Adami Denies Reports Of January Referendum

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

31 October 2002

Following a report originally carried by the Malta on Sunday newspaper, and picked up on by both the local and international media, Maltese Prime Minister, Eddie Fenech Adami has denied suggestions that a referendum on EU membership will be held during the first few weeks of January.

The Malta Independent, along with several other locally-based news services revealed this week that, speaking during a press conference, Dr Fenech Adami told reporters that January had not been mentioned as a possible referendum date during his interview with the Sunday paper.

'My position has always been very clear - in terms of an electoral commitment, the referendum will be held as early as it can be after the negotiations are concluded,' the Times of Malta quoted the PM as announcing.

He continued:

'I do not think it rules out any month of the year, but of course there are preparations that need to be made. Conclusions will not be reached until the end of December, so I would find it very hard indeed for the referendum to be held in January, for example.'

Recommended