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Malta among front-runners
for EU membership
Does not necessarily mean Malta will be included in first
enlargement wave – Foreign Minister Dr Joe Borg
by Ivan Brincat
Malta and Cyprus meet the economic criteria necessary to become
members of the European Union and both countries are capable
of withstanding competitive pressure and market forces within
the EU as from now.
This means that Malta and Cyprus are among the front-runners
– in this respect – among the pack of 12 applicant
countries vying for EU membership.
This was announced yesterday by Foreign Affairs Minister Joe
Borg who discussed the European Commission’s enlargement
strategy paper positions.
Commenting on the papers, Dr Borg said with satisfaction that
Malta and Cyprus were the two best prepared countries. However,
he warned: “This does not mean that the first enlargement
will consist of Malta and Cyprus but that we are the best prepared
country.
In its strategy paper, the European Commission has come up with
a road map which, while not rigid, is forecasting that the most
difficult chapters could be concluded by the first six months
of 2002.
The ambassador of the European Commission, Giorgio Boggio, said
he could visualise the possibility that the EU could welcome
countries by the end of 2002 under this scenario.
Dr Borg said that with determination from both sides, the government
was in time to conclude the negotiations according to plan.
“At first we thought that the strategy paper would be tight
on Malta but there is ample time for us to negotiate as strongly
as possible and on what is in the interest of Malta,” he
said.
The foreign affairs minister said the referendum will be held
after the conclusion of negotiations. “In all probability,
the referendum will be held soon and once the government has
informed the public regarding the results of the negotiations.”
The report was presented to the Prime Minister Eddie Fenech
Adami by Dr Boggio in the afternoon after the European Commission
had approved the report.
Dr Boggio said the report was good for Malta and it assessed
the progress that was registered during the year.
The strategy paper which was approved by the European Commission
highlights the fact that all 12 candidate countries fulfil the
political criteria for joining.
Dr Boggio, however said that the road map was the pillar of
the document as it sets out a timetable and priority table on
what chapters might be concluded for the next three semesters.
At a press conference, Dr Borg said the government was very
satisfied with the outcome of the report on Malta and also with
what the strategy paper says.
He said the report notes the economic improvement that was registered
by Malta and said it showed that the country had delivered.
Dr Borg highlighted the areas of agriculture, environment and
regional policy as the three areas in which the government needs
to do more, as highlighted by the report.
On the other hand, Dr Boggio said that while the candidate countries
were putting pressure on the European Union to come up with
a date for the next enlargement, the European Commission is
now envisaging a time for the conclusion of negotiations.
In the first semester, under the Swedish Presidency, areas such
as the Internal Market, Social Policy and the Environment will
be tackled.
In the second semester agriculture will be negotiated and this
will probably go on until the first six months of 2002 together
with regional policy, among others.
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