Malta has voted in favour of introducing divorce in a referendum on the tiny, staunchly Catholic Mediterranean island, local media reported.

President Mary McAleese will today hold talks with the president and prime minister of Malta during the first-ever Irish state visit to the island.

President Mary McAleese is to cheer on the Republic of Ireland team during its Euro 2008 qualifier game with Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday evening, it emerged tonight.

Malta’s parliament tonight unanimously ratified the European Union constitution, adding another “yes” vote to the treaty whose future remains uncertain following rejections by French and Dutch voters.

Malta’s deputy prime minister Lawrence Gonzi today claimed victory for the yes vote in his country’s referendum on EU membership, with about 30% of the vote counted.