PN, UHM and AD laud EU package

The Nationalist Party, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin and Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday lauded the conclusions of negotiations leading to EU membership.

In separate statements, UHM president Gejtu Tanti and PN Secretary General Joe Saliba stressed how positive the conclusion of negotiations was.

Mr Saliba said EU membership was all about "peace of mind, political stability and a better standard of living".

"The EU is our natural home. Membership is all about solidarity where the strong help those that are weaker. Malta would be receiving over Lm110 million from the EU and from Italy because of EU membership," Mr Saliba said.

Malta would have a voice in the decisions taken and would attract more investment. Standards would increase across the board, ranging from the work place to education to the standard of living, Mr Saliba said.

The UHM also expressed its satisfaction that Malta and nine other applicant countries had concluded negotiations for EU membership so that EU enlargement would take place on May 1, 2004.

The union said it was proud that with its participation in the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) and other fora, Malta could obtain the best possible package. The UHM said it had worked hard to ensure that Maltese workers would benefit from improved working conditions.

Now that negotiations were concluded, everyone had the duty to take a decision based on what was in the best national interest, the union said, adding that it would continue to explain what EU membership implied with the theme it had adopted: "EU membership, a better future for us".

Alternattiva Demokratika welcomed the agreement on EU membership and said that it will continue to do its patriotic duty and actively support Malta's membership of the EU.

AD also welcomed the fact that Malta's neutrality will be guaranteed once it joins the EU.

Professor Arnold Cassola, AD spokesman on EU affairs and general secretary of the European Federation of Green Parties, said the choice in the hands of the Maltese and Gozitan people was very clear: "We have to choose between zero million Maltese liri per year as a non-EU member and Lm80 million for the first three years following membership.

"This financial help from the EU would help our country to tackle various environmental and social problems, thus contributing to help raise the quality of life of all Maltese and Gozitans," Professor Cassola said.

He also expressed AD's deep regret at the failure by the Malta Labour Party to take part in Malta's membership bid.

"Unfortunately, during the three years of negotiations the MLP leadership did not raise one finger to try and help the people of Malta and Gozo obtain the best deal possible," Professor Cassola added.

On the other hand, AD did its patriotic duty and acted in a responsible and constructive manner to help get the best conditions for the Maltese and Gozitans.