EU proposes deepening relations with Malta
The European Commission has adopted a communication concerning the deepening of relations between the EU and Malta. Although Malta had applied to join the EU and received a favourable opinion from the Commission in 1993, the new government decided in 1996 to freeze the application. Malta therefore no longer participates in the pre-accession frameworks which apply to other applicant states. However it remains committed to the establishment of a free trade area with the EU, and recently requested the Commission to put forward proposals for developing EU-Maltese relations. The Commission's proposals will strengthen political and economic links, focusing particularly on trade liberalization. Specific areas for cooperation will include energy, environmental protection, industrial cooperation and investment, transport, consumer policy and health protection, social affairs, participation in EU programmes, science, research and development, telecommunications and Information Society, and cooperation in the fields of political and security issues, justice and home affairs.
Countries
Malta