No sixth seat

In this interview with Steve Mallia of The Times, British PrimeMinister Tony Blair gives his views about Malta-UK co-operation, Queen Elisabeth's visit to Malta this November and European politics. He says that Malta will not get a sixth seat in the European Parliament in the near future. From today's Times:

Although he insists that the two countries already work "so well together", he would like to see even closer cooperation. "Perhaps one area is to encourage the constituent parts of the United Kingdom - the Devolved Administrations, Regional Development Agencies, the county councils - to work more with Malta. I want to see UK and Maltese companies, non-governmental organisations and local councils constructing joint projects for EU-funded programmes. So I am delighted that the Forum Malta in Europe will work with our High Commission to put on a conference in Malta in September to promote joint bids."

"We have worked closely together already to ensure that we have a European Union of nation states. I look forward to working with Malta on how to achieve solid results from the Euro Med Summit in Barcelona in late November." However, he does not envisage that Malta will get its sixth European Parliament seat in the very near future. "As you know, the UK has consistently supported Malta's bid for a sixth European Parliament seat. So I was glad when that was agreed in the EU Constitutional Treaty. There has been no change in the reasons for this move. But while the EU pauses for reflection about the no votes in France and the Netherlands, I don't think we can realistically expect progress on this yet." He responds to the question of whether the Constitutional Treaty is dead by saying there now needs to be a period of reflection and broad debate, though he describes the treaty as "a sensible set of rules" for an enlarged EU. "But the fact is that the no votes in France and the Netherlands do raise fundamental questions. As I said at the European Parliament last month, we can't ignore what we are being told by the people of Europe..

He was equally pleased when Malta ratified the treaty earlier this month, saying the decision was all the more historic since Malta's referendum on accession was the closest among new member states. "The EU debate in Malta is still lively, and I think that is a healthy sign - but the focus has clearly shifted on to how to make the best of membership. I applaud that."...

Chronology of EU-Malta relations; Malta's representation in European Institutions; The Malta Group exists 'to keep links with Malta and the United Kingdom strong and Malta/UK parliamentary relations close and fruitful; and to ensure that visitors from the Maltese parliament are properly received'; British High Commission in Malta