Ivan Camilleri Brussels
Crucial talks with EU today
Crucial talks between the European Commission and the government about the Malta Shipyards' privatisation process will be held in Malta today during a brief visit by European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
The talks, to be held at Castille with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, will focus on the way the government is handling the privatisation process and on whether its plans are in line with EU rules and undertakings agreed with Malta before its accession to the EU.
In an interview with The Times yesterday prior to her departure to Malta, Ms Kroes insisted that the EU executive wants to have clear answers from the government, particularly on its intention to write-off about €100 million in losses expected to be incurred by the company by the end of this year before the shipyards are privatised.
Ms Kroes said it is worrying that, after an injection of almost €1 billion into the company over the past seven years, Malta Shipyards have still not managed to become viable. Although the Commission agrees in principle on the privatisation of the company, she recalled that Malta was granted an "exceptional derogation" from strict EU state aid rules in order to help its shipyards before Malta's accession. Such agreement has now to be fully respected.
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D.Galea
Sep 12th 2008, 09:17
Remember this was approved in the Referendum so just stop whining & move ahead if you're capable now! Thank you for doing your job Commisioner Kroes.
Robert Fenech
Sep 11th 2008, 15:26
We in Malta are living back just 2000 years ago under the roman empire and what Caesar say its the order of the day. In our country or our house ,and commands Julius.After all our fathers and grandpa's fought for freedom and liberty, we are back to square one. The shipyard story is of how government after government, who one called us without balls other always pointing towards us as the devils in persona never done nothing to make the shipyard viable.These are the people in malta ,just sitting comfortable in the parlament seat having dreams or playing with words.How is competent the government if he is not able to put the shipyard on its feet.More even Malta how can reduce the deficit. That the way how modern management is ,selling all your assets to the foreigners ,Mid med, public lotto ,freeport, maltapost . I think that it is better to remove our parlament and leave brussels(which is already ruling malta) do its job for we don't need to pay the taxes for the salaries and other beneficts to the house of representatives.
L Galea
Sep 11th 2008, 15:08
Why should a foreign dictator order us what we should do in OUR country and with our industries?
Yes. The EU is simply a sham organization led by unelected dictators.
Yes. Malta has again become a colony, this time of the EU foreigners.
Wake up Malta.
Get rid of your new colonizers and their lackeys/puppets in Malta who are destroying everything that you had built with great sacrifices.
Louis Gialanze
Sep 11th 2008, 15:00
If Neelie Kroes has it her way the shipyards will not reopen with 700 workers at all as there will be at least 100 million euros to pay upfront. The lady is the one wearing the trousers now and as a former Royal Dutch Shell board member she's in no mood for appeasement. She gave up her seat rather than compromise her position.
So hold tight Tonio you're in for a bumpy ride on the flying dutch (wo)man!
Alexander Morana
Sep 11th 2008, 14:58
Derek, thank your luck stars for the EU in a way, because the Maltese wouldn't have had the guts to put a stop to the bleeding of tax-payers money, being poured into a black hole - The Malta dock yards!
Amen.
Derek Bennett
Sep 11th 2008, 13:32
Malta has only enjoyed a few short years of freedom and liberty from occupation since it broke free from Britain. This article is proof that Malta is now under foreign control again - it is now the EU occupied Island of Malta. What a shame.