MLP to develop European policies to ensure the best for Malta

The European Socialists Group delegation left Malta yesterday, "optimistic" that it would have a place for the Labour Party within the group, the PES.

The group will be drawing up a report to be presented to the Party of European Socialists' presidium on September 19, detailing the MLP's case for joining.

Though he remained non-committal during a news conference at the MLP headquarters, PES vice-president Jan Marinus Wiersma made it clear he did not see any major hurdles to the Labour Party's application for PES membership being met.

Relations between the PES and the MLP were strained until recently, especially since the Socialists, strong supporters of the EU, questioned the MLP's anti-EU membership stance.

But the feeling at yesterday's conference was very different as evidenced by the backdrop displayed behind the speakers which stated: 'The Malta Labour Party welcomes the delegation from the Party of European Socialists'.

Mr Wiersma said the two sides held talks in line with the referendum and election results which confirmed that Malta would become a member of the EU.

"It was important for us to hear from the leadership of the Labour Party that they accept the fact that Malta will become an EU member next year and that the MLP will have to work in that context and develop its European policies to ensure they can get the best for Malta."

Asked whether two days of discussion were enough to persuade the PES that the MLP was convinced of the EU, Mr Wiersma said there was no other option.

"The position proposed by the MLP is very logical. What they told us, and what Dr Sant has told us in person, made us believe we can proceed."

Even though the MLP was until recently apprehensive about membership, one had to keep in mind that as a social democratic party, the MLP had much in common with other European Labour parties, Mr Wiersma underlined.

"It is also our role to support this change in the MLP and help them through our contacts."

Asked whether he was convinced that the MLP would not do another policy U-turn in future, Mr Wiersma replied:

"I am a historian. I don't believe in certainties. But it's my impression that the leadership has now taken the right step and I'm convinced that most members of the MLP will support this step."

PES parliamentary group deputy leader Gary Titley said discussions also focused on ensuring that the best MLP officials and politicians would be dispatched to serve in foreign institutions.

He made it clear that Malta's size did not matter where it concerned the work of the European Parliament, as evidenced by Luxembourg, which had two "most influential" members within the PES group.

In a separate statement, Tony Robinson, PES spokesman said the European social democrats welcomed the MLP leadership's decision to join the group.

As well as discussing the MLP application for full PES membership - the MLP has only observer status in the group so far - the delegations discussed integration of the MLP's two observers into the PES parliamentary group and the assistance that the group could provide through its Willy Brandt Programme for successful EU enlargement.

The delegations agreed that European social democrats should seek to maximise the benefits of EU membership for all and to secure the best possible deal for the Maltese people.

Both delegations agreed that the development of the Common Foreign and Security Policy should continue to respect the neutrality of the Maltese.

Labour leader Alfred Sant said he could not see why there should be any problem collaborating with the PES within the new context.

Asked how he was going to explain to his supporters the U-turn in EU policy, Dr Sant said the MLP had always made it clear that a decision would be taken at the general election.

However, he still maintained that the "partnership" option proposed by the MLP in the March referendum had won.

Asked about former Labour leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, who is proposing a motion calling on the MLP to vote against the EU conditions negotiated by the government, Dr Sant said it was positive to have different opinions.

"We are in line with the decision taken at the general conference which said that the wish of the majority will be respected and that the MLP will work to get the best out of membership and reduce the disadvantages."

Did he believe he had support among the delegates for this stand?

"Yes," was his reply.