Labour leader Alfred Sant said that for the Labour Party to take a different line to the government over relations with the European Union was part of democracy.

Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce seminar, he said a fundamental political issue such as the EU necessarily had to be discussed in a political manner.

"If we believe in democracy we have to be prepared for a transparent debate as happens in all democracies."

He said one had to look at the future of Malta's relations with Europe not from the perspective of whether it stays out or joins, "because we are already there".

"We have to look at the issue as Europeans, which we already are. We have to discuss what we have to do; how as Europeans the Maltese can make their best contribution to Europe - according to Maltese circumstances."

Dr Sant said the MLP believed that by giving workers the chance to develop their purchasing power, even businesses would move forward. It would be in this spirit that the MLP would approach the choice that had to be made on the future of the country.

Dr Sant said access to the EU market was a need that had to be sustained. On the other hand, one had to see how Malta could implement its role for the building of Europe. But it was important that one understood Malta's circumstances, he said.

EU regulations could not be criticised; they were good as they were negotiated for EU countries but they were not necessarily good for Malta. "One cannot expect them to change the club regulations for us."

Dr Sant said the MLP's policy of partnership had to guarantee access to the European markets. This could be achieved through negotiations that would lead to a partnership that would be in the interest of the two sides.

He said a problem that the MLP faced was the oft-repeated question of what partnership meant, so it had published a booklet on this policy.