La "Cuba del Mediterraneo" : la neutralità di Malta e la politica estera del partito laburista maltese viste dall'Italia (1971-1981)

During the Cold War Malta, due to its geostrategic position, played a prominent role in the relations between the Soviet and Western blocs. Dom Mintoff, leader of the Labour Party known as the Fidel Castro of the Mediterranean, engaged in an autonomous foreign policy playing on several fronts in order to negotiate the best conditions for the young Maltese Republic. The author provides a reflection on how the policy of Dom Mintoff's government was interpreted by Italy. First the political framework in Malta will be addressed; then a political crisis juncture in the relations between Malta and Libya represented by the Medina dispute will be analysed. Finally, the focus will be on the bilateral agreement between Italy and Malta on the protection of the archipelago's neutrality. [Publisher's text]