Lobbies for aid on energy cable

Malta has asked the EU for financial support to conduct technical studies on connecting the island to the European energy network, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.

He yesterday called on the Czech Republic, which will be taking on the EU presidency next month, to support its request during a two-day visit to Prague.

"We need to be sure we have a constant and secure energy supply," he told the Maltese media following back-to-back meetings with high-ranking Czech officials, including Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek.

Dr Gonzi said talks revolved round the agenda for the Czech presidency, which was "based on the three Es" - the current economic situation, energy and external relations.

He explained that the "ambitious" energy project was of fundamental importance and would require a substantial capital investment that Malta could not make on its own.

Dr Gonzi said the Czech government seemed to have understood the importance of this project for Malta, which being an island and detached from the rest of Europe, had particular needs.

The government intends building a cable between Malta and Sicily connecting the island to the European energy network. Dr Gonzi has said in the past that this will cement Malta's security of energy supply, enabling the island to import energy directly from Europe.

During a meeting with Mr Topolánek, Dr Gonzi also discussed illegal immigration and expressed the hope that this would be high on the Czech Presidency's agenda, maintaining the momentum started by the French Presidency.

Mr Topolánek was noncommittal when asked whether his country would help Malta with burden-sharing, saying the Czech Republic was also facing problems, being not just a transit country but also a target destination.

However, Dr Gonzi expressed satisfaction that the upcoming Czech Presidency appreciated the immigration problem.

Speaking about the economic situation, Dr Gonzi said this was an area of interest for all EU countries, and the European Council summit kicking off tomorrow should discuss the Commission's initiatives to stimulate the economy.

The two prime ministers underlined the good bilateral relations that exist between Malta and the Czech Republic and the possibility of strengthening investment between the two countries.

Mr Topolánek said there was still room for vast improvement when it came to business between the two countries.

He announced that Czech President Václav Klaus will be visiting Malta next year.

Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Czech Education Minister Ondrej Liška signed a cooperation agreement in the field of education, culture, science, youth and sport.

Yesterday, Dr Gonzi also met with the president of the Senate of the Czech Parliament, Premysl Sobotka, and the chairman of Parliament's Chamber of Deputies, Miloslav Vlcek.

Soon after landing in Prague, Dr Gonzi laid a wreath in front of the World War I memorial in Pod Emauzy Square, which commemorates victims of the war.

Today, Dr Gonzi is expected to attend a business breakfast with the Maltese and Czech business communities before flying to Brussels for the European Populist Party conference and the European Council Summit.