6 - 12 September 2001

Euro-Mediterranean movement to be set up within coming weeks

by Ivan Brincat

A new movement will be set up in the coming weeks to counter the extreme positions taken by the IVA movement and the Campaign for National Independence (CNI) on membership of the EU.
Sources close to the founders said the new movement will be called the Euro-Mediterranean Movement. It will seek to tap resources in the country and to gain as many benefits as possible before Malta joins the European Union and after.
The Euro-Mediterranean movement will not be entering into political controversies and will continue to function even if Malta joins the EU or not.
“Our manifesto and position will fit into both the Nationalist Party’s policy regarding European Union membership as well as the Malta Labour Party’s position of turning Malta into a Switzerland in the Mediterranean.”
The sources said the movement, which is expected to be officially launched shortly, will be composed of businessmen, lawyers, professionals and university students.
“The aim behind the movement is that of offering a contribution to the country and also to be a leading non-governmental organisation speaking on the economy, envi-
ronmental problems, politics and culture in the Mediterranean.”
The people behind the movement are currently working on a manifesto which will be made public during the launch of the Euro-Mediterranean movement.
“We will be bringing over foreign speakers to discuss Mediterranean issues and we will be working hard in the Malta’s interest,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the founders of the movement have
targeted Joe Mifsud, former president of the Forum Zghazagh Laburisti and well-known journalist, to be the executive secretary of the movement.
Contacted by The Malta Business Weekly, Mr Mifsud said it was still early to comment. The movement is however expected to have a very solid base at university.