Military
Military branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 99,032 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 78,710 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $65.5 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________