In a statement he remarked that these institutions make a valuable contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and dialogue adding that PfP has effectively strengthened relationships between states in Europe and North America.

PfP’s work has helped in the increased practical cooperation and underlined common commitment to democratic principles.

This follows a media statement issued by the Government of Malta saying that Malta will rejoin NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PFP) as soon as possible. Thus was decided in a cabinet meeting.

The government added that joining the PFP will not have an impact on Malta's neutrality and will improve its participation in European Union decision making processes. The government has also stated that the Armed Forces of Malta will benefit from PFP by participating in humanitarian and rescue exercises.

Membership in PFP will improve government’s access to confidential documents that the NATO and other PFP members exchanged amongst themselves. Malta had joined the PFP in 1995 but withdrew its membership in 1996, following a change in government.

The Partnership for Peace (PfP) is a programme of practical bilateral cooperation between individual Partner countries and NATO. It allows Partner countries to build up an individual relationship with NATO, choosing their own priorities for cooperation. Based on a commitment to the democratic principles that underpin the Alliance itself, the purpose of the Partnership for Peace is to increase stability, diminish threats to peace and build strengthened security relationships between individual Partner countries and NATO, as well as among Partner countries.