Labour Party deputy leader George Vella would not contemplate campaigning against EU membership if, in a general election, the country took a conscious decision for membership.

In an interview with The Times, Dr Vella says this does not necessarily mean that that will also be the Labour Party`s position - what the party does will be up to the party.

Dr Vella also does not intend to engage in a campaign to pull Malta out of the EU should the people decide, in a general election, for membership.

"If the MLP would have people at its helm who would advocate such an approach, then it would be up to them," he said.

He argued this was why it was crucial for the electorate to be allowed to take the decision objectively. Everyone would then be bound by the decision, he said.

Dr Vella also excluded the possibility that the Labour Party would do a U-turn before the general election on its position on EU membership, should a large majority decide in favour of membership in a pre-election referendum.

Up to now, no decision has been taken as to how the Labour Party will treat the referendum but a referendum was a consultation exercise and was not legally binding, he argued.

Dr Vella said he believed the Labour Party would win the general election but he was not sure which way the referendum result would go.

In the interview Dr Vella also criticises the way the government is handling the accession process.

He said it was very clear that the pace of negotiations was slowing down because there were very serious problems.

"Most of the remaining issues are problematic. Can you imagine what will happen if the government does not retain the right to have zero VAT rating on food and medicine?" he asked.