2002 - Department of Information

DIARY OF EVENTS
2002
Important Note: Dates hereunder do not denote the actual dates on which the
respective events occur, but refer to the dates on which they are reported in the
local print media, which is normally on the morrow.
JANUARY
•
1 January 2002 President Guido de Marco received Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi’s message to
the Maltese people in which he called for peace between Muslims and Christians, as two religions that
were not in conflict with one another. The message was handed to Prof. de Marco by Libyan
Ambassador to Malta Ali Salih Muhammed Nagem.
•
1 January 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo announced that arrivals in 2001 were down by an
estimated 60,000 over the previous year. This works out at a five per cent drop. Dr Refalo was
speaking during his traditional end of year call on three hotels to exchange greetings with staff and
guests.
•
1 January 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that travellers outside the eurozone would
continue losing out on exchanging money. In a price sensitive market, this was a consideration to
make. Dr Refalo was being interviewed by The Times newspaper on the introduction of the Euro.
•
1 January 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that for the time being, there was no decision to
change the weighting of the currency basket which made up the Maltese lira in order to bring it closer
to the Euro. The Maltese lira is pegged to three currencies – the Euro at 56 per cent, the US dollar at
22 per cent and Sterling at 22 per cent. Mr Dalli made his comments to The Times.
•
1 January 2002 The Malta Financial Services Centre became the single competent authority to
regulate and supervise credit and financial institutions. A government statement said that, during the
coming year, the single regulator would also assume regulatory and supervisory responsibilities for the
Malta Stock Exchange and stockbrokers, including the functions of a listing authority.
•
1 January 2002 The Central Bank of Malta announced that Demirbank TAS had voluntarily
surrendered its banking licence in Malta and ceased operations. The Central Bank said that this
development was the result of a strategic decision taken by Demirbank’s Board of Directors and did
not arise from any statutory or regulatory measure taken by the Central Bank in respect of Demirbank
Malta branch.
•
2 January 2002 Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi conveyed New Year greetings to President
Guido de Marco at the Palace, in Valletta. Dr Gonzi was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and
Parliamentary Secretaries. The President also reciprocated seasonal greetings from the Archbishop, the
Leader of the Opposition, Members of Parliament, the Judiciary, Constituted Bodies and members of
the public.
•
2 January 2002 The Cabinet of Ministers, led by Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, visited
Archbishop Joseph Mercieca at the Archbishop’s Palace, in Valletta, to exchange New Year greetings.
•
3 January 2002 Maltacom plc announced that 15,640 residential subscribers had between them made
31,641 telephone calls on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Maltacom had offered discounted rates on
these two days.
•
3 January 2002 Air Malta’s travel fair Amitex 2002 will be held at the Trade Fair grounds in Naxxar
between April 11 and 14. Last year Amitex attracted some 40,000 visitors.
•
3 January 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority office in Frankfurt launched a major promotion
campaign on Malta in co-operation with leading German travel magazine Travel Talk. The campaign
also included a competition in which winning travel agents had the opportunity to participate in a
familiarisation trip to Malta, organised with the collaboration of Air Malta and other tourism suppliers.
•
4 January 2002 President Guido de Marco said that one of the most unsightly areas of Valletta was
the old Opera House. He said that the site would be ideal as the seat of Parliament. The President was
speaking during a visit by the Valletta and Floriana Rehabilitation Project Committee.
•
4 January 2002 Alfred Zarb, the Maltese representative at the Euro-Med Process, called for the
Barcelona Committee to review the mechanism employed since the first Ministerial meeting of the
Euro-Med Process in 1995. Mr Zarb was speaking at a seminar organised by the Institut Catala` de la
Mediterrania in which ideas to relaunch the Barcelona process were discussed.
•
5 January 2002 President Guido de Marco, who is also Chairman of the Commission for the
Administration of Justice, said that he had received written confirmation from the Minister of Justice
that the structured majority of the judiciary in the Commission would be retained. Prof. de Marco was
receiving outgoing Chief Justice Joseph Said Pullicino during a farewell call at the Palace, in Valletta.
•
5 January 2002 A statement issued by the Malta-EU Information Centre says that the permanent
arrangement Malta had obtained, restricting the right of EU citizens to buy property in Malta, was a
permanent arrangement. As such it would not come to an end after a certain number of years but
would continue to apply indefinitely.
•
6 January 2002 Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that this year would be a crucial one for
the country as the negotiations towards EU membership would be concluded. Dr Gonzi, who was
deputising for the Prime Minister who was abroad, was speaking at the annual exchange of greetings at
a reception held at Villa Arrigo, San Pawl tat-Targa.
•
7 January 2002 Malta features as one of the list of 100 best holidays for the year 2002, published with
prominence in the travel supplement of the London Sunday Times.
•
8 January 2002 In an interview with The Times newspaper, Social Affairs Minister Lawrence Gonzi
revealed that Anthony Galdes, Chairman of the Welfare Reform Commission, had resigned. Dr Gonzi
said that the Government was asking Mr Galdes to reconsider his decision.
•
8 January 2002 A Malta Tourism Authority billboard in Germany promoting Malta autumn holidays
placed first in a survey of advertising billboards, conducted by the IMAS Institute, in Munich. The
Malta campaign billboard, which carried the slogan Malta– there is still sunshine there, was judged to
portray the most effective advertising message and motif.
•
8 January 2002 The Employment and Training Corporation announced that application forms for
training grants under the Industrial Development Act Scheme for 2001 were available to eligible
companies. Application forms may be obtained from the Training Services Division, ETC, Hal Far.
The closing date for applications is March 31.
•
8 January 2002 The Malta Council for Science and Technology launched its first issue of synRG – a
newsletter that focuses on the European Union’s research programme under the Fifth Framework
Programme for research, technological development and demonstration. MCST may be contacted on
tel. 21241176 and e-mail [email protected]
•
8 January 2002 Seven Westin employees were selected to participate in a work placement under the
EU Community Programme Leonardo da Vinci. The placement is co-sponsored by the EU and the
Westin Dragonara Resort.
•
8 January 2002 Bank of Valletta awarded 51 graduates with a commemorative gift. The graduates
were members of the BoV Club who graduated with a 1st Class degree. Bank Chairman Joseph Zahra
presented the gifts.
•
9 January 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that this year would be a year of new and exciting
challenges. He said that the Government’s main aim was to form part of the EU’s next enlargement
and it was working to be fully prepared for membership by January 1, 2003. Dr Borg was addressing
the ninth meeting of Maltese Ambassadors at the Foreign Ministry.
•
9 January 2002 The Ambassadors also called on President Guido de Marco at the Palace, in Valletta.
Addressing them, Prof. de Marco said that, although Malta was a small island, it had a relevant
strategic position. The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Gaetan Naudi, accompanied the ambassadors.
•
9 January 2002 Moody’s latest opinion update has just been released. It said that Malta’s foreign
currency as well as domestic currency ratings were A3/Prime-2. The ratings, said Moody’s, reflected
the country’s moderate external debt and adequate foreign liquidity.
•
9 January 2002 The Malta Financial Services Centre announced that it was instructing financial
intermediaries to write to clients having investments in Argentinean securities to inform them on the
status of their investments in such holdings. The measures were being taken as a result of the MFSC’s
on-going assessment of queries received.
•
9 January 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre announced that the European Commission had
adopted a proposal to protect the rights of air passengers who faced denied boarding, cancellation of
flight, or a long delay. The Malta-EU Information Centre has published the EU passenger rights in
Maltese.
•
10 January 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the definition of a trade dispute as
‘an individual or collective dispute between an employer and workers who are his employees’ had
been given to him by the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. Dr Gonzi said,
however, that one should not forget that this was a White Paper, to which the Government was seeking
reactions.
•
10 January 2002 Go mobile CEO Juanito Camilleri announced that mobile phone penetration in
Malta now exceeds 55 per cent. He said that the company was fast approaching an active subscriber
base of 80,000, following a highly successful Christmas sales period.
•
11 January 2002 The President of the European Union’s Committee of Regions, Jos Chabert, said
that he would be supporting Malta’s request to be represented by six members (not five) upon
accession. Mr Chabert was speaking to the press following a meeting in Valletta with Foreign Minister
Joe Borg and the Chairman of the Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana.
•
11 January 2002 Sir Peter Hall, who is former Chairman of the urban task force for the regeneration
of British cities, paid a visit to President Guido de Marco. Sir Peter was invited to Malta by
Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino to give advice and discuss with Planning Authority officials
the draft proposals for the regeneration of Valletta, Floriana and the Cottonera area.
•
11 January 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that in a co-ordinated effort, the Ministries of
Home Affairs, Agriculture, Environment, Local Councils and Tourism were carrying out a programme
to clean up the countryside. Minister Refalo was speaking at the launch of the Government’s
programme of activities for the United Nations’ International Year of Ecotourism.
•
11 January 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the number of companies
expanding outweighed those that were reducing their workforce. Prof. Bonnici was commenting on the
laying-off of some 350 workers during the first week of January.
•
11 January 2002 Czech Ambassador Hana Sevcikova inaugurated a branch of the Milan Czech Trade
Office at the Chamber of Commerce, in Valletta. The Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic, Tonio
Casapinta, said that the aim of the office was to promote collaboration in matters relating to EU
accession and to assist the Czech Republic to tap the Mediterranean and North African markets.
•
11 January 2002 Malta was granted 50,000 Euros for the setting up of a research clinic at St Luke's
Hospital for use by women going through menopause. The grant was made under the EU’s Fifth
Framework Programme. Further information on the project can be accessed at www.womanlab.com
•
11 January 2002 Ambassador to France Salvino Busuttil inaugurated an exhibition of Maltese art at
the Hotel D'Aubasson, in Paris. The exhibition was organised by the Malta Tourism Authority office in
France, in collaboration with the Maltese Embassy in Paris and the Institute of Maltese Culture.
•
12 January 2002 President Guido de Marco stressed that, because of its geography, language, and
disposition, Malta could truly bridge differences and incomprehension in the Mediterranean region.
Prof. de Marco was speaking to members of the Diplomatic Corps at the traditional exchange of New
Year greetings, at the Palace.
•
12 January 2002 At the exchange of New Year greetings, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami told
members of the Diplomatic Corps that, despite a period of relative economic difficulty in 2001, the
Government had been able to proceed with measures aimed at introducing long-term economic and
social reforms. Over the past year, the Government enacted a significant volume of new legislation and
introduced administrative reforms in a number of important sectors.
•
12 January 2002 Addressing the Ambassadors, Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg said that, during
the upcoming year it was Malta’s intention to pursue, with strong determination, a vigorous role in the
Mediterranean.
•
12 January 2002 Government granted an area measuring 1,320 square kilometres, situated to the
North West of Gozo, to ENI for oil exploration. Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami signed the
contract on behalf of the Government, and Dott. Stefano Cao signed on behalf of the company.
•
12 January 2002 In a second agreement signed with ENI, the Maltese Government gave its consent
for the laying of a gas pipeline across Malta’s continental shelf en route from Libya to Sicily. The
agreement was also signed by a member of the pipeline project management, in which Libya’s
National Oil Corporation participates.
•
12 January 2002 Enemalta and ENI subsidiary SNAM signed an agreement to carry out a detailed
study to establish the technical viability and economic feasibility of laying a gas pipeline between
Sicily and Malta. The study will also go into the cost of modifications to the power stations for the use
of gas instead of fuel oil or gas oil, if this were to be found feasible.
•
12 January 2002 Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna Executive Director Mario Farrugia announced that the
Notre Dame Gate, the main gateway on the 17th century Cottonera Lines, is to be turned into a
Museum of Military Architecture and Fortification. Mr Farrugia was speaking during a visit to the gate
by Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.
•
12 January 2002 The Malta Stock Exchange’s market turnover last year rose by 14 per cent to
Lm169.5 million. “This higher figure reflected a sharp rise in bond business which more than made up
for a weaker equity market,” the MSE said.
•
12 January 2002 The Foundation for Medical Services appointed Dr Kenneth Grech to the post of
Chief Executive Officer at the new Tal-Qroqq hospital. Dr Grech, who will operate from within St
Luke's Hospital, is to manage the preparations for the transfer of services and personnel to the new
hospital.
•
12 January 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre launched a publication providing information on
the Euro for Maltese travelling to countries that have just introduced the new currency. The pocketsized booklet contains a quick reference table that converts the Euro to the Maltese lira. The booklet
may be obtained free of charge from the Malta International Airport, as well as from the MIC offices,
in Valletta.
•
13 January 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that, during membership negotiations
with the EU, the Government was safeguarding the interests of all Maltese and Gozitans. At the same
time it was keeping in mind the specific needs of Gozo. The Prime Minister was speaking at
Ghajnsielem.
•
13 January 2002 A report drawn up by the European Commission says that candidate countries would
be invited to adopt the European Charter for Small Enterprises. Candidate countries would also be
included in the preparation of the 2003 implementation report.
•
13 January 2002 Twelve Maltese journalists have been selected to go to Brussels to cover European
Union affairs during the coming months. In this initiative, the MIC is teaming up with the Malta Press
Club, the Strickland Foundation, and the Department of Information.
•
14 January 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Government did not intend to
curtail the trade unions’ right to call sympathy strikes, but wanted to ensure that no one would abuse
such a right. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking in Gozo.
•
14 January 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that, according to initial data, tourist arrivals
were better than predicted, with the downturn for December being less than 20 per cent. The Minister
was speaking at the Malta Cookery and Food Association's prize-giving ceremony, at the New Dolmen
Hotel.
•
14 January 2002 The House of Representatives met again after the Christmas recess.
•
15 January 2002 The Cabinet, meeting for the first time this year, approved the publication of a draft
of a new Police law. The draft follows a White Paper on which suggestions had been submitted to the
Home Affairs Ministry.
•
15 January 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, as Government encouraged
women’s participation in the workforce to grow, it had to provide parents with adequate familyfriendly measures. Dr Gonzi made this comment after being presented with a report by the Child-Care
Task Force, led by Chairman Godfrey Baldacchino.
•
15 January 2002 The House Business Committee has decided that the precincts of the House of
Representatives are to be a no-smoking zone, apart from specially designated areas. The policy is
being adopted following meetings between Government Whip Mario Galea and Opposition assistant
Whip Carmelo Abela.
•
15 January 2002 The Malta Communications Authority has released a consultative paper on the
dominant market position in Maltese telecommunications and has called for representations by all
interested parties. The consultative paper may be viewed on the MCA website at
http://www.mca.org.mt
•
15 January 2002 EU Commissioner Guenter Verheugen was quoted as saying that the EU
Commission would be financing a 1.4 million Euro pre-accession project to strengthen the Maltese
administrative capacity in the environment. Information on the decision came in reply to a
Parliamentary Question on Gozo’s Il-Qortin landfill, put in the European Parliament by Green MEP
Alexander de Roo.
•
15 January 2002 Bank of Valletta has appointed John Pollacco as manager of its Libya representative
office. Bank of Valletta’s Libya representative office is situated at Floor No. 11, Office No. 7, Al
Fateh Towers, Tripoli, and may be contacted on tel. 00218 21 335 1661/2/3, fax 00218 21 335 1665,
and e-mail [email protected]
•
15 January 2002 The Civil Court ordered the modification of a birth certificate to indicate that the
holder, a transsexual who had undergone gender reassignment surgery, was now a woman. Mr Justice
Geoffrey Valenzia, sitting in the First Hall of the Civil Court, concluded that Zammit’s right to privacy
had been violated and upheld a constitutional application filed by Francis Zammit against the Attorney
General and the Director of Public Registry.
•
16 January 2002 President Guido de Marco received Malta’s Honorary Consuls at the Palace, in
Valletta. Prof. de Marco encouraged the Consuls to adopt a two-way traffic approach and make known
advantageous aspects of Malta in the countries they represented.
•
16 January 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the proposals in the White Paper on
industrial relations would provide a tool that would help transform the work environment into a
flexible one. Dr Gonzi was one of three speakers at a seminar covering the White Paper from the legal
aspect.
•
16 January 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg tabled Malta’s negotiating paper for agriculture in the
House of Representatives. The Malta EU Information Centre said that, in the accession negotiations on
the sector, the Maltese Government was making a total of 42 requests for special arrangements.
•
16 January 2002 The Department of Health Information launched the first national health interview
survey. The survey, involving a randomly selected sample of 5,500 people over 16 years of age, will
attempt to provide an insight into the physical and mental conditions affecting the nation and their
resulting morbidity. It will also investigate issues such as eating habits, exercise, previous accidents, as
well as consumption of medicines.
•
17 January 2002 President Guido de Marco met European head-teachers to discuss the merits of the
Comenius project, which aims at bringing together students in schools across Europe. The headteachers represented schools in Slovenia, Austria, Finland, Sweden, and Malta.
•
17 January 2002 The Malta Maritime Authority said that a total of 356 cruise liners, with 272,000
passengers on board, had called at Grand Harbour during 2001. The number of passengers represents
an increase of 56 per cent over last year's figures.
•
17 January 2002 Chris Falzon, CEO of the Viset consortium, said that the Lm14 million Valletta
waterfront project will target the home porting business by providing a modern facility that would
entice more shipping lines to begin and end their cruises at the Grand Harbour. The project would also
generate a large number of jobs and help the economy.
•
18 January 2002 President Guido de Marco swore in Mr Justice Noel Arrigo as Chief Justice. Chief
Justice Arrigo said that the priorities of his first year would be to set up the Family Court, improve the
Master system, and reduce the number of pending appeals.
•
18 January 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi reiterated the assurance, given by the Prime
Minister during a public meeting, that the Government did not intend to curtail the right to stage
sympathy strikes but wanted to ensure that no one would abuse it. Dr Gonzi was speaking to reporters
at the end of a two-hour meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.
•
18 January 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that the Government was to aim for limited
growth in tourism until the year 2010, after a study found that the current August tourism volume of
1.4 million guest nights was the maximum socially acceptable level. The study was carried out by the
Malta Tourism Authority, with the assistance of the United Nations.
•
18 January 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that tourist arrivals for September totalled
131,216, a drop of one per cent when compared to the figure for the same month in the previous year.
Arrivals in the first nine months of 2001 totalled 963,644, from 974,026 in the same nine months in
the year 2000.
•
18 January 2002 Dr Joseph Licari, Malta’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe,
signed the Convention on Cyber Crime in the presence of Council of Europe Secretary General Walter
Schwimmer. The convention is the first international treaty on crimes committed via the internet.
•
19 January 2002 Air Malta has been listed as a Quality Approved Airline and given a four-star
ranking by Skytrax, a leading specialist advisor to the aviation industry. The UK-based Skytrax applies
international benchmarks to rank quality of product and staff service supplied to passengers. It
includes in-flight services, comfort and safety.
•
19 January 2002 Bank of Valletta Chairman Joseph F.X. Zahra said that BoV was fully conscious of
the potential offered by the Tunisian market. This had spurred the bank to set up a presence there to
identify new niche markets in which Maltese and Tunisian entrepreneurs could co-operate. Mr Zahra
was speaking during a meeting with Fethi Merdassi, Minister of International and External Investment
Co-operation, in Tunisia.
•
19 January 2002 A delegation from Italy exhibited products from the Abruzzo region at the Chamber
of Commerce, in Valletta. The products included furs, wines, smoked salmon, fish patés and
confectionery.
•
19 January 2002 President Guido de Marco swore in Dr Joseph Galea Debono and Dr Tonio Mallia
as judges in a ceremony at the Palace, in Valletta. Present for the swearing-in ceremony were Chief
Justice Noel Arrigo, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Justice Minister Austin Gatt, Attorney
General Anthony Borg Barthet, and Court Registrar Charles Micallef.
•
19 January 2002 The Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise has been accepted as an
association member of UEAPME (Union Europeenne De L’Artisanat et des Petites et Moyennes
Enterprises) at the recent meeting of UEAPME's general assembly, in Brussels. This event is the
culmination of nearly three years of close co-operation between UEAPME and IPSE.
•
19 January 2002 Government MP John Vella and Opposition MP Joe Debono Grech took part in the
first session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, held in Strasbourg. Among the
subjects discussed were the situation in Cyprus, the implementation of decisions of the European
Court of Human Rights, and the enhancement of security against terrorism.
•
20 January 2002 Local Government Minister Austin Gatt announced that, in April, the Government
would be launching its own internet portal. The services to be given priority are those that are used
most by the public namely, the ordering of certificates; passport applications; drivers’ licences; income
tax; services offered by the Employment Training Corporation; and library catalogues.
•
20 January 2002 President Guido de Marco presented three works by Maltese artists to the United
Nations, WIPO, and the City of Geneva. The works were presented on behalf of the Government and
People of Malta at the opening of the Malta, Crossroads of Civilisations art exhibition, in Geneva.
•
21 January 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the country was moving ahead
towards membership of the EU, and this direction was helping the country become more modern and
efficient. This year, he said, would be one of trials and acquisitions. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at
Mellieha.
•
21 January 2002 Water Services Corporation Chief Executive Anthony Rizzo said that the
corporation was determined to reduce the amount of nitrates in drinking water to the levels set out in
an EU directive by the end of the year. Mr Rizzo was addressing a news conference at Ta' Kandja
pumping station.
•
21 January 2002 Health Minister Louis Deguara said that the United Arab Emirates and various
North African countries had expressed interest in sending patients for hospital care in Malta. Dr
Deguara said that the Maltese Public Health authorities would consider offering such services in
sectors where there was spare capacity, and which in no way would affect Maltese needs.
•
21 January 2002 Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that, in future, as an effect of
globalisation, our approach to environmental issues would need to be revised. Dr Zammit Dimech was
addressing experts attending the UN Environment Programme conference on the Emergency Protocol
to the Barcelona Convention, being held at the Le Meridien Phoenicia, in Floriana.
•
21 January 2002 Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that information in his
possession showed that last year was the best year as far as the quality of seawater was concerned. He
said that the number of site days where bays had been declared unfit for swimming was 56, compared
to 59 in the year 2000. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking in Swieqi.
•
21 January 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that, for the first time, the criminality rate in
Malta last year had dropped by 6.4 per cent, and in certain months the rate even went down by nearly
30 per cent. Dr Borg said that although criminality had never reached alarming proportions, it had
always been on the increase.
•
22 January 2002 Malta has been asked by the European Union to submit the names of its Government
and Parliamentary representatives for the convention the EU will hold to discuss the future of the
Union. French former President Valery Giscard D’Estaing made the invitation to Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami.
•
22 January 2002 Joe Attard Kingswell died yesterday, aged 76. Mr Attard Kingswell was one of the
pioneers of the General Workers’ Union, and a former Labour Party General Secretary. Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami described him as “a model trade unionist who always had the workers’ and the
national interest at heart”.
•
22 January 2002 Maltacom plc is divesting itself of the 20 per cent shareholding it has in competitor
Vodafone Malta Limited. An international call for expressions of interest has just been issued.
Authority Chairman Joseph V. Tabone said that he was happy that things were now moving the way
they should.
•
22 January 2002 The Malta External Trade Corporation announced that, over the past six months, the
number of members of the Metco’s Libya office had doubled from 50 to over 100 companies. Some
Maltese companies were also considering joint ventures with Libyan companies, and a good number of
Maltese companies had already opened offices in this market, the spokesman said. Metco’s new Libya
office website is at libyaoffice.metco.net
•
22 January 2002 The Museums Department is this year again opening all state museums and
archaeological sites, with the exception of the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, to the Maltese free of charge on
the last Sunday of every month. The initiative was introduced last year. Further information is
available on the Ministry of Education’s website at www.education.gov.mt/her_cult/her_cult.htm
•
22 January 2002 Bank of Valletta has sponsored the restoration and embellishment of four of
Valletta's fountains, lying in St George’s Square and St John’s Square. The bank has built a tradition
of supporting and promoting Malta's cultural heritage and has fully financed the restoration of Antonio
Sciortino’s Christ the King monument in Floriana as well as the restoration of the main group of
armour on display at the Palace Armoury.
•
23 January 2002 The Anglican Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe, Rt. Rev. Dr Geoffrey Rowell, paid a
courtesy visit to President Guido de Marco at the Palace, in Valletta.
•
23 January 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the top ranks of the General Workers’
Union that he would consider in detail the Union’s counter-proposals to the White Paper on
employment and industrial relations. He stressed, however, that it was time to take decisions.
•
23 January 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre released details of the transition periods being
requested by Malta in its negotiations with the EU on agriculture.
•
23 January 2002 The British High Commission announced that Dame Blanche Martin and Philip
Grech Snr have been appointed honorary members of the Order of the British Empire. The awards
were made in recognition of the outstanding contribution that Mr Grech and Dame Blanche made to
relations between the UK and Malta.
•
23 January 2002 The aftershock of an earth tremor off Crete was felt in parts of Malta shortly before
6 a.m. The digital seismograph at Wied Dalam, in Birzebbuga, operated by the Physics Department of
the University of Malta, recorded the event.
•
24 January 2002 President Guido de Marco led the congregation in a vigil of prayer for peace at the
Cathedral, in Mdina. Seven religious communities represented in Malta took part in the vigil.
•
24 January 2002 President Guido de Marco was presented with the General Workers’ Union’s
proposed amendments to the White Paper on the Conditions of Employment Regulations Act and the
Industrial Relations Act.
•
24 January 2002 Union Haddiema Maghqudin officials presented a copy of their proposed
amendments to Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
•
24 January 2002 President Guido de Marco paid tribute to the late Joe Attard Kingswell, who died on
Monday. Addressing GWU officials at the Palace, Prof. de Marco said that Mr Attard Kingswell had
made a significant contribution to trade unionism in Malta as well as to the GWU.
•
24 January 2002 Malta ratified the ILO Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976
(No 147) and its Protocol of 1996. Both instruments will come into force on January 10, 2003. The
ILO Convention aims at ensuring the observance on merchant ships of a wide range of standards
relating to safety, social security, shipboard conditions of employment and living arrangements.
•
24 January 2002 The Federation of European Securities Exchanges has invited the Malta Stock
Exchange to become a founder member of the European Corporate Governance Institute. The ECGI
was formally launched in Brussels earlier this month.
•
24 January 2002 National Statistics Office figures show that total exports in November were down by
Lm25.2 million to Lm80.9 million, from Lm106.1 million last year. Total imports in November were
down by Lm32.8 million to Lm106.1 million over the same month in the previous year.
•
24 January 2002 All indoor areas of the House of Representatives have been designated as smokefree zones. The only exceptions to this rule are the individual offices of the Prime Minister, the Leader
of the Opposition, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.
•
24 January 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that since 1998 no thefts were reported in
Manikata, Bidnija and Zebbiegh. Dr Borg was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
25 January 2002 Public Service Commission Chairman Joseph Curmi said that new Public Service
Commission (General) Regulations and the Public Service Commission (Appointments Procedure)
Regulations will make it possible for calls for application and the process for the filling of vacancies in
the Public Service to be transferred to Heads of Department. Mr Curmi was speaking on the occasion
of a visit to the PSC by President Guido de Marco.
•
25 January 2002 Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Borg had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Spain, Joseph Piqué i Camps, at Palacio de Viana in Madrid. During the meeting, the
Spanish Foreign Minister reiterated Spain’s support for Malta’s accession to the Union in the first
enlargement.
•
25 January 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said that Malta was requesting a number of
derogations in its negotiations with the European Union on the Agriculture Sector. MIC said that the
derogations or exemptions were being requested for areas that fall under the veterinary, phyto-sanitary,
and common market organisation of certain products.
•
25 January 2002 The first of a two-part seminar on the evaluation of European Union socio-economic
programmes, co-financed by the European Commission, was held this week. The seminar is being
organised by the Staff Development Organisation and the Regional Policy Directorate.
•
25 January 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the rapidly expanding Libyan
market was a prime destination for Maltese investment and exports. Prof. Bonnici was speaking during
the official opening of the new Bank of Valletta office in Tripoli.
•
25 January 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that the new Food Act, currently being
discussed by Parliament in committee, would introduce greater accountability, tougher penalties and
easier means of redress. Dr Refalo was speaking at a Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association
workshop on hygiene and food safety, at St Julian’s.
•
25 January 2002 Sea Malta Chairman Marlene Mizzi was presented with the Environment Award for
Industry by award committee president Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, in the presence of Environment Minister
Francis Zammit Dimech. The award was jointly sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment and the
Centre for Cleaner Technology.
•
25 January 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that, in the fourth quarter of 2001, 7.1
million kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables, worth Lm1.7 million, had passed through organised
markets. This is a decline by weight of 22.2 per cent and an increase in value of 23.8 per cent, when
compared to the same quarter in 2000.
•
25 January 2002 The Museums Department announced the temporary closure for refurbishment of
the Roman Villa, in Rabat. This project is one of a number of similar projects undertaken by the
Department in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority.
•
26 January 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that a network model for the Europe of
the future had to be a multi-level construction, in the sense that authority had to be exercised at local,
regional, national and continental levels. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at the opening of the 13th
National Student Travel Foundation Mini-European Assembly, at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta.
•
26 January 2002 Malta played host to the signing of a milestone agreement, when all the parties of
the Mediterranean Action Plan launched a decisive initiative to prevent shipping accidents and
discharges of noxious substances into the sea. At a press conference at the Palace in Valletta following
the signing ceremony, Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech hailed the agreement as
extremely significant for Malta and the Mediterranean region.
•
26 January 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt announced that the number of pending court cases had
once again gone down. Dr Gatt was speaking during the presentation of warrants to some 80 lawyers
and legal procurators, at the Casino Maltese, in Valletta.
•
26 January 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that both Malta Shipbuilding and
Malta Drydocks were bidding for a number of important conversion jobs, but it was premature to say
what the outcome would be. Prof. Bonnici said that it was a declared policy that, so far as possible, the
’yards would try to win contracts that would utilise the workers of both ’yards.
•
26 January 2002 Government MP Francis Agius will represent the Council of Europe in the
forthcoming Global Forum on Food Safety Regulators, to be held in Marrakesh. Dr Agius is Chairman
of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of the Council of Europe and the rapporteur on
the issue of food safety and genetically modified food products.
•
26 January 2002 Australian High Commissioner Iain Dickie said that Maltese and Gozitans who had
migrated to Australia had played a significant part in the building of Australia as it is today. Mr Dickie
was delivering a message to mark Australia Day.
•
27 January 2002 The Justice and Local Government Ministry announced that, on the advice of the
evaluation committee, the Cabinet had decided to start negotiations with Compaq Consortium as
strategic partner for the Government’s extensive e-government programme. Justice Minister Austin
Gatt, who is responsible for the sector, expressed his delight that such a positive step has been
achieved.
•
27 January 2002 The Palestinian Ambassador, Awad Yakhlef, thanked Malta for seeking peace in the
Middle East in international fora such as the United Nations and the European Union. Mr Yahlef said
that President Guido de Marco was held in high esteem for doing what he could to bring Palestine and
Israel back to the negotiating table.
•
27 January 2002 Sir Peter Hall, the former chairman of the urban task force for the regeneration of
British cities, said that he was ‘extraordinarily impressed’ by the residential environment of Valletta,
Floriana, Senglea, Vittoriosa and Cospicua. Sir Peter visited Malta as the guest of Parliamentary
Secretary George Pullicino to lend advice and discuss the regeneration of Valletta, Floriana and the
Cottonera area.
•
28 January 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami warned Drydocks workers that the time
when they could receive a salary and not work was over. Speaking at Senglea, Dr Fenech-Adami said
that the Government was committed to spending some Lm60 million over the next seven years to
bring the ’yards back onto their feet.
•
28 January 2002 Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that government plans to
temporarily rehabilitate the bus terminus at City Gate until plans were ready to upgrade the area. Dr
Zammit Dimech was speaking at the inauguration of the Salinos football ground, in Valletta.
•
29 January 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami welcomed the Opposition’s decision to
participate in the EU Convention on the Future of Europe, saying it was a positive outcome. The EU
has invited member states and applicant countries to participate at the convention, to be held in Spain
in March. Malta can send three representatives - a government representative and two representing
Parliament. The House later unanimously approved a motion by the Prime Minister accepting the
invitation.
•
29 January 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said that Malta has made 42 requests for special
arrangements for the implementation of certain laws in its negotiations with the European Union in the
agriculture sector. Of the 42 requests, 10 are for transitional periods and six for derogations.
•
29 January 2002 Sergey Zotov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, presented President de Marco
with a message from Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation. The message underlined the
good relations between the two countries which this year will be celebrating the 35th Anniversary of
diplomatic relations. Ambassador Zotov also paid tribute to the high regard with which the President
of Malta is held in international fora.
•
29 January 2002 The Tourism Ministry, in conjunction with the Institute for Tourism Studies,
launched the ITS Quality Service Training Programme. Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that
after 2003, only those Maltese or foreigners who have undergone training would be eligible for
employment in Maltese hotels and catering establishments.
•
29 January 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that talks were currently in hand
with a Libyan company on the possibility of building ships in Malta. Prof. Bonnici was replying to a
Parliamentary Question.
•
29 January 2002 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that international
consultants appointed by the Wireless and Telegraphy Branch had prepared a draft report on the
allocation and distribution of frequencies for third generation cellular telephony. Mr Galea gave the
information in reply to a Parliamentary Question.
•
29 January 2002 Ambassador Saviour Gauci presented his credentials to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh
Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, as the Maltese Ambassador to Qatar. The ceremony took place at the
Palace, in Doha, Qatar.
•
29 January 2002 Two Maltese, one from South Australia, the other from Victoria, featured in the
Australia Day Honours List. Gaetan Grech, the Maltese former Consul in Adelaide, and Nicholas
Chircop from Bundoora, Victoria, were awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the General Division.
•
30 January 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt announced the forthcoming
opening of the Cisco Regional Academy. The academy will be a partnership between the Government
and the private sector and will lead to the creation of Cisco-certified network engineers in Malta. Dr
Gatt was speaking during the launch of a new survey to determine the perception of businesses
towards e-government.
•
30 January 2002 Cottonera Waterfront Group architect Edward Bencini said that over 40 per cent of
the new apartments forming part of the Cottonera project have been sold. A total of 110 luxury
apartments, selling for around Lm97,000 each, are being built.
•
30 January 2002 According to figures released by the National Office of Statistics, the inflation rate
in December 2001 rose to 2.93 per cent. In November 2001, it stood at 2.64 per cent. The Retail Price
Index also went up, by 0.24 per cent, in December compared to the previous month, to stand at 118.76.
•
31 January 2002 The EU Chief Negotiator for Malta, Arhi Palosuo, led a delegation of 20
Commission officials for technical meetings with the Government over some of the pending issues
which are still being negotiated, and which could be concluded by the end of the Spanish presidency in
June. In a comment to the press, Mr Palosuo said that the meetings tackled various chapters, including
environment, taxation, fisheries and customs union.
•
31 January 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Alan Whitehead, UK Minister for
Health and Safety, signed a twinning agreement under the pre-accession funding programme of the
EU. The project, worth 705,000 Euro, will assist the Government on practical aspects of European
health and safety law and will raise awareness of the hazards and risks at the workplace.
•
31 January 2002 President Guido de Marco said that the maturity in the level of governance of the
country depended on the maturity of trade unions. Prof. de Marco was speaking to executive council
members of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin at the Palace, in Valletta, during a presentation of the
UHM’s proposals for amendments to the White Paper dealing with employment relations.
•
31 January 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that Malta must strengthen and build
upon the capacity of the manufacturing sector to regenerate itself and consolidate its position of
leadership in the economy. Prof. Bonnici was addressing the Malta Export Trade Corporation
marketing conference entitled Think Global, Act How? at St. George’s.
•
31 January 2002 Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that, over the coming
months, the Government intended to take in hand the restoration of Portes Des Bombes, in Floriana.
