Cap. 156 Art. 3ADetermination of the areas for the exercise of activities and refusal to allow access on grounds of national security.

(1) The Minister shall retain the right to determine the areas in Malta for the exercise of the activities of prospecting, exploring and producing of petroleum.

(2) Whenever an area is made available for the exercise of the activities set out in sub-article (1), the Minister shall ensure that there is no discrimination between entities as regards access to and the exercise of these activities.

(3) The Minister may, on grounds of national security, refuse to allow access to and the exercise of the activities referred to in sub-article (1), to any entity which is effectively controlled by third countries or third country nationals.