6 - 12 January 2000

Plan for adoption of 'acquis' to be published in coming days

by Franco Aloisio

The National Plan for the Adoption of the Acquis Communautaire (NPAA), which is to be used by Malta's negotiating team during the country's EU membership talks, will be published in the coming days. This was revealed by the head of the Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC) Simon Busuttil. Dr Busuttil said that the national plan will be presented to the Malta-EU Screening and Action Committee (MEUSAC), which will then decide on the position Malta should take during the official negotiations phase, which is expected to start next month.

Dr Busuttil yesterday also announced that as from this month the MIC will be commissioning opinion polls which will assess the public's views and perceptions on EU matters. Among other questions, the poll will be asking people whether they are in favour of membership or not and whether the EU matters to them.

On the NPAA, Dr Busuttil said that this document is in its final stages and will be made available in the coming days. The EU Directorate is responsible for the NPAA. The plan will state what Malta will have to do to adapt itself to EU standards and legislation, and at what cost, including financial costs.

Asked whether the plan will be made public, Dr Busuttil said that the document will be discussed within the MEUSAC. Dr Busuttil said he believes the document should be made public, adding that the NPAA of other applicant countries is available on the internet.

Addressing a press conference on MIC's plans for this year, Dr Busuttil said that an advertising campaign will be launched as from next Sunday on all the mass media which will make people aware that they can easily obtain information on EU matters from the centre.

"We want people to know that MIC exists and that they can rely on us for objective information," Dr Busuttil said.

Queries on EU can be made on a reply service available on telephone number 25 90 91 92, or on e-mail euinfo.mic@magnet.mt. Replies will be delivered in a same-day-basis.

Later on this month, the MIC will be organising a roundtable conference for all EU information providers. A monthly magazine in Maltese, together with a weekly bulletin on Malta-EU developments will be published by the MIC. The centre will also be providing specific information for various sectors of Maltese society.

Asked about the MIC's role in the national debate on EU membership, Dr Busuttil said that the centre will try not to involve itself in any political controversy.

Dr Busuttil admitted that many Maltese are not interested in EU matters, although the public is aware of the developments going on, such as the fact that Malta will start negotiations next month. He said that the opinion polls are expected to give a clearer picture of the people's interest or lack of interest in EU issues.