No comparison between Switzerland and Malta - Austrian minister

Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner said she strongly believed that no comparison could be made between Malta and Switzerland.

On the Labour Party's position of developing a partnership with the EU called 'Switzerland of the Mediterranean', Ms Ferrero-Waldner stressed that no comparisons should be drawn.

"This is very clear. Why do I think so? Because Switzerland has many multi-national industries that have their headquarters or sister companies somewhere else in the EU so they get all the benefits.

"Here you have got a very specific position. You cannot compare Switzerland and Malta."

She said Austria was supporting the government in the negotiations but it was up to the Maltese to make up their own mind. She stressed it was not her intention to interfere in internal matters.

"I can only give you our experience and advice as a small- or medium-sized country. For a small country in Europe in today's globalised world, it is important to be in the EU rather than outside. In the end, outside you may still have to follow the trends that the EU sets. Inside the EU, you can shape the decisions.

"It is so important that small- and medium-sized countries work together before accession and hopefully after Malta's accession. I think you will have your say when you are within an organisation rather than when you are outside. This is crucial.

"Speaking for Austria, I have experienced this myself. I see that you can indeed shape foreign policy when you are inside. We have our say. If you stay outside, then of course, you in the end have to implement what others decide. This should be a consideration in the debate that is taking place here."

On her meeting with Labour deputy leader George Vella, Ms Ferrero-Waldner said she mentioned the Austrian experience as a member of the EU.

"I said that I feel that in a globalised world, a small country can only shape decisions by being within an institution. There are quite a number of smaller and medium sized countries in the EU."

Speaking at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Joe Borg, Ms Ferrero-Waldner spoke about the effect of not joining the EU.

She said that in Austria, they had evaluated the cost of non-membership.

"This would have been dramatic and I believe the effect of non-membership would also be dramatic for Malta," Ms Ferrero-Waldner said.

"Think about the investment that might not be made. I think investment will come here after a referendum is held because people will know that Malta is an EU country.

"When you think about the effect of non-membership, you have to think about investment and also about the effect on the labour force and students."

In practical terms, she said, Austria was trying to support Malta on the sensitive pending issues. For instance, the Austrian chief negotiator was in Malta recently, meeting Malta's chief negotiator on the outstanding issues, because everyone had to be well prepared to be able to give Malta support at a political level.

Asked about Austria's neutrality, Ms Ferrero-Waldner maintained that her country's status of neutrality was not affected and that it did not suffer any problems following EU accession.

She said the talks with Dr Borg concentrated on the remaining issues in Malta's negotiations.

Dr Borg said he had discussed with his Austrian counterpart the progress that had been made, and dedicated most of the time to the items being negotiated at the moment and the outstanding issues.

She understood the government's position and "we agreed that in the coming months we will continue to work in close coordination together until the conclusion of negotiations by the Copenhagen Summit in December".

Ms Ferrero-Waldner said that bilateral relations between the two countries were excellent.

She also said she was delighted to hear that the company which runs Vienna Airport had been chosen for the privatisation of the Malta International Airport. She said that this company had done a very good job in Austria.

However, she believed a lot more could be done on tourism.

"We have so many Austrians who are interested in culture. I myself started to see a little bit of this beautiful country which has so much of history in this rather small dimension. I am sure that tourism efforts could be enhanced."

On the investment side, Ms Ferrero-Waldner said she was sure that both countries could strengthen trade and commerce that existed between them.

During her visit, Ms Ferrero-Waldner also met President Guido de Marco and Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami.