Malta in 2004

Malta in 2004

Area: 315 sq km (122 sq mi)
Population (2004 est.): 401,000
Capital: Valletta
Chief of state: Presidents Guido de Marco and, from April 4, Eddie Fenech Adami
Head of government: Prime Ministers Eddie Fenech Adami and, from March 23, Lawrence Gonzi

Following the successful referendum and general election held in Malta in 2003, the country became a member of the European Union on May 1, 2004. Celebrations were organized on the eve of Malta’s accession to commemorate this momentous event.

In February, Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami gave up his leadership of the Nationalist Party (NP), and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was elected as the new party leader. On March 23 Fenech Adami handed in his resignation as prime minister, and Gonzi succeeded him. The next month the parliament elected Fenech Adami president in succession to Guido de Marco, who had ended his term of office.

The election of Malta’s five members of the European Parliament was held in June. The NP obtained two seats, while the opposition Labour Party won three. The turnout was 82%, compared with 91% for the EU referendum and 96% for the 2003 general election. Ireland, which held the EU presidency, submitted for discussion at the EU summit a proposal that Malta have a sixth seat. In August Joseph Borg, Malta’s former foreign minister, was appointed EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.

Illegal immigration from Libya, mostly of Arabs and black Africans, created a serious problem. In September the EU endorsed a proposal by Italy and Malta to lift the arms embargo on Libya. Later Gonzi led a delegation to Libya to discuss the migration issue and other matters of mutual interest.

Albert Ganado