MLP opted to stay out of debate on EU constitution

The Labour Party chose not to intervene in the discussions and the resolutions about the European constitutional treaty during the summit of Socialist leaders meeting in Madrid.

Labour Party leader Alfred Sant explained to the delegates that the MLP was still discussing the constitution internally and a decision would be taken next year.

The summit was hosted by Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero with the aim of getting the European Socialists to have a common stand on the way the EU should proceed economically and socially now that a new European Commission has taken over.

Speaking at the airport shortly after his arrival from Madrid, Dr Sant said the Socialists in the European Parliament would be drawing up concrete proposals to boost economic development in the EU within a fortnight. The proposals would then be put forward to the Commission.

Dr Sant said social and economic development within the EU was not as strong as expected, adding that the European Socialists wanted to renew their policies.

In this context, Dr Sant criticised the Maastricht criteria, saying they were not guided by social principles. The criteria demanded a reduction in financial deficits but did not provide any guidance as to how this should be done.

Other subjects discussed during the Madrid summit were the "fraudulent" elections in Ukraine and Turkey's application to join the EU.

Dr Sant said that Josep Borell, president of the European Parliament and the leader of the Socialists in the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, would eventually pay a visit to Malta.

The Prime Ministers of Sweden, Poland, Hungary and Mr Borell were among those present for the summit.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi recently urged the MLP to stop sitting on the fence and to take a clear, unequivocal stand in favour of the EU constitution.