Malta, a crossroad between Europe and Africa and at the southern tip of the European continent, is a melting pot of civilisations in the heart of the Mediterranean.
The Maltese archipelago basically consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino.
Malta is the smallest of the States joining the European Union.
|
|
|
- Country Overview
- Historic Background of the EU- Malta's Relations
- Official documents
- Press releases
- Sources of information about Malta and EU
- Links
Country Overview:
The history of Malta is one of conquests and conquerors. Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Aragonites, the Knights of the Order of St. John
and the British are only a few of those who took advantage of its strategic location to turn it into a control key in the
Mediterranean. From the early twentieth century the Maltese fought for their independence. In 1921, following a popular
rebellion, London granted Malta a certain degree of internal autonomy that was later revoked at the beginning of World War II,
during which the island served as a base to the allied counter-offensive on Italy. In 1947, London returned its autonomy and
declared her independence on September 8, 1964. However, the United Kingdom continued to assure the defence and financial security
of Malta, after the signature of an agreement of ten years. In 1971, NATO forces were expelled and two years later Malta joined
the Movement of non-Aligned Countries. On 16 July 1990, Malta formally applied for European Community membership followed by
the publication of a favourable opinion ("Avis") by the European Commission in June 1993.
Population: 0.39 million (end 2000); 89% urban
Area of Maltese archipelago: Total of 316 km² for the 3 islands (Malta: 246 km², Gozo: 67 km², Comino: 3 km²)
Capital: Valletta.
Languages: Maltese (one of the oldest Indo-European Languages).
Currency: Maltese Lira (Lm); 2000 average exchange rate against € = 2.4741
Constitution: 21st September 1964. Substantially amended in 1974 to bring into effect a republican constitution. Most recently amended in 1994
Official name: Repubblika ta' Malta - The Republic of Malta
Language: Maltese is the national language; English is the second official language
House of Representatives: 65 members
GDP per capita: 11,900 in PPS (2000); 53% of EU average (2000)
Historic Background of the EU- Malta's Relations:
|
Relations between Malta and the EU date back to the 1960's when Malta informed the European Economic Community (EEC) that it wished to establish formal relations. In December 1970, the EC and Malta signed an Association Agreement in Valletta.
On 16 July 1990, Malta formally applied for European Community membership followed by the publication of a favourable opinion poll by the European Commission in June 1993. Following a change of Government in October 1996 Malta's application for EU membership was suspended. Malta was subsequently excluded from the pre-accession strategy and the structured dialogue. As a result of a change in government, following the general election on 5 September 1998, EU accession negotiations recommenced.
On 11 December 1999, in Helsinki, the European Summit decided to start negotiations with Malta. February 2000 saw the official launching of negotiations. During the Copenhagen Summit (December 2002), Malta closed all remaining chapters and negotiations were concluded.
Malta held a referendum on EU membership in March 2003 with 53.6% of the voters voting in favour of membership, with a turnout of 91% of eligible voters. Thus, on April 16 the Maltese government signed the Accession Treaty in Athens.
Malta ratified the EU Accession Treaty in July 2003. In October, the Maltese government participated in the Intergovernmental Conference on a new Constitution and presented its position.
|
Romano Prodi, President of the EC, and Günter Verheugen, Member of the EC in charge of Enlargement, receive Eddie Fenech Adami, Prime Minister of Malta
Eddie Fenech Adami, Günter Verheugen and Romano Prodi, from left to right
Brussels - 23/04/2002
Signature of the Accession Treaty
From left to right : Eddie Fenech Adami, Prime Minister and Joe Borg, Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Malta.
Athens - 16/04/2003
|
Official EU documents:
November 5, 2003
Regular Report : Comprehensive monitoring report on Malta's preparation for Membership
October 9, 2002
Regular Report on Malta's progress towards accession
November 13, 2001
Regular Report on Malta's progress towards accession
November 8, 2000
Regular Report on Malta's progress towards accession
October 13, 1999
Progress Report on Malta's progress towards accession
November 13, 2001
Malta's Accession Partnership
October 13, 1999
Malta's Accession Partnership
February 1999
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/malta/pdf/op_malta_en.pdf
April 2003
Background information on the political and economic situation and EU relations: prepared by the European Parliament General Directorate
Press releases:
Press releases of the Government of Malta
http://www.gov.mt/frame.asp?l=2&url=http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/press_releases/calendar.asp
Latest news of the Delegation of the European Commission to Malta
http://www.delmlt.cec.eu.int/press_highlights/news_press/latest_news/news_page.htm
Latest news of the Malta-EU Information Centre
http://www.mic.org.mt/latest/latest1.htm
Maltese exhibit very low information and interest in European Constitution, Time Malta Independent, 18th February
Malta,the European Commission and Enlargement, Time Malta Independent, 17th February
Malta will be energised by EU membership - GE's CEO, Time Malta Independent, 15th February
Does the EU have provisions on social security?, The Times of Malta, 9th January 2004
Business confidence to improve in 2004, The Malta business weekly, 8th January 2004
A new Chamber for a new, and challenging, year, The Malta financial & Business times, 7th January 2004
A brave new world, The Malta financial & Business times, 7th January 2004
A year of the interview, The Malta financial & Business times, 31 th December 2003
Malta on track for accession, but some areas still lacking, The Malta Business Weekly, 6th November 2003
If any of the links do not work, please use the title of the press release in a search engine for further information
Sources of information about Malta and EU:
DG Enlargement - Team Malta - European Commission Brussels
EC Delegation in Malta - Home Page
European Parliament - Links for Malta: Malta - Country page
Official Maltese Government Site
Malta - European Union Information Centre
Official World Wide Web Site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta
Business's Institutions:
National Statistics Office, Malta
Malta Business Bureau
Central Bank of Malta
Malta External Trade Corporation
Malta Financial Services Centre
Scientific and Academic Institutions:
Malta Council For Science and Technology
Malta Information Technology and Training Services Ltd.
University of Malta
Malta's press:
Index of Maltese Media online
Tourism and Cultural Institutions:
Malta Tourism Authority
This report has been prepared from the following principle sources:
|
Disclaimer - Contact