EU-MALTA JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

The EU-MALTA Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) held its 19^th meeting on 6 - 7 October 2003 in St. Julians, under the joint chairmanship of the Hon. Louis GALEA (Malta - Nationalist Party), Mr Luigi COCILOVO (EP - EPP-ED) and Mr Mark WATTS (EP – PES).  Since Malta will be joining the EU on 1 May 2004, this was the last JPC meeting. 

Co-Chairman Louis GALEA opened the last meeting of the JPC. He said that Malta was on the threshold of a new era to join the EU but “the Maltese nation took the decision, and the Accession Treaty is now signed.” The Maltese Co-chairman took the opportunity to praise the contribution of the JPC to Malta’s accession, which was a learning experience for both sides.  

From the EU, Co-chairman Luigi COCILOVO expressed his gratitude to all those who served on the JPC. He described the European Parliament as the main sounding board for European opinion and told the audience he was looking forward to working together with the Maltese in the EP. “The JPC chapter may come to an end but it will certainly not be the last chapter of our co-operation.” 

Ambassador Alvise MEMMO, representing the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU gave an overview on the proceedings with regard to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which began on the 4^th October in Rome. The Ambassador stated that it was the Presidency’s intention to wind up the IGC before the end of 2003 in order to allow EU citizens to have a say in the draft Treaty at the European elections of June 2004. 

On behalf of the European Commission, Mr Arhi PALOSUO addressed the JPC and said that the Commission’s focus was on monitoring the final preparation of the acceding countries for membership. Mr PALOSUO reminded the audience that the acceding countries still have a lot to do, to finalise their preparations for membership.  

In the final year before accession, the Commission has been requested by the Council to prepare a document called “Comprehensive Monitoring Report”. This Report will be finished on 5 November 2003 and has a twofold purpose: first to look at the reforms that have been implemented and secondly, to see how the country is meeting its commitments undertaken in accession negotiations.  

The Commission will be looking at the real results; good intentions alone do not count. Mr PALOSUO expects that half of the monitored areas will be non-problematic. However, difficulties are foreseen in some fields where further legislative action and better enforcement are required while in other cases, administrative capacity needs to be strengthened. Finally, there might be fields where countries are really lagging behind. The country will be told in clear language where problems still remain. However, it is too early to say what the conclusions are with regards  to Malta. 

Foreign Minister Joe BORG stressed that Malta was adapting its Government and parliamentary structures in order to cope with EU matters. According to Dr BORG, a good example had been the setting up of MEUSAC – Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee.  

With regard to Parliament, the Foreign Affairs Committee will take on board EU affairs and will be responsible in Malta for scrutinising EU matters. Malta’s European commitment was clearly reflected in the fact that the Maltese Parliament was the first among the ten new member States to ratify the accession treaty.  

As for the ongoing IGC, Dr BORG made clear that Malta did not approve of a minimum threshold of four members of the European Parliament, in order to be able to cover all the important EU policy fields. Other points Malta would like to see changed in the draft constitution include: the number and the status of the Commissioners, who should all be represented equally and the reference to Christianity in the constitution. 

On Tuesday morning, Mr Andrew DUFF (EP - Liberal) explained the changes affecting the European Parliament as set out in the Convention text on the Future of Europe. According to Mr DUFF, European Parliament was the greatest beneficiary with increased powers in many policy fields such as in the design of the structural and cohesion funds. He warned against amending the Convention text too heavily because then “it could all fall apart”. 

The Hon. Leo BRINCAT (Malta, Labour Party) raised the issue of the foreign policy of the EU and in particular the role of the future EU Minister of Foreign Affairs, who although being part of the College of Commissioners would be answerable to the Council. Mr Brincat also warned the EU not to become too complex, thus failing to live up to the expectations of its citizens. 

The great challenge of the IGC is to bring the EU closer to the citizens. According to Mr Mark WATTS, the section of the values of the EU is an essential part of the draft constitution to which it is hard to disagree. “Accession will not work without a new constitution”. 

The Hon. Tony ABELA (Malta, Nationalist Party) stated that in the framework of the IGC, the EU should behave as a “world power ready for innovation”. 

Mr Robert GOEBBELS (EP - PES) commented on the Convention result by saying that “no MEP can speak on behalf of the whole Parliament”. He expressed doubts on plans to change the rotating presidency of the Council. “Up to now, small and medium-sized countries have often proved to hold successful presidencies of the Union. This has been evident in the European Single Act and the Treaty of Amsterdam, achieved under the Luxembourg and Dutch presidencies respectively.” 

The Hon. Michael FRENDO (Malta, Nationalist Party) said he was concerned about the Commission’s position because the collegiality would no longer apply to all 25 Commissioners but rather to the 15 who have voting rights.  

Mr Roy PERRY (EP- EPP-ED) said he was pessimistic that the draft constitution would be adopted according to plans because “the text is completely incomprehensible to EU citizens.” 

A possible way out was to allow more flexibility and enhanced co-operation between groups of EU countries that were capable and willing. 

The JPC also discussed the EUROMED process which was introduced by Dr Michael FRENDO and Mr Mark WATTS. The JPC was convinced that a firm EU commitment was necessary to bring about economic development in the region, to the benefit of all parties. Malta, as a Member of the EU, will be a key player in the Euromed process.
 

DOI – 07.10.2003