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Embassy of the United States, Attard

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Coordinates: 35°53′27.97″N 14°25′34.81″E / 35.8911028°N 14.4263361°E / 35.8911028; 14.4263361
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Embassy of the United States, Attard
The embassy building in 2014
Map
LocationAttard, Malta
AddressTa' Qali National Park
Attard
ATD 4000
Coordinates35°53′27.97″N 14°25′34.81″E / 35.8911028°N 14.4263361°E / 35.8911028; 14.4263361
Chargé d'affairesMark A. Schapiro (a.i.)
Websitemt.usembassy.gov

The Embassy of the United States of America in Malta (Maltese: L-Ambaxxata tal-Istati Uniti tal-Amerka) is the diplomatic mission of United States of America to the Republic of Malta. The current embassy building, opened in 2011, consists of a 10 acres (40,000 m2) compound at Ta' Qali National Park in Attard, Malta. Mark A. Schapiro is the current chargé d'affaires ad interim representing American interests in Malta. The position of Ambassador of the United States to Malta has been vacant since 2018.

History

Main article: Malta–United States relations

The United States first established a consular presence in Malta in 1796, when the island was under the rule of the Order of St. John.[1]

Development House in Floriana housed the U.S. Embassy from 1974 to 2011. It is now the offices of Malta's Treasury Department.

The Embassy of the United States in Malta was established upon Malta's independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1964.[2] The embassy was originally located in the capital Valletta, but it eventually moved to Sliema. In the 1970s,[3][1] it moved to Development House in St. Anne Street, Floriana.[3] In 2011, the embassy was moved once again to a new building in Ta' Qali National Park in Attard. The embassy's website still lists its location as "Valletta".[1]

The Floriana embassy closed on 1 July 2011,[4] and the new building opened on 5 July 2011[5] and was officially inaugurated on 15 July.[6] It was built on 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land, on the site of the former election counting hall[7] which was purchased from the Government of Malta in 2006 for €14.6 million. Construction cost €88.5 million, and more than 800 workers were involved in the works.[6] The embassy moved in order to have a larger and better working environment, but also for security purposes.[8] Local residents in Attard have complained of drainage problems coming from the American Embassy, which is a possible health problem in the area that adds to the flooding accumulation.[9]

The embassy employs over 125 people, some American and some Maltese.[6] The building includes an Information Resource Center, a conference room and a cultural center. It is certified as a LEED green building.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Policy & History". U.S. Embassy in Malta. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018.
  2. ^ "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Malta". Office of the Historian. United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b "US Colours lowered from Floriana embassy for the last time". The Malta Independent. 2 July 2011. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018.
  4. ^ "US embassy lowers flag from Floriana building". Times of Malta. 1 July 2011. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013.
  5. ^ Mills, Jr., Richard M. (29 June 2011). "A Letter of thanks to Floriana". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Sansone, Kurt (16 July 2011). "Huge US Embassy is 'normal diplomatic compound'". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 9 February 2017.
  7. ^ Busuttil, Cynthia (5 February 2008). "Electoral Commission 'can cope' with double election". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017.
  8. ^ "U.S. Opens New Embassy in Malta in Security Upgrade". Fox News. 22 July 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  9. ^ https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Attard/Documents/1_Min%2044_24%2002%2010_.pdf
  10. ^ Zammit, Rosanne (29 June 2011). "US embassy completed at Ta' Qali – no word on new ambassador". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017.
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