Frendo in talks with three EU Commissioners

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo held meetings in Brussels with three members of the European Commission: vice-presidents Günter Verheugen and Franco Frattini; and Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.

According to the newsletter Aggornat published by the Forum Malta in Europe, in these talks Minister Frendo confronted three issues of prime importance for Malta.

Minister Frendo emphasised with Commissioner Verheugen Malta's continued insistence for the opt-out clause in the working time directive. Frendo was reported to have underlined that flexibility in this matter was crucial for Malta to achieve the goal of competitiveness as laid down in the Lisbon agenda.

Dr Frendo was also reported to have welcomed the proposals recently launched by Mr Verheugen aiming to develop a European Tourism Policy and offered Malta's support. The EU may be considered to be a late starter in developing an EU tourism policy but Mr Verheugen's initiative is most welcome for member states with a vital and crucial tourism sector.

Illegal immigration featured on the agenda of Minister Frendo's meeting with Commissioner Frattini. Dr Frendo expressed his appreciation for the Commission's positive response to the notion of setting up an Emergency Fund on immigration. Dr Frendo was reported to have emphasised the importance of joint repatriation flights and reintegration programmes.

The Foreign Minister stated that collaboration needs to be strengthened at the EU level to improve the process of repatriation of illegal immigrants.

The minister welcomed Commissioner Frattini's proposal to create a rapid reaction team that would include persons with knowledge of the language and culture of the countries of origin.

With Commissioner McCreevy, Minister Frendo focused on the provision of online services in the internal market with particular reference to the gaming sector. Dr Frendo said that Malta had developed a well regulated Internet gaming sector, which is today considered one of Malta's areas of specialisation.

The two also discussed the Commission proposal for a Directive on Services in the Internal Market, and referred to Malta's strong belief that the approach of the proposed directive should be based on specified and agreed exclusions, such as health services, education and tax.

Dr Frendo welcomed the launch of the Commission's public consultation on the future Community Patent Policy in Europe and informed Mr McCreevy that Malta is eager to put forward its comments to the Commission.