site.btaMalta Gives Green Light to Adoptions of Bulgarian Children

Malta Gives Green Light to Adoptions of Bulgarian Children

Sofia, April 6 (BTA) - Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva and Maltese Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity Michael Farrugia discussed the bilateral cooperation in the area of intercountry adoptions, Zaharieva's Ministry said in a press release Wednesday.

The problem of adoptions between the two countries appeared after the central adoption authority in Malta, the Department for Social Welfare Standards, began to require an additional test for hepatitis C of the adopted child. If the child tested positive, he/she could not be issued a permit to enter Malta.

During the meeting with Zaharieva, Farrugia said that the problem has been solved in his country so that Malta will strictly adhere to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which in turn will allow adoptions from Bulgaria.

In 2015 the Bulgarian Justice Ministry issued 334 consents for adoptions of 427 children with habitual residence in 16 countries signatories of the Hague Convention.