Community financial and technical cooperation with Malta

On 30 October 1995, the European Council approved a "Protocol on financial and technical cooperation between the Community and Malta". In the framework of the Association Agreement signed between the Community and Malta, the Protocol provides for the Community to finance proj...

On 30 October 1995, the European Council approved a "Protocol on financial and technical cooperation between the Community and Malta".

In the framework of the Association Agreement signed between the Community and Malta, the Protocol provides for the Community to finance projects and schemes which will:

- Contribute to Malta's economic and social development;
- Facilitate its economic transition with a view to accession to the European Union.

The Protocol provides for an aggregate amount of ECU 45 million to be committed before the end of October 1998, comprising ECU 13 million in the form of grants, ECU 2 million in the form of contributions to risk capital formation, as well as ECU 30 million in loans from the European Investment Bank.

Priority will be given to projects and operations which aim to:

- Promote closer administrative cooperation between Malta and the Community with a view to helping Malta adopt the "acquis communautaire" and improve the efficiency of its public administration;
- Support structural reforms in the industrial and service sectors, adapt the Maltese economy to the requirements of the internal market and improve its competitiveness, including encouraging economic cooperation between undertakings in Malta and the Community, investment promotion and private capital backing and support for SMEs;
- Create and strengthen links in the fields of science and technology between training and research establishments in Malta and the Community and encourage enterprises and research centres to participate in the Community's specific RTD programmes;
- Diversify and promote exports, support implementation of the agreed reforms of Malta's commercial, customs and tax policies, with a view to integrating the Maltese economy with that of the Community, and organize contacts between businesses in Malta and the Community;
- Provide technical and legislative assistance in the above priority areas and implement training programmes in government bodies, business and research establishments;
- Promote participation by Malta in Community education, culture and youth programmes, according to specific arrangements still to be negotiated and concluded;
- Promote participation by Malta in Community RTD programmes, projects or other actions, in the fields of transport, energy and telecommunications, according to specific arrangements still to be negotiated and concluded.

Countries

Malta