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Two weeks ago I received a series of questions from MaltaToday relating to Malta’s sixth seat in the European Parliament.
In one of my replies to questions on whether I was ready to work with Nationalist MEPs to obtain this Observer sixth seat, I criticised the Government for its intransigence and lack of commitment towards securing this seat. In this context I mentioned that Malta was not even represented at Ambassadorial level when a vote was taken in the Council of Ministers on this issue, questioning motives. As I explained, there is a legal basis, and ample room for goodwill, for Malta to be granted the sixth MEP seat at Observer status, before this sixth seats comes into effect in 2009.
As circumstances had it, on the way to Brussels last Monday I met Mr Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta’s High Representative in Brussels, who explained to me that he was absent when the vote was taken because Mr Barroso was on an official visit to Malta and he had to return to Malta to attend to this visit. He also informed me that he had sent a representative on his behalf. I therefore regret any inconvenience caused to Mr Richard Cachia Caruana personally if my remarks implied that his absence was politically motivated.
John Attard Montalto
Brussels
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