Author: olivia.cortis@gov.mt

MALTA’S SYSTEM OF HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Malta’s system of Honours, Awards and Decorations was established in 1975 by virtue of the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika Act and consolidated in 1990 by the foundation of the National Order of Merit under the same Act.

Malta pays public tribute to Maltese citizens who have distinguished themselves in different walks of life and whose contribution and achievement enrich the general well-being of their fellow countrymen as well as to foreign nationals who have distinguished themselves by their service in the promotion and fostering of international relations or who have earned the respect and gratitude of the people of the Maltese Islands.

The State bestows its honours on Republic Day through appointments to The National Order of Merit and to the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika, hereinafter referred to as Ix-Xirka or Xirka, or by the award of the Midalja għall-Qlubija and the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika.

The honours given under the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika Act are not intended to create a society of the elite. No special privileges and no financial benefits are attached to the awards. Granting honours is a symbolic and lasting way for a country to recognise the excellence, merit and effort of its citizens.

Appointments to The National Order of Merit and to the Xirka and the award of Medals of the Republic are made by the President of Malta on the written advice of the Prime Minister. The Instruments of Appointment, the Insignia and the Medals are presented by the President at an investiture ceremony and appointments shall have effect on Republic day.

The President of Malta is the Head of the Maltese Orders whilst the Secretary to the Cabinet is, ex officio, the Chancellor. A Registrar is appointed as an officer of the Orders to keep a record of the honours and awards granted. A Nominations Committee is appointed to consider nominations and to make proposals to the Prime Minister on the persons whom it is desired to honour.

The National Order of Merit pays tribute to Maltese citizens who distinguish themselves in different fields of endeavour. The motto of the Order is ‘Virtute et Constantia’.

Only Maltese citizens are eligible to be appointed members of the Order but honorary membership may be conferred on foreign nationals who have distinguished themselves by their service in the promotion and fostering of international relations or who have earned the respect and gratitude of the people of the Maltese Islands.

The four grades of the Order – Companion of Honour, Companion, Officer and Member – are designed to embrace a wide spectrum of achievement and service.

In addition to past and present Presidents and Prime Ministers who are by virtue of their offices members of The National Order of Merit in the grade of Companion of Honour, there can be only three other members in this grade at any one time. In the other grades, annual appointments may not exceed two Companions, three Officers and ten Members, provided that in determining these numbers, no account shall be taken of appointment of Honorary Members.

Appointees to the National Order of Merit are entitled in terms of the law to place the following letters after their names – KUOM in the case of Companions of Honour, KOM in the case of Companions, UOM in the case of Officers, and MOM in the case of Members.

The Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika is a society of honour with membership and honorary membership restricted to those who demonstrate exceptional merit in the service of Malta or of humanity. The motto of the Xirka is Għall-Ġid tal-Maltin’.

Maltese citizens may be appointed members of the Xirka. Distinguished citizens of countries other than Malta may be appointed as honorary members. Apart from honorary members, the number of new members may not exceed three every two years.

Members and honorary members of the Xirka are legally entitled to have the letters S.Ġ. (Sieħeb il-Ġieħ) placed after their names.

The Midalja għall-Qlubija and the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika may be awarded by the President on the written advice of the Prime Minister.

The Midalja għall-Qlubija may be awarded to any Maltese citizen for an act of exceptional bravery. It may also be awarded on an honorary basis to any citizen of a country other Malta for an act of exceptional bravery that merits recognition by Malta. It may also be awarded posthumously.

A person to whom a Midalja għall-Qlubija has been awarded shall be entitled to have the letters MRQ (Midalja tar-Repubblika għall-Qlubija) placed after his/her name.

The Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika is a Medal of the Republic which is awarded to Maltese citizens for distinguished service to their country. In special circumstance, the Medal may be awarded to a group of persons or a voluntary organisation which is duly enrolled according to law. It may also be awarded posthumously. The Medal may be awarded to not more than ten Maltese citizens in any one year.

