A4-0165/99

Resolution on the report from the Commission updating the Commission opinion on Malta's application for membership (COM(99)0069 - C4-0163/99)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission report (COM(99)0069 - C4-0163/99),

- having regard to the decision of Malta's government to reactivate its application for membership of the European Union,

- having regard to its resolution of 12 July 1995 on Malta's application for membership of the European Union ((OJ C 249, 25.9.1995, p. 76.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 4 December 1997 on the Communication from the Commission 'Agenda 2000 - for a stronger and wider Union' (COM(97)2000 - C4-0371/97) ((OJ C 388, 22.12.1997, p. 17.)),

- having report to its resolution on Malta of 8 October 1998 ((OJ C 328, 26.10.1998, p. 181.)),

- having regard to the conclusions of the Luxembourg (12 and 13 December 1997), Cardiff (15 and 16 June 1998), and Vienna (12 and 13 December 1998) European Councils,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy (A4-0165/99),

A. stressing the importance of the island's geo-strategic location between Europe and Africa and the active role of Malta in the co-operation in the Mediterranean area and in the Barcelona process,

B. whereas in its above mentioned resolution of 12 July 1995 it called upon the Council and Members States to make a determined and unserved commitment to enable Malta to accede to the European Union without delay;

C. whereas in its above-mentioned resolution of 4 December 1997 it called on the European Council to set the enlargement procedure in motion in all cases where applicant countries met the criteria of a stable democratic system and respect for human rights,

D. whereas it has already endorsed Malta's application for accession on the grounds that Malta has the democratic machinery required to guarantee the rule of law, the respect for fundamental freedoms and the protection of human rights,

E. whereas the unfreezing of the application must take Maltese public opinion fully into account,

F. having regard to Malta's good performances from the point of view of compliance with the economic accession criteria laid down at Copenhagen, in relation, for example, to a stable market economy;

1. Reaffirms its previous opinion according to which Malta forms an integral part of the European national and cultural community and that its accession will strengthen the political and security dimension of the European Union;

2. Believes that at the political level no major problem exists, due to true democratic functioning of the institutions in Malta and to the absence of any problem in the human rights field,

3. Considers Malta a functioning market economy, although efforts still need to be made in order to improve its ability to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the European Union;

4. Notes that further progress is needed in the field of justice and home affairs in particular concerning asylum, prevention of illegal immigration and the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking;

5. Recalls that Malta has shown its willingness to follow the main objectives of the CFSP, and that it has already in the past many times supported the European Union positions outlined in this area, namely thanks to the development of the political dialogue;

6. Welcomes the Commission recommendation according to which the screening of Malta's legislation should begin a soon as possible with a view to starting negotiations at the earliest possible opportunity and in any case before the end of this year;

7. Urges the Council and the Members States to follow this recommendation thus enabling Malta to be included among the countries with which negotiations for membership are currently in progress;

8. Urges the Council and the Commission to invite the Maltese government to take part in the European Conference;

9. Recognises that the decision to freeze the application for two years has slowed down Malta's preparation to integrate the community acquis, with the result that a particular effort is now needed to fill the gap in this field;

10. Requests that Malta be given pre-accession aid on the same basis as other applicants;

11. Asks the Maltese authorities to establish, as quickly as possible, a national plan setting out all the legislative and administrative measures needed for European Union membership;

12. Believes that an exhaustive and balanced public information campaign concerning the issue of membership will improve the attitude of the Maltese population towards the EU and its goals;

13. Believes furthermore that such a campaign should aim at stimulating the debate and circulating full and objective information on the EU among the citizens of Malta and that the pledge by the Maltese government to hold a referendum once negotiations are concluded is most welcome;

14. Calls for representatives from the parliaments of applicant countries to be permitted, over and above the existing exchange of information and ideas in the joint parliamentary committees, to attend meetings of European Parliament committees as observers when matters relevant to accession are being dealt with;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the European Council and the parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of Malta.

15