Israeli foreign minister in Malta this week

Lieberman will arrive on Thursday afternoon from Tel Aviv and will hold talks with President George Abela at the Palace, while other meetings are scheduled with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat and Foreign minister Tonio Borg.

This visit follows-up on a meeting between Avigdor Lieberman and Tonio Borg in Brusselslast last April. Both countries are set to strengthen ties, and widen commercial relations. On the political side, Maltais set to discuss the recent incidents on the Gaza border in which Maltese activist Bianca Zammit was injured in the leg with live ammunition fired from Israeli snipers.

Other issues are related to the EU and US efforts to ensure the easing of blockade restrictions on Hamas controlled Hamas.

Direct flights to Tel Aviv have been operating for the last few months, with government expressing satisfaction at the arrival numbers.