Malta-Eu Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) holds its first meeting

The Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) held its first meeting this afternoon under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Joe Borg.

This Committee, besides senior Government officials, includes nominated technical members, representatives from the political parties, and (in specialised areas) representation from trade unions, constituted bodies and special interest groups. This ensures that all concerned parties are afforded the opportunity to give their input to the negotiation process at an early stage, and that the final negotiating position of the negotiating teams fairly reflects Maltese Society's best interests.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the members of the Core Group and outlined Malta's preparations for the screening and negotiation processes including the modus operandi of MEUSAC.

One of the main purposes of the first meeting was to begin the process of identifying the special interest members.

MEUSAC is made up of Core Group members and special interest members. The Core Group members will attend all meetings of MEUSAC. Special Interest Members will attend all discussions that are of relevance to them. The Committee will meet as required during the screening and negotiation stages.

MEUSAC will discuss each chapter of the acquis prior to the bilateral screening and negotiation of that chapter.

MEUSAC makes its recommendations directly to the Cabinet Committee.

In its proposals to the Cabinet Committee, MEUSAC will also have the possibility of submitting minority reports.

The Core Group Members of the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee are the following:

1. Minister of Foreign Affairs (Chairman)
2. Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister
3. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance
5. Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Economic Services
6. Ambassador of Malta in Brussels
7. Head of the EU Directorate
8. Head of the Malta Information Centre
9. Representative of the Nationalist Party
10. Representative of the Malta Labour Party
11. Representative of Alternattiva Demokratika
12. President of the European Movement
13. Dr. George Abela
14. Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino
15. Prof. Lino Briguglio
16. Dr. Stephen Calleja
17. Dr. Joanna Drake
18. Mr. Charles Rapa

The Malta Labour Party has yet to confirm whether it will nominate a representative to participate in MEUSAC.