Malta’s accession to the EU : a critical review of the current debate

Abstract

The objective of this essay is to view and evaluate the effect of Malta's accession to the European Union from a selected number of people and organisations. It attempts to expose the views of politicians, trade union leaders, industrialists, businessmen, managers of the manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries, bankers, accountants, economists and University lecturers on the topic, mainly exploring the contents of the Avis and the reaction of the various bodies towards the Commission's Opinion. A sectoral assessment is made of the most important areas of the political, economical and social operative: agriculture, fisheries, banking, insurance, tourism, transport, shipping, trade, customs, taxation, working conditions, employment, consumer policy, competition, environment, telecommunications, liberalisation of markets, protectionism policy, political sovereignty, neutrality, nonalignment, culture, language and history. An index of the main topics discussed follows. This essay is divided into an introduction, three chapters and a brief conclusion. Each chapter is divided into sections which discuss and embrace the particular topic within the context of the chapter. The introduction is an overview of Malta's relations with the Union since Independence. It outlines the Association Agreement and the various Protocols which followed, and the initiatives that have been taken to develop the relationship between Malta and the European Union. Chapter 1 evaluates the requirements for membership and the eligibility of Malta to apply in the first instance for full membership. A number of requisites must be attained in order to engage in the Community's operative, and a list of needs fulfilled as a condition of membership. The neutrality and non-alignment issue is tackled alongside the issues on culture, internal agreement and the level of development of the Maltese islands. Chapter 2 gives an overview to Part One of the Avis. The Chapter is divided into Six Sections and each section relates to the present situation between Malta and the EU. It outlines the local political set up and its situation, the economy and Malta's participation in Community Institutions. The Chapter's last section gives a list of priorities which have to be considered by Malta, especially the social, economic and political impact of the suggested reforms. Chapter 3 gives an overview to Part Two of the A vis. The second part of the avis is mainly directed towards the transition required to get Malta in line with the Community's ‘acquis communautaire’ and is divided into Twelve Sections. These sections give an insight to agriculture, fisheries, customs, taxation, competition, employment, environment, transport, telecommunications, consumer policy, cooperation in the fields of Justice and Home Affairs, the internal market, industrial affairs, financial institutions and the implications for the Community's Budget resulting from Malta's full membership. The concluding note is an extension to this introduction, and as such provides only for a brief explanation of what have been stated in this essay.