Formal warning for Malta

The Associated Press reports that Malta has been sent a formal warning by the European Commission in relation to transport deals with the US that are in breach of EU law:

EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot will hold talks with U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta starting Monday to try to open the U.S. domestic market more for European carriers and foster more competition. The Commission wants to negotiate on behalf of all member nations at the same time in order to reinforce its negotiating position and eliminate any divergence between national agreements that provide different benefits for different countries.

The Commission argues that a 2002 ruling by the European Court of Justice gave it authority to act against member states defending the bilateral deals. The court said language in the agreements ran counter to the EU's authority. "These air agreements contain "nationality" clauses whereby only national companies in the signatory countries can benefit from the agreement, which is a flagrant breach of European law," the Commission said. Barrot sent warning letters to France, Greece, Italy and Portugal and put Spain, Ireland, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Malta on formal notice.

EU takes legal action against member states including Malta - AirWise news