MEUSAC discusses its future role

The core group of the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee - MEUSAC - yesterday held its first meeting since the referendum and the general election.

MEUSAC was the main vehicle used by the government to consult civil society on the negotiations with the EU.

Government sources said that during yesterday's meeting, chaired by Foreign Minister Joe Borg, the core group discussed the future role of the structure.

The sources said MEUSAC will now start to monitor the implications of legislative proposals put forward by the EU and will involve civil society in the process.

MEUSAC will include representatives of the political parties and representatives of the bodies represented in the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development and the Church.

According to sources the government has already invited the Labour Party to participate in MEUSAC but no reply has yet been received. During the past legislature, the MLP was the only institution that refused to participate in it.

The sources said MEUSAC will continue to have a crucial role: "In a post-membership scenario, EU issues will go to MEUSAC for consultation before going before the Cabinet committee. In reality the new set-up will ensure that consultation will increase."

The government is currently also considering the appointment of its permanent representative in Brussels in order to strengthen the country's preparations for the post-EU membership scenario.

The foreign ministry is also working on an internal reform of its own structures to be able to deal better with membership.

Each ministry will, henceforth, have an EU affairs directorate, which will replace the office of review.

The permanent representation in Brussels, which will replace Malta's embassy, will have a completely new set-up.

"The government' position is to retain the basic elements of the structures already set up in the pre-negotiations phase and, where necessary, to strengthen them.

"The government wants to be in a position to ensure that whenever the European Commission makes a proposal for a new regulation, directive or legislation it will be immediately able to make its assessment and come up with a position. This will ensure that during the period in which the Commission's proposal is discussed by the various EU institutions we will be able to give our input to safeguard our national interest and to ensure the best possible outcome for our country."

In parliament, the Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to become the EU and Foreign Affairs Committee any may set up sub-committees to debate various issues.