The EU and pensioners

The article "EU membership implications on pensions" (February 5) quoted the editorial of the National Association of Pensioners Il-Pensjonant and said that "Indirectly, pressures might also be generated to lower expenditures on pensions and welfare".

Does this mean there will be no chance of an increase in the present ceiling of Lm6,750 (established over 20 years ago) and therefore the present maximum pension (two-thirds of Lm6,750) of Lm4,500 a year will remain in force?

And also what has happened to the resolution of the general conference of the National Association of Pensioners held on May 26, 2001 which had said that in the shortest possible time, an agreement should be reached with the government so that the ceiling would be increased from Lm6,750 to Lm8,000?