Weather in Malta
broken clouds
New York
Malta
Shanghai
" Serving the world...
...from Malta "
" Serving the world...
...from Malta "
Weather in Malta
broken clouds
New York
Malta
Shanghai
" Serving the world...
...from Malta "
" Serving the world...
...from Malta "
French Appeals Court Drops Proceedings
15 / 06 / 04
FRENCH APPEALS COURT DROPS PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MALTA MARITIME AUTHORITY AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MERCHANT SHIPPING.
The French Court of Appeal has dropped all proceedings initiated against the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) and its Executive Director Merchant Shipping Mr Lino Vassallo. These proceedings were initiated by the French authorities following the maritime incident involving the Maltese registered vessel Erika close to the coast of Brittany in December 1999.
The Court of Appeal in Paris ruled that the MMA is an extension of the Maltese State and thus the Administration of the Malta Flag is covered by States’ "immunity of jurisdiction".
Investigations relating to the Erika incident were conducted by French magistrate Dominique de Talance.
The chairman of the Malta Maritime Authority, Dr. Marc Bonello and Mr. Vassallo expressed their satisfaction at this decision. Despite the general conviction that MMA’s and Mr. Vassallo’s conduct were correct, responsible and professional – as was confirmed by the conclusions of various technical inquiries into the incident – the Government acted strongly to protect the sovereignty of the State of Malta, its entities and their officials and had always maintained that according to International Law, the French Courts did not have the necessary jurisdiction to press charges. This was affirmed by the French Court of Appeal in no uncertain terms.
The MMA and the Maltese authorities cooperated extensively with the French authorities in the investigation of this casualty.
Dr. Bonello and Mr. Vassallo also expressed their appreciation for the government’s support, particularly from Minister Ċensu Galea and Dr. Anthony Borg Barthet, who was Attorney General at the time.
French Appeals Court Drops Proceedings
15 / 06 / 04
FRENCH APPEALS COURT DROPS PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MALTA MARITIME AUTHORITY AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MERCHANT SHIPPING.
The French Court of Appeal has dropped all proceedings initiated against the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) and its Executive Director Merchant Shipping Mr Lino Vassallo. These proceedings were initiated by the French authorities following the maritime incident involving the Maltese registered vessel Erika close to the coast of Brittany in December 1999.
The Court of Appeal in Paris ruled that the MMA is an extension of the Maltese State and thus the Administration of the Malta Flag is covered by States’ "immunity of jurisdiction".
Investigations relating to the Erika incident were conducted by French magistrate Dominique de Talance.
The chairman of the Malta Maritime Authority, Dr. Marc Bonello and Mr. Vassallo expressed their satisfaction at this decision. Despite the general conviction that MMA’s and Mr. Vassallo’s conduct were correct, responsible and professional – as was confirmed by the conclusions of various technical inquiries into the incident – the Government acted strongly to protect the sovereignty of the State of Malta, its entities and their officials and had always maintained that according to International Law, the French Courts did not have the necessary jurisdiction to press charges. This was affirmed by the French Court of Appeal in no uncertain terms.
The MMA and the Maltese authorities cooperated extensively with the French authorities in the investigation of this casualty.
Dr. Bonello and Mr. Vassallo also expressed their appreciation for the government’s support, particularly from Minister Ċensu Galea and Dr. Anthony Borg Barthet, who was Attorney General at the time.
