Prodi Impressed By Maltese Progress, But Local Opinion Still Divided

Andrew Mair, Tax-news.com

14 March 2000

EU Commission President Romano Prodi recently visited Malta and was impressed with the progress made on this island towards meeting the EU's accession criteria (see press release below). But despite the positive overtures from the EU, there is growing evidence that the Maltese people are still not convinced that joining the EU is the right move for the island.
The Malta Labour Party (MLP), which has promised to withdraw Malta's EU membership bid if it gains office at the next general election, has been outspoken in its criticism of the Government to say the least. A recent opinion poll sponsored by the MLP would seem to support its stance, as it showed that opinion on the island is still strongly divided with 46% of Maltese people favouring European Union membership, and 46% firmly against it.

But the MLP has not been alone in its criticism of the Malta's EU push. The General Workers Union (GWU) has actively been protesting austerity measures introduced by the Government in its recent budget which are required for Malta to meet EU economic criteria. Last week the GWU also took the unusual step of presenting a letter to Mr Prodi in which it outlined its concerns that the austerity package is hurting middle and low income earners in Malta.

Neither has criticism been limited to the political left in Malta. The week before Prodi's visit the Malta Employers' Assocation (MEA) added its voice to to the debate, by claiming that the Malta economy was suffering from a lack of new foreign investment, and the Government should not be depending on EU assistance to rectify this downturn. In fact, MEA President Victor Scicluna told the recent MEA annual general meeting that banking on the benefits of EU membership would only exacerbate the situation in the short term.

With the MLP leading a growing lack of consensus and criticism in Malta over its EU accesion, it seems likely that Malta's bid for EU membership will be decided by the Maltese people at the next election and not by the European Commission.

Press Release - European Commission
IP/00/225
Valetta, 6 March 2000

EU Commission President Romano Prodi and Commissioner Verheugen praise Malta’s progress towards accession

During their visit to Malta 5-6 March, the European Commission President Romano Prodi and EU Commissioner Günter Verheugen praised Malta’s progress towards accession and underlined the valuable role Malta could play as a Member State of the European Union in the Mediterranean area. They also assured Malta that, according to the new approach decided by the EU in the negotiation process, it could be able to catch up with the candidate countries who have started negotiating in 1998. Mr. Prodi and Mr Verheugen met President Professor Guido de Marco, Prime Minister Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, Leader of Opposition Dr Alfred Sant, the Parliament – where Mr Prodi held an important speech - as well as social partners and business community. Mr Verheugen also met Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Joe Borg and Mr Prodi was granted a Degree Honoris Causa by University of Malta.

Malta can play an active role as a link between North and South
“Malta in the European Union will reinforce the southern dimension of the EU” Commission President Romano Prodi said. “It will act as an important interface between the North and the South of the Mediterranean Sea, between Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle-East, thus contributing to the stability of the whole area”.

“I praise Malta’s progress towards accession and I encourage our Maltese friends to keep up the momentum. Progress towards accession lie in Malta’s hands” said EU Commissioner in charge of enlargement Günter Verheugen, who urged Malta to address the priorities laid down in the EU-Malta Accession Partnership, for instance on environment, free movement of goods and capital, justice and home affairs, and transport (in particular maritime safety).

Both men also underlined that the new approach in negotiations, as endorsed by EU’s Heads of State and Governments in Helsinki last December, will make it possible for Malta to catch up with candidate countries with which negotiations started in 1998 (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia). According to this “differentiation approach”, progress in negotiations will depend on each candidate’s efforts to adopt and implement the “acquis communautaire”, i.e. the EU rules and legislation.

Increase in EU financial support to encourage modernisation
Mr Prodi and Mr Verheugen also encouraged Malta to proceed with the modernisation of the economy. With or without the EU, this process is in any case indispensable to match globalisation pressures, they said, but it can best take place with the perspective of accession. Both men confirmed that the EU will continue to help Malta achieve this modernisation process through financial support. A total of at least ? 38 million will be made available 2000-2004 to this purpose in form of EU grants. Loans will also be made available from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Moreover, EU membership will not only provide important benefits in terms of financial support, but it will also offer market opportunities and a level playing field for Maltese companies. Opportunities for inward investment will increase greatly and people – especially young people – will be able to get experience abroad. The great progress made by the Member States at the edge of the EU shows how big advances can be made.

.

Recommended

Write a comment