A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities composed of rapporteurs Matthias Gysin (Switzerland, ILDG) and Cecilia Feliczitasz Friderics (Hungary, ECR) carried out a monitoring visit to Malta from 7 to 9 November 2023 to assess the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in this country since the last monitoring report adopted by the Congress in 2017. They were accompanied by Prof. Francesco Palermo, Member of the Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Italy).
The Congress delegation exchanged views with the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Dr. Owen Bonnici, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Anġlu Farrugia, the Auditor General, Charles Deguara as well as the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon.
The rapporteurs also met with the members of the National delegation of Malta to the Congress, the President of Local Councils’ Association and Head of the National delegation, Mario Fava, the Mayor of Valletta City, Alfred Zammit, the Presidents of Gozo Regional Council and Port Regional Council, Dr. Samuel Azzopardi and Chev. Paul Farrugia, as well as mayors of Santa Luċija, Żurrieq, Nadur and Fontana, Charmaine St John, Rita Grima, Edward Said and Saviour Borg, respectively.
Malta ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1993. Countries that have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires compliance with a minimum number of rights, which form the European foundation of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities ensures that these principles are respected.
Contact: 
Svitlana Pereverten
