Sudan, the Maldives, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, and the Gambia.
According to a Reuters report, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration wants to cut the State Department's budget by nearly half, which could result in nearly 30 U.S. missions being shut down, along with cuts to foreign aid. Reuters reported that the proposed cuts are of nearly $30 billion. It added that the internal document showing these indications was first reported by The Washington Post.
PL statement
The Labour Party on Saturday with satisfaction the statement of the US Embassy that it will continue to operate and represent American citizens in Malta.
The PL said the Labour Government did not fall into the "trap of rumours" and that instead of resorting to alarmism in the media, as others did, it continued to pursue our country's strong international policy based on dialogue, respect and diplomacy, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg.
"It is regrettable for our country that we have an Opposition that instead of acting seriously as an alternative Government, continues to take every opportunity to attack Malta and Gozo, including by using unconfirmed allegations to try to frighten and alarm people unnecessarily. What the Opposition presented as a "great step back" and an "expression of distrust" for Malta, today proved to be nothing but a rumour. The Nationalist Party needs to learn what happens to those who spit in the wind," the PL said.