Meetings on reaching an arrangement to facilitate the adoption of Bulgarian children are under way, Malta's Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi said, quoted by timesofmalta.com.

The arrangement will reportedly respect the interests of the children, ensuring there was confidentiality, reducing costs for the adoptive parents and preventing abuse.

According to the article talks are at an advanced stage with the Russian government on procedures for the adoption of Russian children.

Dr Gonzi was quoted as saying that some people blamed the Family Department for taking too long to draw up home study reports on families wishing to adopt. He pledged that the government intended to strengthen this department.