Distinguished citizens of a country other than Malta may be honoured by the award of this Medal on an honorary basis. Persons who are awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika are entitled to have the letters MQR (Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika) placed after their names.

The names of those distinguished persons who are appointed members of the National Order of Merit or of the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika and those who are awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika are published in the Government Gazette.

Policy Development and Programme Implementation Directorate


Mission statement

Our mission is to contribute to the overall public service goal of providing a service of excellence. Being meticulous and timely in addressing the issues which the Directorate deals with.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Policy Development

This area contributes to the development of policies and strategies related to dossiers falling within the remit of the Office of the Prime Minister. Coordinates responses to EU and national-led exercises which have the aim of developing strategies or implementing such strategies or policies.

Programme Implementation

This section within the Directorate informs and guides prospective applicants on EU funding opportunities. It assists entities and monitors the implementation of EU funded projects and schemes from application stage till project closure stage. The Programme Implementation section oversees and coordinates the implementation of EU funded projects whilst ensuring that projects and initiatives are implemented in a timely and efficient manner. This section performs desk-based checks in order to ensure that project implementation is in line with the grant agreement and other obligations whilst processing payments of EU funded projects based on such checks. Hence, guaranteeing sound financial management practices. 

EU Affairs

The European Union Affairs section within the Directorate is responsible for coordinating Malta’s position with regards to legislative and non-legislative acts falling within the Office of the Prime Minister’s portfolio. Such positions are either provided as replies to requests received on a daily basis through the Permanent Representation and EU Coordination Department, or else as instructions for Working Parties, Commission expert Meetings, High-level meetings as well as Ministerial Councils and the European Council. 

It is also entrusted to ensure compliance with regard to a number of specific EU regulatory frameworks on a national level.

Core Functions

The Directorate performs the following functions:

Supports entities falling within the remit of the Office of the Prime Minister with the development of national polices and legislation; and liaises with other ministries with regard to issues pertaining to the Public Service in general, when required.
Ensures the national interest is well represented in all EU Fora it co-ordinates, and especially during the discussion of new proposals at European Union level.

Undertakes timely and efficient consultation on these proposals with the authorities and entities within the Office of the Prime Minister’s remit, as well as with other Ministries.

Strives to keep the other departments within the Office of the Prime Minister informed of developments in European policies. The Directorate carries out this function not only in those fields for which the it is the Implementing Ministry, but also in other areas which may have an impact on policies which fall within the Office of the Prime Minister’s portfolio.

Prepares explanatory memoranda setting Malta’s position in relation to specific proposals for consideration and approval by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, Cabinet and the Foreign & European Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives.

Coordinates and prepares documents for working parties, committees, including the meetings of the Permanent Representatives (COREPER) and Council of Minister Meetings.

Ensures fullest participation in EU related programmes, projects, legislative processes and initiatives.

Oversees the timely drawing up of answers to the questionnaires sent by the EU institutions as part of their functions when preparing any document to be discussed by the Member States.

Ensures that the pertinent EU Regulations and Directives are correctly transposed, implemented and enforced. 

Coordinates the logistical and policy preparations for bilateral meetings with Third Countries.

Coordinates and monitors EU-Funded Projects undertaken by entities falling within the Office of the Prime Minister’s remit.

Participates in conferences, seminars, workshops and expert groups, where necessary, both at local and EU level.

Contact Details
Policy Development and Programme Implementation Directorate
Office of the Prime Minister
No 18, Floor 3
South Street
Valletta
MALTA

Telephone
+356 22001132
dpi.opm@gov.mteuaffairs.opm@gov.mt

Director – Ms Claudine Sciberras
claudine.b.sciberras@gov.mt
Assistant Director (Programme Implementation) – Mr Clifton Pulis
clifton.pulis@gov.mt
Assistant Director (Policy Development and EU Affairs) – Ms Graziella Farrugia
graziella.b.farrugia@gov.mt