Minister's absence almost provokes opposition walk-out

The opposition members of the European and Foreign Affairs Committee, Evarist Bartolo and Leo Brincat, on Wednesday protested at a meeting of the committee when Foreign Minister John Dalli and Parliamentary Secretary Michael Frendo did not turn up. They said they were not walking out of the meeting only as a sign of respect for the chairman.

Mr Bartolo, opposition EU spokesman, pointed out at the beginning of the meeting that Mr Dalli and Dr Frendo had had 12 days notice of the meeting and its agenda.

Dr Jason Azzopardi (PN), chairing the committee for the first time, said he had only just been informed that the minister and the parliamentary secretary were abroad.

Mr Bartolo said they could have informed the committee earlier, so that the meeting could have been rescheduled.

Much of the meeting on Wednesday was taken up by a presentation by Dr Azzopardi on organisational aspects of the committee.

He pointed out that the committee was employing two research analysts on a three-year contract - Louise Farrugia and Joseph Camilleri. Another two analysts, preferably with a socio-economic background, would have to be engaged.

These analysts would be seconded to the scrutiny committee of the House of Commons for three weeks to gain experience. The scrutiny committee discusses legislation being drafted by the EU. A similar committee is to be set up in Malta as a sub-committee of the European and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Dr Azzopardi gave the committee notice of a series of meetings he has planned on various aspects of foreign affairs with experts on the various subjects. The meetings will include a number with Dr Stephen Calleya on the Euromed process, and developments in China, the US and the Middle East, particularly as they relate to relations with Malta. A meeting will be held with Salvo Ando on neutrality and peacekeeping and with Roderick Pace on the Copenhagen project and its relevance to the foreign policy of small states.

Mr Brincat, opposition foreign affairs spokesman, suggested that the talk on Malta and the Middle East should involve the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors accredited to Malta.

Dr Azzopardi pointed out that he had contacted them both and they had accepted to address the committee in separate meetings.

Mr Brincat said it was important for the committee to have a discussion as soon as possible with the foreign minister and Malta's ambassador in Libya for a first hand reaction on developments in that country. Mr Bartolo said that in view of this situation Malta needed to reposition itself so as not to lose crucial opportunities.

Dr Mario de Marco (PN) said it was important for the committee to strike a balance in foreign affairs. For besides EU policy, it also had to consider Mediterranean policy. This included the Libya issue.

This was an area where Malta could get involved. There was still an element of scepticism among those countries which were bridging the gaps that had existed in their relations with Libya. Malta could help ensure such relations were put on a firm footing.

He also raised the issue of visa requirements for travellers between Malta and Libya and stressed that this should not be allowed to impede Maltese investment in Libya or Libyan investment in Malta.

Dr de Marco said the Middle East was a policy area where the EU could be relevant and where Malta could be a broker for peace which would be acceptable by all. Malta had a lot to offer in this field.

He was also of the view that the committee should work for Malta to become the permanent seat of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.

Mr Bartolo called for synergy between the committee and the Malta-EU Information Centre.

Mr Bartolo pointed out that the scrutiny committee could not base its work just on the explanatory memoranda which would be provided by the relevant ministries.

It should have a database of persons it could meet every now and again for presentation of issues of interest.

The committee itself should establish contact with similar scrutiny committees in other countries so that it could see what positions different governments were taking on draft legislation and how the legislative process could be influenced. It would also be able to build strategic alliances.

Dr de Marco said the research analysts being employed by the committee should be able to benefit from ongoing training and not just at the beginning of their employment.

He proposed that the committee should also offer traineeship opportunities to university students, for example, giving them the opportunity to practice with these analysts. This would be beneficial both to the students and the committee.