Dr Zammit Dimech was visiting restoration work worth Lm100,000 in the King George V Gardens, at
Floriana.
•
31 January 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that the number of Italian visitors had not
gone up proportionately to the effort and expense that Malta had undertaken in the Italian market. Dr
Refalo was speaking during a destination workshop organised by the Malta Tourism Authority, top
Italian tour operator Settemari, and local agents Events.
•
31 January 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority is to set up a contingency fund of Lm350,000 ‘in view
of the current situation and possible developments that may require the use of further funds’. This
results from the Financial Estimates of the Authority, tabled in Parliament.
•
31 January 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that, while total exports last year had
declined by Lm190.8 million, or 17.8 per cent, to Lm881.6 million, total imports dropped by Lm266.1
million, or 17.8 per cent, to Lm1,226.3 million. The visible trade gap contracted by Lm75.3 million, to
Lm344.7 million.
•
31 January 2002 The Malta Communications Authority said that the consultation period for the
document on Dominant Market Position in the Telecommunications Sector has been extended to noon
on February 14, from the previous deadline of today. A Consultative Paper on the subject can be
viewed on the MCA website at www.mca.org.mt
•
31 January 2002 Air Malta announced that, as from tomorrow, Air Malta’s London ticketing office,
until now situated at Malta House in Piccadilly, will be at its Regional Head Office at 314-316, Upper
Richmond Road, Putney. The main aim of the transfer is to fully utilise available resources, a company
statement said.
•
31 January 2002 The Chinese Embassy has acquired premises located on the corner of St Paul Street
and Melita Street, in Valletta, for the setting up of a Chinese cultural centre. The purchase comes in the
wake of an agreement reached during President Jiang Zemin’s official visit to Malta last July.
•
31 January 2002 Pauline Galea, lecturer at the physics department of the University of Malta, said
that the tremor felt at around 1.15 a.m. yesterday was due to a local earthquake registering 3.5 on the
Richter scale. The tremor was also recorded in Sicily.
FEBRUARY
•
1 February 2002 The Cabinet has decided that Government’s representative at the European Union
Convention on the Future of Europe will be former University Rector Peter Serracino Inglott. As the
MP from the Government’s side, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami has nominated Michael
Frendo. John Inguanez, Director (Policy) within the EU Directorate, will be the substitute for Prof.
Serracino Inglott and MP Dolores Cristina will substitute Dr Frendo.
•
1 February 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that his Ministry had started to
evaluate proposals and comments on the White Paper proposing changes to the Conditions of
Employment (Regulations) Act and the Industrial Relations Act. Dr Gonzi was speaking as he received
reactions to the White Paper from the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions, the Foundation for
Human Resources Development, and six employer organisations.
•
1 February 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that the Lm13 million Cirkewwa/Mgarr port
upgrading project was progressing according to schedule and the Planning Authority was expected to
issue the permit for the construction of the Cirkewwa terminal/car park in the next few weeks. Mr
Galea was giving an update on the project during a site tour at Cirkewwa at the end of the successful
completion of new berthing quay No. 2.
•
1 February 2002 Health Minister Louis Deguara said that, with the appointment of Dr Kenneth Grech
as Chief Executive Officer of the Tal-Qroqq hospital, the Health Division was moving towards its role
as a Regulator. Dr Deguara was introducing the new CEO to the media.
•
1 February 2002 The Monetary Policy Council of the Central Bank has lowered the bank’s central
intervention rate and the discount rate by 25 basis points, to four per cent. The Council said in a
statement that it had arrived at its decision after considering recent international and domestic
economic and financial developments within the context of the objectives of the bank’s monetary
policy.
•
1 February 2002 The Malta Business Bureau will be organising a series of information and discussion
meetings over the course of 2002 about trading with Britain. The Bureau, a joint initiative of the Malta
Federation of Industry and the Chamber of Commerce will hold the meetings in collaboration with the
British High Commission. The full programme may be obtained from either the FOI or Chamber
secretariats.
•
1 February 2002 Charles Mercieca, the re-elected President of the Maltese-American Chamber of
Commerce, said that membership of the EU would serve to strengthen the bilateral trade, financial and
human links between Malta and the US. “This will be a win situation for all three sides, including the
US, the EU and, most of all, Malta.”
•
2 February 2002 Transend Worldwide Limited, a subsidiary of New Zealand Post, has bought 35 per
cent shareholding in Maltapost and will manage the company for two years under two separate
agreements. The agreements were announced at a joint press conference held by Maltapost Chairman
Frank Dimech and the Parliamentary Secretary within the Economics Services Ministry, Dr George
Hyzler.
•
2 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Finance Minister John Dalli, and the
Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry for Economic Services, George Hyzler, toured the set of
the TV mini-series Julius Caesar, at Fort Ricasoli. Guido de Angelis, producer of the historical saga,
said that a number of other movie projects were in the pipeline for Malta.
•
2 February 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that today we were constantly bombarded with
information, most of which reaches us in real time. A good diplomat was not only cognisant of this
fact but had the necessary tools at hand to sift through and process that data into intelligent and useful
information. Dr Borg was speaking at the opening of the second international conference on web
management and diplomacy, organised by the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, at
Salina.
•
2 February 2002 An international poll carried out in all the EU candidate countries has shown that, in
a referendum on accession, 49 per cent of the Maltese would vote in favour, and 39 per cent would
vote against. Twelve per cent did not reply. The poll was carried out by leading market-research
company GfK Group.
•
2 February 2002 A spokesman for the Malta Film Commission announced that local film company
Drunken Angel Productions had become the first local film production company to be granted
financial aid from the European Union. The script for ‘The Village’ was included in a list of 25 feature
films that will be receiving some 32,000 Euro each under the Medea programme.
•
2 February 2002 APS Bank announced changes to its interest rates, following the discount rate cut
announced by the monetary policy council of the Central Bank.
•
2 February 2002 The Malta Bankers’ Association announced that local commercial banks would
continue to accept bank notes denominated in any of the twelve currencies that have been replaced by
the Euro until February 15. After that date, the banks can only accept these notes on a collection basis
or through special arrangements, and may also levy a charge.
•
3 February 2002 President Guido de Marco visited the Malta Centre for Restoration in Bighi,
Kalkara. Prof. de Marco pointed out that the Lm400,000 that the Centre had received under the terms
of the fourth Italian financial protocol reflected the close collaboration between Malta and Italy, and
the way funds can be channelled to a very good effect.
•
3 February 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea concluded a half-day seminar that discussed the
Strategy for a National Language. Dr Galea said that he would like to see a Bill on the subject
discussed in Parliament this year.
•
4 February 2002 The Malta External Trade Corporation has launched the fourth edition of the Metco
International Marketing Awards. Further details on this initiative and the official application form can
be obtained from Ms Antoinette Catania at Metco on tel. 21446186, or on e-mail address
[email protected]
•
4 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that he was very satisfied that 252
candidates would be contesting next month’s local elections. He stressed that local councils would
strengthen democracy in the country. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking during an activity in Zurrieq.
•
4 February 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that New Zealand Post subsidiary
Transend, which has acquired a stake in Maltapost, would not be paying the Government in cash for
its shareholding but would be investing capital in Maltapost. Prof. Bonnici was speaking to The Times
newspaper.
•
4 February 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli is leading the Maltese delegation taking part in a threeday technical meeting between Malta and Libya, at St Julian’s. Mr Dalli said that Malta would like to
see a regeneration of Libyan investment activity here and the Government also wanted to explore
avenues to facilitate Maltese investment in Libya. The Libyan delegation is led by Industry Minister
Hasan Abdullah Hamed-Abu Khzan.
•
4 February 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that Malta would continue to concentrate its
efforts to attract more tourists by offering quality rather price reductions. Dr Refalo was speaking at
the launch of the fourth edition of the Air Malta Travel Trade Directory.
•
5 February 2002 The death was announced of former President of the Republic Agatha Barbara.
Parliament paid homage to Ms Barbara and the sitting was cut short as a sign of mourning.
Government announced that Ms Barbara would be given a State Funeral.
•
5 February 2002 President Guido de Marco said that Malta had lost a very patriotic woman who
believed in the country. Prof. de Marco said that Ms Barbara gave all that she could and all that she
knew to Malta.
•
5 February 2002 In Parliament, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami praised Ms Barbara as a
woman who contributed a lot to Malta’s social and political history. Dr Fenech-Adami also praised her
integrity that was shown even when one did not agree with her. Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant
praised Ms Barbara as a ‘freedom fighter’, as Minister for Education, and as President, in which office
she gave a direct contribution to the whole country.
•
5 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami wrote to the President of the Convention for
the Future of Europe, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, informing him that the representative of the
Government side of Parliament will be Dr Michael Frendo, former Minister for Transport,
Communications and Technology, while the representative of the Opposition side will be Dr Alfred
Sant, Leader of the Opposition and a former Prime Minister.
•
5 February 2002 Dr Fenech-Adami also informed Mr Giscard d’Estaing that the alternate to Dr
Michael Frendo would be Ms Dolores Cristina, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of
Malta’s House of Representatives, while the alternate to Dr Alfred Sant would be Dr George Vella,
former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Environment.
•
5 February 2002 Robert Musumeci, who is the chairman of the Building Industry Consultative
Council, said that one in every five occupational accidents was related to the construction industry.
This has prompted BICC to launch an education campaign to limit or eliminate these accidents. Mr
Musumeci was addressing a news conference at the construction site of the Cottonera sports complex,
attended by Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth
and Sport, Jesmond Mugliett.
•
5 February 2002 The Maltese Ambassador to China, Saviour Borg, and the President of the Chinese
People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Chen Haosu, jointly hosted a special
reception in Beijing to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malta.
More than 300 guests attended the event, including Ambassadors, Chinese Ministry officials,
journalists and guests.
•
5 February 2002 HSBC announced that it would be reducing the interest rates on all its personal and
commercial lending products, including home loans, by 0.25 per cent. This follows the Central Bank
of Malta’s decision to reduce the central intervention rate and the discount rate by 25 basis points to
four per cent.
•
5 February 2002 The Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise has been accepted as an
associate member of the European union of small and medium enterprises (UEAPME). The European
body is an employers’ organisation representing the interests at European level of crafts, trades and
SMEs in the European Union and countries applying for accession to the EU. UEAPME has 65
member organisations.
•
5 February 2002 The United Nations International Institute on Ageing, in collaboration with the UN
‘Fund for Population Affairs’ is currently holding an international short programme on social
gerontology until February 15. The aim of the two-week programme is to provide understanding of the
complex and far- reaching consequences of mass longevity.
•
6 February 2002 Libyan Industry Minister Hassan Hammed Abdallaha called on Maltese
entrepreneurs to invest in his country. Over the past few days, Dr Hammed Abdallaha represented
Libya in talks with the Maltese Government. Finance Minister John Dalli, who led the Maltese
delegation, said that that the talks were held in preparation for a meeting of the joint commission
between the two countries to be held in Libya in May.
•
6 February 2002 The agreement for Transend Worldwide Ltd to acquire a 35 per cent stake in
Maltapost was laid on the table of the House of Representatives.
•
6 February 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that students who follow the Erasmus
programme would be in a better position to provide working skills to Maltese companies. Over 300
university students are taking part in this year’s Erasmus programme.
•
6 February 2002 The National Statistics Office said that, in the fourth quarter last year, 620,102
passengers used the Malta-Gozo ferries to cross between the Islands. This is an increase of 5,703 or
0.9 per cent over the same period the previous year.
•
7 February 2002 People from all walks of life paid their last respects to former President Agatha
Barbara during a Mass praesente cadavere at St John’s Co-Cathedral, in Valletta. The congregation
was led by President Guido de Marco and included close relatives, former Presidents Anthony Mamo,
Censu Tabone and Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Leader of the
Opposition Alfred Sant, Government Ministers, Members of the Judiciary and Diplomatic Corps, and
MPs from both sides of the House.
•
7 February 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg expressed great satisfaction at the contribution that the
Italian Military Mission based in Malta had given over the years to training in key areas. Dr Borg was
speaking during a meeting with Italian Defence Minister Antonio Martino, at the Ministry of Defence,
in Rome.
•
7 February 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that, following the resignation of the
Chief Executive of the Marsa ’yard, the marketing department of Malta Shipbuilding had merged with
that of Malta Drydocks. Prof. Bonnici was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
7 February 2002 Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Services George Hyzler said
that the part-privatisation of Maltapost was aimed at improving the quality of service and positioning
the company within the Mediterranean region. Dr Hyzler was addressing the media during a visit to
the St Julian’s branch of the company.
•
7 February 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that the Government had appointed the board of the
Financial Intelligence Unit and its composition would be announced in the coming days. Mr Dalli was
replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
7 February 2002 In reply to a Parliamentary Question Education Minister Louis Galea identified the
areas that will be given priority in the Leonardo programme this year. These were: technology and
informatics, alternative sources of energy, restoration and rehabilitation studies, tourism and
hospitality, teaching of foreign languages, innovation in agricultural production, aquaculture, financial
services, precision tool engineering and specialised construction methods.
•
7 February 2002 The Malta Financial Services Centre said that Finansbank (Malta) Ltd had
voluntarily surrendered its banking licence. The bank ceased to operate on January 31.
•
7 February 2002 The German Embassy announced that former German Ambassador to Malta
Gottfried Pagenstert died last Friday, following a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife and
three children. Dr Pagenstert served as Germany’s Ambassador to Malta between 1986 and 1991.
•
8 February 2002 The Justice Ministry, together with Vodafone Malta Ltd., launched the concept of mgovernment - the efficient provision of government services via mobile telephones, using the Short
Messaging System (SMS). Justice Minister Austin Gatt said that the initiative was a clear example of
how private-public partnerships could work.
•
8 February 2002 President Guido de Marco received Mr Scott Kilner who is the US Department of
State Director for Western Europe. The two discussed the situation following the September 11
terrorist attacks, and relations between Malta and the US. Attending the meeting were US Ambassador
Anthony Gioia and Tom Murphy, Deputy Chief of Mission.
•
9 February 2002 President Jiang Zemin of China sent a message of condolences to the Government
over the death of former President Agatha Barbara. The message was conveyed to President Guido de
Marco by the Chinese Embassy.
•
9 February 2002 Elisabeth Mann Borgese, the founder and honorary president of the International
Ocean Institute, which has its headquarters in Malta, died on Friday in St Moritz, Switzerland. She was
83.
•
9 February 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that tourist arrivals last October dropped
by 4.4 per cent, to 106,855, over the same month the previous year. During the same month, the
number of cruise passengers increased by 13,945, to 44,869.
•
9 February 2002 Bank of Valletta reduced its base rate from 4.25 per cent to four per cent. This
decision follows the announcement by the Central Bank of Malta of a reduction in its central
intervention rate and discount rate by 0.25 per cent.
•
9 February 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the objective truths about sexual activity
could not be abstracted from wider issues of equality and dignity. Dr Galea was addressing the fifth
biennial national conference of the Malta Union of Professional Psychologists, with the participation
of the Malta Gay Rights Movement, on the theme Homosexuality: initiating a national debate.
•
9 February 2002 The Central Bank of Malta announced that, in the nine-month period to September
2001, the official reserves rose by Lm47.3 million. The news is carried in the latest edition of the
bank’s Quarterly Review.
•
9 February 2002 The CBM Quarterly Review said that it expected real growth in GDP for 2001 to be
lower than its revised estimate of 3.5 per cent. It cited the worsening international economic outlook,
the deceleration in the pace of domestic economic activity in the first quarters of 2001, and indications
from its Business Perceptions Survey as the reasons behind the revised estimate.
•
9 February 2002 In its negotiations with the EU, Malta is asking for a number of special
arrangements for the adoption of a special market policy programme for Maltese agriculture in seven
sensitive sectors. The Government is requesting these measures in order to enable farmers and food
processors to integrate themselves gradually with the workings of the EU’s Common Agricultural
Policy.
•
9 February 2002 A Russian television crew was in Malta to film an episode of the popular series
‘Kobra’. The crew was assisted by the Malta Tourism Authority and tourism agency Triton Services.
The Malta episode will be aired sometime in spring.
•
10 February 2002 University Rector Roger Ellul Micallef appealed to industry to inform the
University on its forecast personnel requirements so that the University would be able to cater for such
needs. The Rector was speaking during a seminar held at the University attended by Education
Minister Louis Galea and Justice Minister Austin Gatt.
•
10 February 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that, with or without European Union
membership, agriculture needed to be restructured. Restructuring was achievable at a cost but, without
EU accession, these costs would have to be met from the country’s coffers, said Mr Zammit. The
Minister was speaking during a seminar on ‘Developing a Rural Development Plan for Malta’,
organised by Fondazzjoni Ceratonia, in collaboration with the German Heinrich Böll Foundation, the
Austrian Grüne Bildungswerkstatt, and the Dutch Groenlinks.
•
10 February 2002 The absolute majority of the Maltese would like the Euro to be introduced as their
national currency, replacing the Maltese lira. This results from a survey carried out by MISCO and
commissioned by the Malta-EU Information Centre.
•
11 February 2002 The National Commission - Persons with Disability - presented its 2001 annual
report to Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi. Dr Gonzi expressed his appreciation for the
Commission’s work and its development and advances since its inception 15 years ago.
•
11 February 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici insisted that, despite a rather bleak
picture portrayed by the latest issue of the Central Bank’s Quarterly Review, the Maltese economy was
not in recession. With a rate of inflation of under three per cent and a growing employment sector, any
talk of doom and gloom in the economy was uncalled for, said Prof. Bonnici.
•
12 February 2002 A delegation from the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag paid a
courtesy call on President Guido de Marco. The President described the relations between Germany
and Malta as excellent, saying that this was evidenced by his state visit to Germany last November.
•
12 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami met the visiting members of the Bundestag
at a meeting at Auberge de Castille. Dr Fenech-Adami said that it was his Government’s policy to
have Malta firmly anchored within Europe.
•
12 February 2002 President Guido de Marco and Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami signed the
book of condolence at the British High Commission, in Floriana, following the demise of Princess
Margaret. The President, on behalf of the Government and People of Malta, also sent a letter to Queen
Elizabeth II expressing condolences.
•
12 February 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that, if one excluded the electronics
sector, exports for the manufacturing sector for 2001 were up by eight per cent over the previous year.
Prof. Bonnici said that indications show that the electronics sector would be recovering by the middle
of this year.
•
12 February 2002 The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced that Vincent Fean has
been appointed British High Commissioner to Malta. Mr Fean will be taking over in early September
from Howard Pearce, who will be taking up a new appointment.
•
12 February 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC) said that the rural development
programme currently being drawn up would be submitted to the European Commission by the first
quarter of this year. “Malta considers it imperative that the implementation of this programme will
commence during the pre-accession period,” the centre said.
•
12 February 2002 The Prime Minister today starts a visit to Italy where he will be meeting his Italian
counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi tomorrow.
•
12 February 2002 Scenes for the film Pinocchio were shot at the tanks of the Mediterranean Film
Studios, last week. Roberto Benigni stars and directs.
•
13 February 2002 Former Italian Prime Minister and Senator Giulio Andreotti paid a surprise call on
Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, who is on an official two-day visit to Rome. Speaking to
reporters after the meeting, Dr Andreotti said that it was clear logic that Malta would have a place in
the EU.
•
13 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami met Walter Veltroni, the Mayor of Rome.
Following this meeting, Dr Fenech-Adami said that there was space for co-operation in the tourist
sector.
•
13 February 2002 A government statement said that all sides represented on the Environment
Monitoring Board had agreed on the need to step up efforts to curb illegal hunting and trapping. The
members of the board were addressed by Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and the
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Home Affairs, George Pullicino.
•
13 February 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea announced that the Government would be
embarking on the construction of an underpass at Marsa. The underpass will connect Tigrija Street and
the area close to the Maria Regina Church in Marsa as soon as the Planning Authority approved the
plans.
•
13 February 2002 On the initiative of the Ministry of Social Policy, a small-scale pilot project is
being organised for women in the Cottonera region. The project consists of discussion meetings
during which women can talk with specialists about issues that relate directly to their lives and
circumstances.
•
13 February 2002 A German delegation from the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag
ended a two-day working visit to Malta. The 10-member delegation held meetings with Prof. Joe
Bannister, Chairman of the Malta Financial Services Centre, the Public Accounts Committee at the
House of Representatives, Finance Minister John Dalli and Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici.
•
13 February 2002 Dr Simon Busuttil, Head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, said that the new
MIC office in Gozo was part of the centre’s strategy to decentralise the process of information and to
bring it closer to the people. The new office can be reached on tel. 2155 8001 and fax 2155 8010.
•
13 February 2002 Mr Joseph Tabone, Chairman of the Malta Communications Authority, announced
that the authority had commissioned the Malta National Laboratory to carry out a detailed survey on
emissions by mobile phone base station antennas. The aim of the survey is to ensure that mobile phone
base stations are operating correctly and safely.
•
13 February 2002 Carnival came to a grand finale after a defile through Valletta, dances in Freedom
Square, and a parade down St Anne Street, in Floriana.
•
14 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that Malta was hoping to finalise an
agreement on the fifth financial protocol with Italy in the coming weeks. Dr Fenech-Adami was
addressing the media after his meeting in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
•
14 February 2002 The Prime Minister visited the Link Campus University of Malta, and had meetings
with Italy’s President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and the President of the Camera dei Deputati, Pier
Ferdinando Casini. Dr Fenech-Adami also visited the Camera dei Deputati, where those present burst
into spontaneous applause.
•
14 February 2002 Health Minister Louis Deguara launched an advertising campaign aimed at raising
awareness about cancer prevention. The campaign is funded by the National Plan for the Adoption of
the Acquis after the EU allocated funds for such programmes for candidate countries.
•
14 February 2002 A statement issued by the Malta-EU Information Centre says that, in its
negotiations with the EU on agriculture, Malta was arguing that it had specific socio-economic
concerns relating to the supply of food and agricultural products essential for daily consumption,
agricultural production, as well as processing. MIC says that Malta was therefore requesting the
introduction of specific supply arrangements for essential basic products.
•
14 February 2002 Councillors from Gozo’s fourteen local councils, as well as the members of the
Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Association, presented President Guido de Marco with
a declaration calling for a strengthening of the existing regional administration in Gozo. The President
said that it was necessary to bear in mind how Gozo could be improved in a way that bettered Malta as
a whole. The particular interests of Gozo, said Prof. de Marco, should therefore be considered within a
national context.
•
14 February 2002 Metco organised a familiarisation visit in Malta for senior executives from the
Federation of the Chambers of Commerce of Libya. The weeklong visit was organised within the
framework of the co-operation agreement between Metco and the Federation of Chambers of
Commerce of Libya.
•
14 February 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority has commissioned a number of brand-new,
informative road signs indicating a number of heritage sites and environmental beauty spots. The signs
include icons and colours in conformity with standard signage used across Europe.
•
15 February 2002 Former President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici writes that an EU constitution would further
define the institution’s legal identity and strengthen its political life and prospects. Dr Mifsud
Bonnici’s article is included in a German collection of essays on aspects of the EU by prominent
people in different countries.
•
15 February 2002 President Guido de Marco received the diplomatic credentials of Albanian
Ambassador Pellumb Xhufi and Israeli Ambassador Ehud Gol in separate ceremonies at the Palace, in
Valletta. The new Ambassadors are both resident in Rome.
•
15 February 2002 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, accompanied by
Government MP John Vella and Opposition MP Joe Mizzi, attended the 3rd Conference of EuroMediterranean Speakers, held in Athens. The conference centred round two themes: the role of
Parliaments in enhancing the Euro-Mediterranean political dialogue, and the importance of the
cultural, social, and human dimension in strengthening the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.
•
15 February 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the Business Promotion Act
identified the servicing of the aviation industry as one of the specific target sectors for further
development. Prof. Bonnici was visiting Medavia that carries out maintenance on aircraft and provides
charter services. Medavia is jointly owned by Libyan Arab Maltese Holdings Co., Air Malta, and the
Libyan Arab Finance Investment Company.
•
15 February 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the Foundation for Educational Services’
programmes Klabb Hilti and Id f’Id, targeting children who fall behind due to learning difficulties and
their parents, were being extended to another five schools following the success of a pilot project at
Gzira primary school. Dr Galea said that 210 activity teachers would be needed for the programmes
and these would also be engaged within the next three years.
•
15 February 2002 Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that a number of fortifications
of the British era were being restored. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking during a recent visit to view
rehabilitation works at Pembroke Battery, in Pembroke. The battery has been transformed into a public
garden, a playing field and a museum on the history of the locality.
•
16 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami inaugurated the Grand Hotel Mercure
Coralia San Antonio, in Bugibba. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the Coralia San Antonio was a very
visible confirmation of the industry's acceptance of government policy, which favours a controlled
tourism development strategy with the upgrading and refurbishment of existing hotels. Tourism
Minister Michael Refalo attended the inauguration.
•
16 February 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg announced that a total of 2,266 foreigners had
been refused entry into Malta last year. Dr Borg was speaking shortly before inaugurating the new
Immigration Reception Centre, at Hal Far. The new building replaces the detention centre at Ta’
Kandja.
•
16 February 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that work on the 1.8 kilometre long peripheral
road that stretches from the Santa Margerita area in Mosta to the roundabout at the end of Labour
Avenue, Naxxar, had been awarded as a ‘Design, Build and Maintain’ contract. The estimated value of
the contract is Lm600,000.
•
16 February 2002 Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that investment in the
construction sector had grown by 6.5 per cent in real terms in the first nine months of 2001, compared
to the figure for the same period the previous year. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking at the opening of
an exhibition of designs by members of the students of architecture and civil engineering society, at St
James Cavalier in Valletta.
•
16 February 2002 According to statistics released by the National Statistics Office, the
unemployment rate in September 2001 stood at 6.3 per cent, compared to 6.8 per cent in June 2001.
The figures are based on the third labour force survey carried out during the last week of September
2001. Definitions and criteria used in this survey match international methodologies used by the ILO.
•
16 February 2002 Ambassador Anthony Gioia and his wife invited a select audience of about 40 to
attend the world premier of Charles Camilleri’s composition Dirge 110901, recalling the September 11
attacks on the United States, at the US Ambassador’s Attard residence. The guests of honour at the
concert were President Guido de Marco and Mrs de Marco.
•
16 February 2002 The textiles, clothing and leather section of the General Workers’ Union has linked
up with two foreign trade unions and two universities to take part in a Socrates Gruntvig 1 programme.
The EU programme will look into repetitive strain injuries. Collaborating on the project are the British
GMB clothing section, the Italian Filtea CGIL, the Italian Aquila University, and the University of
Malta.
•
16 February 2002 Max Planck Institute for Atmospheric Chemistry of Mainz, Germany, and the
Institute for Meteorology and Climate Change of the Karlsruhe Research Centre have drawn up plans
to expand the Ta’ Giordan Lighthouse observation centre in Gozo into an organisation that will
furnish data on climate change affecting European and Mediterranean countries. The project will
require over 30 million Euro to be launched.
•
17 February 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt urged mayors to join the
Government and the Private Sector in the e-government project. Dr Gatt said at a conference for
mayors that e-government would revolutionise the way the Government provided its services to the
public.
•
18 February 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli denied a newspaper report that negotiations for the
sale to Alterra of part of the Malta International Airport shareholding had collapsed. Mr Dalli said that
the previous day the Privatisation Unit had informed him that Alterra had reconfirmed its bid-bond.
Minister Dalli was speaking at Zejtun.
•
19 February 2002 Albanian President Rexhep Meidani started a two-day state visit to Malta.
Speaking to reporters at the President’s Palace in Valletta, Prof. Meidani said that Albania saw Malta
as a model for European Union integration.
•
19 February 2002 President de Marco said that Malta had a long-standing commitment of
encouraging and enhancing dialogue between the northern and southern areas of the Mediterranean,
and that this dialogue was even more important today, following the September 11 tragedy. Prof. de
Marco was speaking during a state dinner in honour of President Meidani.
•
19 February 2002 In his speech, President Meidani said that Malta and Albania shared the same
perspectives of co-operation and vision. Prof. Meidani said that, for Albania, Malta’s experience in
conforming to EU legislation was a further attraction and an added incentive for co-operation.
•
19 February 2002 President Guido de Marco invested the Albanian President with the insignia of
Companion of Honour with Collar of the National Order of Merit. On his part, Prof. Meidiani
conferred the insignia of the Order of Skanderberg, first class, on President de Marco.
•
19 February 2002 President Guido de Marco hosted the annual concert organised by the Chamber of
Engineers at the Presidential Palace, at San Anton. At the end of the concert, Prof. de Marco said that
more recognition should be given to engineers in the leadership position locally, as engineers had
ample skills and expertise to contribute towards the continued development of society.
•
19 February 2002 Delegates from 12 leading Libyan banks attended a three-day seminar on
international trade finance at the Bank of Valletta’s Training and Education Centre, in Valletta.
Participants discussed international trade and trade finance in general, with particular reference to
letters of credit as a form of payment.
•
19 February 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority quoted French tour operator Nouvelles Frontieres as
saying that Malta was now its most important destination for English language courses. MTA said that
the statement by Nouvelles Frontieres was made at the Expolangues fair, in Paris.
•
20 February 2002 Albanian President Rexhep Meidani described his two-day visit to Malta as
successful and fruitful, saying that both countries had established ‘a new dimension’ to conduct
relations. The two countries also signed two agreements dealing with the fight against the illicit
trafficking of narcotic drugs and organised crime and the exemption of visas for diplomatic passports.
Prof. Meidani was addressing a news conference at San Anton Palace, prior to his departure from
Malta.
•
20 February 2002 The Cisco Networking Regional Academy was launched in Malta. Local
Government Minister Austin Gatt, who attended the launch, said that the academy’s presence in Malta
was expected to help bridge the existing digital divide.
•
20 February 2002 Figures provided by the National Statistics Office show that the number of licensed
vehicles on the road at the end of December 2001 stood at 254,052, compared to 246,825 at the end of
December 2000. This figure represents an increase of 3.51 per cent.
•
20 February 2002 A Parliamentary delegation led by MP John Vella and having MPs Frederick
Azzopardi and George Vella as members attended the first winter meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, in Vienna.
•
20 February 2002 The German-Maltese Circle announced that Malta’s Honorary Consul General in
Hamburg, Otto K. Techau, had died. In 1996, Mr Techau had been awarded the insignia in the grade of
Officer of the National Order of Merit.
•
20 February 2002 Maltapost Philately and Public Relations Executive Tony Barbaro Sant announced
that Maltapost would be introducing stamp labels. “The idea is to use views of these Islands as a
promotion of the country from a tourist point of view,” Mr Barbaro Sant said. The labels show Valletta
by night; the Azure Window in Gozo; Mdina Gate; and the Blue Lagoon.
•
20 February 2002 Filming of the Lm23 million TV mini-series Julius Caesar is running into the third
of a nine-week shoot in Malta. The footage currently being shot involves some 650 extras, a figure that
producer Giuseppe Pedersoli says could rise to 1,000. 70 per cent of the 250 hands working backstage
have also been recruited locally.
•
21 February 2002 President Guido de Marco conferred the National Order of Merit on surgeon Alex
Manchè and the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika on Sr. Cecilia Muscat, at the Palace in Valletta.
Mr Manchè and Sr. Cecilia had been included in the list of worthies to receive honours on Republic
Day but had been unable to attend.
•
21 February 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that in order to survive and remain
sustainable, Malta’s rural economy needs to develop beyond its traditional role of production and offer
more differentiated, high quality products, among other measures. Mr Zammit was speaking at the
meeting for Agriculture Ministers of candidate countries, organised by the Committee for Agriculture
and Rural Development of the European Parliament, in Brussels.
•
21 February 2002 The Maltese delegation to the first meeting of senior officials’ meeting of the EuroMediterranean Process, represented by Ambassador Alfred Zarb, tabled a contribution on the
restructuring of the Euro-Med process. Malta’s contribution is considered to be complementary to an
action plan proposed by Spain. The meeting was held in Brussels.
•
21 February 2002 The Planning Authority launched the first course in environment impact
assessment methods and techniques with the help of the UK’s Institute of Environmental Management
and Assessment, at Floriana. The course was attended by 40 participants and focused on good EIA
practice with practical case studies.
•
22 February 2002 Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis said that Cyprus and Malta have had a
parallel history and have a common future ahead of them. Malta and Cyprus applied for membership
in the same period and are both perceived as frontrunners for the next enlargement. Mr Kasoulidis was
speaking at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Joe Borg.
•
22 February 2002 French Minister for the Civil Service and Administrative Reform, Michel Sapin,
invited Malta to send senior Public Service officials for training at some of its high level institutions.
Mr Sapin was in Malta for talks aimed at strengthening collaboration with Malta.
•
22 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami was one of the keynote speakers in a forum
organised by the Fondazione Alcide de Gasperi, in Rome. The theme of the forum was ‘Europe in the
works and thoughts of Pope John Paul II’. Speaking at the forum, Dr Fenech-Adami recalled what the
Pope had said on his first visit to Malta in 1990 namely, “Malta is called to contribute to the spiritual
unity of the Old Continent by offering her treasures of Christian faith and values. Europe needs
Malta’s faithful witness too.”
•
22 February 2002 At the United Nations Malta called for an immediate cease-fire in the Middle East
to prevent the cycle of violence from further spiralling out of control. It also called for urgent
consideration to be given to the convening of an emergency session of the United Nations Security
Council to address this highly volatile situation.
•
22 February 2002 Officials of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise were in Malta on a two-day
visit to establish contact with employers/industrial organisations and to familiarise themselves with the
situation in Malta regarding prospective EU membership. The familiarisation visit was organised by
the Malta Federation of Industry.
•
22 February 2002 The Economic Services Ministry concluded a twinning agreement with the UK’s
Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards to provide training and
consultancy services in market surveillance. The agreement was made possible through funds provided
by the European Commission.
•
23 February 2002 The Government agreed to pay an ex gratia sum equivalent to the service bonus to
shipyard workers who opt for part one of Scheme A of the early retirement scheme. The agreement
was announced at a meeting of the drydocks task force by Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
•
23 February 2002 Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides urged the European Union to
recognise the important role that Cyprus and Malta could play, if the EU wanted to see stability in the
Mediterranean. The Cypriot Minister and his Maltese counterpart, Joe Borg, were speaking during the
NSTF Mini-European Assembly on the theme Wrapping up the negotiations - A big bang
enlargement?
•
23 February 2002 The head of Malta’s European Union Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia
Caruana, said that Malta was very close to reaching agreement with the EU on the need for the waters
around the Islands to be managed as a conservation zone. Mr Cachia Caruana was addressing a
conference that scrutinised the state of Malta’s negotiations.
•
23 February 2002 Addressing the conference, EU Chief Negotiator for Malta, Arhi Palosuo, said that
in sensitive areas, such as the free movement of persons and capital, the two sides had agreed on
arrangements that took into account the unique circumstances prevailing in Malta. “This proves the
point that, in these negotiations, tailor-made solutions are possible,” said Mr Palosuo.
•
23 February 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that, once negotiations were concluded, the
Government would be honouring its promise to present the final package to the people in order to
allow them to decide whether to join the EU or not. Dr Borg was addressing the conference on the
state of Malta’s negotiations.
•
23 February 2002 President Guido de Marco attended Mass to mark the 60th anniversary of the
illegal deportation of 43 Maltese nationals to Uganda during the Second World War. Prof. de Marco
stressed that he had attended the Mass to raise the event to one of a state occasion.
•
24 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami was received in audience by Pope John
Paul II at the Vatican, along with other participants in the third international forum organised by the
Fondazione Alcide de Gasperi. The forum had as its theme the Pope’s vision of Europe.
