THE PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES THE EU DEFENCE MINISTERS MEETING

The Prime Minister said today that Malta welcomed the opportunity of taking an active part in the European Security and Defence Initiative.

Addressing the EU Defence Ministers Meeting in Brussels, Dr Fenech Adami said that as a result of its geographic position, Malta had throughout the ages played a key strategic military role in the Mediterranean. Following the closure of the British military base on the Island, Malta sought to anchor itself within Europe. The Prime Minister said that Malta "viewed the broader issue of membership in the European Union as a fulfilment of our evolving role in the political and economic life of Europe – a continent where most of our history and culture were and continue to be forged".

The Prime Minister recalled Malta's pledge, made at the last Capabilities Commitment Conference held in November 2000, to support the European crisis management effort. He said that Malta will implement this pledge in collaboration with Italy. The Prime Minister outlined the initiatives taken to this end.

Two rounds of technical discussions were held with Italy to analyse the issues relating to overseas military deployment and to achieve the necessary degree of inter-operability between the Maltese platoons and Italian units. A Maltese platoon completed a six-week peacekeeping course last April and is scheduled to start a one-month attachment with Italian troops in Italy later this year. A second peacekeeping course will commence this month. A further two courses and attachments are planned for next year. The Prime Minister underlined Malta's appreciation for Italy's support in this regard.

Dr Fenech Adami said that the Armed Forces' recruitment programme, currently underway, will build on the Army's infantry's element from which the EU Rapid Reaction Force platoon will be sourced. The Prime Minister said that Malta is aiming to have three fully trained platoons by the end of 2002 and a fourth and possibly fifth platoon by the end of 2003 by which time the EU Rapid Reaction Force is expected to be fully operational. This will allow for rotational replacement of troops every four months.

The Prime Minister ended his address by emphasising the need for the participating countries to find the corresponding resources to ensure that the crisis management objectives set out in Cologne are met.

During his intervention, the Italian Minister of Defence Sergio Mattarella underlined the need for stronger bilateral co-operation in the military field. He mentioned in this regard the co-operation between Malta and Italy as a concrete example of what can be achieved through such co-operation.