Relationship dossier
Libya
Malta
Relationship assessment
Bilateral cooperation on migration and security alongside a maritime dispute resolved by the ICJ
Libya toward Malta
+20Libya entered a 2008 treaty with Malta providing for bilateral cooperation. The two governments have also engaged on migration and security, although the scope and continuity of that cooperation are unclear.
Malta toward Libya
+25Malta supported Libya’s National Transitional Council during the 2011 uprising and has engaged with Libyan governments on migration and security. The extent of implementation of later cooperation is uncertain.
Overall relationship
+20The relationship combines a history of formal cooperation and government engagement with a consequential maritime-boundary dispute. The ICJ addressed the Libya–Malta continental-shelf dispute in 1985, while bilateral cooperation has included a 2008 treaty and subsequent engagement on migration and security.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Libya and Malta have pursued bilateral cooperation, including a 2008 treaty and later engagement on migration and security. Malta also supported Libya’s National Transitional Council during the 2011 uprising. Their relationship has included a maritime-boundary dispute, which the International Court of Justice addressed in 1985. The scope and continuity of later cooperation are unclear.
Areas of tension
- The continental-shelf boundary dispute, addressed by the International Court of Justice in 1985.
Key developments
Libya and Malta concluded a treaty providing for cooperation between the two countries.
The International Court of Justice issued its judgment in the Libya–Malta continental-shelf dispute.
Malta supported Libya’s National Transitional Council during the 2011 uprising.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of post-2011 bilateral cooperation on migration and security are unclear.
- The extent of current energy and economic cooperation is uncertain.