22 - 28 February 2001

Important phase in EU negotiations for Malta

by Ivan Brincat

Malta is entering an important phase in the negotiating process with the European Union, the Dutch Secretary of State Dick Benschop said yesterday.
On a two-day visit, Mr Benschop said that among the issues that must be addressed one finds the Common Agriculture Policy and the Free Movement of People, two issues on which the EU has not decided what stance to take in its negotiations with candidate countries.
Mr Benschop yesterday had meetings with Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg and leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant.
Mr Benschop said that during his stay in Malta, he got a thorough review of Malta’s requests for transition periods and special arrangements.
“I am very well aware of Malta’s requests even though I cannot give guarantees at this stage. Moreover, these are bilateral discussions,” he said.
Dr Borg described his two meetings, on Tuesday evening and yesterday morning, as very fruitful. He said the government had expressed its views on the next enlargement, adding that Malta wanted to conclude the negotiations next year so that it could become an EU member by 1 January 2004.
Mr Benschop said the Netherlands was a supporter of the enlargement process and the country had reaped great benefits by being a member of the EU and participating in the internal market.
“Malta will now have to undergo a restructuring plan which can sometimes be painful, even though it has to be done,” Mr Henschop said.
It was very difficult, he said, to find people in the Netherlands who wanted to pull out of the EU.
The Dutch Secretary of State said it was still too early to say which transition periods would be granted to Malta. However, in the field of environment for example, it was obvious that Malta needed more than two to three years due to the heavy investment required.
Mr Benschop said the Netherlands would be opening an embassy in Malta in the future.
During his meeting with the leader of the opposition Alfred Sant, Mr Benschol said the social democrats found themselves comfortable in the EU. However, Dr Sant replied that the Labour Party’s position is not based on ideology but is in Malta’s national interest.