Malta in the age of Détente

My study in Melita Historica, edited by Dr David Mallia, is titled "‘Playing one side against the other’ - Malta’s Foreign Relations in the age of Détente (1969 – 1979)." The Journal is now available from leading bookshops and may also be purchased online.

As an independent state, Malta was tasked with formulating its own foreign policy. This policy had to reflect the economic and security needs of the newly independent state. Its early foreign policy initiatives were largely moulded in a tense period which was, however, characterised by a slackening of tensions between the USA and the USSR. This period is known as détente.

The Cold War, the wider international scenario, the tense domestic situation, a change in government and the erratic leadership of Dom Mintoff contributed to Malta's ventures in the field of international relations during this period.

This paper utilises primary sources from various archives. It takes a look at Malta’s attempt to assert its right to formulate policies which safeguarded its perceived interests.