9 - 15 March 2000

EU will 'force us' to adopt environmental standards

by a staff reporter

European Union membership will "force Malta" towards better environmental standards, Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino said yesterday.

Mr Pullicino was addressing a conference on "EU, Malta, Planning and the Environment" held at the Planning Authority. The conference was attended by PA employees who at present are reading for a Diploma in Planning at the University of Malta.

Mr Pullicino said that EU membership will improve the quality of life of all Maltese citizens. He said that EU accession will produce the necessary framework for the adoption of an environmental policy, which is still lacking in Malta.

"Moreover, the EU will provide those funds required in order to implement building regeneration programmes such as those concerning vacant property which at present cannot be carried out due to lack of finances," he said.

As an example of this, Mr Pullicino said that Ireland managed to obtain EU funds for the restoration of its traditional pubs.

On the theme of the conference, Mr Pullicino said that Malta lacks planners and the Diploma in Planning trains future planners.

He said that discussions are underway with the International Environment Institute and the Central England University for the setting up of a first degree in planning.

He said that as from next year such courses will be financed through EU programs such as Leonardo and Erasmus.

The conference was addressed by several of the students reading for their diploma in planning, and they made presentations of various issues relating to the EU.