THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPLIES TO JOINT DELCARATION BY DR ALFRED SANT AND DR GEORGE ABELA

With reference to the joint declaration issued yesterday by Dr Alfred Sant and Dr George Vella regarding the conclusion of accession negotiations on the free movement of workers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to state the following.

The agreement reached on the free movement of workers is a major breakthrough in the negotiations, clearly demonstrating the European Union’s sensitivities to Malta’s needs. This agreement will give the right to Maltese persons to work in any of the member states of the Union from the first day of membership.

On the other hand, Malta will retain its work permit system with regard to EU nationals. Permits will be granted automatically, however Malta will retain the right to impose restrictions, in urgent and exceptional cases, where sudden influxes of additional labour may pose a threat to the local labour market.

Contrary to what was declared in the statement issued by Dr Sant and Dr Vella, it is the Maltese Government that will decide when these safeguards may be invoked. Malta would not need the prior agreement of the EU before applying restrictions.

The statement also said that once the seven years are over all safeguards would come to an end. This is not correct. In fact, by means of a joint declaration issued by Malta and the member states of the European Union, after the seven year period has elapsed, Malta will reserve the right to bring any difficulties it might face with regard to the free movement of workers before the institutions of the Union in order to obtain a solution.

From the above it may be seen that Malta has acquired what it needed from the negotiations. Maltese citizens will have the maximum possible opportunities from the first day of membership, whilst at the same time securing all the necessary safeguards to ensure stability in the local labour market.