Located in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta is one of the smallest countries in Europe, with a population of less than 450,000, but rich in history and culture. The country boasts an exceptionally low crime rate, ensuring the highest level of safety for both citizens and tourists. Malta gained independence on 21 September 1964 after intense negotiations with the United Kingdom. It proclaimed itself a republic on 13 December 1974 and adopted a policy of neutrality in 1980.
On 16 July 1990, Malta formally applied to join the European Union through its then-foreign minister. After lengthy negotiations, a referendum was held on 8 March 2003, which resulted in a favorable vote. General elections were held on 12 April 2003 and gave the then Prime Minister a firm mandate to sign the Treaty of Accession to the European Union, which took place on 16 April 2003 in Athens, Greece.
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The country joined the EU on 1 May 2004, after validation by a popular referendum on 8 March 2003. It has been a member of the Schengen area since 21 December 2007 and held the Presidency of the EU Council from January to June 2017. Malta joined the euro area on 1 January 2008.
The country’s GDP has grown from €4.6bn in 2004 to €16.4bn in 2022. Another boom in a good way has been the average gross wage, which has risen from €1,200 in 2004 to €2,300 a month by 2022. And foreign direct investment (FDI) has been a real success story.
Malta invited its citizens to participate in the referendum for accession to the European Union on 8 March 2003. The final results revealed that 53.6% of Maltese voters supported accession.
This article is part of the “Moldova Chooses Europe” campaign launched by the REALITATEA Press Group, in which we tell the story of the path EU Member States have traveled in European integration and the economic growth recorded due to accession.