Malta has been an independent state since 1964 and Germany has maintained diplomatic relations with the country since 1965.

Germany is one of Malta’s most important economic and trading partners, with approximatels 60 German companies currently operating in Malta. German direct investment stood lately at 17.5 billion euro. The fourth-largest group of visitors in Malta are German tourists.

The German-Maltese Circle based in Valletta has fostered cultural relations between Malta and Germany since 1962. It offers language classes and organises events such as exhibitions, film screenings and concerts, thus filling the gap caused by the absence of a Goethe-Institut in the country.

The German-Maltese Association founded in 1991 and based in Adenau is an independent non-profit organisation working to promote relations between Germany and Malta. It organises events, provides (also financial) support for school trips and is involved in the annual Europe Day celebrations in Bonn.

The Bremen Malta Centre based at Bremen University holds conferences of the International Association for Maltese Linguistics and offers courses in Maltese. The Centre’s library is home to more than 1100 books in the Maltese language.

There are also a number of joint projects between the University of Malta and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology with various German educational institutions. The Federal Foreign Office is funding a Chair in Peace Studies and Conflict Prevention in the Mediterranean area at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies.