Editorial

Last week, fresh from the successful conclusion of Malta's negotiations with the EU, Malta's foreign minister signed a Lm30 million financial protocol with his Italian counterpart, Sig. Franco Frattini. The protocol runs over three years.

Added to the Lm80 million financial package Malta negotiated with Brussels, this brought to Lm110 million Malta will have to help it ease its entry into the EU.

Indeed, the protocol lays out in black and white that behind the generous grant there was Italy's desire 'to facilitate the conditions leading to a rapid accession to the EU'.

Looked at dispassionately, it is not difficult to conclude that there was no reason why Italy should hand over Lm30 million to Malta except the best reason of all: Malta's membership of the One Europe.

At the time of the signing, the prime minister revealed that initially the Italian government's proposal was a sum of Lm3 million a year. This was raised to Lm10 million a year precisely because the Italian government tied the financial grant to the requirements of membership

At least as important was the Italian government's commitment to improve surveillance around Malta's shores, a necessary measure if Malta is to make its full contribution to stamp out contraband and illegal trafficking of goods and human beings.

In addition, a further agreement was signed between the two sides dealing with a guarantee of investment in Malta from the Italian side. This element in the protocol was doubly welcome.

Essentially, however, the protocol will make it possible for Malta to finance some of its much needed infrastructure projects to improve the country's environment as well as the education and culture sector. The first, as we were reminded so strongly by Ms Margot Wallstrom, the EU Commissioner for the Environment in an interview with The Times, demands time, money and effort to strengthen the kind of administrative structures to oversee the environment sector.

One of the myths contained in Labour's 'partnership' proposal is that membership of the EU is not for Malta because the country's size and circumstances do not require us to be members. We argue the opposite. Our size and circumstances compel us towards union. Labour's option is poor indeed next to membership.

Membership will make an enormous contribution to what Ms Wallstrom referred to as "the leading role" played by the EU "in the development of new environmental protection policies and legislation and in securing progress on the road to sustainable development".

In all this, the protocol signed between the Maltese and Italian governments will provide Malta with resources that would otherwise not be ours to employ.

As 2002 approaches its end, the generosity of the Italian government and its recognition that Malta deserved financial aid to help the country take its rightful place among European friends may be seen as another highlight in the excellent relations between the two countries. The aid will certainly make a strong impact on our efforts to bring ourselves in line with EU standards that will transform Malta into a truly modern country.