MLP applies to join European Socialists

The Labour Party has submitted a formal application for membership of the Party of European Socialists.

The application was submitted by Labour leader Alfred Sant to PES president Robin Cook and the PES presidency meeting in Brussels welcomed the application, the MLP said.

The PES invited its vice-president, Jan Marinus Wiersma, who is responsible for EU enlargement issues, to lead a fact-finding mission to Malta for talks with key figures in the party. This will take place at the end of August.

In a joint statement, Mr Wiersma and MLP general secretary Jimmy Magro said:

"We are delighted by the positive development of relations between the PES and its party in Malta. The MLP's decision to seek full membership of the PES shows that it is committed to being an active participant in European Union institutions and policy development."

The next PES presidency meeting, scheduled for September, will decide on the application in the light of a report by Mr Wiersma.