UPDATED: Malta seeks financial help for undersea power cable
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said today that Malta is seeking EU financial assistance for technical studies which have to be carried out ahead of the laying of a cable to link the island to the European power grid.
The request was discussed this morning when Dr Gonzi had talks in Prague with Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.
The talks were focussed on the forthcoming Czech presidency of the EU.
“The main item on the table was the Czech agenda for the EU presidency, which is based on the three Es – the Economic situation, Energy and External borders,” Dr Gonzi said.
He stressed the importance of a common approach in the EU to the current economic situation, and added that it was imperative for the Czech presidency to maintain the momentum of the French presidency with regards to the Immigration Pact.
Other areas discussed included Czech plans for euro adoption, with Malta having offered its expertise.
Mr Topolanek described Maltese-Czech relations as being flawless, but said the two countries needed to improve their trade exchanges.
He said the talks with Dr Gonzi had also included Mediterranean affairs and cooperation with the Arab League.
It was also announced that the Czech President Václav Klaus would visit Malta next year.
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peter grech
Dec 9th 2008, 22:22
EJJA GONZI GIB XIHAGA LEJN MALTA. MHUX TIEHU MIL POPLU BISS.
Paul Barrett
Dec 9th 2008, 22:13
Geothermal investigation would be more useful - then Malta could really be independent.
Failing that, go for on land wind and solar power rather than link up to the EU who can and will switch Malta off whenever they feel like it which is when Malta would need it most.
andrea muscat
Dec 9th 2008, 21:49
This is ego goverment trying to utilize funds which they have failed miserably, because they do not want, will not accept and cannot realize that their think- tank is not large and strong enough to synergyze the economy by creating inhouse corporate projects.Decentralize and free the market. Let the proper technichians move, stop choking the true enterpreneurs who have been hand cuffed for the last 15 years with stagnated laws. we do not need to feed our taxes to the EU we are small enough to become energy self sufficient and due to political stagnated decision making, we are being subdued with fear of fossil fuel depleation and spiraling volatility. By now if we had moved in the right direction to alternate energy 15years ago we would be having a surplus annual budget of 250million euros a year by now !!! but we are happy with a grin to give it to the oil magnates because of political servitude and after the harsh embarrisment we are still thinking on a 15% investment in alt-energy and a multi-mega investment to be hooked to EU network.REALLY INVEST ON OUR MALTESE ROOF TOPS AND STOP LYNCHING MALTESE CITIZENS with that EU CABLE !!!
Anthony Paris
Dec 9th 2008, 21:37
Is this a case of "Honey I shrunk the Prime Minister" ?
lgalea
Dec 9th 2008, 21:33
Good for the Czech President to visit Malta.
Maybe he will tell the Gonzipn how he was first in favour of Czech eu membership and now he is against.
Charles Sammut
Dec 9th 2008, 20:20
I hope that Malta will not become dependent on this submarine cable for its electricity needs. Guess who will end up in the dark whenever there is the slightest problem which required load shedding in Sicily. Then we will truly be the tail end of the EU.
Denis Catania
Dec 9th 2008, 17:50
Maintain the momentum. What momentum??? What Lawrence needed to tell him was MALTA NEEDS HELP NOW!!! Also ask him fo help on finding some volunteers to share the burden on illegal immigration.
J.Borg
Dec 9th 2008, 15:18
Has he included talks on how Czech prime minister can help us by taking some illegal immigrants!!!!!!!!!