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Protocol on Abortion will be annexed to Malta’s Accession Treaty to the EU, which would give legal certainty that EU law, present or future would not be able to change Maltese law on abortion. Malta is not the first country to negotiate a protocol on abortion. Ireland, which has been a member of the EU since 1973, also has a special protocol on abortion.

A Protocol is a legally binding instrument that is enforceable in a court of law, including the European Court of Justice. The wording of this Protocol clearly ensures that in any case of possible conflict between EU law and Maltese law or jurisprudence on the issue of abortion, Maltese law will prevail. The text of the Protocol is the following:

"Nothing in the Treaty on European Union, or in the Treaties establishing the European Communities, or in the Treaties or Acts modifying or supplementing those Treaties, shall affect the application in the territory of Malta of national legislation relating to abortion."

"Abortion is illegal in Malta and punishable at law under Section 241-243A of the Criminal Code. On its part, the EU has no laws on the legalisation of abortion. Nor does it have any competence to make such laws. However, the fact that all EU countries, except for Ireland, have already legalised abortion gave cause for concern that the EU might indeed call upon its members to legalise abortion at some point in future," the head of the Malta-EU information centre Simon Busuttil told di-ve.com.

Mr Busuttil said that a major concern over EU membership in Malta is related to the sensitive issue of legalisation of abortion. The Maltese people concern was also fuelled by a recent European Parliament report tabled by Belgian MEP Anne Van Lancker, which recommends the legalisation of abortion in EU states. "Although not legally binding, these resolutions imply political pressure," Simon Busuttil said.

According to the protocol, it will also not be possible for foreign doctors to offer "abortion services" in Malta under the EU principle of free movement of persons or the free movement of services. "In Malta’s case, abortion is illegal and remains illegal irrespective of whether it is performed by a Maltese or a foreign practitioner," Mr Busuttil said.