Why was Malta never associated with the eastern bloc?

Post being a republic in 1974, Malta was a socialist country for a significant time. In fact, it's "best friend" in terms of countries was Gaddafi's Libya until well past the cold war.

Dominic Mintoff visited the USSR, and had a good relationship with China. Malta was also the country Kim Jong Il of North Korea learned English.

It was even said in USA that Malta betrayed the west. So why was Malta not considered part of the "eastern" side of Europe. Like Yugoslavia learned towards communism but also westernised.