Editing History of Malta (section)

=== Nationalist governments (1964–1971) ===
{{anchor|Malta Independence Act 1964}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Malta Independence Act 1964
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act to make provision for, and in connection with, the attainment by Malta of fully responsible status within the Commonwealth.
| year                  = 1964
| citation              = [[List of acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1964|1964]] c. 86
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 31 July 1964
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = [[British Nationality Act 1981]]
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = amended
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/86/contents/enacted
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = Malta Independence Act 1964
| collapsed             = yes
}}
[[File:Ton-class minesweeper - HMS Stubbington (M1204) - Msida Creek, Malta 1964.jpg|thumb|Ton-class minesweeper HMS ''Stubbington'' (M1204) moored in Msida Creek, Malta. The ship, seen on 21 September 1964, is decorated in honour of Malta's independence.]]
[[File:Denkmal an die Unabhängigkeit Maltas in Valletta.jpg|thumb|Monument to the independence of Malta in [[Floriana]]]]

Following the passage of the Malta Independence Act 1964 (c. 86) by the [[British Parliament]] and the approval of a new [[Constitution of Malta|Maltese constitution]] by 54.5% of voters in a [[1964 Maltese constitutional referendum|referendum]], the [[State of Malta]] ({{langx|mt|Stat ta’ Malta}}) was formed on 21&nbsp;September 1964 as an independent [[constitutional monarchy]], with [[Elizabeth II]] as [[Queen of Malta]] and [[head of state]]. The date continues to be celebrated annually as Independence Day ({{langx|mt|Jum l-Indipendenza}}), a national holiday in Malta. On 1&nbsp;December 1964, Malta was admitted to the [[United Nations]].

In the first two post-independence electoral rounds, in [[1962 Maltese general election|1962]] and [[1966 Maltese general election|1966]] the [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]] emerged as the largest party, gaining a majority of the Parliamentary seats. In these years, [[Italy-Malta relations|relations with Italy]] were of the utmost importance to secure independence and establish linkages with continental Europe. Malta signed four cooperation agreements with Italy in 1967, during a visit of [[Aldo Moro]] to the island.

In 1965 Malta joined the [[Council of Europe]], and in 1970, Malta signed an Association Treaty with the [[European Economic Community]].