Weekly News highlights

The Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, said last Sunday his country's doors were open to Maltese entrepreneurs who wished to generate economic investment between the two countries.

He said he was eager to see the friendship between Malta and Kuwait flourish through greater co-operation on business and tourism matters. He was addressing President Guido de Marco during a state visit to Kuwait.

Malta-Italy military co-operation

A memorandum of understanding on Mediterranean security was signed on Monday by Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and Italian Defence Minister Antonio Martino.

Dr Fenech Adami stressed that through this co-operation, both countries could contribute to the security of the Mediterranean and confront new threats. The memorandum, which will replace previous agreements that established the Missione Italiana di Assistenza Tecnico-Militare (Italian Military Mission), regulates military co-operation between Malta and Italy.

Maltese live longest among new EU states

The life expectancy in Malta is the highest among acceding countries, closely followed by Cyprus, statistics released by Eurostat show. The statistics on economic and social indicators aim at drawing a portrait of an enlarged EU.

Men in Malta and Cyprus have a life expectancy of 76.1 years at birth, while women have a life expectancy of 81.2 and 81 years respectively. Men in Estonia have the shortest expected lifespan, 65.3 years at birth.

Malta's annual economic growth rate, at 1.9 per cent, is the lowest among accession countries. Lithuania has the highest growth rate - 8.8 per cent.

EU assistance available to farmers soon

Maltese farmers and growers will be able to start applying for EU grants later this month, according to the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment. The ministry's permanent secretary, Philip von Brockdorff, said applications for EU aid - available under the Common Agricultural Policy - could start being submitted as early as this Thursday.

A Reuters report on Tuesday said the new EU members were behind with preparations just six weeks before accession, especially in two issues - the establishment of payment agencies to enable farmers to receive subsidies under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and food safety at businesses, such as meat processing plants.

But the Ministry for Rural Affairs has a different view, at least with regard to Malta's own readiness: "Obviously, we are working hard since nothing is perfect. But trade mechanisms for payment agencies are already in place and we are ahead in most aspects. For instance, about 97 per cent of all Maltese farmers - part-timers and full-timers - are registered."

Man charged with Ta' Qali murder

Joseph (Josef) Grech, 32, of Balzan was charged on Thursday with killing Patricia Attard, 55, of Hamrun. The police believe the man approached a number of people and offered them several thousands of liri to kill the woman. When no one accepted, he decided to do the job himself.

It is understood that fresh arrests were made last week. Gunshot residue were allegedly found. Ms Attard was found dead in her van at Ta' Qali on February 13.

The Times, Mintoff in out-of-court settlement

An out-of-court settlement was reached between The Times and Dom Mintoff over pending court cases relating to a letter to the editor headed "Mintoff's largesse", carried in the newspaper in October 2002.

In the letter, a correspondent referred to a report of a speech made by Finance Minister John Dalli, and carried in The Times on September 16, 2002, about the sale of shares in Bank of Valletta to Banco di Sicilia. He had quoted Mr Dalli as saying that the shares had been given away for free.

Mr Mintoff complained that the letter was defamatory as it alleged that he had not been prudent in his management of public funds. The Civil Court found for Mr Mintoff but the Criminal Court acquitted the then editor, Victor Aquilina, of the charge. Mr Mintoff and Mr Aquilina appealed the respective judgments.

In the settlement, Mr Aquilina declared he stood by the stand he had taken in the court cases and confirmed the plea that the newspaper was covered by qualified privilege as laid down in the Press Act when it carried the letter. Progress Press agreed to pay Mr Mintoff Lm700 in settlement of the expenses disbursed and legal fees.

Top French honour for IMO director

The French government is to award David Attard, director at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute, the grade of Chevalier, Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur.

The Legion d'Honneur is France's highest civilian honour. It is being bestowed in recognition of Professor Attard's work, particularly in the field of international law. During his tenure at the institute, lawyers from over 96 countries have studied there and now form a global network of legal expertise. He is also professor of international law at the University of Malta.