Malta
- Auberge de Castille, the Office of the Prime Minister, Malta (Photo: EUobserver.com)
Malta has a population of 0.41 million and an area of 316 km2. It has been a member of the EU since May 1, 2004.
Having had an Association Agreement with the EU since 1970, it finally applied for membership in 1990.
Malta has 3 out of 345 votes in the Council, and 5 out of 736 seats in the European Parliament.
From 1 November 2014, the Lisbon Treaty will reduce the voting power of Malta from 0,9 % to 0,08 % of the votes in the Council of Ministers when the countries also will vote according to the size of their population.
Notes
The country is politically divided between two parties. The ruling conservative party (PN) has sought EU membership against the wishes of the opposition Maltese Labour Party, which preferred a partnership agreement with the EU.
In a referendum in March 2003, 53% of the voters expressed the wish to join the EU. The Nationalist Party won the national elections on 12 April 2003 and signed the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003, and becamea member state in the 1 May 2004 enlargement.
Labour then accepted EU membership. Its 3 Members in the European Parliament participate in the work of the socialist group, PES. The ruling conservative party has 2 MEPs with the EPP-ED.
Links
Government of Malta http://www.gov.mt/index.asp?l=2
Background information on the political and economic situation and EU relations with Malta http://www.europarl.eu.int/enl......w/applicants/malta_home_en.htm
