Malta will be a second division country out of EU - AD

EU membership will give Malta access to funding in areas like vocational training and environment, Jean Lambert, European Member of Parliament and European Greens spokesperson for trade said yesterday.

Malta needed to increase its environmental protection and working conditions in order to meet the standards of the modern world, Ms Lambert said, during a press conference at Sliema.

AD chairman Harry Vassallo said membership means Malta will also automatically benefit from the commercial agreements that the EU has with third countries with which the union negotiates en bloc.

"But if Malta remains out it will be a second division country," he said.

EU membership also ensures that economic restructuring would take place within the parameters of European social and environmental standards.

Dr Vassallo said the decision to join the EU would mean that the days when Malta used to serve as a "dumping ground" for investment based on cheap labour and low standards would be done away with once and for all.

As an EU member, Malta will not suffer from any form of discrimination such as imposition of tax that can be imposed by EU countries on non-EU members.

Alternattiva spokesperson on EU Affairs Arnold Cassola was later the main guest at a public debate organised by the MIC at the University.

Professor Cassola stressed the importance of attaining social and environmental standards once Malta is an EU member.

The process of accession served as a catalyst to bring about the much needed changes in Malta.

Referring to the partnership option being mentioned by the Labour Party, Professor Cassola said this was being offered to countries that cannot join the EU because geographically, culturally and historically they are not European countries.

"On the contrary, Malta qualifies for membership. So it is obvious that we should become members of the EU, in order to participate in the decision making process and enjoy all advantages."