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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 321 votes in the Council, and 5 out of 785 seats in the EU Parliament. At the next election in 2009 the number of seats will be changed till 750. 

The Lisbon Treaty proposes a distribution of seats in the EU Parliament based on the principle of "degressive proportionality". This will give Malta 6 out of 750 seats after 2009.

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^th April 2003 and signed the Accession Treaty on 16^th April 2003, eventually becoming a Member State in the 1 May 2004 enlargement.

Labour has now accepted EU membership, and its 3 Members in the EU 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