•
24 February 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government had bought 100
beds in privately owned homes for senior citizens. Dr Gonzi said that, in partnering the private sector
in this way, the Government had been able to mitigate the immediate demand for more beds and to
save a lot of money in capital and in recurrent investment. Dr Gonzi was speaking during a news
conference in Balzan.
•
25 February 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced the opening in September of the
first one-stop shop of social welfare services for the people of Cottonera. The centre will provide
services from the agency Appogg, the Employment and Training Corporation, the Housing Authority,
the Department of Social Security, and the Department for the Elderly. Dr Gonzi was speaking on the
site of the centre, which is at an advanced stage of construction, at Vittoriosa.
•
25 February 2002 The Sunday Times travel supplement included a positive write-up on diving in
Malta. David Wickers, the London weekly’s travel correspondent, wrote: “The scenery’s spectacular,
the locals are friendly and the water’s crystal clear: all in all Malta is an ideal spot to learn to dive.”
•
26 February 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in Parliament that workers at the
shipyards might have to work on a shorter working week if the targets set for the shipyards to become
financially viable were not achieved. The Minister was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
26 February 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici announced that the Institute for the
Promotion of Small Enterprises had drawn up an action plan that includes measures and initiatives
aimed at ensuring the printing industry in Malta enhances its competitiveness. Prof. Bonnici said that
the action plan followed the publication of the sector report on the printing industry in June last year.
•
26 February 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit launched the first Rural Development
Programme consultation meeting, which should lead to the formulation of a rural development plan for
the period 2003-2006. Speaking during the launch, Mr Zammit said that the plan would help to
safeguard the historical, rural and cultural heritage of the country.
•
26 February 2002 The Directorate-General on Agriculture within the European Commission has
published a press release by the European Commission explaining the integration strategy on
agriculture for the EU’s new member states. The press release is available in the language of each
candidate
country,
except
Turkey,
at
www.europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/external/enlarge/press/176_mt.pdf
•
26 February 2002 The European Parliament has posted on its website 16 pages of information on its
work and role in 27 languages, including Maltese. The entry can be accessed at
www.europarl.eu.int/presentation/default_mt.htm
•
26 February 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said in Parliament that the volume of
letters handled by the Maltese postal authorities in recent years had increased. However, a decrease
had been registered in the number of parcels handled. The Minister was replying to a Parliamentary
Question.
•
26 February 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said in reply to a Parliamentary Question, that a
total of 773 work permits had been issued for EU nationals last year. The highest numbers were 313
from the UK, 119 from Italy, and 117 from France.
•
26 February 2002 President Guido de Marco visited the War Museum in Valletta, with the aim of
highlighting the importance and relevance of that period of Maltese history. Prof. de Marco noted that
the country would soon be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the award of the George Cross.
•
26 February 2002 Dale Keller, Air Malta head of marketing and sales for northern Europe, announced
that the airline would be increasing by eight per cent its capacity on the UK this summer in
anticipation of expected growth in demand. The airline will be operating from Heathrow, Gatwick and
Stansted.
•
27 February 2002 Spanish Prime Minister José Maria Aznar said that he was ‘hoping and trusting’
that Malta would make the wise move of joining the European Union. Mr Aznar, whose country
presently holds the rotating EU Presidency until June, was in Malta for talks with Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta.
•
27 February 2002 Mr Aznar said that Malta was making significant improvement in the accession
talks with the EU. He expressed his confidence that Malta could be one of the first candidate countries
to be included in the coming enlargement. Mr Aznar was addressing a joint press conference with
Prime Minister Fenech-Adami following talks at Auberge de Castille.
•
27 February 2002 During the joint press conference, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami described
the talks with Mr Aznar as ‘extremely fruitful’. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the talks focused on
Malta’s EU membership bid, the programme of the Spanish Presidency of the EU, and the
Mediterranean dimension of the EU. The two Prime Ministers also expressed concern at the situation
in the Middle East.
•
27 February 2002 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office the inflation rate in
January 2002 was 3.27 per cent; the highest since the retail price index was revised in 1997. In
December 2001 the inflation rate was 2.93 per cent.
•
27 February 2002 French women’s lifestyle magazine Atmosphères carried a 14-page article that
featured Malta’s cuisine, its architectural and cultural riches, as well as Gozo’s uniqueness. The
magazine has a circulation of 80,000.
•
27 February 2002 A Malta Tourism Authority statement said that the Maltese Islands’ culture and
wealth of historical treasures are to be the focus of promotional efforts in Germany during 2002. MTA
said that, as from this month, an advertising campaign is to utilise full-colour posters and billboards in
over 4,834 locations, including train stations, main roads, pedestrian areas, and trams.
•
28 February 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami left for Queensland, Australia, to take part
in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The theme of the meeting is The
Commonwealth in the 21st Century: Continuity and Renewal. The Prime Minister is accompanied by
Mrs Fenech-Adami, Foreign Minister Joe Borg, and the Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry,
Gaetan Naudi.
•
28 February 2002 Parliamentary members Dr Michael Frendo, Dr Alfred Sant, Ms Dolores Cristina,
and Dr George Vella attended the inaugural session of the Convention on the Future of the European
Union, being held in Brussels. The Convention brings together representatives of the European
Parliament, representatives of Parliaments of the member states of the Union and candidate countries,
representatives of Heads of State of member states and candidate countries, and representatives of the
European Commission.
•
28 February 2002 The United Nations Security Council met to discuss the situation in the Middle
East including the Palestinian Question. The Malta Government aligned itself with the statement
delivered by Spain on behalf of the European Union that inter alia “strongly condemns” and
“expresses dismay at the latest outbreak of terror and violence in the Middle East”.
•
28 February 2002 Minister for Economic Services Josef Bonnici officially inaugurated the Child Day
Care Centre at Bulebel Industrial Estate, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi. The Bulebel Industrial Estate Tenants Association launched the centre
for use by the children of employees who work in the centre.
•
28 February 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that, during the past five years,
Enemalta had spent Lm5.25 million on maintenance and repair work at the Marsa Power Station and
another Lm1.81 million on the power station at Delimara. Prof. Bonnici was replying to a
Parliamentary Question.
•
28 February 2002 The National Statistics Office said that the number of tourists in November last
year dropped by 7,569, or 11.1 per cent, to 60,498, from 68,067 in the same month the previous year.
In the eleven-month period to November last year, the number of tourist arrivals dropped by 22,843, or
almost 2.0 per cent, over the previous year to 1,130,997, the NSO said.
•
28 February 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo told Parliament that tourist bookings in January
were down compared to last year. Dr Refalo said, however, that the Malta Tourism Authority had
assured him that Malta would be able to attract up to 1.1 million tourists this year.
•
28 February 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the lack of enthusiasm for science that
characterises many teenagers, and the fall in the number of students seeking to study chemistry and
related subjects in higher education, was a matter of major concern. Dr Galea was addressing the first
national chemistry symposium organised by the Department of Chemistry at the University.
•
28 February 2002 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea met students from the World
Maritime University who are on a field study visit to Malta as part of their post-graduate course in port
management. Malta is the host country to the International Maritime Organisation’s International
Maritime Law Institute.
•
28 February 2002 The President and Mrs de Marco, on behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund,
presented Lm19,154 in cash as well as specialised equipment and white goods to various philanthropic
institutions and individuals in need. Nine philanthropic institutions and 116 individuals benefited from
the donation.
•
28 February 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre is resuming its information meetings in
collaboration with local councils. Since May last year, MIC has held 15 such meetings at various
councils. Other local councils have now accepted the invitation to organise public information
meetings on Malta and the EU in their respective localities.
•
28 February 2002 Malta featured in Tours, a German upmarket travel magazine with a circulation of
65,000 and in women’s magazine Vida, with a circulation of 750,000. In France, maritime magazine
Chasse Marée carried an article on the Maltese dghajsa.
•
28 February 2002 Maltapost suspended the release of a postage stamp set featuring five of the bestknown feature-films shot in Malta since 1950. A spokesman for the company said that the films were
held up because of ‘a technical problem’.
MARCH
•
1 March 2002 An unprecedented Convention to chart the future of the European Union opened with
calls for a European constitution to transform the bloc into a global political power in the 21st century.
The 105 delegates from national and European Parliaments, member governments, candidate
countries, including Malta, and the executive European Commission will debate how to make the 15nation EU more democratic and efficient as it enlarges to 25 or 30 states.
•
1 March 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that, once Malta joined the European Union, it would
have a role to play in acting as Libya’s partner and gateway into EU markets. Mr Dalli was speaking at
a conference organised by Bank of Valletta on the theme Libya - your neighbour and business partner,
held at the San Gorg Corinthia.
•
1 March 2002 The seven European partners of the Parent Empowerment for Family Literacy project
started a three-day workshop in Malta. PEFAL aims to support children who have literacy problems,
through the empowerment of their parents. Education Minister Louis Galea said that the EU, through
its Grundtvig Programme, had funded the project at a cost of Lm70,000.
•
1 March 2002 A government statement published in The Government Gazette said that, as from today,
ministerial responsibility for environmental protection falls under the Home Affairs Ministry, that has
been renamed the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Environment. The Ministry will continue to be
responsible for the Planning Authority, which has been renamed the Malta Environment and Planning
Authority (MEPA). Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino will oversee the Authority.
•
1 March 2002 The statement said that Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister for the Environment,
shall be styled Minister for Resources and Infrastructure, with responsibility for capital and
construction projects, public cleanliness, drainage, waste management, the Malta Resources Authority
and the Consultative Council for the Construction Industry.
•
1 March 2002 Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimich distributed appointment letters to the
members of the newly set-up National Commission for Sustainable Development. One of the
responsibilities of the commission is to prepare a national strategy for sustainable development.
•
1 March 2002 Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority
George Pullicino announced that the Government will soon start recruiting personnel to serve as
environment protection officials in the newly set-up Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Mr
Pullicino said that the new officials would be required to work on three aspects of environment
protection - pollution control, bio-diversity, and waste management.
•
1 March 2002 Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino said that the Government had earmarked the
St George’s Bay area for a proposed underground multi-storey car park, housing between 800 and
1,000 vehicles. The area will be one of three strategic car parks intended to ease the parking problems
in Paceville and surrounding localities.
•
1 March 2002 The new Ambassador of Indonesia, Freddy Numberi, presented his diplomatic
credentials to President Guido de Marco. Mr Numberi will be resident in Rome.
•
1 March 2002 Mr Le Vinh Thu, who is to be the new Ambassador to Vietnam, presented his
credentials to President Guido de Marco. Mr Thu will be resident in Rome.
•
1 March 2002 President Guido de Marco was interviewed by journalists from Spain, Hungary and
Chad on his perceptions of the YMCA. The journalists are conducting a project, commissioned by the
United Nations, the European Union, and Prospective International.
•
1 March 2002 Malta’s High Commissioner in London, George Bonello Du Puis, has written to the
editor of The Sunday Telegraph in reply to a feature headed ‘Outrage at Maltese massacre of swans’.
In his letter, Dr Bonello Du Puis pointed out that those responsible for the shooting had been arrested
and arraigned in court.
•
1 March 2002 According to figures issued by the National Statistics Office the gainfully occupied
rose by 1,209 in October 2001 over the same figure in October 2000, to reach 138,565. The number of
unemployed was 7,183, compared to 7,161 in October 2000.
•
1 March 2002 The Parent Teacher Association of Stella Maris College is taking part in a project
supported by the EU under the Socrates programme. The other participants in this project are the
Pedagogical Institute of the Archdiocese of Vienna, an institute for further education from Finland,
two schools from Norway, and an educational institute from Estonia.
•
2 March 2002 The video documentary The Maltese cheese-let (Il-Gbejna), produced by the
Department of Agriculture, has tied for second place at the 18th International Agrofilm Festival, held
in Nitra, in the Slovak Republic. The video portrays the traditional cottage industry of making fresh,
dried, or peppered cheese-lets.
•
2 March 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli announced the setting up of the Financial Intelligence
Analysis Unit. The formation of the unit was a follow-up to recent amendments to the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act.
•
2 March 2002 A Malta-Libya Duty Free Shopping Festival is to be held by the Libyan-Maltese
Chamber of Commerce in Tripoli, between November 20-29. Chamber Chairman Anthony Micallef
said that the aim of the festival was to attract Maltese established and new business to the Libyan
market. More information about participation in the festival may be obtained from the Chamber, tel.
21333666, fax 21332734.
•
2 March 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that economic data disproved the doom
and gloom message that was being projected by the General Retailers and Traders Union. Prof.
Bonnici said that according to the Economic Survey 2001, the economy grew by 5.2 per cent in real
terms for the first nine months of last year when one excluded the electronics sector, which was
completely dependent on the international economic environment.
•
3 March 2002 President Guido de Marco urged the young to take an interest in politics. Prof. de
Marco was addressing a conference organised by the National Youth Council on the theme Young
people and politics – Virtues, defects and influences, at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel.
•
4 March 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that the Civil Protection Department was not
there to replace voluntary organisations but to assist this sector in its duties. Dr Borg was speaking
during a Civil Protection Department open weekend, at Hal Far.
•
4 March 2002 Malta recorded the warmest winter day ever. Meteorologist John Mallia, from the Met
Office at Malta International Airport, said that the maximum temperature at the airport had reached
27.7o Celsius, or 12 degrees above the average for early March.
•
5 March 2002 Malta External Trade Corporation Chairman Anthony Diacono called on President
Guido de Marco and presented him with the corporation’s new strategic direction for 2002-2004. The
corporation’s new strategy includes marketing Malta as a hub for regional trading.
•
5 March 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the incidence of sexual harassment at
the place of work was low, according to a survey carried out by the Ministry. The problem
nevertheless existed and had to be addressed. Dr Gonzi was speaking during the launch of a White
Paper on Gender Equality that proposes that sexual harassment be considered a criminal act.
Suggestions on the White Paper may be e-mailed to: [email protected]
•
5 March 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the House Business Committee that the
President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, would be visiting Malta, possibly on March 21 and 22.
Dr Gonzi said that the Government was exploring the possibility that Mr Cox would address the
Maltese Parliament during his visit.
•
5 March 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the Malta Development
Corporation last year approved 51 new and expansion projects in the manufacturing sector, involving
an investment of Lm27.3 million and projecting an employment figure of 1,620. Prof. Bonnici was
replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
5 March 2002 The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Medical Services, Emmanuel
Attard, said that the construction of the new hospital at Tal-Qroqq was on target and if all goes
according to plan it should welcome its first patients by the end of June 2003. Mr Attard was
addressing the media at an on-site press conference.
•
5 March 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority announced that French television channel Escales was to
broadcast four special programmes on Outdoor Malta as part of their popular series Les Yeux de
l’Aventure. The programmes will present the Maltese Islands as a location for practising outdoor
activities such as diving, abseiling, horse riding, and yachting.
•
5 March 2002 The British High Commission announced that Captain Angus Sinclair, RN, had been
appointed as the British Defence Adviser to Malta at the High Commission. Capt. Sinclair will be
resident in Rome where he is accredited as British Naval Attaché.
•
6 March 2002 A research study about young people’s perceptions of issues relating to Malta’s EU
accession process, reveals that EU membership is seen by an absolute majority as offering
opportunities for employment, study, improvement of standards, and better mobility. The project
entitled Y-EU? is a programme of the Youth Studies of the University of Malta, the Malta Association
of Youth Workers, and the Malta-EU Information Centre.
•
6 March 2002 InterProgetti, a joint venture between FXB, Fino, and Joinwell, has been awarded the
furniture and joinery contract for the 300-room five-star Corinthia Tripoli Hotel, after an international
call for tender submissions. This is the largest such contract ever awarded to a Maltese company.
•
6 March 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said in Parliament that 2,006 students had graduated
from the University last year, 1,720 in the year 2000, and 1,978 in 1999. Dr Galea said that according
to a study by the University’s Advisory Services Unit, of the graduates in 2000, 82 per cent had found
employment within six months and 15.6 per cent were furthering their studies.
•
6 March 2002 Nino Masetti, who is the President of Apistoria, a society interested in the preservation
of rural buildings and apiaries, suggested that Maltese ancient apiaries should be preserved and
included as stops in country walks as an added attraction to visitors. Mr Masetti writes for magazines
in the US, including ‘The American Bee Journal’, about his research and observations.
•
7 March 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami returned to Malta after participating in the
Commonwealth Summit in Australia. Addressing a press briefing at the VIP lounge of the airport, Dr
Fenech-Adami said that Commonwealth leaders had ended their meeting in Australia by reaffirming
their commitment to democratic values and promising to work together in the fight against terrorism
and poverty.
•
7 March 2002 Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that the Government plans to invest over
Lm750,000 in a bid to bridge the digital divide. Dr Gatt said that the Government wanted to make
available the services of internet and e-mail to all those persons who wanted to use them as a stepping
stone to bring into their reach the benefits of electronic government. Dr Gatt was addressing a news
conference at his office at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta.
•
7 March 2002 Health Minister Louis Deguara said that mental health reform was succeeding. In fact,
more patients were being integrated into society, and local councils could soon be asked to contribute
by offering mental health services in the community for patients from the hospital who were starting
the slow process of re-integration. Dr Deguara was speaking at the opening of the Mixed Admission
Ward at Mount Carmel Hospital.
•
7 March 2002 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea inaugurated this year’s edition of
the Motor Fair, at Naxxar. Addressing the press, the Minister said that although the number of cars on
our roads was increasing at a rate of 6,000 cars every year, he was against imposing any restrictions on
the importation of cars. Mr Galea mentioned that the Government is implementing a number of
projects to ease parking problems in heavily congested areas such as Valletta.
•
7 March 2002 Sea Malta chairman Marlene Mizzi said that the company would be offering technical
advice on shipping matters for free to all firms making use of facilities offered by the Institute for the
Promotion of Small Enterprise. Ms Mizzi was speaking during a news conference at the company’s
head office, in Marsa.
•
7 March 2002 The Department of Information announced that it would be publishing the official
results of the Local Councils elections on its website at www.doi.gov.mt Local elections are due to be
held in twenty-two towns and villages in Malta and Gozo on Saturday 9th March.
•
8 March 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the environment was very high on the
Government’s priority list, but the problem was one related to financing. Dr Fenech-Adami was
interviewed on Malta’s environmental problems, including the Maghtab landfill and hunting, by BBC
World television for the programme Europe Direct.
•
8 March 2002 Malta was among the applicant countries attending a European Union Environment
Ministers’ meeting in Brussels where it was decided that member states should implement the Kyoto
Protocol on toxic gas emissions. Parliamentary Secretary at the Home Affairs Ministry George
Pullicino said that Malta had ratified the treaty last November.
•
8 March 2002 Apostolic Nuncio Luigi Conti presented President Guido de Marco with a copy of Pope
John Paul II’s letter to Heads of State and Governments, as well as ‘The Decalogue of Assisi for
peace’. Referring to the situation in the Middle East, President de Marco said that religion could never
be a weapon for war and terrorism could never help humanity.
•
8 March 2002 Parliamentary Secretary for the Care of the Elderly Antoine Mifsud Bonnici announced
that 100-year-old wards for elderly men and women at St Vincent de Paul Home for the Elderly would
be replaced by new and modern accommodation. The project will cost the hospital’s welfare
committee Lm3 million.
•
8 March 2002 Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry for Home Affairs George Pullicino said that the
installation of five security cameras in Paceville had helped to reduce vandalism in the locality. He
said that the Government was committed to strengthening security in the area, both for visitors and
residents alike. Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino was speaking during a visit to Paceville.
•
8 March 2002 Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry Edwin Vassallo released a
document on the implementation of the European Charter for Small Enterprises, published by the
Small Business Unit. Mr Vassallo said that Malta was aiming to implement the charter, which outlined
the EU’s policy on the development of a political environment to assist small and medium enterprises
to be sustainable.
•
8 March 2002 A study by Prof. Anthony M. Abela on women’s welfare in society calls for greater
collaboration between welfare agencies offering similar services and policies to empower women to
return and/or continue working. The study was commissioned by the Commission for the
Advancement of Women.
•
8 March 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that in the fourth quarter last year investment
in manufacturing declined by Lm8.9 million to Lm7.3 million. In the same quarter of the year 2000 it
was Lm16.2 million.
•
9 March 2002 A government statement said that summer time in Malta will, this year, commence at
2.00 a.m. of the last Sunday in March, that is on the 31st March 2002. It will end at 3.00 a.m. of the last
Sunday in October, that is, on the 27th October 2002.
•
9 March 2002 Ms Simone Vella, Chairman of the Commission for the Advancement of Women,
presented the Commission’s annual report to Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami. The ceremony
took place at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta.
•
9 March 2002 President Guido de Marco visited female workers at the Bortex clothing factory and
received female MPs at the Palace. The two visits were held to mark Women’s Day.
•
9 March 2002 The National Statistics Office on the occasion of Women's Day released various
statistics as salient indicators on women from a demographic point of view and as health care
providers. One statistic shows that life expectancy for women in the year 2000 stood at 80.2 years,
whereas that for men was 74.3 years.
•
9 March 2002 The Institute of Water Technology launched the Water Wisdom project at the Water
Services Corporation, in Luqa. The €600,000 project is subsidised under the fifth water framework
directive of the EU Socrates programme.
•
9 March 2002 The latest US State Department report on human rights in Malta last year said that
human rights were generally respected and the law and the judiciary provided effective means of
dealing with individual instances of abuse. The report notes that, while violence against women was a
problem, and societal discrimination against women persisted, the Government had taken steps to
address both issues.
•
9 March 2002 According to the US Government’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report for
2001, Malta is not a significant player in the production or trafficking of narcotics and does not play a
large role in money laundering. The report says that drug trafficking to Malta and overall drug abuse
among Maltese youth was limited to ‘small, but increasing’ amounts of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy.
•
10 March 2002 Alan Vella, who regularly writes on tourism-related topics for The Sunday Times, is
the winner of this year’s Tourism Journalism Award organised by the Ministry of Tourism for the
second consecutive year. Tourism Minister Michael Refalo presented Mr Vella with a trophy and a
cheque. Mr Vella has also been given the opportunity to attend the International Tourism Bourse, in
Berlin.
•
10 March 2002 A survey commissioned by the Malta-EU Information Centre shows that the majority
of those who are aware of the special arrangement agreed between the Maltese Government and the
European Union on the acquisition of property in Malta by foreigners, view the deal positively. The
scientific survey, carried out by MISCO, was conducted using a sample of 500 respondents, aged 16
and over.
•
10 March 2002 British High Commissioner Howard Pearce visited Vodafone Malta's head offices at
Imsida, as well as the Company’s operations building in Birkirkara. Vodafone Malta Ltd forms part of
the Vodafone Group, one of the UK’s three largest companies.
•
10 March 2002 Malta International Airport has revamped its weather website, accessed through the
link in the main MIA website at www.maltairport.com The greatest innovation of the new site is the
introduction of a five-day forecast.
•
11 March 2002 At local council elections in 22 towns and villages in Malta and Gozo, the Nationalist
Party polled 44.84 per cent, down from 49 per cent, and elected 66 councillors, down from 72 three
years ago. The Malta Labour Party polled 52.24 per cent, up from 46 in 1999, electing 72 councillors
compared to 61 three years ago. One independent candidate was also elected at Dingli.
•
11 March 2002 Spain has invited leaders of candidate EU countries to the European Union summit in
Barcelona, to try and involve them more closely with the region’s reform process. Spanish Prime
Minister Jose Maria Aznar sent invitation letters to the leaders of the 13 countries, including Turkey,
aspiring to join the 15-nation European Union.
•
12 March 2002 Malta followed the example of the European Union and banned the importation of
animal products from China. The EU in January decided to suspend imports of some Chinese foods,
including rabbit meat, crustaceans and frozen shrimps, which experts said contained traces of banned
antibiotic chloramphenicol.
•
12 March 2002 An Armed Forces of Malta Islander plane took part along with two Italian search
aircraft and one navy vessel in a rescue mission off Lampedusa after a boat packed with some 70
illegal immigrants capsized in rough seas. Only 12 were rescued.
•
12 March 2002 An Malta Armed Forces boat joined two other vessels in another rescue and assistance
operation, this time after a Turkish cargo ship, the MV Camadan, started taking in water 14 nautical
miles off Malta. American warship USS Vella Gulf was the first to intercept the Mayday call and
assisted the Turkish ship by sending in one of its helicopters.
•
13 March 2002 European Commission President Romano Prodi said in an interview in Brussels that
Malta would have a strong voice as an EU member and he could visualise Malta as being among the
active protagonists. Mr Prodi said that it was up to the Maltese people to make up their mind on the
issue of membership.
•
13 March 2002 The Leader of the House of Representatives, Lawrence Gonzi, informed the House
Business Committee that a planned visit this month by the President of the European Parliament, Pat
Cox, has been postponed to May.
•
13 March 2002 The Government has launched its e-payment gateway that will make it possible for
people to buy and pay for government services through the internet. The e-payment gateway has been
put together with the participation of Bank of Valletta and Maltacom subsidiary Terranet.
•
13 March 2002 Eighty-three immigrants from Eritrea, Somalia and Bangladesh were arraigned before
the Magistrates’ Court in Gozo and convicted of entering the country illegally. Their deportation
orders were suspended pending the outcome of applications for refugee status.
•
13 March 2002 The Malta Stock Exchange entered into a memorandum of understanding with the
Polish Securities and Exchange Commission. The purpose of this memorandum is to encourage and
facilitate co-operation between the MSE and the PSEC in communications, technical expertise,
regulatory framework and other matters of mutual interest.
•
13 March 2002 Poet Oliver Friggieri addressed the League of Libyan Writers on the topic A crosscultural dialogue through poetry. The Maltese Ambassador to Libya, Richard Vella Laurenti, spoke
about Prof. Friggieri’s literary merits and referred to the need for similar cultural initiatives between
the two countries.
•
14 March 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami left for Barcelona to take part in the European
Council meeting. For the first time, EU candidate countries, including Malta, have been invited to take
part in a working session. Foreign Minister Joe Borg, Finance Minister John Dalli, and the Chairman
of the Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana, accompanied the Prime Minister.
•
14 March 2002 US Ambassador Anthony Gioia said that the US Government was looking into the
issue over the cancellation of the tax agreement between the US and Malta. The United States had
unilaterally decided to end the tax treaty with Malta in 1996. Mr Gioia was being interviewed by The
Times newspaper.
•
14 March 2002 President Guido de Marco criticised university students for their lack of interest in
what was happening around them. Prof. de Marco was speaking at the annual general meeting of the
University Students’ Representative Council.
•
14 March 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg briefed French Senator Lucien Lanier on the negotiating
process and said that the Government was hoping to close six more chapters in its negotiations with
the EU by the end of June. Mr Lanier is the French Senate’s rapporteur on Malta’s EU membership
process.
•
14 March 2002 The delegation of the European Commission has revamped its newsletter and internet
homepage. The newsletter, now both in English and Maltese, carries news focusing not only on EU
issues in general but also on EU developments in Malta. Subscription to the newsletter may be
obtained by contacting the delegation on 21 344891/3/5.
•
14 March 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre is broadcasting daily one-minute information slots
before the main news bulletins on various radio stations. MIC officials also participate in programmes
on a number of radio stations. In these short interviews, they give explanations about the Malta-EU
negotiations.
•
14 March 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that the Malta-EU Information Centre last year spent
Lm142,154 on advertising on television, the newspapers, magazines, radio, the Internet and cinema.
Dr Borg was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
14 March 2002 The Chargé d'Affaires at the Canadian High Commission to Malta in Rome, Malcolm
McKechnie, said that Maltese emigrants to Canada had made a significant contribution to the
development of that country and Canada was grateful for the Maltese contribution. Mr McKechnie was
speaking during the inauguration of ‘Canada Days & Nights of Malta’, at Valletta.
•
15 March 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami took part in a debate of the European People’s
Party in Barcelona, which called on the EU to intervene urgently in an attempt to stop the carnage in
the Middle East. The meeting was held on the eve of a European Council meeting.
•
15 March 2002 An international consortium made up of K Line and Yang Ming Line has announced
that it will start using the Malta Freeport as a hub for Eastern and Western Mediterranean. A
spokesman for the Freeport said that the first ship was expected at the Freeport in mid-April.
•
15 March 2002 Malta Development Corporation Chairman Lawrence Zammit said that MDC has set
up a new investment aftercare unit to provide investment aftercare services to the manufacturing sector
in Malta. Its aims are to support and guide business clients, ‘hand-hold’ new projects, and assess any
enquiries or complaints and take the necessary remedial action.
•
15 March 2002 Grand Harbour Marina Limited, owners of the marina element of the Cottonera
Waterfront Project, announced the programme for the installation of the new marina and prices for a
five-year berth licence for boats up to 15 metres. Grand Harbour Marina Limited is a Maltese company
owned jointly by overseas investors and local companies Cottonera Waterfront Group, V&F Portelli &
Sons Ltd., and Portosalvo Holdings Ltd.
•
15 March 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo left for Germany heading a delegation for the ITB
Berlin, which is Europe’s premier tourism exhibition. Malta Tourism Authority Chairman John C.
Grech will join the Minister in Berlin after talks in Hanover with TUI, Germany’s largest tour
operating group.
•
15 March 2002 The National Statistics Office said that the number of registered unemployed in
November rose by 245 over the figure for the previous month, pushing the unemployment rate up to
5.1 per cent of the labour supply. In November, the gainfully occupied declined by 361or 0.3 per cent,
over the previous month to reach 138,204.
•
15 March 2002 Bank of Valletta, through its representative office in Canada, sponsored a visit by Dun
Manwel Curmi, director of the Arka Foundation, to the Maltese communities in Canada, Michigan,
and San Francisco. During Curmi’s visit, 34,000 Canadian dollars were raised during various fund
raising events.
•
16 March 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the EU summit in Barcelona had
confirmed that the EU was no longer treating candidate countries as applicants, but as future Union
members. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking after addressing fellow European leaders at a working
session of the European Council.
•
16 March 2002 In Barcelona, Foreign Minister Joe Borg attended a meeting for Foreign Affairs
Ministers of all member and candidate states. The meeting dealt with the external dimension of the
Lisbon strategy and focused in particular on the economic, social and environmental dimensions.
•
16 March 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli attended a meeting for Finance and Economy Ministers,
in Barcelona. The meeting focused on the modernisation of the labour market; the development of the
financial markets; and the liberalisation of certain sectors of the economy, concentrating in particular
on the network agencies.
•
16 March 2002 European Parliament President Pat Cox described the planned enlargement of the
European Union as politically irreversible and said that the matter was Parliament’s first priority. In
Barcelona, Mr Cox told The Times newspaper that, given Malta’s relative scale, and subject to its own
national preference, Malta would be among the first applicant countries to become member of the EU.
•
16 March 2002 Communications Minister Censu Galea said that the Malta Communication
Authority’s role as regulator would reach its full potential when the market was fully liberalised at the
end of this year. Mr Galea was addressing a Staff Development Organisation conference on Managing
the transition from a department of government to a regulator.
•
16 March 2002 Ray Bugeja, Secretary of the Kooperattiva Nazzjonali tas-Sajd announced that
agreement had been reached in principle with Italian fishermen on how fishermen should operate at
sea in order to avoid clashes such as those that occurred at sea over tuna last year. The agreement, said
Mr Bugeja, allows space for everyone to work without hindering other parties.
•
16 March 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt said that, in the coming weeks, the Government would be
issuing a call for proposals from private companies interested in providing e-government services. The
Minister said that the Government wanted to create synergy between all the sectors so that the country
would have an excellent information society. Dr Gatt was speaking during a visit to computer software
and systems company Megabyte, at Mosta Technopark.
•
16 March 2002 Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Affairs Ministry Edwin Vassallo said that
the Government recognised that time meant money for Business. Mr Vassallo was speaking at the
launch of a new system of ‘business-friendly’ application forms that would be processed within legally
fixed time- limits.
•
16 March 2002 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the most frequented
places that come under the control of the Museums Department are the monuments and archaeological
sites. In 2000, these garnered 35.2 per cent of all individual admissions, while the archaeology and
history museums received 22.2 per cent.
•
16 March 2002 Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti launched an exhibition on Antique Furniture in Malta.
The exhibition, being held at St James Cavalier in Valletta, features around 120 pieces of Malta’s
finest antique furniture, mostly loaned by private collectors.
•
17 March 2002 Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen told The Sunday Times newspaper
that the European Commission is to release a progress report about the candidate countries two weeks
before an EU summit in October. The report would pinpoint those countries set to join the European
Union in the next enlargement. Mr Rasmussen was speaking at the end of the two-day European
Council in Barcelona.
•
18 March 2002 The European Commission is expected to recruit lawyers from all the candidate
countries that have the potential to be included in the next enlargement, scheduled for 2004. As part of
this effort it is expected to recruit three Maltese lawyers to assist the EU legal service team in its work
as part of Malta’s accession process. The successful applicants will become the first Maltese working
in the heart of the EU, in Brussels.
•
18 March 2002 Government MP Mario Galea returned to Malta from Zimbabwe, where he formed
part of a Commonwealth elections-monitoring team. Mr Galea said upon his return to Malta that the
Commonwealth team did not view the elections as having been free or fair. He said that he now hopes
that the international community would immediately take action against President Mugabe and impose
sanctions against Zimbabwe.
•
18 March 2002 Minimum health and safety requirements for workplaces have been issued in a legal
notice by the Minister for Social Policy in consultation with the Occupational Health and Safety
Authority. The regulations come into force immediately with regard to new places of work, and on
January 1 of 2003 for workplaces already in use.
•
19 March 2002 President Guido de Marco criticised the violence of anti-globalisation protesters and
told youths that there was nothing more irrelevant than being a rebel without a cause. Prof. de Marco
was delivering the opening speech of the Aiesec International Presidents’ meeting, held in Malta.
•
19 March 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that, notwithstanding the difficult times in the
tourism industry following September 11, there have been only relatively few discharges from fulltime employment in the industry. Dr Refalo was speaking at the second meeting of the Tourism
Recovery Committee, in Berlin. The committee is hosted by the World Tourism Organisation.
•
19 March 2002 The Housing Authority announced the installation of the first lift, in a Floriana
government block, as part of its lift-installation programme that started two years ago. Social Welfare
Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, for this financial year, the Housing Authority had voted the
substantial amount of Lm730,000 towards the installation of 54 lifts, with each lift costing about
Lm13,500.
•
19 March 2002 A Legal Notice that will come into force by the end of April will permit late-night
shopping on three days of the week. Shops will be allowed to stay open until 10 p.m. on Thursdays,
Fridays and Saturdays as from May without the need for a licence.
•
19 March 2002 The National Statistics Office said that the number of mobile phone subscriptions rose
by 171 per cent between September 2000 and September 2001. In September 2001, 50.1 per cent of
the total population owned a mobile phone.
•
19 March 2002 A wall forming part of the podium of a Roman temple to the god Apollo was
unearthed at Mdina. The archaeological discovery is the most important one made so far in the old
capital.
•
20 March 2002 President Guido de Marco said that before the time came to relinquish his term of
office as President, he hoped to set up an organisation of volunteers to spring into action when the
need to express solidarity arose, locally or overseas. President de Marco was speaking at St Joseph
Home, in Hamrun, where he met some 200 employees from various firms who spent the day of the
feast of St Joseph the Worker doing voluntary work in homes in Malta and Gozo.
•
20 March 2002 The daughter of the late Mayor Joe Cassar inaugurated new council offices at Zurrieq.
Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, who was present at the inauguration, said that Joe Cassar
should be looked upon as a role model for mayors. Dr Fenech-Adami said that Cassar believed that,
once elected, councillors had to unite to serve the community that voted them into office. More praise
was showered on Mr Cassar by Local Government Minister Austin Gatt, Labour spokesman on local
councils Charles Mangion, and Zurrieq Mayor Antonia Farrugia.
•
20 March 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that Malta would have no problem adopting a
Council of Europe protocol banning the death penalty in all circumstances. The Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe has just adopted a text banning the death penalty in all
circumstances, including crimes committed in times of war and imminent threat of war.
The
text will be opened for signature to all member states on May 3, 2002 when the Committee of
Ministers meets in Vilnius.
•
20 March 2002 The organising committee of the Song for Europe Festival launched the video and CD
of Ira Losco’s song 7th Wonder. Ira Losco will be representing Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest in
Estonia on May 25. It is expected that the video would be seen by around 100 million television
viewers spread over Europe.
•
21 March 2002 The House of Representatives rose for its Easter recess. Leader of the House
Lawrence Gonzi augured a Happy Easter to all. Speaker Anton Tabone and Opposition Whip Joe
Mizzi reciprocated the greetings. The House will reconvene on April 9.
•
21 March 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg had talks with the European Commissioner responsible for
Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, in Brussels. The meeting focussed on Malta’s EU accession process
where specific attention was given to the chapters of the acquis still under negotiation. During the
talks, Foreign Minister Joe Borg was accompanied by the Chairman of the Core Negotiating Group,
Richard Cachia Caruana.
•
21 March 2002 A Lm100,000 sponsorship by Maltacom was signed with the e-Malta Commission.
The sponsorship agreement, covering the next two years, will assist the marketing campaign by the eMalta Commission in its bid to encourage a wider use of the internet and e-mail communication by all
sectors of the population. The signing of the agreement was attended by Justice and Local Government
Minister Austin Gatt.
•
21 March 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici took part in the EUROMED Conference of
Trade Ministers from the EU and the Mediterranean Counties in Toledo, Spain. The meeting discussed
a number of initiatives to increase trade and investment flows in the Mediterranean region, both with
reference to the EU countries as well as between the Mediterranean countries themselves.
•
21 March 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo was unanimously elected to chair the World
Tourism Organisation’s Task Force on ‘Destination Management’, at the conclusion of its first
meeting convened on the 17th March under the Presidency of WTO Secretary General Francesco
Frangialli, in Berlin. The meeting was called to discuss and find ways to assist destinations solve
common problems.
•
21 March 2002 Agreement in principle has been reached for ITS students to spend their one-year
industrial working placement in Kempinski hotels around Europe. Agreement followed a meeting at
ITB Berlin between Tourism Minister Michael Refalo and representatives of Germany’s largest hotel
chain.
•
21 March 2002 Malta Tourism Authority Chairman John C. Grech launched the state of the art, userfriendly, German language edition of the Authority’s website visitmalta.com, at the Malta stand at
tourism fair ITB, in Berlin. Dr. Grech took his invited audience of travel writers and journalists
through the various innovative features of Malta’s tourism website, stressing that it complemented and
completed the Authority’s communication strategy for the German tourist market.
•
21 March 2002 Malta External Trade Corporation Chairman Anthony Diacono said that, over the last
eight months, membership at METCO’s Libya Office had doubled. Apart from assisting Maltese firms
on a daily basis in conducting business in Libya, the office also organises a number of events,
including mini trade missions.
•
21 March 2002 The Government announced the issue of Lm20.2 million 5.9 per cent Malta
Government Stock 2015 (Second Issue) in terms of the Malta Stock Exchange Act. Interest at the rate
of Lm2.95 for every Lm100 stock would be payable half-yearly in arrears on April 9 and October 9 in
every year for the duration of the stock.
•
21 March 2002 The National Statistics Office said that early estimates of Malta’s balance of payments
statement for 2001 reveal a substantial contraction in the current account deficit of Lm151.8 million,
from a net negative balance of Lm232.7 million during 2000, to one of Lm80.9 million. Generating
this outcome in Malta's international economic and financial transactions were invariably a series of
favourable shifts in the goods, services and income accounts of the statement, the NSO said.
•
21 March 2002 The Malta Export Interactive Directory, a guide to Maltese companies and their
products and services, has just been launched by Awesome Interactive.
•
22 March 2002 The Chairman of the Core Negotiation Group, Richard Cachia Caruana, said that
Malta was making preparations so that it would be able to handle any rise in demand for visas. Upon
accession, Malta’s harbours and airport would become the southernmost external border of the
European Union; by that time, therefore, Malta’s visa requirements had to be the same as those for the
rest of the EU. Mr Cachia Caruana was addressing a meeting of the EU accession conference, in
Brussels.
•
22 March 2002 Government MP Michael Frendo said that the choice the EU faced was not between
European Federalism and a Europe of Nations. Calling on members not to take a dogmatic attitude, Dr
Frendo said that Europe had been a success because it had not made a straight choice between the two
roads. Dr Frendo was addressing the Convention on the Future of Europe.
•
22 March 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that the Government believed Malta would enrich the
Mediterranean dimension of the European Union and contribute to the building of ever-stronger
political, commercial, and cultural bridges to the Union’s Mediterranean partners. Dr Borg was
addressing the Wilton Park Conference on Enlarging the European Union, in Sofia.
•
22 March 2002 A total of 139 newly elected Councillors from 23 localities were sworn in during two
separate ceremonies at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta. The ceremonies were presided over by Local
Government Minister Austin Gatt.
•
22 March 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that tourist arrivals last year dropped by
35,568, or 2.9 per cent, to 1,180,145 from 1,215,713 in the previous year. The Office said that earnings
from tourism were estimated at Lm260.7 million, a drop of Lm7.4 million over the year 2000.
•
22 March 2002 Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that preparations by the Viset
Consortium for the building of cruise liner and sea passenger terminals in Grand Harbour was ahead of
schedule. The Minister was speaking during a visit to the site, near Crucifix Wharf.
•
22 March 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority quoted French newspaper La Dêphece du Midi as
describing Malta as ‘one of the most promising destinations for French visitors this summer’.
•
23 March 2002 Prof. Rev Peter Serracino Inglott, the Government’s delegate at the European
Convention, presented the idea of multi-level networking as a third way that was more creative than
the standard Federalism or Inter-governmentalism. Prof. Serracino Inglott was speaking during the
second session of the Convention.
•
23 March 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that, in Malta, political stability, sound
macroeconomic policies, and a well-educated and skilful workforce had proved to be the basic
elements for the promotion of sustainable development. Mr Dalli was speaking at the international
conference on Financing for Development, in Monterrey, Mexico.
•
23 March 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority announced that the Authority is to establish a
representative office in Beijing in recognition of the potential for tourism from China. MTA’s activity
in China follows the opening of the market as a result of an agreement signed by Tourism Minister
Michael Refalo and his Chinese counterpart Mr He in late 2000.
•
23 March 2002 Mixables, an HSBC Young Enterprise company representing the Junior College,
placed second in the Best Overall Company Award at the European Trade Fair held this year in
Gateshead, Newcastle. Xpertease, another Maltese company, also achieved considerable success by
placing second in the International Award.
•
24 March 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg met his Italian counterpart Claudio Scajola in
Rome to discuss the present wave of illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean, and how both countries
could strengthen their co-operation in this field. Dr Borg said that Italy was prepared to discuss details
of how the two countries could start to share fingerprint records of illegal immigrants.
•
24 March 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that work on the new Gozo Channel
vessel took three times the time it would have taken in any other shipyard. Minister Bonnici was
speaking during the inauguration of the MV Malita, at Mgarr, Gozo.
•
24 March 2002 A spokesman for the Ministry of Social Policy said that the Government had asked
former Central Bank Deputy Governor Henry Degabriele to take stock of the work carried out by the
Galdes Commission on welfare reform. The spokesman said that, before appointing a new chairman,
the Government would be waiting for the stocktaking report.
•
24 March 2002 National heritage association Din l-Art Helwa received the prestigious Europa Nostra
Medal of Honour for its restoration of the Msida Bastion Cemetery. The award was received by Din lArt Helwa’s founder-President, Judge Maurice Caruana Curran, and by the project’s team leaders, Dr
and Mrs Alexander Welsh, in Copenhagen.
•
25 March 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that he felt compelled to set up the National
Book Council with the specific intention of promoting books in an effective manner. Dr Galea was
commenting on the findings of a National Statistics Office survey on reading habits that showed that
56 per cent of respondents had not read a single book, and 44 per cent had not read a magazine, during
a 12-month period.
•
25 March 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that incentive travel was gradually regaining
lost ground and it was hoped that the momentum of recovery would accelerate. Dr Refalo was
presiding over the opening ceremony of the annual conference of the New York-based Society of
Incentive and Travel Executives.
•
25 March 2002 Shipyards Chairman John Cassar White said that, unless certain outdated work
practices were done away with, it would be impossible for the ’yards to compete. Mr Cassar White
was being interviewed by The Times newspaper, following the inauguration of the Gozo Channel
vessel MV Malita.
•
25 March 2002 Mr George Carbone and Mr Randall Caruana from the Viticulture and Oenology Unit
within the Department of Agriculture took part in a meeting of experts from the Office of the Vine and
Wine, in Paris. OIV is an international organisation that contributes to the international harmonisation
of practices and norms to improve the trade conditions in the vine and wine sectors.
•
26 March 2002 A government statement says that, in the run-up to the Summit of the Arab League
scheduled to take place in Beirut on 27 and 28 March, the Maltese Government expresses its firm
support for the participation of Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat at this important event. It maintains
that this is a unique opportunity to pursue a just and comprehensive solution to the present conflict,
starting with the urgent implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397.
•
26 March 2002 Suret il-Bniedem Chairman Joe Gerada said that a new centre for the homeless in
Valletta would be welcoming its first guests by July. Details about the initiative were given during a
press tour for which Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi and the Opposition spokesperson on
social affairs, Marie Louise Coleiro, were present.
•
26 March 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli announced that the Government would soon be setting up
a new Lotteries and Gaming Authority. The authority would, for the first time, be a one-stop
regulatory centre for the sector, both for land-based and for on-line operations. Mr Dalli was
delivering the opening address at the On-line Gaming from Malta Conference, organised by
EuropAdvise Ltd.
•
26 March 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that speed cameras will start operating in the
coming weeks, following a public announcement on where they would be positioned. Mr Galea said
that the primary aim of the cameras was to deter speeding rather than to fine people.
•
26 March 2002 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, in the first month of
this year, total exports declined by Lm16.1 million to Lm64.3 million from Lm80.4 million last year.
In January this year, total imports dropped by Lm21.5 million when compared to the same month last
year and reached Lm88.5 million. This reduced the visible trade gap to Lm24.2 million, from Lm29.6
million last year.
•
26 March 2002 An advertisement in last Sunday’s edition of the influential British newspaper The
Observer calls for a boycott of Malta and Cyprus as holiday destinations. The advertisement was
submitted by environment organisation Restore UK in protest against the two countries’ hunting
reputation.
•
26 March 2002 Maltacom Chairman Maurice Zarb Adami announced that subsidiary company
Terranet had reached an agreement with SearchEurope.com to acquire the search-engine website
www.searchmalta.com Mr Zarb Adami said that the website would be added to Terranet’s expanding
portfolio of content services, which already includes the portal www.di-ve.com
•
26 March 2002 Maltese High Commissioner in Australia Ives de Barro and Mrs de Barro were the
guests of honour at the annual Royal Commonwealth Society dinner in Canberra on Commonwealth
Day.
•
26 March 2002 The Chamber of Commerce has published the 2002 edition of the Malta Trade
Directory. The 36th edition of the directory contains a wide range of information on private
companies, organisations, embassies and consulates, as well as government ministries. The publication
also provides information on the various sectors, such as banking, insurance, and shipping, represented
by the Chamber of Commerce.
•
27 March 2002 The Government published a White Paper on the keeping and carrying of firearms and
other weapons. Speaking at a news conference, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that the
Government planned to come down strongly on those who did not adhere to the regulations.
•
27 March 2002 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the rate of inflation in
February stood at 3.48 per cent. In February 2001it stood at 2.01 per cent.
•
27 March 2002 The Malta Development Corporation co-sponsored a promotional seminar in
Washington as part of the ongoing investment promotion activities being carried out in the United
States. Malta’s Ambassador to the US George Saliba and MDC overseas representative Paula
Calamatta attended on behalf of the MDC.
•
27 March 2002 Culture Minister Louis Galea urged the Malta Centre for Restoration to share its
infrastructure with its Euro-Mediterranean partners. Minister Galea was addressing the first steering
committee meeting of the IKONOS Project Consortium, held at the Centre.
•
27 March 2002 The Malta Communications Authority and the Internet Service Providers Sub-Section
of the Malta Chamber of Commerce jointly launched the first code of practice for internet service
providers, at the Radisson SAS Baypoint Resort, in St George’s Bay. The code lays down ethical and
professional standards. It reassures users of a certain standard of service, data privacy, and adequate
levels of service quality, and outlines a means of redress in the eventuality of dispute.
•
28 March 2002 The Government of Malta aligned itself with the statement delivered by Spain on
behalf of the European Union at the UN Human Rights Commission on agenda item 8, entitled ‘The
Question of the Violation of Human Rights in the Occupied Arab Territories, including Palestine’.
Inter alia, Spain reiterated the conviction that there can be no military solution to the conflict in
Palestine and strongly called for the immediate cessation of all acts of violence.
•
28 March 2002 The Government’s representative on the Convention on the Future of Europe, Rev.
Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott, said that there seemed to be consensus among representatives that Europe
should not become a single state. Prof. Serracino Inglott was speaking during a public debate on the
future of Europe organised by the Malta-EU Information Centre.
•
28 March 2002 The National Statistics Office said that, over the previous year, Malta’s gross
domestic product for 2001 increased nominally by Lm60 million, or 3.9 per cent, to Lm1,618.4
million. In real terms, said the NSO, the GDP went down by Lm14.7 million, or one per cent.
•
28 March 2002 The Economic Services Ministry said that a rebound in the economy was to be
expected in the light of its underlying state and indications that world demand would pick up.
Commenting about Malta’s economic performance in 2001, the Ministry said that that the effects of
the sluggish performance in the world economy were limited mainly to the electronics sub-sector,
along with the post-September 11 impact on the tourist industry.
•
28 March 2002 The Museums Department is participating in an international initiative, Printemps Des
Musees, aimed at promoting visitor attendance to museums and archaeological sites. The Department
will be participating in this event by providing free entry to 17 archaeological sites and museums to all
visitors, both local and foreign, on Sunday 7th April 2002.
•
28 March 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority participated in ITB, the annual travel fair held in Berlin.
The Authority said that Malta was one of the destinations showing a good rate of demand. This was
partly due to its marketing and promotion campaign in Germany, the Authority said.
•
28 March 2002 A statement issued by Malta Drydocks announced that the US-owned drilling rig
Actinia had entered the ’yard for routine repairs prior to deployment in the Mediterranean. The rig was
expected to be at the ’yard for about five weeks.
•
28 March 2002 Malta’s prehistoric temples were featured in a seven-page article with colourful
photos in the March 2002 issue of Emirates Inflight magazine. The article, in the Arabic language with
a summary in English, focused on the major temple sites. Emirates Inflight magazine is distributed on
Emirates’ fleet of 38 aircraft which serve 56 cities in 39 countries.
•
30 March 2002 A report on the state of enlargement tabled in the European Parliament Foreign
Affairs Committee recommends that the Government should intensify its efforts to abolish the
remaining price controls and press ahead more actively with the restructuring of public utilities and
loss-making state enterprises. The report focuses on the state of the enlargement negotiations with the
12 candidate countries.
•
30 March 2002 The European Commission delegation to Malta stated that, in preparation for the EU’s
enlargement, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre was opening up its activities and
laboratories to the candidate countries.
•
30 March 2002 Chief Justice (Emeritus) Joseph Said Pullicino was appointed Chairman of the
Broadcasting Authority for the next three years. Dr Reno Borg, Mr Antoine Ellul, Dr Joseph Pace
Asciak, and Ms Rose Sciberras are members.
•
30 March 2002 Security printers De La Rue are to invest some Lm4.5 million in a plan to step up
production at their Malta plant. De La Rue also plans to raise the workforce by up to 120 employees.
Commenting on the company’s expansion programme, Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said
that the development was a vote of confidence in Malta.
•
30 March 2002 Maurice de Giorgio, Chairman of The Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, said that the
exhibition of antique furniture in Malta organised by Fondazzjoni featured 120 pieces of Malta’s best
examples of seventeenth and eighteenth century furniture, accompanied by fine paintings of the same
period. The exhibition is being held at St James Cavalier until April 14.
•
30 March 2002 Malta Tourism Authority Chairman John C. Grech said in an interview that he was
expecting the local tourism market to fully recover from the September 11 attacks by the end of this
year. Dr Grech warned, however, that Malta’s tourism was likely to be affected should large
competing countries like Spain and Tunisia drastically slash prices.
•
31 March 2002 Government MP Dolores Cristina, Chair of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs
committee, chaired a seminar on Opportunities for Women in an enlarged Europe, organised by the
National Council of Women, at Sliema. The seminar brought together representatives of national
councils of women from all over Europe and from a wide spectrum of local organisations.
•
31 March 2002 In a statement, the Maltese Government said that it had followed with deep
preoccupation the serious escalation in the situation in the Middle East over the previous three days. It
urged the Israeli Government to withdraw from Palestinian cities and called on Israelis and
Palestinians to do all that was within their power to defuse tension.
•
31 March 2002 Government MP Michael Frendo, one of Malta’s members at the European
Convention on the Future of Europe, launched a website and online interactive forum on the Future of
Europe Convention. The website, which is a personal initiative of Dr Frendo, has the domain name
www.futureofeurope.info.
•
31 March 2002 The 2002 World Telecommunication Development Conference elected Malta to Chair
the Gender Issues Committee and to form part of the steering committee of the World Conference. The
Conference was inaugurated in Istanbul by the President of Turkey, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, in the
presence of 60 ministers from all over the world and more than 1,200 delegates.
•
31 March 2002 Members of the Palestinian community in Malta gathered in Valletta to call for an
immediate stop to the bloodshed in their homeland. They condemned Israel’s siege of Palestinian
President Yasser Arafat’s headquarters in Ramallah and called for peace.
•
31 March 2002 Gozo Channel General Manager Marvic Fenech Adami said that, following the
commission of the three new boats, Gozo Channel had managed to reduce waiting time and become
more cost-effective. In fact, though the number of cars ferried to Gozo for the Easter period had
increased by 200 over last year, Gozo Channel had made 20 per cent fewer trips.
•
31 March 2002 Resource and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said in a statement that
the Casinò Municipale di Venezia was interested in investing in the construction of a large hotel next
to the casino in Vittoriosa to increase the tourism potential in Cottonera. Concrete proposals for the
hotel investment had already been presented and the Maltese side was expected to give its reactions to
the proposals in the coming days.
April
•
1 April 2002 President Guido de Marco and Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami placed wreaths at
the foot of the Freedom Monument in Vittoriosa to mark Freedom Day. During the ceremony,
protestors from Moviment Graffitti, Azzjoni Pozittiva, and UK organisation People Not Profit
demonstrated against the presence of warships in Malta.
•
1 April 2002 A report by the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations shows that 14
industrial actions had cost the country almost 2,800 working days last year. The report was drawn up
by Department Director Frank Pullicino.
•
1 April 2002 Maltacom announced that it was introducing a new service for subscribers, enabling
callers to leave messages when the person they are calling was out or had a busy line. The service,
PhoneMail, is being offered free of charge, and will not require the installation of any new equipment.
•
1 April 2002 Senglea won this year’s March 31 regatta Open Shield. The Under 23 Shield was won
for the first time by Marsamxett.
•
2 April 2002 Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat appealed to President Guido de Marco to urge the
United Nations to send international observers to protect the Palestinians. The appeal was made in a
letter delivered to the Palace by Palestinian Ambassador Awad Yakhlef.
•
2 April 2002 The Government announced that, as from the third week of April, commercial outlets of
a certain size and in certain tourist areas selling grocery items would be permitted to trade on Sundays.
The limited liberalisation follows the green light given just days ago to late-night shopping on one day
of the week.
•
2 April 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority launched a photographic competition with the theme
Tourism and the natural environment. The initiative is part of a programme of activities being coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism on the occasion of the International Year of EcoTourism.
•
2 April 2002 The National Statistics Office is carrying out a survey on the type and quality of
domestic waste generated by Maltese households. 400 households are being asked to place their waste
in garbage bags supplied by the office.
•
3 April 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg stressed that the Government was flexible over the removal of
levies on agricultural products. Dr Borg was speaking in meetings he had, together with Finance
Minister John Dalli, Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici, and Agriculture Minister Ninu
Zammit, with representatives of different sectors of the agriculture industry over the Special market
policy programme for Maltese agriculture which Malta is negotiating with the EU.
•
3 April 2002 The Representatives of the Parties to the Conference of the Security and Co-operation
within the Inter Parliamentary Union adopted by consensus an Instrument based on a Maltese
parliamentary initiative for the setting up, in the long run, of a Parliamentary Assembly of
Mediterranean States. The CSCM is made up of all the coastal states of the Mediterranean.
•
3 April 2002 President Guido de Marco, together with around 200 members of the public, signed the
book of condolence for the late Queen Mother at the British High Commission, in Floriana. Prof. de
Marco also sent a letter of condolences to Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of the Government and people
of Malta.
•
3 April 2002 Italian experts, with the help of the Restoration Unit within the Resources and
Infrastructure Ministry, started restoring the stonework of the Advanced Gate, the main gate into
Couvre Porte, in Vittoriosa. The restoration work is being supervised by architect Herman Bonnici.
•
3 April 2002 MIDI Consortium Chairman Albert Mizzi announced that the consortium had started
restoration work on Fort Manoel and the 18th century baroque chapel of St Anthony of Padua that is
intended to restore the two historical landmarks to their former beauty. Resources and Infrastructure
Minister Francis Zammit Dimech toured the area to see the works in progress.
•
3 April 2002 A ship entered Malta Shipbuilding for the first repair job to be carried out there. The
contract was negotiated and signed by Malta Drydocks and the work was assigned to the shipbuilding
’yard within the framework of close co-operation between the two ’yards.
•
3 April 2002 Local Government Minister Austin Gatt and Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett
attended the launch by Alert Communications Ltd of the first edition of the Youth for Internet awards.
The aim of the competition is to provide young people with an incentive to come up with innovative
ideas relating to the use of the internet in business and society.
•
3 April 2002 The German-Maltese Circle announced the death, at the age of 87, of Horst Hauthal,
Ambassador of Germany to Malta between 1976 and 1978. During his term of office in Malta, Dr
Hauthal was involved in the promotion of cultural activities and in the enhancement of the GermanMaltese Circle’s library and German language courses.
•
4 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami told Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant that, in
his view, the Malta-EU Information Centre was scrupulously fulfilling its mandate not to enter into
political controversy. Dr Fenech-Adami made the statement in a letter to the Opposition Leader, in
reply to Dr Sant’s recent declaration of lack of confidence in the Broadcasting Authority over MIC
programmes.
•
4 April 2002 President Guido de Marco told former German Foreign Minister Hans Dietrich Genscher
that Malta would continue to push the idea that there could be no security in Europe without security
in the Mediterranean. Mr Genscher, who was on a private visit, paid an official visit on the President.
•
4 April 2002 Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Jesmond Mugliett represented
Malta in the first meeting of the multinational panel on innovation policy for candidate countries, held
in Luxembourg. Mr Mugliett highlighted a number of examples of innovation in Malta, such as the
concept of e-government and in the field of telecommunications.
•
4 April 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that 23 of the 56
measures that had to be completed by 2005, according to the strategy launched last October, were to be
implemented this year. These included plans for development of two new landfills. Dr Zammit
Dimech was addressing a press conference.
•
4 April 2002 Agreement was reached between Government, represented by the Parliamentary
Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry Edwin Vassallo, and the tenants of the Ta’ Qali crafts
village for the development of a new-look village. The tenants would be given an option on
constructing their new outlet or taking on a site on emphytheusis.
•
4 April 2002 An exhibition on the achievements of Czech President Václav Havel was held at the
Chamber of Commerce, in Valletta. The display was meant to tie-in with Havel’s forthcoming state
visit to Malta.
•
5 April 2002 The Government aligned itself with the statement delivered by Spain on behalf of the
European Union on the situation in the Middle East. The EU Presidency had expressed dismay at the
‘seemingly unending spiral of death, destruction, revenge and reprisal’ in the Middle East.
•
5 April 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg highlighted Malta’s role as an international financial and
shipping centre. Dr Borg, who was on an official visit in Hamburg, was addressing members of the
Anglo-German Club.
•
5 April 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt quoted the first statistical report on law-suits to show that
that the strategy adopted to tackle the backlog of pending civil court cases was proving to be
successful. The Courts of Justice 2001 analyses data relative to the various courts, and carries the firstever analysis of pending cases.
•
5 April 2002 Prim Minister Edward Fenech-Adami visited the University’s Department of Electrical
Power and Control Engineering. The department is developing an electric car. Dr Fenech-Adami also
visited the University Sports Hall and the new Cottonera Sports Complex.
•
5 April 2002 The Government received applications for more than double the amount offered in the
stocks issue announced on March 18, and applications stopped one day earlier. The stocks issue was
for Lm20.2 million and the Treasury received 5,615 applications for an amount of Lm50.6 million.
•
5 April 2002 Mr Paul Galea, who is the Malta Tourism Authority marketing and promotion Director,
announced that the MTA planned to open an office within the Maltese Embassy in Beijing in the next
two months. MTA is aiming to capitalise on the Chinese Government’s decision to designate Malta as
one of its exclusive tourist destinations and is aiming to woo an annual 25,000 Chinese tourists to
Malta, within the next five years.
•
5 April 2002 Air Malta Group general manager Joe Cappello said that the Maltese outgoing travel
market was slowly showing signs of recovery following a slump of 40 per cent in the months
following September 11. Mr Cappello was speaking at the launch of the ninth Air Malta’s international
travel exhibition AMITEX.
•
5 April 2002 The telecommunications system in Valletta is being replaced in a project estimated to
cost between Lm2.5 million and Lm3 million. Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici, Maltacom
Chairman Maurice Zarb Adami, and Valletta Mayor Paul Borg Olivier visited some of the sites where
work is underway.
•
6 April 2002 A parliamentary delegation led by Government MP Anthony Abela, and comprising of
Opposition MPs Michael Farrugia and Rita Law, attended the 33rd Commonwealth Parliamentary
Conference of the British Isles and Mediterranean Region. Government MP Mario Galea, who is
Regional Representative and member of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association, also participated.
•
6 April 2002 Tug Malta Chairman John Sullivan announced that the company had posted a profit of
Lm395,000 before tax in the year ending September 30, 2001. Mr Sullivan warned the company
general meeting, however, that the company would not be able to make the substantial investment
required to upgrade its tugs unless its profitability improved.
•
6 April 2002 EU enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said that the European Union would
sign accession treaties with up to 10 applicant countries early next year. Mr Verheugen said that EU
expansion would probably go ahead by mid-2004, but could still be delayed by rows over costs and
future farm polices, as well as shaky support for membership in some candidate states.
•
6 April 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that history had proven the Government
right in many important choices. The choice to be made at this period in time on membership of the
EU had to be another wise one that enjoyed the people’s full confidence. Dr Gonzi was addressing the
Party’s general congress.
•
6 April 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg stated that Malta’s membership of the EU would bring huge
benefits to Malta, including higher environmental standards, better consumer protection, support in
modernising Malta’s infrastructure, better social protection, access to huge markets in the EU, and
much more. Dr Borg was delivering a speech to the Catholic Academy in Hamburg, entitled Malta on
the way to the European Union.
•
6 April 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli stressed the importance for Malta to be continually on the
alert for developments in the financial environment to ensure that the international standards achieved
to date would be maintained. Mr Dalli was addressing an international conference on the subject of
corporate governance, organised by the Malta Stock Exchange.
•
6 April 2002 Health Minister Louis Deguara announced that the new Tobacco Bill, which is expected
to be presented in Parliament next month, proposes that the legal age-limit for smoking be raised to 18
from the present legal age of 16. Dr Deguara was speaking during the launch of the fifth Quit and Win
competition organised by the Health Promotion Department.
•
7 April 2002 Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Jesmond Mugliett launched the
Youth Community Internet Portal as part of the Youthnet programme. The portal is to give access to
all youth organisations in Malta, not only to create and maintain their own websites, but also to carry
out web-streaming of all their activities.
•
7 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant, and the
Palestinian Ambassador Awad Yakhlef joined protesters demonstrating against the Israeli occupation
of Palestine, at Valletta. Earlier, Mr Yakhlef, together with representatives of the Palestinian
community, called on President Guido de Marco at the Palace, in Valletta. Also present at the Palace
were Dr Fenech-Adami and Dr Sant.
•
7 April 2002 The Malta Government aligned itself with a statement delivered by Spain on behalf of
the European Union on the situation in the Middle East. The statement notes the deterioration of the
human rights situation and repeats the call of the EU for both sides to take ‘immediate and effective
action to stop the bloodshed’. The statement was made at a special sitting of the Commission on
Human Rights on Palestine, at the UN in Geneva.
•
7 April 2002 President Guido de Marco announced that members of the Judiciary were, for the first
time this year, submitting a report about cases which have been pending for over five years. Prof. de
Marco was addressing a press conference marking the third anniversary of his election as Head of
State on April 4, 1999. The obligation stems from the Commission for the Administration of Justice
Act of 1994.
•
8 April 2002 Czech President Václav Havel arrived in Malta for a two-day State Visit. Mr Havel and
his wife Dagmar Havlova were greeted at the airport by President Guido de Marco and Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami. Government MPs and Ambassadors were also present at the welcoming
ceremony.
•
8 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that it had not yet been decided whether to
hold an EU referendum before or after a general election, or whether to hold them both on the same
day. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the decision would be taken ‘at the opportune moment in the best
interests of the country’. The Prime Minister was commenting shortly after he concluded the general
council meeting of the Nationalist Party.
•
8 April 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that a disused quarry
in the limits of Gharghur would start being used for the dumping of construction waste as from midMay. The Minister was speaking during a meeting with members of the Maghtab action committee,
led by hotelier Winston Zahra.
•
9 April 2002 Czech President Václav Havel heaped praise on the performance of small countries like
Malta, saying that they often displayed a better understanding of fundamental issues than larger
countries. Mr Havel was making his first statement to the media on day one of his two-day State Visit
to Malta.
•
9 April 2002 Speaking during a state dinner in his honour, President Havel said that Czech-Maltese
trade had been developing in a dynamic way and, over the past few years, the Czech Republic had
witnessed a marked upsurge in Maltese investments. Mr Havel also paid tribute to Prof. de Marco,
describing him as a real friend to his country.
•
9 April 2002 President Guido de Marco described Mr Havel as a hero who, during difficult times, led
by example, by civil defiance, and opposition to oppression and injustice. Prof. de Marco was toasting
Mr Havel during the state dinner in his honour.
•
9 April 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that the Government would be able to balance its
budget if government departments were to achieve a seven per cent saving on spending across the
board. The current government budget is Lm823 million, which works out at about 46 per cent of the
GDP. The Mr Dalli was speaking at the beginning of a two-day seminar for Public Sector Managers
and Heads of Department about Benchmarking in the Public Service, in Qawra.
•
9 April 2002 A government statement announced that the price of petrol would be going down by one
cent per litre. Unleaded petrol will now be sold at 35 cents per litre instead of 36 cents, while leaded
petrol will be sold for 38 cents instead of 39 cents per litre. The price of diesel and kerosene remains
unchanged.
•
9 April 2002 A draft report, drawn up by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on the
state of enlargement negotiations, invites Malta to speed up its timetable for presenting its first
national development plan to the Commission. The report says that, once the plan is presented, ‘it will
become clear exactly how much assistance Malta can expect in terms of structural funds from the EU’.
•
9 April 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority announced a publicity campaign in which around 4,000
buses throughout the UK will carry an advertisement promoting Malta. The campaign is the largest
bus promotion ever undertaken by a single company in the UK.
•
9 April 2002 Bank of Valletta has opened an operations centre at 13, Independence Square, Victoria,
Gozo. BoV announced that, as a result of this decision, it would be in a position to offer a number of
Gozitan employees currently working in Malta the opportunity to work in Gozo.
•
10 April 2002 Malta and the Czech Republic signed an agreement on investment guarantees, at
Auberge de Castille. The agreement foresees the promotion and protection of investments in the two
countries. The agreement was signed by Czech Ambassador Hana Sevcikova and Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary Gaetan Naudi.
•
10 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that Malta and the Czech Republic were
both aspiring to be among the frontrunners for EU membership. He said that he looked to the EU for
its political dimension and he hoped that Malta would soon play a part in this great experiment. Dr
Fenech-Adami was addressing a joint press conference with President Václav Havel.
•
10 April 2002 Czech President Václav Havel was conferred with an Honoris Causa Degree in Law at
the Jesuits’ Church, in Valletta. Orator Prof. Joseph Pirotta paid tribute to Mr Havel, the politician, the
revolutionary, the writer. Present for the ceremony were Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami,
University Rector Roger Ellul Micallef, University Chancellor John Rizzo Naudi, Ambassadors, and
several Government MPs.
•
10 April 2002 The European Commission is co-financing a twinning project entitled Special
preparatory programme to the structural funds, under Malta’s 2001 National Pre-Accession
Programme. The main objective of the project is to assist the Maltese Government strengthen the
institutional framework and administrative capacity in order to effectively implement the structural
and cohesion funds, as well as the pre-accession funds currently available to Malta.
•
10 April 2002 Maltacom Chairman Maurice Zarb Adami announced that the company had registered a
marginal drop of two per cent in its profit after tax for the financial year ending December 31.
Maltacom’s financial results show that, this notwithstanding, the group’s profits from direct operations
went up by 19.1 per cent, to Lm13.5 million.
•
11 April 2002 A Cabinet committee on agriculture, chaired by Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami,
decided to ask the European Union for more time to remove levies on fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy
products. It suggested that levies would be phased out gradually between July this year and the year
2007.
•
11 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that awareness of the need to protect the
environment had grown and significant progress had been made, but there was room for further
improvement. Parliament shared the awareness, he said, so much so that last year it had enacted
another Environment Protection Act to replace a rather recent one, enacted in 1993. Dr Fenech-Adami
was speaking at the first meeting of the National Commission for Sustainable Development.
•
11 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said in Parliament that a total of 272 persons
had taken up permanent employment with the civil service in the first two-and-a-half months of this
year. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the new civil servants included 208 teachers.
•
11 April 2002 The Prime Minister said that last year fifty-five officers and 244 other ranks in the
Armed Forces of Malta had gone on training or attachments abroad. The countries involved were Italy,
Germany, Britain, the United States, Sweden and Belgium. Dr Fenech-Adami was replying to a
Parliamentary Question.
•
11 April 2002 President Guido de Marco said that, in spite of the country’s diversity of opinions and
visions, there was a great sense of unity among the people. Prof. de Marco was speaking at Safi.
•
11 April 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said in Parliament that Malta was to sign and ratify
the Council of Europe Civil Law Convention on Corruption. Dr Borg was speaking when the House
started debating a Bill to amend the Civil Code, in line with the convention.
•
11 April 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the National Curriculum was set to link
science and technology in primary schools, although mathematics would still be considered a separate
subject. Dr Galea was opening a three-day conference on the theme Linking science, mathematics and
technology education and their social relevance, at St Andrew’s.
•
11 April 2002 Fifteen members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association and their partners
arrived in Malta for the 60th anniversary celebrations of the award the George Cross to Malta. The
medal holders are being hosted by the Tourism Ministry and were brought over on the initiative of
Malta’s High Commissioner in London, George Bonello du Puis.
•
11 April 2002 The Governor of the Central Bank, Michael C. Bonello, said that the challenge facing
the country was to reconcile what was politically and socially desired with what was financially
affordable. Mr Bonello was commenting in the CBM annual report for 2001.
•
11 April 2002 The National Statistics Office said that overall investment within the manufacturing
sector rose by 116.4 per cent between 1999-2000, but dropped by 49.2 per cent in 2001. The greatest
movements in absolute terms, in both real increases and decreases, occurred in radio, TV and
telecommunications. The NSO was reviewing the performance of the sector for the years 1999/2001.
•
11 April 2002 National Statistics Office Director General Alfred Camilleri announced that the NSO
would, this year, launch new annual statistical publications on the balance of payments, agriculture and
fisheries, the environment, labour force, culture, and social welfare-oriented non government
organisations. It will also be releasing the Household Budgetary Survey 2000. Mr Camilleri was
addressing a news conference.
•
11 April 2002 Middlesea Group Chairman Mario C Grech announced consolidated profits of Lm1.42
million for the year ended December 31, 2001, as compared to a profit of Lm760,000 the previous
year. Middlesea Insurance is celebrating its 20th year of operation.
•
11 April 2002 The Staff Development Organisation in the Office of the Prime Minister organised a
two-day training programme on Decision-making in the European Union: update and perspectives.
The programme formed part of a training strategy in support of Malta’s preparations for accession to
the European Union and was co-financed by the European Commission.
•
12 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Israeli Government’s policy of
trying to impose some sort of solution to the Middle East crisis by force was simply illogical and had
made the situation worse. Dr Fenech-Adami was being interviewed by The Times newspaper about the
deteriorating situation in the region.
•
12 April 2002 Brandstätter Group Managing Director Helga Ellul told Prime Minister Edward
Fenech-Adami that product sales this year were expected to increase by 25 to 30 per cent. Dr FenechAdami visited the Brandstätter Group's factories as part of a series of visits to various industries he is
making on the initiative of the Federation of Industry.
•
12 April 2002 According to figures given in the fourth Labour Force Survey released by the National
Statistics Office, unemployment in December stood at 6.5 per cent, the same as in December 2000.
The survey showed that there were 10,164 persons unemployed in December 2001, compared to
10,151 in December 2000.
•
12 April 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Rafalo said that, according to provisional returns from Malta
International Airport and Air Malta, visitor volume for March was practically on a par with that of
March last year. Dr Refalo announced the results at the opening of Air Malta’s ninth international
travel exhibition, AMITEX, at the Trade Fair Grounds in Naxxar.
•
12 April 2002 The Government has announced the appointment of a number of new ambassadors, as
well as new postings for various other ambassadors. Ms Cecilia Attard Pirotta has been appointed
Ambassador to Spain as from July 1; Mr Edward Melillo has been appointed the new Ambassador to
Italy; and Mr Carmel J. Aquilina will be the first resident Ambassador in Copenhagen. Mr Yves De
Barro will be Malta’s new Ambassador in Tunis as from August; Dr Ivan Fsadni will be Malta’s new
High Commissioner in Canberra; and Mr Alfred Falzon will be the new Ambassador to Sweden.
•
12 April 2002 Three Ambassadors presented their diplomatic credentials to President Guido de Marco
in separate ceremonies. The new Ambassadors are: Drago Kraljevi, Ambassador of Croatia; Ali Abdel
Qawi El-Ghaffari, Ambassador of Yemen; and Bahram Ghassemi, Ambassador of Iran.
•
12 April 2002 Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino announced that the Government had accepted
a proposal by the Planning Authority and will be setting up a third Development Control Commission.
Mr Pullicino said that four local plans had been finalised and two more, those for the centre of Malta
and for Gozo, were in the pipeline.
•
12 April 2002 The Maltese Government expressed its complete support for the mission to the Middle
East by United States Secretary of State Colin Powell in an attempt to secure a cease-fire and
implement a step-by-step plan ultimately leading to peace talks. Malta urged Israel and the Palestinian
Authority to take advantage of this window of opportunity by co-operating fully with the mission so
that calm may be restored and a political process resumed.
•
12 April 2002 The Regional Policy Directorate within the Office of the Prime Minister, in conjunction
with the Directorate General of Economy in the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands, Spain,
officially launched the twinning project titled Special Preparatory Programme to the Structural Funds
at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Sliema. The project is co-financed by the European Commission under
Malta’s 2001 pre-accession programme.
•
12 April 2002 Minister for Tourism Michael Refalo said that the Fireworks Festival launched by the
Malta Tourism Authority combined the popular and spectacular aspects of lighting, decorations,
music, merriment and fireworks of the Festa season with the dramatic backdrop of the Grand Harbour.
The festival will be held over two evenings, on the 10th and 11th May.
•
12 April 2002 Minister for Economic Services Josef Bonnici announced that the Malta Development
Corporation would be issuing a call for interested developers/investors to submit proposals for the
development of a Micropark, or a zone for micro-enterprises, at Luqa. Prof. Bonnici was addressing a
press conference.
•
13 April 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that macroeconomic stability, together with structural
reforms in the context of Malta’s policy of seeking European Union membership, was expected to
provide a platform for sustainable economic growth and rising living standards. Mr Dalli was speaking
at the World Economic Prospects and Financial Stability Seminar, organised by the Central Bank of
Malta.
•
13 April 2002 President Guido de Marco signed an ‘act of commitment’ to the national heritage of the
Maltese Islands. Also signing the act were Culture Minister Louis Galea, on behalf of the Prime
Minister, and Opposition environment spokesman Joe Mizzi on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition.
Present for the ceremony were officials of Din l-Art Helwa and children from various schools.
•
13 April 2002 The Housing Authority said that subsidies for repair grants had increased considerably
over the last two years. In the financial year 1999-2000, the Authority paid out Lm63,246 in cash
grants to improve existing housing; in the following year, the amount jumped to Lm370,494.
Authority Chairman Marisa Micallef Leyson said that the increase in the number of applications was
due in part to greater awareness as a result of publicity campaigns.
•
13 April 2002 Over 18,000 visitors have already listened to Voice of the Mediterranean on the
internet. Test transmissions on the website started in December. The site address is:
http://vomradio.com
•
14 April 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the Chinese and Maltese
Governments were working hard to translate the good relations that existed between the two countries
into bigger trade and investment flows between the two countries. Prof. Bonnici was speaking during
the opening of a Chinese Commodities Exhibition at the Chamber of Commerce, in Valletta.
•
14 April 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Jesmond Mugliett, said that
unfortunately Malta suffers from a lack of science culture. Government was doing its utmost to
address this situation by investing appropriate resources in various initiatives through the Malta
Council for Science and Technology. Jesmond Mugliett was speaking during a seminar entitled
Promoting Science Education and a Science Culture in Malta.
•
14 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami defended his Government’s restructuring
policies. He said that it was generally agreed that the Government could not go on subsidising the
country’s loss-making shipyards, and that was why it was paying out millions of liri in retirement
schemes. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking during a seminar organised by the General Workers Union
and the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions in collaboration with Italian trade union CGIL.
•
14 April 2002 Government Ministers in meetings with the operators of agricultural sub-sectors
announced that, as from July 1, consumers would start reaping the benefits of lower prices of pork,
eggs and poultry products. This will come about as a result of the gradual dismantling of levies and the
introduction of direct government subsidies to the local agricultural sector.
•
14 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami told The Sunday Times newspaper that, in
November, the Armed Forces would be receiving a new 87-foot patrol boat from the United States. Dr
Fenech-Adami said that the vessel, which costs between Lm2.5 million and Lm3 million, would be
similar to the ones currently in use by the US Coast Guard.
•
15 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that it seemed that the White Paper on
Industrial and Employment Relations was going to have the consensus of all the social partners. The
White Paper, he said, was suggesting new rights for workers. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking in
Birkirkara.
•
15 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami denied that he was giving more attention to EUrelated policies than other domestic issues, but he insisted that Malta’s future lay in EU membership.
Dr Fenech-Adami was being interviewed on radio on the occasion of his silver jubilee as leader of the
Nationalist Party.
•
15 April 2002 A Maltese Parliamentary delegation visited Berlin and Brandenburg at the invitation of
the German Parliament. The delegation was made up of Michael Bonnici, John Attard Montalto, Chris
Cardona, Jean Pierre Farrugia and Victor Galea Pace.
•
16 April 2002 Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, joined the Maltese in celebrating the 60th
anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta by King George VI. The Princess said that she
was delighted to be here.
•
16 April 2002 Princess Anne attended an ecumenical memorial service for her grandmother, the
Queen Mother, at St John’s Co-Cathedral. The memorial service was led by Archbishop Joseph
Mercieca and Auxiliary Bishop Annetto Depasquale. The congregation was led by President and Mrs
de Marco and included Prime Minster Edward Fenech-Adami, Deputy Opposition Leader George
Vella, MPs from both sides of the House, members of the Diplomatic Corps and Senior Civil Servants
among others.
•
16 April 2002 Opposition Leader Alfred Sant told participants at the Convention on the Future of
Europe in Brussels that the implementation of the acquis communautaire would erode Malta’s national
structures and seriously undermine the future of young people. It was Dr Sant’s first speech to the
convention.
•
16 April 2002 Government MP Michael Frendo, who is the Maltese Parliament’s second
representative, also addressed the Convention. Dr Frendo stressed the need for the Charter of
Fundamental Freedoms to be incorporated into a consolidated European basic treaty, for the urgent
strengthening of the EU common foreign and security policy, and for the EU’s tasks and competencies
to be capable of evolution from the ground up.
•
16 April 2002 The Government announced its intentions on Sunday trading, which it will regulate
through a comprehensive legal notice that is expected to lead to the lawful opening of hundreds of
shops, seven days a week. Details of the planned legal notice were given by the Parliamentary
Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry, Edwin Vassallo, during a news conference.
•
16 April 2002 The National Statistics Office said that, the quantity of local fish landings passing
through the fish market during the first quarter had risen from 72,955 kilo last year to 93,587 kilo this
year, an increase of 28.3 per cent. The wholesale value of the fish also rose, from Lm151,938 to
Lm172,790.
•
17 April 2002 Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat told President Guido de Marco in a letter that political
negotiations were the only solution to the crisis. In the letter, delivered to Prof. de Marco by
Palestinian Ambassador Awad Yakhlef, Mr Arafat reiterated his commitment to a ‘just and honourable
peace’.
•
17 April 2002 Italian Minister for European Community Policies Rocco Buttiglione highlighted the
prominent and fundamental role Malta would play as an EU member to bring about change in the
highly volatile Mediterranean region. Prof. Buttiglione was addressing a news conference following a
meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg.
•
17 April 2002 Malta’s Core Negotiating Group Chairman Richard Cachia Caruana said that, in the
shorter term, Malta was aiming to finalise discussions on fisheries, taxation, customs union,
environment and competition. The chapters on agriculture, regional policy and budget contained a
strong financial element and would therefore require detailed negotiations before they could be
concluded. Mr Cachia Caruana was addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European
Parliament.
•
17 April 2002 Arhi Palosuo, the EU’s Chief Negotiator for Malta, also addressed the Committee. Mr
Palosuo commented on Malta’s ‘remarkable ability to catch up with the states which started
negotiations two years earlier’ and agreed with Mr Cachia Caruana that the accession negotiations
with Malta would be concluded by the end of this year.
•
17 April 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea announced that, by summer, the international tenders
for the design of the protective tents to cover the entire Mnajdra and Hagar Qim sites would be issued.
Dr Galea was speaking at the presentation by Din l-Art Helwa Executive President Martin Scicluna of
video copies of the TV series Heritage in Peril.
•
18 April 2002 President Guido de Marco said that there exists a special relationship between Italy and
Malta that is determined by geographical proximity, historical and cultural links. Prof. de Marco made
this statement when he received Rocco Buttiglione, Minister for European Community Policies, at The
Palace, in Valletta.
•
18 April 2002 Two sets of draft regulations have been drawn up with the aim of updating and
replacing the Public Service Commission Regulations of 1960. This results from the Commission’s
annual report, tabled in Parliament.
•
18 April 2002 Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry, Edwin Vassallo, said that
the Government is to ratify the European Charter for Small Enterprises, showing its commitment
towards the development of its entrepreneurship policy. The ratification of the charter is being held
during a conference in Slovenia to which applicant countries have been invited.
•
18 April 2002 The Minister of Finance, John Dalli participated in an International Seminar about
Enlargement, Decentralisation, and Institutional Reforms. The Seminar took place in Segovia, Spain.
•
18 April 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that by the end of the year,
Malta would be one of the leaders in the number of government services available via the internet. Dr
Gatt was speaking at a press conference announcing the results of a survey with the business
community about e-government services.
•
18 April 2002 Prof. Edward Scicluna, Chairman of the Malta Council for Economic and Social
Development, said that proper research structures providing factual information on the economy and
social issues should be strengthened within the council. Prof. Scicluna was speaking during a seminar
on the importance and relevance of the MCESD.
•
18 April 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that the number of registered unemployed in
March dropped by 216, or 2.7 per cent, over the previous month, to 7,725.
•
18 April 2002 The police force has been provided with some new equipment. It has installed an
automatic fingerprint-reading machine and bought seven new motorcycles as well as a number of
bullet-proof vests. A new gym has also been installed at SAG quarters, in Ta' Kandja.
•
18 April 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority office in Paris has organised a two-week poster campaign
in the Paris Metro with over 700 posters focusing on the imposing Valletta fortifications and the
fishing village of Marsaxlokk. A similar campaign advertises Gozo on some 2000 billboards scattered
over Germany.
•
19 April 2002 The Maltese economy is expected to continue growing at relatively high rates over the
coming years. The prediction is made in a report on macroeconomic and financial sector stability in
the EU candidate countries released by the European Commission.
•
19 April 2002 Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Borg insisted that the Government stood by the stand
adopted by the farmers’ and producers’ representatives with regard to Malta’s position in negotiations
with the European Union. Dr Borg was answering a Parliamentary Question.
•
19 April 2002 The British authorities reduced the departure tax on economy-class travel to non-EU
countries from £20 to £5 for EU candidate countries and Switzerland. The reduction will take effect on
November 1. Tourism Minister Michael Refalo welcomed the reduction.
•
19 April 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea launched a policy document entitled Good behaviour
and discipline policy for schools. The new policy provides for sanctions for bad behaviour ranging
from warnings to expulsion, but also rewards good behaviour.
•
19 April 2002 The Chairman of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, Ms Caroline
Jackson, said that Malta needed to be absolutely certain that it could get the maximum benefit from
European Union funding, if and when it joined the EU. Ms Jackson toured the site of the Maghtab
landfill and the power stations.
•
19 April 2002 Mr Saviour Gauci presented his credentials to King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz as Malta’s
Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
•
19 April 2002 The London Times labelled Malta ‘the Mediterranean’s mini-Hollywood’. Writing on
Malta’s film industry, author Daniel Rosenthal listed the Island’s list of recent credits, from Gladiator
to U-571, Guy Ritchie’s Swept Away and The Count of Monte Cristo, as well as a host of commercials
and music videos.
•
19 April 2002 American expert paper conservator T.K. McClintock was in Malta as a guest lecturer of
the Malta Centre for Restoration. Mr McClintock was due to assist students in the training of paper
conservation.
•
20 April 2002 British Conservative MEP Caroline Jackson, who was on a fact-finding mission in
Malta, visited the Maghtab landfill, the Marsa and Delimara power stations, and the nature reserve of
Ghadira. She said that, once Malta becomes a member, the EU would be able to allocate money that
should help in Malta’s major infrastructural and environmental projects. Ms Jackson heads the
environmental committee of the European Parliament.
•
20 April 2002 President Guido de Marco and Broadcasting Authority Chairman Joseph Said Pullicino
appealed to the broadcasting media to relay information in a proper manner, especially as a historic
moment in the country's history was approaching. The newly appointed members of the Broadcasting
Authority, headed by Dr Said Pullicino, paid a courtesy visit on the President at the Palace.
•
20 April 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that the total number of 45,000 foreign students
who came to Malta last year to study English could go up this year. Dr Refalo was speaking during a
news conference at the Ministry in Valletta about new regulations that will shortly come into force for
families who host students enrolled at English language schools.
•
20 April 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that one year after starting operations in
Malta, FAL Malta Ltd was ahead of its business plan and had introduced an additional shift due to the
ever-increasing workload. FAL Malta Ltd produces system components and solutions for wireless
communication. The company forms part of the German Funkanlagen Leipoldt QHG group.
•
20 April 2002 Malta again aligned itself with a statement issued by the European Union on the
situation in the Middle East that was delivered at the UN Security Council. “We reiterate our shared
condemnation of violence and terrorism, express our deep distress at the loss of innocent Palestinian
and Israeli lives, and extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those killed and wounded,” the
statement said.
•
20 April 2002 Government MP John Vella, who is the leader of the Maltese Parliamentary delegation
to the Council of Europe, attended a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
in Strasbourg. Dr Vella was accompanied by Opposition MP Joe Debono Grech and Government MP
Francis Agius.
•
20 April 2002 The National Statistics Office said that tourist arrivals in January this year dropped by
6,728 or 15.3 per cent, to 37,325 from 44,053 in the same month last year. The number of cruise
passengers went up to 3,658 from 1,967 in the comparative month last year.
•
20 April 2002 K Line started calling at Malta Freeport on its AES2 Express Service, following its
decision to use Malta as a hub for the east and west Mediterranean.
•
21 April 2002 The Tourism Authority organised a seminar on Tourism and the Arts at the
Mediterranean Conference Centre. The seminar was opened by Tourism Minister Michael Refalo and
addressed by Education Minister Louis Galea and MTA Chairman John C. Grech, among others.
Anyone interested in contributing to the debate can e-mail [email protected]
•
21 April 2002 President Guido de Marco spoke on the importance of a diversity of opinions in a
democracy, telling students that this was part of the very essence of democracy. Prof. de Marco was
opening the second national students’ congress, which had as its theme Students, a vital tool for
strengthening our future society, at Bay Street, St George’s. Education Minister Louis Galea attended
and addressed the seminar.
•
21 April 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that the European Commission had approved
substantial aid to Malta to enable the Government to start implementing its programme to strengthen
the agriculture sector before accession. Mr Zammit was speaking at Mgarr.
•
21 April 2002 The Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement that the pork industry would be assisted
financially to the tune of Lm6 million during the three and a half years during which levies protecting
the industry would be gradually lifted. The Ministry said that the assistance would mean a reduction in
the consumer price of pork products and assistance to breeders and to processors to upgrade their
operation.
•
21 April 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli revealed in his column in The Sunday Times that about
Lm170 million in funds held abroad by Maltese nationals were registered with the Treasury by the end
of March. In his column, Mr Dalli said the scheme has been a success as Government’s projections
have been exceeded.
•
22 April 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo announced that best-selling Latin recording artist
Enrique Iglesias is to give a concert in Malta at the beginning of summer. Dr Refalo said that the
singer is to be brought to Malta thanks to a local promotion company. Government would be assisting
in attracting tourists to the concert.
•
22 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami thanked the Maltese bishops for taking an
interest in the EU issue when they released an open letter to the political leaders calling for consensus.
“One does not expect the bishops to tell people to vote yes to EU membership as it is not their job to
tell people what to do in this respect, but it is commendable they have taken an interest in the issue”,
he said. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at Sta. Venera.
•
22 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Government’s two top priorities for
the coming months would be to ensure that the economy performs well, and to conclude negotiations
with the EU by the end of the year. Dr Fenech-Adami was being interviewed by The Times newspaper.
•
23 April 2002 Countries which are candidates for European Union membership, including Malta, will
know in October whether they will be in the next enlargement. Eneko Landaburu, Director-General
for Enlargement in the European Commission, was speaking in Brussels when financial and
budgetary provisions were discussed at the level of deputies.
•
23 April 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that membership of the European
Union was the foundation for the achievement of a higher level of competitiveness. He was speaking
at the inauguration of a training workshop on Competitiveness strategies for small states as part of the
Malta-Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme.
•
23 April 2002 Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry, Edwin Vassallo, said that
the opening of a Small Business Unit in Gozo, as well as the extension of the Malta Crafts Council to
Gozo would serve to strengthen Gozo's economic operation. Mr Vassallo was addressing a number of
Gozitan craftsmen and crafts teachers, together with Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.
•
24 April 2002 Hungarian President Ferenc Mádl said that Malta plays a very important role in solving
problems within the Mediterranean region and Hungary supports these efforts. Replying, President de
Marco spoke about the need to secure peace in the Middle-East by ensuring the implementation of
United Nations Security Council resolutions by the international community. The two heads of state
were speaking during President Guido de Marco’s State Visit to the Republic of Hungary.
•
24 April 2002 European Commission President Romano Prodi reassured Malta that it would not be a
net contributor to the EU following accession. He also said that he was sure that negotiations with
Malta would be concluded this year, in due time for enlargement. Mr Prodi was speaking at the
headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, following intensive talks with Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami.
•
24 April 2002 Following a presentation on their visit to Malta, MEPs Caroline Jackson and Mrs Jutta
Haug reported that the European Parliament’s Environment Committee had said that Malta would get
funding to help with the environment. During their visit, the MEPs concentrated on issues relating to
Malta’s problems with waste and the difficulties regarding the EU's existing law on the protection of
birds.
•
24 April 2002 According to the latest Eurobarometer report, fifty-one per cent of Europeans support
Malta’s EU accession, a level of support higher than for any other candidate country. The report was
released by the European Commission.
•
24 April 2002 Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Euro-Mediterranean partner countries meeting in
Valencia, Spain, called on Israel to halt its military operations and immediately withdraw its forces
from Palestinian cities. The Ministers called for the full and immediate implementation of UNSC
Resolutions 1402 and 1403 with a view to starting negotiations within a well defined timeline.
•
24 April 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the new Bill on Employment and
Industrial Relations would give extensive new rights to workers which, in other countries, have taken
years of hard work to achieve. He said that the Government was recognising these rights because it
strongly believed that economic progress results from social progress and vice-versa. Dr Gonzi was
addressing a news conference.
•
24 April 2002 Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg said that, over the past three years, 11 Foreign
Ministers, 15 Ministers and seven other personalities had visited the Island. These personalities
included the Pope, Prince Philip, and European Commission President Romano Prodi. Dr Borg was
replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
24 April 2002 According to the National Statistics Office, Government debt outstanding at the end of
March stood at Lm1,045.8 million, up by Lm86.4 million, or nine per cent, from the Lm959.4 million
outstanding at the end of March last year.
•
24 April 2002 A wreath-laying ceremony took place at the at Air Forces memorial. Distinguished
guests offering a silent prayer in remembrance included former President Censu Tabone, British High
Commissioner Howard Pearce, Australian High Commissioner Iain Dickie, Armed Forces
Commander Rupert Montanaro, and representatives of the Canadian Consulate and the Royal British
Legion.
•
24 April 2002 Gozo Channel Co Ltd. General Manager Marvic Fenech Adami announced that,
following the commission of three vessels, negotiations were under way for the sale of the former
Gozo Channel ferries Mgarr and Cittadella.
•
24 April 2002 Public Broadcasting Services and di-ve.com have teamed up to offer most of the
national television station’s programme content over the internet. Details were given at a press
conference on the streaming of TVM over the internet through the di-ve portal.
•
25 April 2002 Eni SpA has commenced drilling an exploratory well in offshore Malta in accordance
with its agreement with Government of 11th January 2002. The new well, Lampuko-1, is located about
14 nautical miles to the north west of Gozo, in about 250 m of water.
•
25 April 2002 The Prime Minister appointed Mr Joseph C Schembri, FCCA, CPAA, FIA, Chairman
of the National Commission on Welfare Reform.
•
25 April 2002 President Guido de Marco became the first head of state to meet the Hungarian Prime
Minister elect Péter Medgyessy. The two met at the Socialist Party headquarters in Budapest and
discussed their countries’ EU applications, the situation in the Middle East and the strengthening of
bilateral relations.
•
25 April 2002 The Malta High Commission in London organised, in conjunction with METCO, a
trade workshop covering the cities of Leeds, Bradford and York. The purpose was to raise awareness
among the business community in the Yorkshire region on Malta’s products and services, as well as
Malta’s potential to act as a platform for doing business within the Euro-Mediterranean region.
•
25 April 2002 Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that E-business companies were on the
lookout for regions and countries to which they could transfer their operations and run them effectively
and efficiently at lower costs, which could provide opportunities for Malta. Dr Gatt was speaking at
the annual conference of the Chamber of Engineers.
•
25 April 2002 Over 31,000 audio tapes known as talking books were issued last year to about 800
library members, the head of the central public library in Floriana, Joe Debattista said while speaking
during the inauguration at the central public library of a sound and vision studio that will be used to
record talking books and later on visual material.
•
25 April 2002 Households surveyed by the National Statistics Office this month generated an average
of 2.2kgs each of waste per week. The NSO is carrying out a household waste composition survey
spread out over a year, in collaboration with the Department for Waste Management. The survey will
be conducted for one week in every quarter. A sample of 400 households was randomly selected from
a list of households.
•
25 April 2002 The Government has ratified the European Charter for Small and Medium Enterprises.
The signing was held in Slovenia where the Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services
Ministry, Edwin Vassallo, was attending a conference for EU candidate countries.
•
25 April 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre has published the fifth issue in the series Question
& Answer on Malta and the European Union. Copies may be obtained from MIC, tel. 2590 9192,
email: [email protected]
•
25 April 2002 The film ‘Revelation’, partly shot in Malta over a period of two weeks, was released in
the UK on April 12 and will be released elsewhere in Europe later in the year. Producer Jonathan
Woolf of Romulus Films Ltd described the production company's experience in Malta as “very good”
and said it would strongly recommend the island to any film company.
•
25 April 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority's human resources and support services directorate has
published the first volume of a set of career guides of what is being called the “Your Future” series
which gives detailed information about careers within the various sectors of the tourism industry.
•
26 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami urged local firms to follow the example set by
Foster Clark Products Ltd, which, he said, has reacted to the needs of the global market with
remarkable success. Dr Fenech-Adami made his comments during a tour of the company's state-ofthe-art automated factory in San Gwann.
•
26 April 2002 An ecumenical service and wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 87th anniversary of
ANZAC Day was held at Pietà Military Cemetery. The ceremony was organised by the Australian
High Commission in conjunction with the Royal British Legion. Wreaths were laid by Acting
President George Hyzler, Australian High Commissioner Iain Dickie and British High Commissioner
Howard Pearce, amongst others.
•
26 April 2002: The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has taken part in the general
assembly in Copenhagen of HOTREC, the association that represents hotels, restaurants and cafés in
Europe. MHRA said the core issue of the discussions was the application of a mandatory reduced rate
of VAT.
•
26 April 2002 British veterinary experts Dr Martin Palmer and Dr Bob McCracken discussed the
local pork, beef and poultry industry during a two day visit organised through the EU Help Desk of the
Malta Business Bureau by the Malta Chamber of Commerce and the Malta Federation of Industry. It
was made possible by the British High Commission in Malta.
•
27 April 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli announced Government's airport deal with Malta
Mediterranean Link Consortium for the sale of a 40 per cent stake in the Island's airport, who said it
was worth Lm40 million, made up of a Lm20 million equity payment with the balance paid in the
form of special dividends and taxes. He described it as an excellent deal for the country and MIA.
•
27 April 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami congratulated radio staff at Calypso FM for "a
job well done" during a visit to the radio station's head offices in Victoria, Gozo. The Prime Minister
joined Calypso FM breakfast presenter Simon Lumsden on air, talked about the likes and dislikes of
his job, and revealed the most impressive people he had ever met were Presidents Gorbachev and
Bush.
•
27 April 2002 Government gave the green light to the Grand Harbour local plan, which was drawn up
by the Planning Authority. The plan comprises 237 policies which deal with the use of land for the
next 10 years in Valletta, Floriana, Marsa, Kordin, Senglea, Cospicua, Kalkara, Ricasoli and their
surroundings. There are a total of 38,000 residents in these areas.
•
27 April 2002 Government MP Francis Agius has presented a report on sustainable fishing at the
Council of Europe's plenary session. The report said about 17 per cent of our protein needs come from
fish, a figure set to double by 2025. It warned that uncontrolled fishing threatened the species and the
seas.
•
27 April 2002 Negotiations on the free movement of services have been provisionally closed with the
10 countries that, according to the EU, could be ready to join by 2004, the Malta-EU Information
Centre said in its latest roundup on negotiations.
•
27 April 2002 Domestic exports in the first quarter this year dropped by Lm36 million, to Lm187.8
million, official figures released show. Re-exports were up by Lm11.5 million, to Lm29.4 million.
Imports were down by Lm52 million, or 15.8 per cent, to Lm276.3 million from Lm328.3 million. As
a result, the visible trade gap in the first quarter narrowed by Lm27.5 million, to Lm59.1 million, from
Lm86.6 million.
•
27 April 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said an Australian pharmaceuticals company
was to set up shop in Malta and would be engaging some 120 new employees. The company, Arrow
Pharmaceuticals, which has a successful track record, was setting up shop here with the aim of
exporting.
•
27 April 2002 Elisabeth Mann Borgese's passion for the ocean was remembered at a memorial service
held at St John's Co-Cathedral. Prof. Mann Borgese was the founder and Honorary President of the
International Ocean Institute, which has its headquarters in Malta. Acting President George Hyzler
read out a speech which President Guido de Marco requested him to deliver in his absence.
•
28 April 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said the Government will be
setting up the Cyber-Crime Forum in June. The forum is a permanent structure which will bring all the
stakeholders together to review, analyse and advise Government on legislation and enforcement
related to cyber-crime. Dr Gatt was speaking during the opening of a Data Protection Conference in St
Julians.
•
28 April 2002 Dr Michael Frendo has suggested the setting of a minimum representation threshold
for each member state in the European Parliament while addressing the International Academic
Conference on "Democracy and Bureaucracy - EU Enlargement and the Future of Europe", on "A
Future for Parliamentary Democracy in the European Union".
•
28 April 2002 Foreign Ministers of the 27-nation EuroMediterranean Partnership, at their conference
in Valencia on April 22-23, launched several activities to revitalise the pact, which included a number
of proposals initiated by Malta.
•
29 April 2002 Speaking in Naxxar, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said the fact that a big
consortium was arguing that the Government should have chosen it as partner in the Malta
International Airport privatisation process, showed the kind of confidence there was in the country as
businesses were willing to invest their money here.
•
29 April 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that if Alterra consortium, the shortlisted group which
lost out in the partial privatisation of Malta International Airport, felt its rights had been somehow
trampled on, it could seek a remedy in court. He warned, however, that the Government too, could
seek this remedy against the consortium for the damage caused to the country by false and baseless
accusations. Minister Dalli made his points in a speech at Hamrun.
•
29 April 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg in an interview said he believes the Government will be
able to clinch a deal with the EU that would guarantee for Malta a significant net amount in funds and
assistance upon accession.
•
29 April 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said the investment of
between Lm100-Lm150 million needed for the protection of the environment including waste
management, drainage water purification and water production, would have to be made irrespective of
whether or not Malta joined the European Union.
•
29 April 2002 The total number of deliveries and births has declined over the last seven years,
according to a report by Lina Janulova from the National Obstetric Information System.
•
30 April 2002 There was a future for farming in the present and future European Union member
states, the EU’s Chief Negotiator for Malta, Arhi Palosuo, declared while speaking during the 17th
meeting of the EU-Malta Joint Parliamentary Committee held at the Westin Dragonara in St Julian’s.
•
30 April 2002 European Parliamentarian Ms Miet Smet compared Malta to Luxembourg which, she
said, had an important role in Europe and “always obtained what it wanted”. During a meeting with
Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Ms Smet said the referendum over whether Malta should join
the European Union should be “prepared well” and that the electorate be encouraged to vote.
•
30 April 2002 The Government called upon two foreign companies to stop making unfounded
allegations it said were aimed at undermining the integrity of the airport privatisation process and also
to withdraw the allegations they have made so far. The call was made in a counter-protest filed by the
Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and the Attorney General rebutting the allegations made against
them by Alterra Partners Malta Limited and Grupo Dragados SA.
MAY
•
1 May 2002 The Prime Minister said the Employment and Industrial Relations Bill would be another
landmark in the country's labour sector. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at a round table conference on
"Employment: The fruit of social dialogue", organised on the occasion of Worker's Day. During the
same conference, Miet Smit, a member of the European Parliament, described it as an important piece
of legislation, especially in view of Malta's negotiations with the EU.
•
1 May 2002 Speaking to members of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development
(MCESD) in Floriana on the occasion of Worker's Day, President Guido de Marco said the council
was not a forum where total agreement between the members of the council would be reached. But all
representatives and members of the civil society had to bear in mind that they were pulling the same
rope, living in the same country and were players in the same economy.
•
1 May 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said the Government was confident that fair and just solutions
would be found in areas being negotiated with the European Union that had not yet been concluded.
Speaking at a Union Haddiema Maghqudin conference, Dr Borg said the Government was determined
to close negotiations in these sectors by the end of the year. Minister Borg said that the negotiating
process was not only bearing fruit, but it was also benefitting the country.
•
1 May 2002 Prince Abdullah F.A. Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia recently paid a visit to the Maltese
shipyards to familiarise himself with facilities offered by the yards. Prince Abdullah was accompanied
by Dr Talal R. Chiack, General Manager of Fama Trading Company, which was appointed agent for
the Maltese yards in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi delegation also had talks with Economic Services
Minister Josef Bonnici, and Drydocks officials.
•
1 May 2002 The Government published new wide-ranging trade licence regulations which propose to
radically overhaul the issuing of licences and eliminate bureaucracy once and for all. The final details
of the new trade licence regulations were given at a news conference by Parliamentary Secretary in
the Economic Services Ministry Edwin Vassallo and Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici. The
regulations also include the new Sunday trading and late-night shopping regulations.
•
1 May 2002 The National Statistics Office (NSO) said there were 5,061 occupational accidents last
year; 4,515, or 89.2 per cent, involved men and 546, or 10.8 per cent, women.
•
1 May 2002 Malta has been elected to the Commission for Social Development for a four-year term
starting on January 1, 2003. The Commission is a functional commission of the Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. It consists of 46 members elected by ECOSOC.
•
1 May 2002 The Housing Authority has announced a substantial increase in grants for the
refurbishing of properties to be leased to Maltese tenants. The Authority said that the purpose of the
scheme was to encourage owners of vacant properties and prospective tenants to make use of existing
housing.
•
1 May 2002 Bank of Valletta has changed the network of representative offices in Australia, as a
result of which operations will be consolidated into two principal offices, one in Sydney (New South
Wales) and one in Sunshine, Victoria.
•
1 May 2002 The winner of the BPC Gold Award, introduced five years ago, was Anthony Montanaro.
The BPC Award to Journalists covers five categories: print journalism; broadcast journalism; sports
journalism; press photography, and press cartoons. A total of 35 journalists submitted their work
which had to be published or broadcast last year and 15 finalists were selected to contend for the five
categories.
•
2 May 2002 Speaking in Ta' Qali to mark Worker's Day, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said
if Malta did not take the opportunity and join the EU in less than two years' time, no one knew when
the EU would open its doors again. Referring to the new law on industrial relations being debated in
Parliament, he said it not only guaranteed existing workers' rights but created new ones.
•
2 May 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi gave figures in Parliament which show that the
highest number of women in employment perform clerical duties.
•
2 May 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in Parliament that a total of 951 workers
were made redundant and started registering for work in the first quarter this year.
•
2 May 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said in reply to a Parliamentary Question that an industrial
tribunal in Geneva has ordered the Maltese Embassy there to compensate two workers after they were
dismissed.
•
2 May 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said the police are currently holding 280 illegal
immigrants, of whom two have been in custody since 1999 because their identity and nationality have
not been established. Dr Borg was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
2 May 2002 The Malta Film Commission (MFC) is experiencing yet another busy period.
Commenting on the latest project, Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry George
Hyzler remarked that USA Cable Entertainment's decision to shoot the mini-series Helen of Troy in
Malta confirmed yet again that the Island was turning into a reliable and popular film destination.
•
2 May 2002 Malta's success in hosting an international meeting of incentive professionals has spurred
local professionals involved in incentive travel to establish a fully-fledged chapter of the worldwide
organisation’s Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE).
•
3 May 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt announced Cabinet had given the go-ahead for a Lm2
million infrastructural improvement programme at the Law Courts in Valletta. Dr Gatt was speaking
when he launched the academy for the training of Court staff.
•
3 May 2002 When touring the factory of Dedicated Micros (Malta) Ltd (DMML) at San Gwann
industrial estate, Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said the success of DMML was a clear
example of the capabilities of the local workforce, and was a good advert for Malta and its human
resources.
•
3 May 2002 The President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Josef Migas, was in Malta
on an official visit to reciprocate a visit made by Speaker Anton Tabone last year. Mr Migas was
accompanied by members of the Slovak National Council (Parliament).
•
3 May 2002 The Malta Standards Authority said it had established the standard for computer
keyboards having Maltese language characters in conformity with the standards of the International
Standards Organisation. Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said this was an important step as
the Maltese language was finally catching up with the computer and informatics era. He said the next
step would be the development of Maltese software, including a spellchecker.
•
3 May 2002 Valletta Rehabilitation Project coordinator Ray Bondin was elected President of the
International Committee of Historic Towns and Villages at the Committee's general assembly in
Corfu. Mr Bondin said this was one of the most important scientific committees in the field of
conservation and restoration.
•
3 May 2002 Maltese company Hal Mann International has been awarded a €1.3 million contract for
works at the new Corinthia Towers Hotel under construction in Tripoli, Libya. The firm said it has
won the contract despite fierce competition following an international call for tenders late last year.
•
4 May 2002 A collection of colour photographs taken on location in Malta and Gozo was the focus of
a full-colour 10-page spread in the Dutch edition of Elegance fashion magazine. The magazine
highlights the beauty, history and heritage of the Islands. Malta was also featured in Dutch magazines
Society Quarterly, Move and Op Lemen voeten.
•
4 May 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said one of the functions of the new Malta Financial
Services Authority will be the promotion of the general interests and legitimate expectations of
consumers related to financial services; another function would be to promote fair competition
practices and consumer choice. Minister Dalli was speaking at a conference on consumer protection at
Palazzo Parisio.
•
4 May 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC) said that negotiations on the free movement of
capital were provisionally closed with the 10 countries that according to the EU could be ready to join
by 2004. All transition periods start from January 1, 2003, though in Malta's case, the permanent
restriction starts from the day of accession, MIC said.
•
4 May 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said the Government would be granting over Lm9
million in aid to the potato industry over a period of 12 years: this aid would make up for the gradual
removal of levies, to help farmers improve their produce and tap new markets. Minister Zammit was
speaking during a visit to the Ta' Qali grading station which is busy handling potatoes for export to the
Netherlands.
•
4 May 2002 To mark Press Freedom Day, The Malta Press Club joined the international organisation
Reporters Sans Frontières to highlight the increase in the number of attacks on journalists and
incidents threatening freedom of the press. On this occasion, press club members called on President
Guido de Marco at the Palace, who, on his part, said the freedom of the press was fundamental to any
democracy and the public's right to be informed.
•
4 May 2002 Bank of Valletta Group made a pre-tax profit of Lm6.9 million for the six months ending
on March 31, marginally up from Lm6.8 million for the same period in 2001. Commenting on the
results achieved, BOV Chairman Joseph Zahra said that the period under review had witnessed a
strengthening of the core activities of the BOV Group.
•
5 May 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli explained that the Government went through various stages
of consultation before embarking on the privatisation of the Malta International Airport. He also said
that experts from the World Bank helped to plan the process and to choose an international consultant.
•
5 May 2002 By joining the EU, Malta would complete the circle of colonialism by taking part in
decisions with those countries which formerly were colonisers, MP Michael Frendo said. The
European Union would keep developing irrespective of whether Malta joined it or not. When speaking
during a discussion meeting at Ta’ l-Ibragg , Dr Frendo - who represents the government side at the
Convention for the Future of Europe - said that the people's choice had to be made in a referendum.
•
5 May 2002 A number of Maltese firms recently put up stands at the Africa Trade Centre in Misurata,
Libya. The fair was organised by the Green Leaves Co Ltd, in collaboration with the Misurata
Chamber of Commerce. Mr Jalal Elmangoush, Chairman of Green Leaves Co, a Libyan living and
working in Malta, was instrumental in getting the Maltese firms to participate in the fair.
•
6 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami brought up the Presidental elections in France to
point out the difference between somebody who was forward-looking and someone who wanted to
turn the clock back. Dr Fenech-Adami also said that investment in the country was on the increase,
mentioning in particular the construction of a new hotel in Paceville which planned to employ some
400 people.
•
6 May 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said the Lm70 million which the Government was
proposing to pass on to producers in agriculture were aimed at helping them restructure, apart from
ensuring a just living following the gradual removal of protection levies. Minister Zammit was
speaking to farmers and herdsmen in Gozo.
•
6 May 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said the Maltese were among the greatest rabbit eaters
in the world, and estimates show that there are around 15,000 people breeding rabbits in Malta. Mr
Zammit said he felt the time had come for the creation of a register for breeders. The Minister was
speaking at the opening of the national championship show organised at San Anton Gardens by the
Malta Rabbit Club.
•
6 May 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea launched the local branch of the London-based Nautical
Institute which will be using the facilities of the Maritime Institute, which has a satellite campus in
Villa Portelli. The opening of the Malta branch will benefit most of the local professional seafarers
who were affiliated to the London-based institute.
•
6 May 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said plans are in the pipeline to extend the public
transport service by two hours in certain localities, starting from Mellieha, in summer, in an attempt to
make more people use public transport. Discussions about the introduction of ticketing machines were
also expected to be concluded in the near future, Mr Galea said. In the meantime, the first low-floor
bus made in Malta is expected to come into service very soon.
•
6 May 2002 Some 4,000 Maltese and Gozitan scouts and guides marched along the streets of Valletta
in the traditional annual parade. The parade included the participation of the Scout Fellowship and the
Island Trefoil Guild. On Palace Square, President and Mrs de Marco, patrons of the respective
associations, were given the salute. The parade also saw a reappearance of air and sea scouts after an
absence of 30 years and 36 years respectively.
•
6 May 2002 Culture Minister Louis Galea inaugurated The Limestone Heritage, a new and unique
tourist attraction offering an insight into the ancient crafts of quarrying and masonry, which is situated
in Siggiewi and set within a disused open pit quarry spreading over 0.33 hectares. Attractions include
a 10-minute, multi-lingual video production and fossil remains from ancient seas embedded in what
was a sandy seabed. An orange grove graces the site, reflecting the typical destiny of many quarries in
Malta.
•
7 May 2002 The Government said Malta has aligned itself with a statement made on by the European
Union in a security meeting, called to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the
Palestinian question. In its statement, the EU said it expected the personal security and freedom of
movement of the recognised and elected leader of the Palestinian people would be fully respected and
guaranteed.
•
7 May 2002 Planned amendments to the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) Act would create new and
different challenges for the exchange, MSE Chairman Alfred Mallia wrote in the Exchange's annual
report for 2001, tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister John Dalli. Mr Mallia said that 2001 was
characterised by the introduction of remote trading and the Exchange's move to the former Garrison
Chapel in Valletta.
•
7 May 2002 The Planning Authority has formally become the Malta Environment and Planning
Authority (MEPA) (L-Awtorita' ta' Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar). In a message to employees,
MEPA Chairman Andrew Calleja described the merger as both a challenge and an opportunity. The
websites of the Environment Protection Department and the Planning Authority have been redesigned
and amalgamated. www.mepa.org.mt
•
7 May 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said Airport Consulting Vienna Gmbh - one
of Vienna International Airport plc's consultancy companies - had been engaged as a consultant by the
Malta International Airport in July 1999 in connection with the Schengen system, and had been paid
Lm19,133. The Minister was answering a Parliamentary Question.
•
7 May 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said a total of Lm8.09 million in pork was produced
locally last year. Mr Zammit, who was answering Parliamentary Questions, also said that the value of
vegetables and fruit taken to the central agricultural produce market last year stood at Lm5.3 million.
•
7 May 2002 The vice-President of the German Bundestag, Rudolf Seiters paid a courtesy call on
President Guido de Marco. Prof. de Marco told Dr Seiters that Malta valued its friendship with
Germany, adding that the two countries had solid political relations, which would be enhanced by the
visit.
•
7 May 2002 Condor, a leading global leisure airline, plans to bring about 50,000 tourists to Malta
from Germany this summer and next winter. Condor is now operating five weekly flights to Malta.
•
7 May 2002 The six winners of the Malta Student Science Forum will be attending various scientific
activities in Europe, the National Student Travel Foundation (Malta) (NSTF) said. NSTF organised
the forum in collaboration with the Malta Junior Chamber of Scientists and with the support of the
Italian Cultural Institute, Air Malta, Malta International Airport and the Parliamentary Secretariat for
Youth and Sports.
•
8 May 2002 Eight Permanent Secretaries were presented with their letters of appointment by the
Prime Minister, who said that the modern needs of a reformed Public Service were reflected in the
appointments: promotions were no longer influenced by seniority, adding that the move towards a
graduate Civil Service was encouraged. The eight Permanent Secretaries have been appointed for a
three-year term.
•
8 May 2002 A consultation paper on the development of a strategy for the exploitation of renewable
energy sources was published by the Malta Resources Authority (MRA). Resources and Infrastructure
Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said the overall objective of the initiative was to exploit efficient and
clean energy technologies, while satisfying Malta's international obligations. The Paper is available
from the MRA at the Resources and Infrastructure Ministry, or can be downloaded from the
Department of Information’s web site at www.doi.gov.mt.
•
8 May 2002 Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet said his office was working on the amendments
to the electoral laws and described the task as one of his priorities at the moment. Justice Minister
Austin Gatt said that he had been given a copy of what had been agreed between the political parties
and there were three clauses upon which the parties could not agree. In all, Dr Gatt said, there are
around 80 clauses which are expected to be amended.
•
8 May 2002 Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry Edwin Vassallo said there
had been an overwhelming response by shop-owners to the new Sunday trading laws and late-night
shopping. He said no fewer than 693 pending licence applications, some dating back to 1995, could be
processed within the next eight weeks following the recent transfer of responsibility from the police to
other authorities.
•
8 May 2002 APS Bank has posted a pre-tax profit of Lm1,152,515 for the year ended December 31,
2001. Although down from Lm1,307,216 in the previous year, chairman Prof. E.P. Delia said it was
another good year for the bank. In a statement, APS said 2001 was a period of keen competition and
limited opportunities.
•
8 May 2002 President and Mrs Guido de Marco presented Lm21,000 worth of financial assistance
and specialised equipment to 11 institutions and 84 needy individuals on behalf of the Malta
Community Chest Fund.
•
8 May 2002 New regulations are in force which set classification standards for existing and approved
tourist accommodation, the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) said. The new standards are based on the
star-rating system.
•
8 May 2002 German tour operator FTI Frosch Touristik said it offered the largest flight capacities to
Malta in the German market, and was working with airline partners Air Berlin, Air Malta and Condor.
FTI was reacting in a press release to what it said were incorrect reports which stated that it had
collapsed and pulled out of Malta.
•
8 May 2002 Part of the second original door of the city of Mdina was recently found during
excavation works at Vilhena Palace. The Mdina Rehabilitation Project (MRP) in the Resources and
Infrastructure Ministry is currently restoring and upgrading the palace.
•
9 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami welcomed the Vice-President of the German
Bundestag, Rudolf Seiters, at Auberge de Castille. Mr Seiters was making one of a series of courtesy
calls during a short visit to Malta.
•
9 May 2002 President Guido de Marco launched his new book Momentum. The book carries the
speeches delivered by Prof. de Marco during the first three years of his Presidency. Momentum is the
Prof. de Marco’s fourth publication.
•
9 May 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli insisted in Parliament that the privatisation process of Malta
International Airport had been conducted in the most serious and transparent manner possible. Mr
Dalli was rebutting allegations made in the House the previous day by Opposition spokesmen.
•
9 May 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that over 57,100
accidents at work were reported between 1992 and last year. He said that the accidents had cost the
Government millions of liri in lost hours of work, not to mention the human suffering they entailed.
Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking during the launch of a Health and Safety Policy document for the
Works Division, at the Ministry, in Floriana.
•
9 May 2002 The Malta Maritime Authority and Malta Maritime Legislative Association signed an
agreement formally establishing the Maritime Legislative Research and Development Council.
Transport Minister Censu Galea said that the initiative was intended to bring about legislative changes
in a more structured and eventually more proactive manner.
•
9 May 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority has been given responsibility for the issuing of licences for
bars, kiosks and coffee shops, as well as permits for tables and chairs to be placed outside
establishments. The police were previously responsible for the issuing of such licences and permits.
•
9 May 2002 Lombard Bank (Malta) posted a pre-tax profit of Lm604,000 for the six months ending
March 31, an increase of 3% over profits in the same period last year. The results were announced by
the bank in a statement following the approval by the board of directors of the unaudited financial
statements for the period October – March.
•
10 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami visited the Toly Products manufacturing plant at
Bulebel industrial estate. Toly Chairman and Chief Executive Andy Gatesy told the Prime Minister
that, despite high automation, Toly employed 540 workers and produced over 250,000 finished
components each day.
•
10 May 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that the Government had
received 58 submissions from 44 international and 14 local ICT players following its request for
proposals on an e-government partnership agreement in March last year. Dr Gatt was addressing a
seminar on e-commerce organised by the Institute for the Management of Information Systems, in
Sliema.
•
10 May 2002 Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono called for co-operation in health services and care for
the elderly between the countries participating in the 22nd Conference of the Islands Commission
within the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR), in Orkney, Scotland. Ms Debono
also proposed joint projects, as well as seminars and exchange visits for medical and paramedical staff
and other employees in these sectors.
•
10 May 2002 The Ambassador of Lithuania, Edminas Bagdonas, presented his credentials to President
Guido de Marco. The ceremony took place in the Ambassadors’ Room at the Palace, Valletta, and was
followed by an official luncheon at San Anton Palace.
•
10 May 2002 The Malta Federation of Industry co-ordinated a three-day visit to Malta by two
delegates from the Association of Lebanese Industrialists. The familiarisation visit was organised
through the UNIMED BN initiative, which is managed by the Union of Industrial and Employers'
Confederations of Europe (UNICE) and supported by the European Commission in the framework of
the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
•
10 May 2002 The National Statistics Office said that tourist arrivals in February had dropped by
2,553, or 4.6 per cent, to 53,339, from 55,892 in the same month last year.
•
10 May 2002 The Union Haddiema Maghqudin signed an agreement with the Management and
Personnel Office in the Office of the Prime Minister on the postal workers who opted to remain with
the civil service instead of joining Maltapost. In a statement, the UHM said that these workers would
now be given the grade of clerk or messenger, with an opportunity to advance in their career within the
civil service.
•
10 May 2002 The recently-appointed President of the Malta Red Cross Society, Lino Cutajar,
appealed for tangible, financial and logistical backing for the Society to survive and flourish. Prof.
Cutajar said that the national society is currently carving its own niche in the management of illegal
immigrants and refugees, and explained that the recent influx of immigrants has put a strain on Malta's
logistical and human resources.
•
10 May 2002 Go Mobile announced that it had switched to paper-based cards. Go Mobile said that
both the Lm10 top-up card issued in December 2001 and the new Lm5 ninety day window card just
issued are made out of environment-friendly paper rather than plastic.
•
11 May 200 The Government told fishermen’s representatives that it has the basis of an agreement
that had been reached with the European Union over a 25-mile fishing conservation zone around
Malta, guaranteeing the livelihood of local fishermen. The Government explained the situation to
fishermen's representatives at a meeting of the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee.
•
11 May 2002 A government study concludes that Malta's seas fully complied with the criteria set by
the Barcelona Convention in terms of water quality. At a news conference, Health Minister Louis
Deguara said that the Bathing water quality report 2001, drawn up by the Environmental Health Unit
and the Department of Public Health, should silence claims that Malta's seas were contaminated with
sewage.
•
11 May 2002 The Tunisian Secretary of State in the Foreign Ministry, Youssef Mokaddem, made an
official visit to Malta. The Foreign Ministry said that, within the framework of the existing friendly
and close relations, Malta and Tunisia held political consultations that covered various issues. Mr
Mokaddem also paid a courtesy call on President Guido de Marco.
•
11 May 2002 President Guido de Marco presented the Europa Nostra silver medal of honour to the
Din l-Art Helwa team responsible for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Msida Bastion Garden of
Repose. The cemetery is the resting ground of Mikiel Anton Vassalli, father of the Maltese language.
•
11 May 2002 A parliamentary delegation led by John Vella, who is a member of the Parliamentary
Foreign Affairs Committee, attended the XXVI Conference of European Affairs Committees of the
National Parliaments of the European Union, the European Parliament, and the Parliaments of
applicant states, in Madrid. The delegation included government MP Victor Galea Pace and opposition
MP Chris Cardona.
•
11 May 2002 Grand Harbour provided an excellent backdrop for Malta's first fireworks festival.
Organised by the Malta Tourism Authority, the festival involved 13 fireworks factories from Malta
and Gozo.
•
12 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the country was going through a period
of change which was opening up new opportunities for the Maltese. Dr Fenech-Adami said that EU
membership would open up further opportunities for Malta in various sectors.
•
12 May 2002 Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono participated in the 22nd Conference of the Islands
Commission which formed part of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions, held in
Orkney, Scotland. The conference this year focused on transport and the role islands play in the
governance of the European Union.
•
12 May 2002 President Guido de Marco visited an art exhibition set up under a marquee on the site of
the former Royal Opera House in Valletta, as part of a programme of activities to mark the 50th
anniversary celebrations of the locally-produced soft drink Kinnie. Proceeds from the events were in
aid of children's homes and Church homes for the elderly.
•
12 May 2002 A Maltacom plc delegation returned from Riga, Latvia, after taking part in the European
Telecommunications Networks Operators General Assembly. During the Assembly, Anthony De Bono
was appointed vice-Chairman of the conference. Mr De Bono will be taking up the position of
Chairman of ETNO as from January 2003, when Maltacom will be the host for ETNO's General
Assembly.
•
12 May 2002 The Malta Centre for Restoration was entrusted with conservation of very rare 14th and
15th century textiles by the Belghazi Museums Morocco. These museums have also accepted to
contribute to the cataloguing part of the MCR-led, EU funded project, Ikonos.
•
13 May 2002 A government statement announced that Maltese will be one of the official languages of
the European Union. The statement said that, during a meeting in Brussels, the Committee of
Permanent Representatives of EU Member States known as COREPER accepted the recommendation
of the European Commission that, upon accession, the Maltese language would be one of the official
languages.
•
14 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami attended the EU Defence Ministers’ meeting, in
Brussels. The meeting brought together defence ministers from member states, candidate countries,
Norway, Iceland and Turkey. Dr Fenech-Adami was accompanied by Core Negotiation Group
Chairman Richard Cachia Caruana, Armed Forces of Malta Deputy Commander Col Carmel Vassallo,
and the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Joseph R Grima.
•
14 May 2002 The Egyptian Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Shaban, paid a courtesy
call on Foreign Minister Joe Borg. Dr Shaban also met Gaetan Naudi, Permanent Secretary at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides discussed the forthcoming meeting of the Maltese-Egyptian
Mixed Commission.
•
14 May 2002 The Leader of the House of Representatives, Lawrence Gonzi, told the House Business
Committee that the drafting of a Bill to amend the electoral law as agreed between the Government
and the Opposition was in its final stages. Dr Gonzi was replying to questions by Opposition Deputy
Leader George Vella.
•
14 May 2002 A Justice Ministry statement said that the pending caseload at the Civil Court (First
Hall) and the Magistrates Court continued to fall in April. However, the various Appeal Courts as
well as the Constitutional Court registered slight increases. The Small Claims Tribunal again
registered an increase in backlog.
•
15 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami referred to the pledge made by Malta that
envisages a light infantry platoon of 30 soldiers from the Armed Forces of Malta participating in
UN/OSCE mandated missions of a humanitarian and rescue nature under EU command. He confirmed
that training both in Italy and in Malta had intensified and that, later this year, a second group of
Maltese soldiers will travel to Italy for further training. Dr. Fenech-Adami was addressing a meeting in
which the Ministers of Defence of the 15 EU Member States met the Ministers of Defence of the 13
candidate countries, as well as the Defence Ministers from Norway and Iceland.
•
15 May 2002 President Guido de Marco had a meeting with Dr Han Seung-soo, President of the
United Nations General Assembly, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The meeting
focused on the ongoing efforts for reform of the main organs of the United Nations Organisation,
including the need to revitalise the General Assembly.
•
15 May 2002 Malta signed and ratified Protocol 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which effectively abolishes the death penalty in all circumstances,
including crimes committed in times of war and imminent threat of war. The protocol was signed by
Foreign Minister Joe Borg during the Ministerial Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the
Council of Europe, held in Vilnius, Lithuania.
•
15 May 2002 Valletta ranks among the top 10 base-ports in the Mediterranean and Northern European
cruise region for the year 2002. This results from a report about cruise activity in the Mediterranean
and Northern Europe, which featured in this year’s first quarter edition of GP Wild’s Cruise Market
Monitor, one of the foremost authorities on passenger shipping.
•
15 May 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea presented Mohamed Shaban, Assistant Minister at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, with copies of thirty-three Arabic
manuscripts found in the National Library of Malta. The donation will contribute to the setting up of
the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt.
•
15 May 2002 Air Malta celebrated the 25th anniversary of its first flight by organising a Malta night in
Zurich, the destination of the inaugural flight. It is expected that Air Malta will have carried over
600,000 passengers to and from Switzerland since its first flight in 1977.
•
15 May 2002 A new weekly info-entertainment production, X’Inhu Ghaddej, has been launched to
guide TV viewers and internet users to the best indoor and outdoor events on the Maltese Islands. The
multi-media production is by Lunik Digital for TV and MaltaMedia on the internet.
•
16 May 2002 President Guido de Marco delivered a lecture entitled The Mediterranean - the art of the
impossible? at the Fairleigh Dickinson University of New Jersey. Prof. de Marco was later hosted to
dinner by Michael Adams, President of the University.
•
16 May 2002 A Foreign Ministry spokesman categorically denied that thirteen Palestinian militants
who spent five weeks detained in Bethlehem’s Nativity Chapel would be transferred to Malta. The
spokesman said that the Government had never made a proposal for the transfer of the militants to
Malta; nor had any such proposal been made to Malta. The report appeared in the Italian newspaper
Corriere della Sera.
•
16 May 2002 A Foreign Ministry statement said that the EU provides for a level playing field.
Anybody from the EU wishing to establish himself in Malta will have to comply with local licensing
laws and be in line with all VAT, income tax, social security and other administrative requirements.
No specific request had been made during negotiations under the Free Movement of Services chapter.
•
16 May 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said in Parliament that he expected to see a downward
pressure on prices as Malta joined the EU and prepared to adopt the Euro. Mr Dalli was replying to a
Parliamentary Question.
•
16 May 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the results of the Kultura 2000: Cultural
Participation Survey carried out by the National Statistics Office were worrying. The figures showed
that the cultural tendencies of the Maltese were not developed enough and cultural participation
needed to be increased. Dr Galea was speaking during a presentation at St James Cavalier, in Valletta.
•
16 May 2002 Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech visited the Jesuits’ Church in Valletta to
see the progress of the restoration works. Dr Zammit Dimech was accompanied by Valletta
Rehabilitation Project Co-ordinator Ray Bondin and Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier.
•
16 May 2002 Health Minister Louis Deguara announced that Malta had managed to reduce its mental
hospital population by about a fifth over the past five years as a result of changes within the mental
health sector. Dr Deguara was speaking at the 55th World Health Assembly, in Geneva.
•
16 May 2002 The Health Department announced that a national health survey had been held among
4,250 people earlier this year with the aim of collecting precise information on people’s health. The
research should provide statistics on several important sectors, including chronic and mental illness,
lifestyle, use of health and medicinal services, disease prevention, and physical and emotional
disabilities.
•
16 May 2002 Mr Carmel J. Aquilina, Malta’s first Ambassador to Denmark, presented his credentials
to Queen Margrethe II, in a ceremony that took place at Fredensborg Palace, outside Copenhagen.
Ambassador Aquilina conveyed the personal greetings of the President of Malta, which were
reciprocated by Queen Margrethe.
•
16 May 2002 Ambassador Saviour Gauci presented his credentials as Malta’s non-resident
Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen to Lt-General Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Republic of
Yemen, at Sanaa. During the ceremony, Ambassador Gauci conveyed the cordial greetings of
President Guido de Marco to President Saleh.
•
16 May 2002 International Oil Exploration Company Hardman Resources said in its quarterly report
that the Government had extended its exploration permit until October. Hardman holds an 87.6 per
cent interest in Blocks 4 and 5 offshore Malta, 60 kilometres east of the Island, and south-east of
several oil fields off Sicily.
•
17 May 2002 The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Adrian Severin, arrived in Malta on an official two-day visit. Prof. Severin’s visit
includes meetings with President Guido de Marco, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, and
Opposition Deputy Leader George Vella, among others.
•
17 May 2002 The Malta Furniture Manufacturers’ Organisation launched the first quality mark for
furniture manufactured in Malta. Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici, who was present for the
launch, said that the quality mark was the first tangible venture of the organisation, founded last
November.
•
17 May 2002 The oil pollution response team quickly and efficiently cleared an oil spill near the
Rinella tank-cleaning farm at Kalkara during a training exercise held in the presence of Infrastructure
Minister Francis Zammit Dimech. There is an average of 52 spills annually in Malta, ranging from half
a tonne to a 110 tonne spill in 1998.
•
17 May 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg met a delegation from the Chinese Overseas Office
led by the vice-Minister at the office, Liu Zepeng.
Dr Borg and Mr Liu discussed an agreement
for co-operation in the fight against drug trafficking signed between Malta and China last October.
•
17 May 2002 The Government is urging local enterprise to contribute a small percentage of its profit
to the new environment fund that is to be set up under the Environment Protection Act. The
Parliamentary Secretary in the Environment Ministry, George Pullicino, said during a meeting with the
Federation of Industry that money collected from fines imposed under this Act for harm caused to the
environment would also be channelled into the fund.
•
17 May 2002 Minister of Education Louis Galea set up a committee to formulate the first draft of a
strategic plan on Lifelong Learning. The committee is in the process of compiling a database of all
organisations, agencies and departments that offer learning opportunities through certified or noncertified courses or through other educational activities.
•
17 May 2002 The Maltese-American Association presented a cheque for $5,843.08 to US Ambassador
Anthony Gioia to help families of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The cheque was
forwarded to the American Red Cross Liberty Disaster Fund.
•
17 May 2002 President Guido de Marco, President of Malta, participated at the United Nations
General Assembly Council of Presidents, in New York. The council “firmly condemned all acts of
international terrorism and violence and emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of
conflicts”.
•
17 May 2002 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, received the President of
the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Professor Adrian
Severin, at the start of an official visit to Malta.
•
18 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that, over the years, Government had
invested more then Lm80 million in government-related information technology. Dr Fenech-Adami
was speaking at the launch of its revamped portal, gov.mt, at Auberge de Castille. The launch was
attended by Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt.
•
18 May 2002 At the launch of the government portal, Local Government Minister Austin Gatt
revealed that the Government would be offering free internet access in every local council. Dr Gatt
said that the Government would be installing a total of 100 webphones; it would also be opening
computer laboratories in public schools to teach computer skills to local communities free of charge.
•
18 May 2002 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that the structural budget deficit
between ordinary revenue and total expenditure in the first four months this year amounted to Lm49.6
million, up from Lm36.7 million for the same period last year. Government debt outstanding at the
end of April stood at Lm1,049.1 million, up by Lm110.2 million, or 11.7 per cent, from Lm938.9
million outstanding at the end of April last year.
•
18 May 2002 Go Mobile launched a new service allowing people to listen to live radio broadcasts by
calling a Go Mobile number. The radio stations that can be accessed to date are Radio 101, on 7989
0101, and Super 1 Radio on 7989 0927.
•
19 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Government had chosen to hold a
referendum on EU membership to give people the opportunity to take a decision independently of their
political opinion. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the question of joining the EU was a national issue that
should be separated from all other matters. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking in Gozo.
•
19 May 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg participated in the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
that discussed the situation in Zimbabwe, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Pakistan. During his
intervention, Dr Borg reiterated Malta’s commitment to the principles of democracy and rule of law as
outlined in the Harare Declaration and outlined Malta’s views on each item on the CMAG agenda.
•
19 May 2002 Minister for Justice and Local Government Austin Gatt said that Government is
launching a request for proposals for a registration and authentication (R&A) mechanism to ensure
confidentiality and security in all e-government transactions. Dr Gatt said that the mechanism is the
third of three pillars in the building of an e-service environment for the Public Service, the first being
the new government portal, and the second the payment gateway.
•
19 May 2002 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that Malta’s geographical
location between Europe and North Africa positions it very well to act as an e-hubbing centre of
activity for companies seeking to establish a foothold in regions adjacent to the Mediterranean. Mr
Galea was delivering a message on the occasion of World Telecommunications Day.
•
19 May 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea addressed the inaugural meeting of the Malta branch of
the International Council of Museum, at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, in Valletta. ICOM is
an international organisation of museums and museum professionals dedicated to the conservation,
continuation and communication to society of the world's natural and cultural heritage. ICOM-Malta
may be contacted at [email protected]
•
19 May 2002 The oil pollution response team, Armed Forces of Malta and Civil Protection
Department, cleaned up a large patch of diesel and oil off the Pembroke coast measuring some 200
metres in length.
•
20 May 2002 Former Director of Museums Fr Marius Zerafa delivered a lecture entitled Caravaggio:
The man and his art, at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. The event was organised by the
Maltese Embassy, in collaboration with the Malta Tourist Office in New York, and the Toronto Office
of the Bank of Valletta.
•
20 May 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the process of downsizing the work
force at the shipyards has so far cost the Government some Lm3 million. Dr Gonzi said that this was a
price the Government was willing to pay so that the ’yards could now start to move ahead. The
Minister was speaking at Cospicua.
•
21 May 2002 President Guido de Marco received the newly elected president and committee members
of the Għaqda Maltija kontra d-Dijabete at The Palace, in Valletta. The meeting discussed the
organisation’s concern at the fact that cases of diabetes in Malta are now reaching alarming
proportions.
•
21 May 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Environment Ministry, George Pullicino, said that
the draft National Report on Sustainable Development examines what Malta has done to promote
sustainable development in line with Agenda 21, identifies shortcomings, and proposes a way forward.
More details on the report can be found at www.mha.gov/mt.maltanationalreport.pdg
•
21 May 2002 Maltapost spokesman Tony Barbaro Sant announced that postal collection times as from
Monday 27th will be at 11.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, and at 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.
on Saturdays. Collection times to date - 7.00 am and 11.00 a.m. - used to allow a same-day delivery
service that will now no longer be possible with the new collection times.
•
22 May 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding talks on a
contract for professional advice to be given to the Government on how it may raise awareness of
Malta's foreign policy both locally and abroad. Dr Borg was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
22 May 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt announced that information on
government services will be available through mobile telephones as from next month. Dr Gatt was
speaking on the investment made by the Government to develop the concept of e-government when he
visited go-mobile offices, at Marsa.
•
22 May 2002 According to the Malta External Trade Corporation, export prospects resulting from a
trade mission to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates were very encouraging and a number of trial
orders have already been confirmed. Metco led a delegation of 25 businessmen to the Gulf region
earlier this month.
•
22 May 2002 President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, in Malta for a two-day official visit, had
meetings with President Guido de Marco, with Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, with the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, with Foreign Minister Joe Borg, with
Finance Minister John Dalli, and with Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant. Mr Cox also addressed
the House of Representatives, addressed a press conference, met students from the Mini European
Assembly of the National Students Travel Foundation, and gave a public lecture on the theme The
European Parliament – Preparing for Enlargement, at the Aula Magna of the Old University, in
Valletta.
•
22 May 2002 European Parliament President Pat Cox urged the Maltese people to ‘seize the moment’
presented by European Union membership. “The choice is yours, not mine. Our door is open, our
hearts are open to you, but the choice to seize it or not is yours.” Mr Cox was addressing the House of
Representatives.
•
22 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Government viewed accession to
the European Union as a consolidation of Malta’s sovereignty. Dr Fenech-Adami said that
membership was not viewed as some form of threat to sovereignty but as an opportunity for us to
strengthen and exercise our sovereignty. The Prime Minister was speaking in Parliament immediately
after the address delivered by the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox.
•
22 May 2002 Speaking in Parliament in the presence of the President of the European Parliament, Pat
Cox, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant reiterated his Party's policy of seeking a partnership with the
European Union on the model of ‘Switzerland in the Mediterranean’. “We believe that Malta should
have the best relationship possible with the European Union, one that should fit our own particular
circumstances,” said Dr Sant.
•
22 May 2002 European Parliament President Pat Cox urged the Maltese to decide once and for all
whether they want to join the EU when the time comes. “I hope that there will not be a situation where
you plug in and some months later you decide to plug out. Out of the different meetings I held with
different leaders in Malta, that would be the appeal that I would like to make.” Mr Cox was addressing
a news conference.
•
22 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami left for Denmark for talks with his Danish
counterpart, Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Denmark takes over the rotating EU Presidency on July 1, a
crucial period before the intake of the new member countries.
•
23 May 2002 Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that he believed that negotiations
with Malta would be successfully concluded under the Danish Presidency later on this year. Mr
Rasmussen discussed Malta’s negotiations, as well as the priorities of the forthcoming Danish EU
Presidency, with Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, in Copenhagen. Denmark will be taking over
the EU rotating Presidency from Spain in July.
•
23 May 2002 Speaking at the Danish Institute for International Affairs, Prime Minister Edward
Fenech-Adami said that Europe was finally focusing greater attention on its southern flank. The EuroMed process was on the move, recently receiving an invigorating shot in the arm through the action
plan drawn up, a few weeks ago, at the Foreign Ministers’ Conference in Valencia. Dr Fenech-Adami
said that Malta supported all the efforts of the European Union, especially those made through EU
representative Javier Solana on the Middle East.
•
23 May 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Parliament that the Government has started
talks with a Polish agency responsible for inter-country adoptions with a view to helping Maltese
couples adopt children from Poland. He said that preliminary contacts had also been made with the
Governments of Russia and Ukraine for the same purpose. Dr Gonzi was replying to a Parliamentary
Question.
•
23 May 2002 Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg took part in the ninth meeting of Foreign Ministers of
the Mediterranean Forum, held in Delos, Greece, earlier this week. The Ministers approved a Code of
Conduct on Terrorism, and agreed to present the document to the Barcelona Process, with the aim of
seeking its endorsement by the 27 member states of the Euro-Med Process.
•
23 May 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg confirmed in Parliament that the Maltese Government had
not been asked by the EU to consider sheltering some of the Palestinian militants formerly held under
siege at the Church of the Nativity in Betlehem. Minister Borg was replying to a Parliamentary
Question.
•
23 May 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said in reply to a Parliamentary Question that Malta’s
Embassies and High Commissions abroad had spent Lm154,630 on the purchase of cars in the past
three years. The Minister said in reply to another Question that, over the past three years, Malta’s
Embassies had hosted 94 receptions at a cost of Lm40,455.
•
23 May 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said in Parliament that Malta International
Airport is planning to make a capital expenditure of Lm1.07 million in the year ending March 2003.
Minister Bonnici explained that Lm400,000 would be spent on new offices in the check-in area and the
arrivals hall; the rest would go for a new airfield lighting system, high voltage circuit breakers, and
heavy maintenance of Parks 8 and 9.
•
23 May 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici tabled figures in Parliament that show that
the Malta Development Corporation had approved 164 industrial projects during the past three years.
The figures show that the MDC approved 27 new projects in 1999, 47 in the year 2000, and 24 last
year. It had also approved 28 expansions in 1999, 12 in the year 2000, and 26 last year.
•
23 May 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that no attempts were currently being made for
Mediterranean Oil Bunkering Company to be privatised. Minister Dalli said that, although a call for
interest had been issued, the process was halted because of problems involving the Planning Authority
that had since been resolved.
•
23 May 2002 Government MP Dolores Cristina told a meeting in Brussels that the debate on the
future of Europe must take on board a gender dimension. "Unless the debate is engendered it is
endangered and risks losing credibility and legitimacy," she said. Ms Cristina is substitute member for
the parliamentary delegate of the Nationalist Party for the Convention on the Future of Europe.
•
23 May 2002 The Resources and Infrastructure Ministry announced that Government's works division
has awarded a contract worth Lm213,333 for the development of environmentally sound restoration
strategies for Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija dump sites. The contract was won by Scott Wilson
Kirkpatrick & Company Limited of the United Kingdom.
•
23 May 2002 Four distinguished war veterans - former President Censu Tabone, Brigadier George
Micallef, Lt Col Anthony Pace Bonello and Flt Lt Douglas Robertson - signed 600 prints showing four
Spitfires flying over Grand Harbour. The project is an initiative of the George Cross Island
Association and is aimed at raising money for the association.
•
23 May 2002 A moderate underwater earthquake near southern Greece was felt in different areas of
Malta, notably at Siggiewi and Naxxar. Seismologist Pauline Galea said that the tremor, registering 5.3
on the Richter scale, was recorded at Wied Dalam Station.
•
24 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that he was pleased to see that three large
furniture manufacturers were collaborating to turn the challenges ahead into new opportunities. Dr
Fenech-Adami was speaking during a visit to the plants of InterProgetti, a new joint venture
consortium set up in 2001 between Joinwell Limited, C. Fino and Sons and FX Borg Limited.
•
24 May 2002 Eneko Landaburu, Director General at the Directorate for Enlargement, in a meeting
with Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, referred to the fact that the Maltese language would
become one of the official languages of the Union on accession. "Through this, the EU gives proof of
the importance it gives to respecting diversity and helping regions maintain their identity."
•
24 May 2002 The 10 EU candidate countries, including Malta, are urging the European Union to treat
them as equal members when they join the Union. In a joint declaration issued at a one-day strategy
session in Warsaw, the Ministers confirmed their determination to conclude enlargement negotiations
by the end of the year 2002 to join the EU in January, 2004. They said they expected the European
Council in Seville to confirm this timetable and objective. The candidate countries also argued that
adequate financial resources should be made available by the EU for enlargement.
•
24 May 2002 Malta Drydocks Chairman John Cassar White toured the Irving Primrose together with
Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici. The 340metre tanker is the largest ship that has ever entered the MDD. The contract is worth some $500,000.
•
24 May 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that a Malta Tourism Authority survey showed
that about 40,000 divers visited Malta and Gozo annually, mostly accompanied by family and friends,
accounting for around 80,000 visitors. Dr Refalo was speaking at the launch of Peter G. Lemon's book
Guide to shore diving in the Maltese Islands, in Qawra.
•
24 May 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that Malta's performance in tourism still showed
a downturn although it was better than the Mediterranean average. He said that Malta had managed to
achieve such results thanks to the efforts of the Government, MTA, Air Malta and the private sector.
Dr Refalo was launching a new Malta Tourism Authority leaflet.
•
24 May 2002 Culture Minister Louis Galea said that the new heritage act, which was recently
approved by Parliament, would create structures to facilitate site management and marketing and
would rope in the private sector and NGOs. Dr Galea was speaking at the inauguration of a new 900square metre wing at the Ghar Dalam Museum.
•
24 May 2002 The Malta Development Corporation has held an investment promotion seminar for the
first time in Zurich as part of its campaign to introduce Malta to Swiss industrialists. The activity was
organised in collaboration with the 11,000-member strong Swiss Export Association, and the SwissMaltese Chamber of Commerce, which is based in Zurich.
•
24 May 2002 Seven Maltese venture scouts who hold the prestigious Dolphin Award returned from
London after attending the jubilee celebrations for Commonwealth scouts who hold this level of
achievement. The Maltese scouts took part in the St George's Day parade of Queen's scouts and the
National Scout Service at Windsor Castle on April 21, the Queen's birthday. The Queen reviewed the
parade.
•
24 May 2002 A student from the Institute of Electronics Engineering at the Malta College of Arts,
Science and Technology was awarded first place in the 14th European Contest for Young Scientists.
Glenn Camilleri designed and built an electronic pager for the transfer of messages from a computer
and their transmission on a particular band of radio frequencies within a localised area. The device is a
good means of communication where mobile phones cannot be used.
•
25 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that an umbrella law was needed to regulate
voluntary organisations. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking during a discussion on the kind of service
that voluntary organisations offer to society, at the Caring Awareness Fair, in Naxxar. The discussion
was also addressed by Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant.
•
25 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that Malta had been asked to take part in
overseas humanitarian and rescue operations and Maltese soldiers were being prepared for the task.
"You know your responsibilities. Prepare to do your duties as necessary," Dr Fenech-Adami said. The
Prime Minister was speaking at the passing out parade of sixty-four new AFM recruits.
•
25 May 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that the structure for the running of the Tourism
industry was a private-public partnership, with government support, financing and policy making. Dr
Refalo was addressing a seminar organised by the Tourism Ministry on Public-Private Partnership in
the Tourism Industry, at the Portomaso Hilton, in St Julian's.
•
25 May 2002 The 40,000 holders of trading licences will now be able to renew their licences and pay
for them over the internet, the first government service to offer electronic transactions. The service was
launched by Local Government Minister Austin Gatt who said that payment facilities were possible
following the setting up of a payment gateway by the Government and e-Shore, a subsidiary company
of Maltacom and Bank of Valletta.
•
25 May 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that the effects of September 11, 2001 would be
felt well into the year and the industry would only achieve pre-crisis volume levels towards the end of
the third quarter and, more probably, in the fourth quarter. Dr Refalo was speaking during a
presentation of certificates to Mellieha Bay Hotel staff who completed the Quality Service
Programme, run by the Institute for Tourism Studies.
•
25 May 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Environment,
George Pullicino, said that membership of the European Union was a catalyst for environmental
improvements to be made in a shorter period than would otherwise have been the case. Mr Pullicino
was speaking at the informal meeting of Ministers of the Environment of EU candidate countries, in St
Julian's.
•
25 May 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg also addressed the Environment Ministers. He said
that the aim of the meeting was to focus on the concept of sustainable development, that is the need to
ensure that all peoples lived in prosperity, without prejudicing humankind's duty of stewardship over
their common heritage and common concern - the environment.
•
25 May 2002 The European Union Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs approved
unanimously a resolution amendment which asks that Malta be given six seats in the European
Parliament. The resolution as amended will be voted on by the European Parliament later on this year.
The amendment was put forward by Green MEPs Elizabeth Schroedter, Matti Woori, Joost Lagendijk,
Dany Cohn Bendit and Jean Lambert.
•
25 May 2002 The European Convention on the Future of Europe was addressed in Maltese for the first
time when the Government's representative, Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott, made an intervention. This
was made possible following the recent decision by the presidium of the convention which extended
the opportunity to members of the convention to speak in their native tongue.
•
25 May 2002 Maltacom group CEO Stephen Muscat gave an overview of how the parent company
and its subsidiaries fared during the past year. The group registered a profit after tax of Lm9.3 million
compared to Lm9.5 million in 2000. Earnings per share were 9c2 compared to 9c4 in 2000. A net
dividend of 3c2 was approved. Mr Muscat was addressing the annual general meeting of the company,
at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta.
•
25 May 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that the number of registered unemployed in
April 2002 stood at 7,637, down from 7,725 in March.
•
26 May 2002 Local Government Minister Austin Gatt announced that the Government was launching
a pilot project at a secondary school in collaboration with a local council to provide free computer
classes for the community after school hours. He said that, if this project proved successful, the
Government would introduce the plan in as many secondary schools as possible from the end of the
year. Dr Gatt was addressing Local Council mayors meeting at the Jerma Palace Hotel.
•
26 May 2002 The Speaker of the House, Anton Tabone, led a parliamentary delegation taking part in
the 13th meeting between the President of the European Parliament and the Presidents of the
Parliaments of the countries participating in the enlargement process. The meeting was held in Riga,
Latvia, and was hosted by the Saeima, (Latvian Parliament). The delegation included Government MP
Jason Azzopardi and Opposition MP Noel Farrugia.
•
26 May 2002 Maltese singer Ira Losco placed second in the Eurovision Song Contest with her
interpretation of 7th Wonder, composed by Philip Vella with lyrics by Gerard James Borg. Ms Losco’s
placing is the highest to be achieved by a Maltese singer to date.
•
27 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that negotiations with the European
Union would be concluded by October when the Government would be ready to ask the people to vote
in a referendum for or against membership under the conditions obtained in negotiations. Dr FenechAdami was speaking at Swieqi.
•
27 May 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici told a news conference that the framework of
the new Malta Enterprise Board, formed by the merger of three key current government agencies, is to
be finalised by the end of next month. The Malta Development Corporation, the Maltese External
Trade Corporation, and the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise are to be merged into one in
order to streamline and reorganise the business and services industry.
•
27 May 2002 Ms Victoria Demanuele, a former teacher of Italian who had served as secretary to Mgr
Michael Azzopardi when he founded Villa Mgr Gonzi, the Siggiewi home for the handicapped, won
this year’s Mgr Azzopardi Award. Ms Azzopardi was presented with the award by Homes director
Mgr Lawrence Gatt.
•
28 May 2002 Malta Drydocks chairman John Cassar White announced that the ’yard was tendering for
two large conversion contracts which would give it a tremendous boost should they be won. The ’yard
is competing for the contracts against shipyards from Spain and Poland, he added. Mr Cassar White
was speaking to The Times newspaper.
•
28 May 2002 The Ombudsman gave a largely favourable report on the treatment of illegal immigrants
in Malta. He said, however, that the detention centre at Ta’ Kandja should be closed as soon as the
detainees can be transferred to the new centre at Hal Far, where works are in the process of being
completed. The report by Mr Joe Sammut was presented to Parliament and tabled by the Speaker.
•
28 May 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit attended the 23rd regional conference of the Food
and Agriculture Organisation, in Cyprus. The conference discussed, among other items, food quality
and safety, and sustainable management of land and water resources.
•
28 May 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that achieving sustained economic and
social prosperity required political harmonisation on all fronts, across all sectors and stakeholders. Dr
Gonzi was speaking at a seminar organised by the Employment and Training Corporation and the
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
•
28 May 2002 Parliamentary Secretary in the Social Policy Ministry, Antoine Mifsud Bonnici, said that
during the last few years, the courts had began to take a harsher stand on domestic violence. “The
message is clearly coming through that there is zero tolerance to violence, especially in the family,” he
said. Dr Mifsud Bonnici was speaking at the opening of a training programme on domestic violence
for the Appogg agency, conducted by trainers from the Tavistock Clinic in London, provided through a
grant from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
•
28 May 2002 Air Malta’s flight services section has been awarded Airtours’ Best onboard services
overseas airline award, for summer 2001. This is the second award from Airtours in the past three
years, and the seventh award won by Air Malta and its flight services section for in-flight service
standards.
•
28 May 2002 Euromed Cruises are introducing a programme of cruises using Malta as a home base. A
further bonus for the Maltese tourism industry is that Louis Tours of Cyprus plan to bring over tourists
from Cyprus for a stay in Malta followed by a cruise in the Mediterranean starting off from Grand
Harbour.
•
29 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that the new hospital at Tal-Qroqq is
to be named Mater Dei, meaning Mother of God. He said that the name for the new hospital was
chosen after a Cabinet meeting, and followed a suggestion made by Health Minister Louis Deguara. Dr
Fenech-Adami spoke to reporters during a tour of the hospital in which he was accompanied by Dr
Deguara.
•
29 May 2002 Whilst speaking at a seminar at Qawra, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami quoted
figures based on Employment and Training Corporation statistics and issued by the National Statistics
Office, saying that unemployment was now below 6,900. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the fall in
unemployment was the result of government policies bearing fruit, particularly in the generation of
employment.
•
29 May 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi listed the aims of the European Year for
Persons with a Disability to be celebrated next year. These were: for society to have concrete
information on what disability was; that people with a disability would make a useful contribution to
society; and that a concrete plan would be drawn up and implemented with the full contribution of the
disabled themselves. Proposals for inclusion in the official programme can be mailed to the National
Commission for Persons with a Disability at [email protected]
•
29 May 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo announced that the World Tourism Organisation's
Commission for Europe would be meeting in Malta next spring. Dr Refalo was speaking at the launch
of the 2002 edition of the Mediterranean Yacht Planners Guide, which can be viewed at
www.medyachtplanners.com
•
29 May 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the realisation of a Euromed free
trade area by 2010 required the removal of barriers that inhibit trade between the EU and
Mediterranean countries. Prof. Bonnici was speaking during a conference on intellectual property of
small and medium sized enterprises, at Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel, in Floriana.
•
29 May 2002 The Government intends to write to EuroNews to protest against the unfair and
unbalanced feature putting the spotlight on Malta's environment. Resources and Infrastructure Minister
Francis Zammit Dimech said that the feature failed to give the Government's view on the
environmental problems. EuroNews is a European news channel transmitting in seven languages and
covering world news from a European perspective.
•
29 May 2002 Malta’s Eurovision star Ira Losco was received by President Guido de Marco. Prof. de
Marco praised the singer and said that she had made all Malta proud. Earlier, the singer visited Prime
Minister Edward Fenech-Adami at Auberge de Castille. Dr Fenech-Adami told Ms Losco: “You have
given a lesson in self-confidence to all Maltese people”.
•
29 May 2002 The National Statistics Office said that, in April 2002, the rate of inflation stood at 3.65
per cent, up from 3.62 per cent the previous month. The rate in April 2001 was 1.91 per cent. In April
2002, the Retail Price Index went up by 0.20 per cent over March to reach 117.79.
•
29 May 2002 A Malta Tourism Authority poster has been voted the Best advertising poster since
January 2002 in a consumer survey in Germany. Other competitors for the title included Nike,
L'Oreal, Nissan, Ford Mondeo and Mc Donald's.
•
29 May 2002 The Department of Information announced the introduction of a direct mailing service
via internet. Subscribers to the new service can choose to receive notice of scholarships and job
vacancies in the public sector; calls for tenders issued by government departments, parastatal
companies and local councils; press releases and photo images taken during government activities; as
well as a monthly diary of government activities and events. The DOI can be accessed at
www.doi.gov.mt
•
30 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that it would be a mistake for Malta to
remain stuck with an antiquated neutrality clause that related to the international political situation of
20 years ago. The Prime Minister said that the Constitution should be updated to reflect today's
situation. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at Salina.
•
30 May 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami presided over the inauguration of Dowty
Automotive (Malta) Ltd’s new factory, Business Brakes Unity, at Hal Far. Dr Fenech-Adami praised
the ability of the Maltese employees and the fact that, despite strong competition and globalisation,
Malta still managed to attract substantial foreign investment. During the meeting, the Prime Minister
was accompanied by Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici.
•
30 May 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Employment and Industrial
Relations Bill should not be seen in a vacuum but in a wider context, that is, as a link in the chain of
development of the country's economic and social framework. Dr Gonzi was making his final address
to the Malta Employers' Association annual general conference, at the Radisson SAS Bay Point
Resort, in St Julian's.
•
30 May 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that the Cabinet had accepted his
Ministry's proposal to have a Commissioner for Children and the Attorney General was already
drafting the required Bill. Dr Gonzi was speaking at the launch of Children: a thematic collection of
statistical data. The publication is available for sale from the Department of Information at
www.doi.gov.mt
•
30 May 2002 The Government announced the issue of Lm10 million worth of stock at 5.6 per cent,
maturing in 2007. Dividend is payable half yearly in arrears on June 10 and December 10 during the
tenure of the stock.
•
30 May 2002 Hamilton Travel Managing Director Norman Hamilton announced that, in the 21-week
period between June 19 and November 13, the MV Mistral luxury liner will be bringing 33,000 cruise
liner passengers to Malta. Mr Hamilton was speaking during a reception on board the 49,000-ton
luxury liner attended by Tourism Minister Michael Refalo.
•
30 May 2002 Comino Caves, Dwejra, Wied Iz-Zurrieq and the site of the Um el Faroud top the list of
the most popular dive sites in the Maltese Islands. Malta attracted 36,750 divers in 1999 and 38,588 in
the following year. The information, tabled in Parliament by Tourism Minister Michael Refalo, is
based on the findings of a survey conducted by the Malta Tourism Authority.
•
30 May 2002 The Foreign Ministry took part in cultural events in Helsinki, London, Athens and
Madrid in the past two weeks. Participation was aimed at promoting the diverse cultural backgrounds
and traditions of applicant countries for the European Union in preparation for the forthcoming
enlargement process.
•
30 May 2002 Maltapost is seeking to employ a new Chief Executive to implement the company’s
business plan. The decision comes in the wake of the removal of Chief Executive Bob Macgregor after
just three months in the post. Maltapost and Transend said that the decision to remove Mr Macgregor
and employ a new chief executive was taken unanimously in the long-term business interests of
Maltapost.
•
30 May 2002 Government MP Francis Agius and Opposition MP John Attard Montalto attended a
meeting of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Topics
discussed included the reconcilement of economic and environment protection needs.
•
30 May 2002 The National Statistics Office said that a total of 617,417 passengers used the MaltaGozo ferries in the first quarter of this year. The figure shows an increase of 51,478, or 9.10 per cent,
over the same quarter last year. The NSO said that the number of commercial vehicles making the
crossing declined by 276, or 5.54 per cent, to 4,709 from 4,985 last year.
•
31 May 2002 Respondents to the Central Bank of Malta’s latest business perception survey reported
below-normal activity levels during the fourth quarter of 2001. However, performance was better than
expected since in the previous survey respondents were very pessimistic about the short-term outlook.
The survey is published in the Bank’s Quarterly Review for March.
•
31 May 2002 In a meeting with President Guido de Marco, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian
Federation, Valentina Matvienko, expressed her happiness at returning to Malta. Ms Matvienko was
the Soviet Union and Russian Federation’s Ambassador to Malta between 1991 and 1994.
•
31 May 2002 President Guido de Marco made an official visit to Mosta. Prof. de Marco visited the
Mosta civic centre, which houses the council offices, the police station, a library and a health centre.
The President also visited the day care centre for the elderly, the rotunda church, Mosta football club,
the St Mary and the Nicolò Isouard band clubs, and the town’s primary schools.
•
31 May 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg proposed to the 5+5 Western Mediterranean countries to
engage in practical measures to strengthen their co-operation. In this respect he called for the
identification of a number of confidence building measures. Dr Borg was addressing the Meeting of
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Western Mediterranean States, in Tripoli.
•
31 May 2002 MIC said in a statement that just over 72 per cent of the Maltese questioned in a survey
said that the Malta-EU Information Centre had helped them to get to know more about the EU. The
survey was conducted by MISCO using a sample of 800 people.
•
31 May 2002 An official EU poll carried out in all EU member states by Eurobarometer shows that a
vast majority of EU citizens are badly informed about the enlargement process and do not even know
which countries are candidates. Only 17 per cent are aware that Malta is among the candidate
countries.
•
31 May 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Home Affairs and Environment Ministry, George
Pullicino, said that Michael Zammit Cutajar has been appointed Consultant to the Government for the
World Summit on Sustainable Development, which is to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in
September. Until a short while ago, Mr Zammit Cutajar was director of the secretariat for the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
•
31 May 2002 Consolidated Biscuit Co Ltd won Metco’s award for exporter of the year for
manufacturing, while Medavaia Co Ltd won the award for exporter of the year for services. The
awards were presented by President Guido de Marco at the end of a gala dinner at the Westin
Dragonara Hotel.
JUNE
•
1 June 2002 EU Commissioner for Trade Pascal Lamy delivered the inaugural speech at the fifth
Ministerial Trade Conference of EU candidate countries. Mr Lamy spoke of two basic kinds of model
of regional trade: the first, which he labelled ‘the good neighbours model’, is essentially about the
abolition of barriers at the frontier, as neighbours try to minimise transaction costs; the other is what he
described as ‘the happy family’, where countries share the political will to build a community and to
pool sovereignty.
•
1 June 2002 EU Commissioner for Trade Pascal Lamy pointed out that an association agreement with
the EU could not offer the same benefits and opportunities as membership. Mr Lamy, in Malta to take
part in a meeting of the EU candidate countries focusing on trade, was speaking at a meeting with the
business community, at the Chamber of Commerce.
•
1 June 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre announced that negotiations on statistics were
provisionally closed with the 10 countries that, according to the EU, could be ready to join by 2004.
These 10 countries are Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta,
Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Negotiations on this chapter were also closed with Bulgaria and
Romania.
•
1 June 2002 Lawrence Zammit, Chairman of Malta International Airport, said that the retail outlets in
the departures and arrivals halls of the airport have made a staggering Lm84 million in sales over the
past 10 years. Mr Zammit was speaking during the launch of the latest promotion by the airport and
the Tax Free Marketing Group.
•
1 June 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that, in the first quarter of this year, total sales
by manufacturing enterprises decreased by Lm31.7 million or 12 per cent to Lm231.5 million, from
Lm263.2 million a year earlier.
•
1 June 2002 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that both exports and imports
went down in the first quarter of 2002. The slump resulted in a reduction in the visible trade gap of
Lm17.4 million, from Lm115.6 million in 2001 to Lm98.2 million this year.
•
1 June 2002 A statement released by the International Institute on Ageing says that the agreement
between the United Nations and the Government renews the International Institute on Ageing for a
further five years, as from January 1, 2003. The renewal was confirmed by UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan in writing to Foreign Minister Joe Borg.
•
2 June 2002 The European Union has declared 2003 as the European Year of Persons with Disability.
A national co-ordinating committee made up of representatives of the National Commission for
Mental Health Reform, the Federation of Organisations for Persons with Disability, and the National
Commission for Persons with Disability has been set up.
•
2 June 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that Malta has presented the EU with a long list of
products that Malta wants to retain at zero VAT rate, following the British and Irish models. “The EU
argument is that England and Ireland are members, while Malta wants to join. I believe that we will
retain the main part of the list at zero VAT,” the Minister said. Mr Dalli was speaking at Ta’ l-Ibragg.
•
2 June 2002 Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that local councils are to become
responsible for the issuing of temporary permits and licences in a number of areas, making them more
autonomous and responsive to the public's needs. Dr Gatt was speaking at a news conference at the
Local Government Ministry, in Valletta.
•
2 June 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo told the annual meeting of the Rent-A-Car Association
that provisional indications for March and April showed an increase in tourist arrivals from Malta's
main markets. Dr Refalo said that the indications confirmed the view he had expressed during the
Budget debate in Parliament in December that Malta would have a good summer and that at least 1.1
million tourists would visit Malta this year.
•
2 June 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo and Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono launched the
‘Island of Gozo Country Walks’ project. The initiative marked the World Tourism Organisation's
International Year of Tourism.
•
2 June 2002 The Queen's Jubilee Baton arrived in Malta for the start of the last leg of a relay around
Commonwealth countries before being used to officially open the Commonwealth Games in
Manchester on July 25. Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Jesmond Mugliett officially
started the Maltese leg of the relay by presenting the baton to the President of the Malta Olympic
Committee, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, who in turn handed it to athlete Geraldine Cassar
Torregiani.
•
2 June 2002 The Government warned the crews of 11 foreign private aircraft that they should stop
tuna-spotting during June. The order was given following the publication of a Legal Notice a few days
ago empowering the Civil Aviation Authorities to stop aircraft suspected of being used for tunaspotting from taking off or landing at Malta. Spotter planes are used to relay the exact position of tuna
to large foreign trawlers that use purse-seine nets to catch the fish.
•
3 June 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that the VAT Department has made arrangements for
the visit of two Swedish experts, Anders Runebjer and Goran Bodin, to discuss and recommend
possible procedural improvements in the VAT Appeals Boards. Mr Dalli was speaking at a seminar on
VAT Appeals Boards procedures, at the METCO premises in San Gwann.
•
3 June 2002 New regulations that have just come into effect simplify procedures for the installation of
satellite dish antennas. The notification process previously applicable to satellite dishes has been done
away with and people need only notify the Malta Environment and Planning Authority of their
intention to install a satellite dish if the premises lie in scheduled areas.
•
4 June 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli announced that the Malta Financial Services Centre is to be
renamed the Malta Financial Services Authority in terms of a Bill entitled Special Funds (Regulation)
Bill. The Authority will become the sole regulator of all financial services in Malta. Minister Dalli
was speaking in the House of Representatives.
•
4 June 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that Malta Freeport handled 415,433
containers in the first four months of this year compared to 375,382 in the same period last year. Prof.
Bonnici was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
4 June 2002 British High Commissioner Howard Pearce presented the ISO 900: 2000 Certificate to
Maltacom group chairman Maurice Zarb Adami. The company said that the award commits Maltacom
Training College to quality and standards that will contribute to its future success and development.
•
4 June 2002 The Queen's Jubilee Baton was presented to President Guido de Marco during a
ceremony at the Upper Barrakka Gardens. British High Commissioner Howard Pearce and Lino
Farrugio Sacco, president of the Malta Olympic Committee, attended the presentation.
•
4 June 2002 Eight poems by Prof. John Cremona have been set to music by Prof. Mro Charles
Camilleri and released on CD. The launching of War Cantata, War Poems coincides with the 60th
anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta.
•
5 June 2002 The Maltese Language Board welcomed the news that Maltese will become an official
EU language if Malta gains accession. In a statement, the Board said that this was the least one could
expect, given that Maltese, although spoken by a small number of people, was nonetheless the national
language of a sovereign state.
•
5 June 2002 Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa called on Malta to support a fair, just and
comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict, not as a spectator, but as a country that had a stake
in the Middle East. Malta had always played this role in the Non-aligned Movement, the United
Nations and the Barcelona process, he said, and he was confident that it would continue to do so. Mr
Moussa was addressing a special sitting of Parliament during his official visit to Malta.
•
5 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami told the Secretary General of the Arab League,
Amre Moussa, that Malta would back his efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Mediterranean.
Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking during a special sitting of Parliament.
•
5 June 2002 Opposition Leader Alfred Sant said that Malta’s neutrality should be a core-defining
element of its policy as an independent nation state. Dr Sant was addressing a special sitting of
Parliament attended by the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa.
•
5 June 2002 The Arab League’s Secretary General, Amre Moussa, said that he looked on Malta’s EU
membership bid as a positive development. Mr Moussa said that Malta could play an important role in
the EU when the European leaders formulated their position on the troublesome situation in the
Middle East. Mr Moussa was addressing a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Joe Borg.
•
5 June 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that talks with Mr Moussa focused on the relations
between the Arab League and Malta. Dr Borg said that the talks with Mr Moussa also focused on the
situation in the Middle East and Malta’s EU membership process. Dr Borg was addressing a joint
news conference with Dr Moussa.
•
6 June 2002 Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League, met President Guido de Marco.
Prof. de Marco said that both believed that the Mediterranean was closely linked to events in Europe
and beyond. “Only a studied approach to the problems of the Mediterranean can lead to solving many
major issues which are at the moment facing the international arena,” said President de Marco after the
meeting.
•
6 June 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Chairman of the Task Force for the restructuring
of the shipyards, said that 688 workers had so far left Malta Drydocks and the Malta Shipbuilding
under the early retirement and voluntary resignation schemes. Dr Gonzi said that a total of 791
workers had applied under the schemes, but 67 applications were rejected because the workers
involved were considered vital for the 'yards. The remaining applications were being processed. Dr
Gonzi was speaking in Parliament.
•
6 June 2002 The latest government stock issue has been subscribed more than three times over. Over
2,700 applications for the purchase of stock were received, amounting to a total of Lm37,156,600.
Because of the great response, the sale had to close a day before the stipulated date.
•
6 June 2002 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea said in reply to a Parliamentary
Question that, as of April 2002, there were 235,770 mobile phones and 207,640 fixed telephone lines.
This means that, for the first time, the number of mobile phones exceeds the number of fixed telephone
lines.
•
6 June 2002 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs entered into an agreement with Proximus PR for the
company to design and implement, in collaboration with the Ministry’s staff, a communication
strategy aimed at raising awareness of Malta overseas and raising awareness of Malta’s foreign policy
both locally and abroad. The agreement was tabled in Parliament by Foreign Minister Joe Borg in
reply to a Parliamentary Question.
•
6 June 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Environment Ministry, George Pullicino, said that the
park-and-ride scheme between Floriana and Valletta should in place by the end of next year. The parkand-ride scheme would considerably reduce traffic in Valletta, and the problems it causes through
pollution and parking.
•
6 June 2002 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is offering subsidies of up to 60 per cent
for the restoration of wooden balconies in the Three Cities and Kalkara. The MEPA has allocated
Lm16,000 towards the scheme, part of which is being paid by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna.
•
6 June 2002 Enemalta Chairman Robert Ghirlando said that the Corporation would be looking into the
possibility of expanding into the fixed line telephony market when the liberalisation of international
connection and fixed line telephony comes into force on January 1, 2003. Maltacom has a monopoly
over fixed line telephony and international connection until January 1, 2003.
•
6 June 2002 European guidelines for the control or prevention of travel-associated Legionnaires’
Disease were finalised at the 17th annual meeting of the European Working Group for Legionella
Infections. Eighty-six participants attended the Malta meeting.
•
7 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami was shown round the Mosta Technopark by the
chairman of the Tenants’ Association, Henry Borg. Dr Fenech-Adami described the work of the
association as a successful experiment. He said that the substantial upgrading and upkeep of the estate
should serve as a model for other industrial estates, some of which had unacceptable surroundings.
•
7 June 2002 The National Statistics Office said that tourist arrivals for the first quarter of 2002 remain
10,000 less than in the same period last year: a decline of five per cent to 175,862 from 185,053 during
the first quarter of 2001. On the other hand, 2002 saw an increase in the number of cruise passengers:
from 10,097 during the first quarter of 2001, to 12,111 in the comparative quarter of this year.
•
7 June 2002 The Health Department, the Malta Air Traffic Services, Air Malta, the Civil Protection
Department, Police Headquarters, the Armed Forces, and the Department of Information took part in a
mock emergency exercise involving the crash of a Boeing 737 with 33 passengers on board. At a press
briefing following the ‘disaster’, MIA Head of Security Mario Cuomo said that the primary aim of the
exercise was to verify the response time and the way the passengers were treated.
•
7 June 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt said that the results of the eEurope+ Action Plan proved
Malta to be a leader among the 13 EU candidate countries in the field of Information and
Communication Technology. Dr Gatt was addressing a news conference.
•
7 June 2002 President Guido de Marco paid an official visit to Cospicua. Prof. de Marco was shown
round the town by Mayor Paul Muscat.
•
7 June 2002 The 2002 report on candidate countries' progress towards EU accession criticised
Malta’s ports monopoly. The report was released by Unice, a European business body that embraces
34 central industry and employers' federations from 27 European countries.
•
7 June 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said that negotiations on industrial policy have been
provisionally closed with the 10 countries that the European Union says could be ready to join by
2004. No transitional periods or special arrangements were requested by any of the countries with
which negotiations took place.
•
8 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit
Dimech viewed the beautiful bronze face of Christ the King by Alessandro Algardi, which has just
been restored to its original glory by the firm Sante Guido Restauri. The work, which cost Lm8,800,
was funded by the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.
•
8 June 2002 Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the Maltese Government to help it
search for some one hundred children, allegedly abducted or illegally taken from Pakistan and
smuggled to Malta in the last three years. Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi says that all children
brought from Pakistan over the past 15 years or so had the proper documentation and visas issued by
Pakistan and verified by Maltese courts.
•
8 June 2002 Playmobil Malta's Managing Director, Helga Ellul, called on Malta genuinely to seek to
attract and enhance foreign direct investment in an integrated manner. "Overall, Malta makes sense if
it provides added value in skills and knowledge through a workforce that is keen to learn and develop
and displays the right attitude." Ms Ellul was addressing a session wholly dedicated to Malta on the
second and final day of the European Business Summit.
•
8 June 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici, addressing the European Business Summit
focused on the attractions that Malta had to offer to investors. In order to underscore the Island's close
links with the international economic climate, Prof. Bonnici noted that the ratio of exports of goods
and services in relation to GDP fell from 104 per cent in 2000 to 88 per cent last year.
•
8 June 2002 Speaker Anton Tabone announced that Prof. Godfrey Pirota, with the collaboration of the
Department of Information, is writing the history of Parliament. Mr Tabone was speaking during the
Sette Giugno commemoration ceremony, at St George's Square, in Valletta.
•
8 June 2002 Government MP Michael Frendo said that the role of national Parliamentarians is not that
of substituting or overlapping with the role of the nationally elected European Parliamentarians,
elected to represent the peoples of Europe in their various constituencies and legislate on a Europewide scale. Dr Frendo was addressing the convention on the Future of Europe, in Brussels.
•
9 June 2002 Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister of Resources and the Infrastructure, inaugurated the
refurbished 1.5 km-long Sliema promenade. The project was designed by Architect Emanuel
Buttigieg.
•
9 June 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the Education Ministry had established a
National Academic Recognition Information Centre to strengthen compliance with the Lisbon
Recognition Convention and to prepare for the implementation of the relevant European Union
directives. Dr Galea was addressing the ninth joint meeting of the European Network of National
Information Centres ENIC (Council of Europe) and NARIC (European Commission) on information
and recognition of academic qualifications, at the Foundation for International Studies, in Valletta.
•
9 June 2002 The Ministry of Education said that Malta and Kuwait have signed an agreement on
education, culture and scientific research co-operation. The agreement was signed in Kuwait between
the Kuwaiti Minister of Education, Dr Imsaed Rashid Al-Haroun, and his Maltese counterpart, Dr
Louis Galea.
•
9 June 2002 Council of Europe representative Anthony Everett described as ‘invigorating’ Malta's
first cultural policy, drawn up last year. Professor Everett was in Malta with a delegation of five other
experts led by CoE Cultural Committee President Pirrko Rainesalo.
•
10 June 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit told the annual meeting of the Gozitano co-operative
that financial assistance that would be given to farmers later this year would ensure that they continued
to have a fair income even as levies started to be lifted. Mr Zammit said that the money would also
help them restructure their sector.
•
10 June 2002 The floating resort The World sailed out of Grand Harbour after a short visit to Malta.
The £182-million liner has been described as the most expensive apartment block in the world.
