The challenge of enlargement. Commission opinion on Malta’s application for membership

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 30 June 1993, providing an Opinion concerning Malta's application to become a member of the European Union (EU).

Further information:

The Maltese Government submitted on 16 June 1990 to the Council of the European Communities the application for membership of the ECSC, the EEC and the EAEC. The Council noted the application in September 1990 and decided to set in motion the procedure laid down in the Treaties, asking the Commission to draw up an opinion as required by the provisions.

The issue of enlargement was discussed by the European Council in June 1992, which agreed with immediate enlargement negotiations for EFTA member states but considered further discussion was required on internal development of the EU before other countries could join. Even so, individual applications should be considered on its own merits. In preparing this opinion, the Commission drew on data on Malta provided by the national authorities and on the information obtained by Commission officials during missions to the country.

The Commission's opinion on Malta's application for membership was based on conclusions reached following its analysis of all this information and its assessment of the country's political situation and relations with the Community, particularly since the conclusion of the 1970 Association Agreement.

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Official

European Commission: Commission Opinion on Malta's application for membership - Extracts https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/DOC_93_4

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