MEPs Dismiss Malta Labour Party's 'Switzerland In The Med' Hopes

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

02 May 2002

Two British MEPs on Tuesday warned that the possibility of Malta becoming a 'Switzerland in the Mediterranean' with regard to the European Union is implausible, and that partnership would probably not be accepted by the European body.

Although the Maltese Government is in favour of accession to the EU, the country is politically deeply divided on the issue, and the aforementioned scenarios have both been put forward by the opposition Malta Labour Party as possible alternatives to full membership.

However, according to a report in yesterday's Malta Independent, MEPs Dan Dover and Philip Bradbourne condemned the proposals as 'fallacies', echoing comments made by Malta's Social Policy Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi.

'There is no such thing as Switzerland in the Mediterranean and now they have changed their tune, saying they want a partnership with the EU. But what does that mean exactly? Is there such a thing?' Dr Gonzi asked recently.

Both the British MEPs and the Maltese Social Policy Minister stressed that although Malta is not currently an EU member, it is still affected by the body's rules, especially where trade is concerned.

'The question we are asking the public is if they think it would be better to be a member of the union and be part of the decision making process rather than just be affected by it,' Dr Gonzi argued.

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