Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the captain of the aid ship ‘Conscience,’ which suffered an alleged drone attack last Friday, has accepted that an accredited government surveyor boards the ship.
The surveyor is currently in the process of doing so, outside of Maltese territorial waters, Abela said.
Abela gave a short update on the situation in Parliament on Monday, and said that six persons on board the ship also made a request to disembark the ship and be brought to Malta, where they would then immediately depart for their respective countries.
This request was accepted, and Abela said that the transfer is currently being carried out by the Armed Forces of Malta to bring them to Malta, where they will catch a plane back to their countries later on Monday.
Abela explained that on Sunday Transport Malta communicated the offer of letting a surveyor on board the ship to inspect the attack to representatives of the boat.
He said that the ship was ready to let a surveyor on board, on condition that the ship docks in Maltese ports. Abela said that at that moment in time, the request could not be accepted.
Abela said Malta also rejected a request that the surveyor would be let on board, provided that the ship is allowed to enter Maltese territorial waters.
Earlier on Monday, a representative on the ship said that it was ready to accept the surveyor on board, provided that three other persons unrelated to the situation are let on board, a request which was also rejected, Abela said.
Finally, he said that the ship’s captain accepted that a surveyor boards the ship while the ship is still anchored outside Maltese territorial waters, along with letting six persons on the ship disembark and allowed to go back to their countries.
Abela said that he also spoke to Opposition Leader Bernard Grech yesterday on the phone, and the two leaders met earlier today to discuss the situation and provide information.
“I thank the Opposition Leader for keeping national interest at the forefront, and we left the meeting on the same position, leading with a spirit of national unity,” Abela said, once again thanking Grech.
Grech also thanked the Prime Minister for his declaration, as well as accepting his invite for a meeting on the matter.
Grech said that from the very beginning, the PN’s concern was that for the country’s security, and the security of those on board the ship.
He said that after his meeting with Abela, he felt satisfied after ensuring the public’s interest and the country’s security, as well as safeguarding the people on board the ship, “as each life matters, a priority shared by the Prime Minister.”
Grech also thanked the AFM, the police, and all public officials who became involved in the situation, especially given the uncertainties which posed an element of risk.
He said that the PN was cautious on the matter, but was satisfied that after the meeting with Abela, the two sides of the House could take a more informed position, providing peace of mind on which direction to move towards.
Grech appealed that national interest always comes first, and said that the PN condemned any verified attacks committed on the ship.