Cap. 304 Art. 3Ratification of certain treaties by House of Representatives. informed of denunciation of certain treaties.

(1) Where a treaty to which Malta becomes party after the coming into force of this Act is one which affects or concerns -

(a) the status of Malta under international law or the maintenance or support of such status, or

(b) the security of Malta, its sovereignty, independence, unity or territorial integrity, or

(c) the relationship of Malta with any multinational organization, agency, association or similar body, such treaty shall not enter into force with respect to Malta unless it has been ratified or its ratification has been authorised or approved in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(2) A treaty to which subarticle (1) applies shall be ratified or shall have its ratification authorised or approved as follows:

(a) where such treaty concerns a matter referred to in subarticle (1) (a) or (b) or contains any provision which is to become, or to be enforceable as, part of the law of Malta, by Act of Parliament;

(b) in any other case, by Resolution of the House of Representatives.

(3) No provision of a treaty shall become, or be enforceable as, part of the law of Malta except by or under an Act of Parliament.

(4) The instrument of ratification shall be issued under the signature of the Minister responsible for foreign affairs.

(5) Any act of a foreign State relating to any of the matters mentioned in subarticle (1)(a) or (b) shall be laid on the Table of the House as soon as practicable by the Minister responsible for

*See Government Notice No. 128 of 9th March, 1983. to be a party to a treaty affecting or concerning any of the matters mentioned in article 3 (1)(a), (b) or (c), the Minister responsible for foreign affairs shall inform the House of the fact, giving the reasons therefor, at the earliest opportunity and in no case later than the second sitting of the House after the expiration of one month from the date of the denunciation or other act whereby Malta ceases or will cease to be a party to a treaty as aforesaid.