EC/Malta relation: financial and technical cooperation, 4th protocol

The Committee adopted the report by Mr Franco MALERBA (FE, I) which proposed that Parliament give its assent to the fourth protocol on financial and technical cooperation between the EC and Malta. A financial envelope of ECU 45 m is to be provided: ECU 15 m from the Community budget ( ECU 13 m of non-refundable aid plus ECU 2 m in high-risk capital); ECU 30 m from the EIB. The aim of the cooperation is to contribute to the economic and social development of Malta and to the integration of its economy into the European Union, to promote the transfer of the "acquis" into national legislation and to prepare the economic and social structures of Malta for future accession to the Union. The protocol provides for: - the funding of technical aid and training projects in a number of priority fields, including the adaptation of Malta's public administration to the acquis; - the support of structural reforms in the services sector and in industry; - the strengthening of ties between Maltese and European socio-economic operators by the promotion of exports and the implementation of trade-, customs- and fiscal-policy reforms; - cooperation in the fields of science and technology and in the transport, energy and telecommunications sectors; - the participation of Malta in Community programmes in the fields of education, youth and culture. The REX Committee was of the opinion that this Fourth Financial Protocol was the accompanying economic instrument needed to permit future accession to the Union. The protocol is to remain valid for the period up to 31 December 1998. �