Labour Party reservations on the EU treaty

The Labour Party national executive and Parliamentary Group yesterday approved a motion that includes the reservations the party has about the EU constitutional treaty.

The motion which is to be moved at the party's next general conference states the MLP's yes vote will be tied to five basic reservations.

Reservation one notes that the treaty will not prejudice neutrality as defined in Malta's Constitution. Malta will not in any way be bound to take part in any reciprocal or common defence plan. Malta should in no way be bound to assist in the development of a European army and that the participation of the Maltese army outside Malta would be defined according to the criteria in the Malta's Constitution.

Secondly, that the treaty will not prejudice those parts in Malta's Constitution that require two thirds of the votes in Parliament to be changed.

Thirdly, once Malta is facing the need to raise its level of economic and labour market expansion, it should be given full consideration in the interpretation and application of articles III-167 and III-168 of the treaty as was the case with Portugal, Spain and Greece.

The fourth point notes that the treaty will not prejudice Malta's autonomy in the carrying out of a social policy based on a modern welfare state that fits the country's particular circumstances.

And lastly, that the treaty does not prejudice the position of Gozo as an island region with its specific economic and social needs as well as the disadvantages it faces because of its double insularity.

The Labour Party would withdraw from these initiatives if Malta was to be involved in policies that go against these conditions particularly neutrality and the integrity of Malta's Constitution.