On the fifth anniversary of Malta's membership of the EU, the European Documentation and Research Centre (EDRC), with the support of the European Commission, is organising a conference entitled 'Malta in the European Union: 2004 - 2009' on May 15 at the Grand Ballroom, Radisson SAS, St Julian's.

During the conference, the country's main political, economic and social leaders will present their vision for the coming years. This will be followed by parallel discussion groups on economic and industrial relations policy, public administration and legal issues, and values, society and civil society.

The conference will analyse how Malta has fared since joining the EU, using the findings of a report produced over the last year by the EDRC, and written by a number of experts from academia and NGOs. The report, entitled Malta's Membership of the EU: Five Years On and Looking to the Future, will be distributed to all those attending.

The conference seeks to attract members of the public interested in the global picture of politics, economics, social change and values in a fast-changing Malta. The registration fee, including a copy of the report, refreshments, lunch and a follow-up CD, is €65, or €50 for bookings of two persons or more, or €45 for students and pensioners.

For further information call 2340 2136, e-mail: edrc@um.edu.mt or view the website www.um.edu.mt/edrc .