Foreign minister visits Malta, discusses EU

Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs has today and yesterday visited Malta where he met with Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg. Malta is one of the smallest member States of the European Union and is known for its successful internal consultation in its preparations for membership negotiations

Minister Skarphedinsson looked at the wideranging consultation process established in Malta in preparation for the accession negotiations, with its emphasis on cooperation between different interest groups and views. During a debate in the Icelandic Parliament last week on a government sponsored resolution to enable an application for EU membership, all political parties stressed the need for thorough consultation as a part of the democratic process.

The Foreign Minister also met with Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta’s Ambassador to the EU and former chief negotiator, as well as with other experts.