EU may 'run out of patience' if treaty not signed

The EU will "probably run out of patience" with Malta if the island's prime minister fails to turn up for the signing of the Accession Treaty on April 16, according to European Parliament president Pat Cox.

"Europe has done its best to make you feel welcome, but now it's up to you. It's 'make up your mind' time," Mr Cox told The Times yesterday.

Labour leader Alfred Sant said he would not sign the Accession Treaty in Athens if elected on April 12.

Dr Sant claims the government had failed to secure the absolute majority of the electorate in a referendum held on March 8, in which the yes vote amounted to 53.6 per cent.

Contacted at his office in Brussels, Mr Cox would not be drawn into commenting about whether the EU was prepared to tear up the agreement reached with Malta and again embark on fresh negotiations on some alternative form of agreement.

But the president said it was extremely likely the EU would run out of patience.

"We are not walking away from our moral obligations, but we have to respect the wish of the Maltese people," he said.

Asked whether he believed it was possible for the EU to readmit Malta at a later date, Mr Cox replied:

"I am not a lawyer, but I am a politician. When we negotiate, we enter into a kind of contract where there are certain expectations."

His comments echoed those of Greek Prime Minister Constantinos Simitis who last week said Malta would not have another opportunity to join the EU for a very long time if it missed out on signing the Accession Treaty.

Mr Cox said that like other democratic countries, Malta had its sovereign right to elect any party it wanted, and for the elected party to follow its policy.

Nevertheless, he said he was encouraged by the "impressive and encouraging" result of the referendum.

"Knowing the depth of division in your country, the result was certainly a very positive one," Mr Cox said.

Mr Cox said he personally believed the enlargement of the EU should be put on hold after the 2007 enlargement which is expected to include Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia.

"I am not suggesting that the EU should close its door for ever. But what I am saying is that we need to pause for digestion - the same way one does after eating a large dinner."