•
11 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that concerted action should be taken by all
nations to free future generations from the spectre of hunger. Dr Fenech-Adami was addressing the
World Food Summit, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, in Rome. The summit was
attended by 185 Heads of State.
•
11 June 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg participated in the 6th Meeting of the Accession Conference
with Malta, in Luxembourg. During the meeting, negotiations were provisionally closed on Chapter 30
regarding Institutions. By means of the provisional closure of this Chapter it has been agreed that the
Maltese language will become an official language of the Union upon Malta’s accession.
•
11 June 2002 The Permanent Representative of Malta to the Council of Europe, Joseph Licari, signed
Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. At
the same time, Dr. Licari deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe the Instrument
of Ratification of the said Protocol.
•
11 June 2002 A commemorative service marking the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of the
Rights of the Maltese was held at San Anton Palace, the original venue of the 1802 presentation of the
document. The service was organised by the National Festivities Committee, together with the
University of Malta, under the patronage of President Guido de Marco.
•
12 June 2002 In a letter to Justice Minister Austin Gatt, Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet
referred to the draft amendments to the Constitution and the electoral laws prepared by the two
political parties. Dr Borg Barthet said that he could not reconcile the two texts because the differences
in the proposals put forward were not merely linguistic but of a substantive nature.
•
12 June 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the Government had never stated it
intended to close down the Malta Shipbuilding ’yard. He added that the Government was only trying
to make the shipyard sector viable. Prof. Bonnici was commenting on a report in the media stating that
leaked internal government correspondence suggested that the Government intended to close down the
shipbuilding 'yard.
•
12 June 2002 Two health co-operation agreements were renewed yesterday by Health Minister Louis
Deguara and the Chinese Health Deputy Minister Zhu Qingsheng. One agreement governs cooperation in different sectors of medicine and the other is for the Corradino Centre to continue
specialising in traditional Chinese medicine.
•
12 June 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Services, Edwin Vassallo,
said that the Government planned to transform the crafts village at Ta' Qali into a handcrafts, sports,
and cultural centre. Mr Vassallo said that the plan was to give the place a pleasant village ambience
where tourists could watch artisans at work in a pedestrian zone. The Parliamentary Secretary was
speaking at a news conference at Ta' Qali national park.
•
12 June 2002 Maltacom's pre-tax profit rose by 11 per cent, to Lm2.9 million, in the first quarter of
2002. The company’s profit after tax, however, went down by 2.7 per cent, to Lm1.9 million, over the
same period last year, due to a higher tax charge.
•
12 June 2002 Malta Tourism Authority Chairman John Grech admitted that Malta had still not
recovered from the September 11 backlash. He said, however, that Malta was performing better in
comparison to competitors like Spain and Cyprus. Dr Grech was speaking at a news conference to
launch the MTA strategic plan covering the years 2002 - 2004.
•
13 June 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo announced that Thomson Holidays would be
increasing their Malta programme for winter 2002/2003. Dr Refalo also said that Fritizresor, Sweden's
largest tour operator to Malta, which had temporarily withdrawn from the scene, would be making a
welcome return in 2003.
•
13 June 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that his Ministry was negotiating for a team of
experts from Spain to share with Maltese operators their experience of the way they had adjusted
following Spain's accession to the EU. Dr Refalo was speaking on board the MV R Five Blue Dream.
•
13 June 2002 The Malta Business Bureau organised a familiarisation visit to Brussels for a number of
Chief Executive Officers. The delegation had meetings with the Maltese Ambassador to Brussels,
Victor Camilleri, as well as with high-ranking EU officials. The main aim of the meetings was to brief
local participants on the workings of the European Union, while over-viewing the progress of EUMalta negotiations to date and the issues still open for discussion.
•
13 June 2002 The European Parliament approved a report on the state of enlargement negotiations
with the 12 candidate countries. The report welcomes the fact that Malta is making marked progress
where the acquis is concerned, especially in the telecommunications and taxation sectors.
•
14 June 2002 EU Director General on Regional Policy Guy Crauser said that, upon joining the
European Union, Malta would definitely be eligible to cohesion funds for infrastructural projects
related to transport and the environment. He said that cohesion funds were a way to reduce a country's
debts in spite of making heavy investment to upgrade the infrastructure. Mr Crauser was addressing a
press conference.
•
14 June 2002 Lufthansa Technik (a subsidiary of Lufthansa German Airlines) and Air Malta have set
up a joint venture company to carry out maintenance checks on aircraft belonging to the two airlines as
well as to third parties. Lufthansa Technik Malta, as the company has been called, will be based in
Malta and will start operating on January 1.
•
14 June 2002 Andorra Foreign Affairs Minister Juli Minoves, in Malta to set off a programme of
collaboration between the two countries, met Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami and Foreign
Affairs Minister Joe Borg. Mr Minoves said that his country's Foreign Affairs Ministry was growing
and the Maltese model was found to be interesting.
•
14 June 2002 Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg met the Canadian Secretary of State for Central and
Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Gar Knutson, who is leading a trade and investment delegation in
Malta. The two ministers discussed the strong political ties between the two countries, co-operation
within the Commonwealth, and the possibility of strengthening tourism between their respective
countries.
•
14 June 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici inaugurated an extension to the Raesch
Quarzglas factory at Mosta Technopark. The firm specialises in the design, production and
distribution of customised quartz glass products for industrial and scientific applications.
•
14 June 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that, since the
setting up of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project fifteen years ago, about Lm4.5 million had been
invested in restoration and rehabilitation projects in the capital city. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking
during a seminar on Regeneration of Walled Baroque Cities in Malta, at the Italian Cultural Centre, in
Valletta.
•
14 June 2002 The Malta Engineering Excellence Awards were officially launched by the Chamber of
Engineers in collaboration with the Ministry of Resources and the Infrastructure. The awards provide
national recognition to individuals and organisations achieving outstanding engineering
accomplishments with significant impact on engineering in Maltese society.
•
14 June 2002 The Malta Communications Authority said that it had designated three operators with a
dominant market position in telecommunications. It designated Maltacom as having a DMP in public
fixed telephony, Vodafone (Malta) Ltd in mobile telephony, and Melita Cable in cable television and
radio services. The document Dominant Market Positions in Telecommunications - Responses to
Consultation and Designations - May 2002 can be viewed on the MCA website www.mca.org.mt.
•
14 June 2002 United States Ambassador Anthony Gioia donated a collection of books known as the
Library of America Collection to Education Minister Louis Galea for use at the University of Malta.
The collection includes some 100 books representing over two centuries of American writing.
•
14 June 2002 Air Malta registered its 600,000th passenger on the Switzerland route earlier this month.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of continuous direct services by Air Malta between Malta and
Switzerland.
•
15 June 2002 Gar Knutson, the Canadian Secretary of State for Central and Eastern Europe and the
Middle-East, said that he looked forward to furthering relations between Malta and Canada. Mr
Knutson was speaking during a meeting he had with President Guido de Marco, at the Palace. Prior to
visiting the President, Mr Knutson called on Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami.
•
15 June 2002 An Economic Services Ministry statement reiterated that the Government's policy was
to integrate the operations of the two shipyards. For this purpose, continued the statement, the two
shipyards had a common Chairman and many management functions had been integrated. Action was
also being taken for the workers in both 'yards to be given training so that they could be more flexible
and productive.
•
15 June 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea announced that Malta had been accepted as a member
of the European Conference of the Ministers of Transport. This was a major step towards the opening
of European land transport markets to Maltese road haulage operators, said the Minister. Mr Galea was
addressing a press conference after attending the 86th session of the Council of Ministers of the
European Conference of Transport Ministers, in Romania.
•
15 June 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre announced that negotiations on small and mediumsized enterprises were provisionally closed with the 10 countries that, according to the EU, could be
ready to join by 2004. The acquis currently in force under this chapter heading covers the area of
enterprise policy, distributive trades, tourism and social economy.
•
16 June 2002 The head of Malta's European Union membership negotiating team, Richard Cachia
Caruana, said that Malta was still insisting on retaining zero VAT rating on food and medicines, and
would continue to do so as long as other EU member states (Ireland and the UK) had similar
arrangements. Mr Cachia Caruana was being interviewed by The Times newspaper.
•
16 June 2002 The Government has unveiled a Lm2.4 million financial package in aid for local
fishermen to strengthen their operations. The package, revealed to fishermen's representatives by
Fisheries Minister Ninu Zammit, will start being given to fishermen as from September and will be
spread over 18 months.
•
16 June 2002 Culture Minister Louis Galea left Malta for China on the invitation of his Chinese
counterpart Sun Jin Zhung. The visit follows an agreement signed in July last year.
•
17 June 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi again dismissed the claim that the Government
was planning to close down Malta Shipbuilding. He insisted that the only document submitted to the
EU was the Task Force's report on the yards. Dr Gonzi was speaking at Pieta.
•
17 June 2002 MIDI, the consortium carrying out the Lm140 million development of Tigné Point and
Manoel Island, has commissioned work on the rehabilitation of St Luke's Garrison Chapel at Tigné. A
foundation stone at the chapel records the date January 16, 1910.
•
18 June 2002 European Integration Minister Neven Mimica, on an official visit to Malta, said that
Croatia has much to learn from the experience of candidate countries like Malta. Speaking to reporters
at a joint news conference with Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg, Mr Mimica said: “We want to learn
from the success and the mistakes of applicant countries, as this will enable us to speed up our EU
process.” Mr Mimica also met President Guido de Marco, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami,
Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant, and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Dolores Cristina.
•
18 June 2002 A Lm3 million investment is to be made by the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools in
various projects including the construction of a new secondary school and sports complex in Karwija.
A call for tenders in connection with the projected works was issued by the foundation last week.
•
18 June 2002 Air Malta Group General Manager Joe Cappello told a news conference that the Swiss
market was slowly recovering following the post-September 11 slump. The company had increased the
number of flights to Switzerland and was now making five flights to Zurich and two to Geneva each
week.
•
19 June 2002 The Department of Information published the text of a letter that Economic Services
Minister Josef Bonnici wrote to Tony Coleiro, Secretary of the General Workers' Union's dockyard
workers section. In the letter Prof. Bonnici informed Mr Coleiro that the Government's position on the
'yards was contained in the restructuring plan, which had been discussed within the Task Force on
which the GWU was also represented. The position, which includes integrating the two 'yards and
trying to win contracts to build parts of vessels instead of whole ships, had been spelled out in earlier
statements.
•
19 June 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi together with the Employment and Training
Corporation launched The Development of a Strategy for ETC Operation in Gozo, a report compiled
by Prof. Lino Briguglio, Mr Kenneth Camilleri and Mr Manwel Debono. The report highlights the
seasonal pattern of employment in Gozo. Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono attended the launch.
•
19 June 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said in reply to a Parliamentary Question that
a Russian delegation that had talks with the management of Malta's shipyards was interested in
technical co-operation on the sale and purchase of machinery, design work, project management, and
the financing of projects. The delegation had given no indication that it was interested in ship-building
in Malta, said Prof. Bonnici.
•
19 June 2002 Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech told Parliament that the Valletta City
Gate project has been postponed. Minister Zammit Dimech was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
19 June 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Parliament that eight applications for the
development of hotels are among a total of 231 applications for ‘major projects’ pending before the
Environment and Planning Authority. Dr Borg said that there were three applications for the
development of golf courses, four for the building of tourist projects, 37 for industrial projects, and
179 for other projects also considered major.
•
20 June 2002 Michael Schwarz, who is the Director of the European Commission's Transport
Infrastructure Needs Assessment (TINA), announced that Malta would need 490 million Euro over the
next 13 years to implement all the air, sea and road projects that would integrate the Island with the
Trans-European Transport Network. Mr Schwarz was speaking during a workshop attended by
Transport Minister Censu Galea; the Head of the EU delegation, Ronald Gallimore; and Transport
Consultant David Sutton.
•
20 June 2002 The Fisheries Department said that it was seeking compensation on behalf of Maltese
fishermen who were involved in incidents with Spanish fishermen. Mr Raymond Bugeja, who is the
secretary of the Fishermen’s Co-operative, said that Maltese fishermen were finding it impossible to
do their work because their lines were being cut by foreign tug-boats towing tuna cages.
•
20 June 2002 Seventeen delegates from various Commonwealth countries attended a two-week
training programme on Trade Promotion and Export Development, organised by the Malta External
Trade Corporation (METCO). The course was part of the Malta co-operation programme that is jointly
funded and administered by the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK Commonwealth
Secretariat.
•
20 June 2002 A spokesman for Malta International Airport said that the strike action by Air Traffic
Controllers in several European countries and the partial action taken by controllers in Malta did not
cause any significant delays in departures or arrivals at Malta International Airport. Air Traffic
Controllers took part in the first international strike organised by the Air Traffic Controllers European
Unions Co-ordination, in protest against the EU Commission’s Single Sky programme.
•
21 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that, with Malta on the doorstep of EU
membership, efforts were to be made to increase viticulture on the island. Dr Fenech-Adami was
touring the Meridiana Wine Estate in Ta' Qali, accompanied by Environment Minister Tonio Borg and
Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino.
•
21 June 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea, on an official visit in China, discussed co-operation in
science and technology, education, and culture during meetings with Chinese government officials, in
Beijing. Dr Galea and his opposite number, Chen Zili, agreed on a scholarship programme that would
establish relations between the higher educational institutions of the two respective countries.
•
21 June 2002 The General Secretary of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, Gejtu Vella, expressed the
Union's concern that no mechanism to help resolve trade disputes in the public sector was in place. Mr
Vella was speaking during a call on President Guido de Marco by a delegation from the Union.
•
21 June 2002 K Line’s MV Suez Canal Bridge called at Malta Freeport. The line’s carriers are to start
using Malta as a central Mediterranean hub.
•
21 June 2002 The Government Printing Press published in a limited edition of 250 copies a facsimile
copy of the first 50 issues of the Government Gazette, dating back to 1813-1814. A companion volume
examines the introduction of printing in Malta at the time of the Knights of St John.
•
22 June 2002 A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the Government
"cannot, and will not" take up Opposition Leader Alfred Sant's suggestion to shelve the European
Union issue. The Ministry was reacting to an opinion piece published in The Times in which the
Leader of the Opposition said that he had increasingly come to believe that it might be better for the
country as a whole to totally shelve the EU membership/partnership issue for a few years.
•
22 June 2002 A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made reference to the meeting
between EU Commissioner for Trade Pascal Lamy and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant. Following the
meeting, which was conducted in French, Dr Sant claimed that Mr Lamy "seems to have said that it
doesn't matter if we sacrifice agriculture, as this makes up just three per cent of the Maltese economy".
The Ministry said that what Mr Lamy actually said, and what was reported in the press, was the
opposite - that agriculture is a highly sensitive issue, and that the European Commission knows just
how important it is to Malta.
•
22 June 2002 The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, urged Malta to take a definite
decision on whether it wants to join the EU by the time the accession treaty would be up for
ratification. Mr Cox was speaking to reporters after he addressed the 15 EU leaders taking part in the
first day of the Seville summit.
•
22 June 2002 The Malta EU-Information Centre said that negotiations on science and research were
provisionally closed with the 10 countries that, according to the European Union, could be ready to
join by 2004. The 10 countries are Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. MIC said that negotiations on this chapter were also closed with
Bulgaria and Romania.
•
22 June 2002 Middlesea Insurance plc's consolidated profits last year almost doubled, to Lm1.42
million, a marked increase on the profits of Lm0.76 million posted in 2000. Based on the Board's
recommendation, the payment of a gross dividend of 7 cents per 50 cents share was approved. The
profits were announced during Middlesea's 21st annual general meeting.
•
23 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that Malta would have no problem to
take on board the Seville Agreement on the issue of illegal immigration. Dr Fenech-Adami was
addressing a press conference, following a working lunch with the 15 EU leaders and the other heads
of government of the candidate countries, at Seville.
•
24 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami hinted that the EU referendum could be held
some time in the first quarter of next year. The Prime Minister also said that the referendum on EU
membership and the general election would be held separately. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at
Balzan.
•
24 June 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo announced that results for the first five months of the
year showed that the Italian market had completely recovered from the impact of September 11. In
fact, Malta’s share of this market had improved in a way as to achieve better returns than ever before.
Dr Refalo was addressing guests at a reception held on board the Ariadne Palace 1 ferry.
•
24 June 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that pig breeders were to benefit from a special
assistance package of Lm14 million, spread over a period of 12 years. Mr Zammit said that the money
was part of the government package aimed at assisting producers in the agriculture sector to cope with
the removal of protection and restructuring. Mr Zammit was addressing the annual general meeting of
the Pig Breeders Co-operative Society.
•
24 June 2002 Legal Notice 133 of June 4, 2002 creates the ‘Broadcasting Code on the Correct Use of
the Maltese Language on the Broadcasting Media’ and binds broadcasters to use the Maltese language
"correctly". The code lays down responsibility for correctness on broadcasting stations, each station
being obliged to apply the rules and directives issued by the Akkademja tal-Malti where the use of the
Maltese language is concerned.
•
25 June 2002 According to figures published by the National Statistics Office, Malta’s economy has
returned to growth after two straight quarters of decline. The Gross Domestic Product
increased in real terms by 1.4 per cent, or Lm4.8 million, in the first three months of this year. During
the preceding quarter, the GDP had shrunk by 2.9 per cent in real terms, under the impact of the
downturn in the world’s economy in the wake of September 11.
•
25 June 2002 The Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, Xue Wenqi, said
that a high-level delegation from China would be donating mechanical equipment worth Lm300,000 to
the Malta Drydocks. The donation will be made in September, when a Chinese delegation will be in
Malta to attend the next meeting of the Joint Trade Commission.
•
25 June 2002 Eni SpA completed drilling its ‘Lampuko No 1’ well in North-West offshore Gozo. The
well was plugged and abandoned in accordance with oil industry practice and procedure after the
minor shows of gas encountered were considered non-commercial to explore.
•
25 June 2002 Drydocks Chief Executive Peter Moore announced that Malta Drydocks and Malta
Shipbuilding had joined forces with the Swiss-based safety-company Du Pont Safety Resources to set
up a major safety improvement programme involving all levels of employees throughout each
business. The extensive programme will last three years and is aimed at substantially reducing the
number of unsafe acts that ultimately lead to accidents.
•
25 June 2002 The Malta Linux User Group has published a free spell-checker for the Maltese
language. The spell-checker has a list of approximately 840,000 words, including personal names and
place names. Enquiries about Linux may be made by e-mail to [email protected]
•
25 June 2002 An Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat brought three Maltese men to safety after their
boat ran out of fuel. The 14-foot power-boat was drifting some 27 nautical miles northwest of Luqa
when it was spotted by a private plane.
•
26 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami inaugurated the 45th Malta International Trade
Fair, in Naxxar. Delivering the inauguration speech, Dr Fenech-Adami described joining the European
Union as the fulfilment and celebration of Malta's independence in 1964.
•
26 June 2002 To mark World Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a number of
organisations and individuals involved in the fight against drugs signed a declaration underlining their
commitment to the support of victims and to achieving a society free from drug abuse. The parties
were brought together on the initiative of President Guido de Marco, who is also a signatory.
•
26 June 2002 The Housing Authority launched Care and Repair, an initiative to help improve the
living standard of people who do not normally seek help from the Authority and its schemes. Social
Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who was present for the launch, said that the scheme formed part of
a wider reform that was taking place in the provision of personalised social welfare services.
•
26 June 2002 President Guido de Marco met officials from the Federation of Industries at the Palace.
On the EU debate, Prof. de Marco was reported to have said that, when the Maltese decide, “everyone
has to observe the people's decision because the political parties owe their legitimacy to the people and
must respect their choice".
•
26 June 2002 Michael Frendo, the Representative of Malta's Parliament at the European Convention,
indicated his support for the inclusion of a right to a healthy environment in the EU Charter of
Fundamental Rights. He said that environmental issues cut across frontiers, the action of one nation or
a group of nations affecting other countries. Therefore, action at a European level was often necessary
in the actual application of the principle of subsidiarity, said Dr Frendo.
•
26 June 2002 The Association of Inter-professional Employers/Businessmen Organisations of
European Capital Cities (OPCE) said that it supported the accession of Malta, Poland and Hungary in
the first enlargement of the European Union. This was stated in a final declaration, issued at the end of
the association’s 13th Congress, held in Warsaw. Malta, Hungary and Poland are all members of
OPCE.
•
26 June 2002 According to figures issued by the National Statistics Office, the rate of inflation
dropped marginally from 3.65 per cent in April to 3.64 per cent in May. The retail price index went up
by 0.72 points, or 0.61 per cent, over April to reach 118.47.
•
26 June 2002 The National Statistics Office reported that, in May domestic exports dropped by Lm2.5
million to Lm65.8 million compared to the figure for the same month last year, while re-exports were
up by Lm4.2 million, to Lm10.9 million. Imports went up, by Lm1.8 million, to Lm108.8 million.
•
26 June 2002 A government statement said that a meeting for Permanent Secretaries had focused on a
number of projects that have to be carried out over the coming nine months. The statement said that a
lot of work was being carried out which, notwithstanding its importance, did not reach the attention of
the public.
•
26 June 2002 Enemalta Engineer John Pace announced that that the company was shortly expected to
install fuel vapour recovery units that would enable it to recover petrol evaporating from its tanks at
Birzebbuga. Mr Pace said that the recovery units would be paid for through a grant of one million
Norwegian Crowns (over Lm56,000) made available to Enemalta by the Norwegian Government.
•
26 June 2002 Lady Mamo, wife of the first President of Malta, and co-founder of the Community
Chest Fund, passed away. She was 86. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, Sir Anthony Mamo,
and her three children, Josephine, Monica and John.
•
27 June 2002 A government statement said that it was a well-known fact that the EU had no right - or
the competence - to impose a position in favour of abortion on its members. The Government also
stressed that the resolutions issued by the European Parliament were not legally binding on member
states. The Government was replying to a statement, signed by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, Gozo
Bishop Nikol Cauchi, and Auxiliary Bishop Annetto Depasquale, expressing concern over a report
approved earlier this month by a committee of the European Parliament that recommends that abortion
should be made legal in all EU present and future member states.
•
27 June 2002 Ms Sina Bugeja, Co-ordinator of Sedqa, the national agency against drug and alcohol
abuse, handed a copy of The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (1999), to
President Guido de Marco, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Leader of the Opposition Alfred
Sant, and Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi. Ms Bugeja made the presentation during a Sedqa
activity at City Gate, in Valletta.
•
27 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, accompanied by Resources and Infrastructure
Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, toured the site of the St Julian's embellishment project. Dr FenechAdami referred to the project as the "golden mile" and said that Lm10 million had been spent on
embellishment projects over the past six years.
•
27 June 2002 President Guido de Marco presented Bernice Graham and Antoine Frendo, both 13
years of age, with this year's Pope John XXIII Award for Kindness, organised by the Peace Lab. The
ceremony was held at the Palace in Valletta and was attended by Prime Minister Edward FenechAdami and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
•
27 June 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that the
Government was committed not only to implement a solid waste strategy for the Maltese Islands but
also to the closing down of the present refuse dumps and their rehabilitation. Dr Zammit Dimech was
speaking at the end of a workshop, at Floriana.
•
27 June 2002 The National Pavilion at the International Fair of Malta this year has the Malta-EU
membership negotiations as its theme. The Pavilion, mounted by the Department of Information,
features visual and audio-visual information about the results achieved so far, and invites visitor
participation through daily competitions on the subject.
•
27 June 2002 Bank of Valletta launched the BoV Cashlink International, a new debit card that can be
used world-wide. The card can be used at any ATM or at any outlet displaying the VISA sign, locally
or abroad.
•
28 June 2002 The Employment and Training Corporation's first employment barometer has found that
most of the occupations that will be in demand by employers until October are low-skilled. The
barometer was constructed with the assistance of the Swedish National Labour Market Board.
•
29 June 2002 Malta and the EU reached agreement on a Maltese 25-mile fisheries management zone
for conservation purposes. Addressing the accession conference, the Chairman of the Core Negotiating
Group, Richard Cachia Caruana, welcomed the closure of negotiations in this area, saying that of
fundamental importance was “that the Union has recognised Malta’s efforts to conserve fish stocks
within its 25-mile management zone for more than 30 years, and that the Union has accepted the
principle that the accession of Malta should not lead to a decline in the protection of living resources
within this zone”.
•
29 June 2002 The European Commission confirmed that the EU had no right whatsoever to impose
the introduction of abortion on member states. An EU spokesman for social issues told The Times
newspaper: "There is absolutely no consequence of any decision taken by the European Parliament or
the EU on your country where it concerns issues like abortion."
•
29 June 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said that negotiations on education and training had
been provisionally closed with the 10 countries that according to the EU could be ready to join by
2004. The 10 countries are Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta,
Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Negotiations on this chapter were also closed with Bulgaria and
Romania. Education, Training and Youth are primarily the competence of the member states.
•
29 June 2002 Malta Freeport Terminals Ltd registered an operating profit of $8.5 million, doubling
last year's figures. A spokesman for the Freeport said that the company, which operates the container
terminals and the warehousing facilities at the Freeport, registered an operating profit of $8.5 million
for the period March 1, 2001 to December 31. Net profit before tax is $4.5 million.
•
29 June 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit announced that financial aid schemes would be
introduced to encourage farmers to grow vines and improve the quality of wine produced in Malta. Mr
Zammit said that the first scheme, to come into effect next January, consisted of a direct grant of
Lm4,000 per hectare of land on which vines were planted using modern methods. The schemes were
announced when Mr Zammit visited vineyards at Zebbiegh.
•
29 June 2002 The Principal Administrator in the ‘Co-ordination Unit for Policy Development and
Sectoral Pre-accession’ in the Directorate General - Enlargement, Maurice Guyader, said that EU
member states often expressed fears of invasion by workers and businesses from poorer EU applicant
countries. Mr Guyader was speaking at a half-day seminar organised by the Malta-EU Information
Centre and the Delegation of the European Commission in Malta, at the Old University building, in
Valletta.
•
29 June 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Jesmond Mugliett, said that
although some people were sceptical about Malta's participation in the EU Fifth Framework
Programme, the Maltese participants in the FP5 availed themselves of almost €3 million
(Lm1,175,000) in the first 12 months. Mr Mugliett was addressing a news conference organised by
the Malta Council for Science and Technology.
•
29 June 2002 The National Statistics Office said that a provisional statement on the international
economic and financial transactions of Malta for the first three months of the year reveals a notable
improvement in the current account balance of Lm20.6 million. The net deficit during the March 2001
quarter was Lm34 million; during the relative quarter this year it was Lm13.4 million.
•
29 June 2002 The National Statistics Office said that provisional statistics issued by the Central Bank
of Malta show that government debt outstanding at the end of May stood at Lm1,050.3 million. The
figure is Lm88 million, or 9.1 per cent, higher than the Lm962.3 million outstanding at the end of May
last year.
•
30 June 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that Malta must form part of an economic
bloc, because opting for isolation is neither possible nor desirable in a globalised world. Dr FenechAdami was addressing delegates at the FIDAL/KPMG Consultants' Convention, at the Mediterranean
Conference Centre, in Valletta.
•
30 June 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that food processors would be benefiting from
government assistance during the month of July. As a result, the price of pork was expected to go
down by 7c a kilo, eggs to be cheaper by 5c a dozen, and chicken by 2c per kilo. Mr Zammit was
speaking before the presentation of trophies and palios, at the Mnarja show.
•
30 June 2002 In a joint statement, the Ministry for Social Policy and HSBC Bank Malta plc
announced that HSBC has introduced a new no frills/no cost bank account. Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi expressed satisfaction at the pro-active manner in which
HSBC was ensuring that lower-income and needy sectors of society could continue to use basic
banking services free of charge through the use of easily accessible automated machines.
JULY
•
1 July 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the lifting of levies on agricultural
produce would translate into better prices for consumers. He said that farmers and herdsmen would
benefit from financial aid to improve their produce, while consumers would get better products at
cheaper prices. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at Fgura.
•
1 July 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that he was optimistic that the Government’s fiscal
targets would be reached by the end of the year, despite the rather dismal revenue and expenditure
figures released by the National Statistics Office. NSO figures show that ordinary revenue in the first
five months this year rose by 4.6 per cent while total expenditure rose by 9.3 per cent, pushing up the
deficit to Lm68.3 million. The target deficit for this year is of Lm77.6 million.
•
1 July 2002 The Paris Memorandum of Understanding which lists sub-standard ships this year
classifies Maltese ships as posing a ‘medium’ risk compared to a ‘medium to high risk’ in last year’s
report. An official of the Malta Maritime Authority, Lino Vassallo, said the situation was much better
than last year, not least as the average age of ships under the Maltese flag was falling.
•
2 July 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that only 80 out of the 1,300 literate persons
aged over 40 and registering as unemployed had joined a training scheme to help them find work. Dr
Gonzi was speaking at the Employment and Training Corporation, in Hal Far, at the launch of the
Training and Employment Exposure Scheme (TEES).
•
2 July 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority and German tour operating giant Frosch Touristik
announced a three-year joint marketing strategy in a concerted effort to draw German tourists to Malta.
MTA Chairman John Grech said that it was estimated that FTI would fly some 40,000 German tourists
to Malta this year.
•
2 July 2002 The National Statistics Office embarked on a second quarterly survey on domestic waste
composition. The objective of the survey, being carried out with the co-operation of the Department
for Waste Management, is to gather information about the type and quality of domestic waste.
•
2 July 2002 The Central Bank of Malta issued a gold commemorative coin as part of the Royal Mint
Precious Fine Gold Collection. The coat-of-arms of Malta and the year of issue, 2002, are shown on
the obverse of the coin, while the reverse depicts an 18th century xprunara, the sailing vessel which
for centuries was an important means of transport and communication between Malta and the rest of
the world. The coin is legal tender for the value of Lm10.
•
2 July 2002 Maltapost unveiled a new personalised mail service called Postie Pick Up. Through this
new service, mail is collected directly from businesses between 4 .00 and 6.00 p.m., Mondays to
Fridays, and delivered directly at no extra charge to the central mailroom for next day delivery.
Initially, Postie Pick Up is being restricted to businesses in Republic Street, Valletta.
•
3 July 2002 President Guido de Marco paid on official visit to the National Library in Valletta. During
his visit, Prof. de Marco inaugurated a closed circuit television system in the library.
•
3 July 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt said that a Task Force to protect children from abuse over the
internet has been set up. The task force is composed of representatives from the Malta
Communications Authority, the Police, Agenzija Appogg, the Press Club, the Ministry for Social
Policy, and the Ministry of Education. Mr George Sammut chairs the task force.
•
3 July 2002 Government announced higher prices for unleaded and leaded petrol, diesel, and kerosene
due to shifts in the international market over the past three months. Unleaded petrol went up to 36.7
cents per litre, which means a rise of 1.7 cents per litre; diesel is now 23 cents per litre, a rise of 1.5
cents; leaded petrol rose by 1.7 cents to 39.7 cents; and kerosene by 0.3 cents to 12.2 cents per litre.
•
4 July 2002 The Ambassador of the EU delegation, Ronald Gallimore, said that a waste-water
treatment plant for Gozo is one of the infrastructural projects to be financed out of the 13 million Euro
pre-accession funds that Malta is receiving in 2003. Mr Gallimore was addressing a conference on
Regional Policy: the Irish and Portuguese Experience, organised by the Malta-EU Information Centre,
at the Westin Dragonara Resort.
•
4 July 2002 The Head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, Simon Busuttil, said that EU funds would
fail to materialise unless Malta was prepared to absorb them by demonstrating that it could use them in
‘meaningful, well-thought-out and well-prepared projects’. Dr Busuttil was addressing the conference
on regional policy.
•
4 July 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg expressed astonishment that the Leader of the Opposition had
reiterated his stance for the shelving of Government's EU membership bid as well as the Labour
Party's own partnership option. Dr Borg was referring to the contents of a column written by Dr Alfred
Sant in The Times newspaper where the Leader of the Opposition declared that he stood by the
statement made the week before in favour of shelving negotiations with the EU.
•
4 July 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said in Parliament that the Government had total control of
the privatisation programme and it could proceed or stall in any point of time according to
circumstances. Mr Dalli was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
4 July 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that a call for tenders was to be
issued shortly for the installation of a registration and authentication system for e-government. Such a
system, Dr Gatt said, would eliminate the need for the Government to buy security certificates from
abroad. Mr Dalli was speaking at the launch of the Inland Revenue Department's website, at
www.ird.gov.mt
•
4 July 2002 The Chairman of the Malta Standards Authority, Francis Farrugia, announced that the
authority was going to start offering accreditation service to Maltese laboratories so that they would be
able to issue certificates that would be recognised in European and other countries. He said that the
authority was also seeking to become a member of the European Co-operation for Accreditation, in
which it had observer status. Mr Farrugia was speaking at a press conference.
•
4 July 2002 A statement issued by the Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries said that the
Government's fishing agreement with the European Union guaranteed Malta a 25-mile fishing zone.
The Ministry was replying to claims by the Opposition that the agreement over territorial waters
between the Government and the European Union was a ‘betrayal of the national interest’ as Malta
would give up rights over fishing zones that had existed for the last 30 years.
•
4 July 2002 The Permanent Representative of Malta to the Council of Europe, Joseph Licari, ratified
the Council's Protocol 6 to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities on behalf of the
Government of Malta. The Protocol consolidates into one legally binding instrument, the relevant
provisions of the Fourth and Fifth protocol to the agreement and makes them applicable to the new
Court of Human Rights.
•
4 July 2002 Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that his Ministry was being
reorganised, with one of the main aims being to make a distinction between its regulatory role and its
function to provide services. As part of the reorganisation, three new sections have been set up, each of
which will be headed by a director general. Mr Zammit was speaking during the inauguration of a new
ministry website at maf.gov.mt
•
4 July 2002 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the number of registered
unemployed in May dropped by 214 over April, to 7,423. In May last year, it was 6,781.
•
4 July 2002 Bank of Valletta is launching a new finance package loan facility for bus owners who are
planning to change their old bus for a new and modern vehicle. The package under this scheme is for a
maximum amount of Lm45,000 for each bus purchased, up to a maximum of two buses per applicant.
•
5 July 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that a Bill to regulate internal audit and
financial investigations within the Public Service has been approved by Cabinet and will shortly be
included in Parliament’s agenda. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the legislation would strengthen the
powers of the Internal Audit and Investigations Directorate and also regulate its role as the anti-fraud
interlocutor in Malta for the EU.
•
5 July 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami toured the plant of Methode Electronics Malta
Ltd, in Mriehel. The company designs and assembles component devices and subsystems for vehicle
manufacturers across the world. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the company's achievements confirmed
what the Maltese workers could do when motivated and when they had good management.
•
5 July 2002 The new Italian Ambassador to Malta, Alvise Memmo, presented his credentials to
President Guido de Marco, at the Palace. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Dr Memmo said that he
hoped there would be a positive outcome to the meeting Malta and Italy would be having to discuss
the fifth financial protocol between the two countries. Meanwhile, Finance Minister John Dalli
confirmed that, on July 18, he would be meeting his Italian counterpart, Giulio Tremonti, in Rome, to
discuss bilateral issues, including the fifth financial protocol.
•
5 July 2002 The Malta Communications Authority, as the telecommunications regulator, is to carry
out on-site measurement of emissions from mobile phone base stations. The Authority's Chief
Technical Officer, Colin Camilleri, said that the exercise would start shortly and that the Authority
intended to publish its findings. The Malta National Laboratory had been subcontracted to carry out
the on-site surveys.
•
6 July 2002 President Guido de Marco insisted that the problems of the Mediterranean had to be given
greater significance by the international community and had to be put on the front burner of its agenda.
Prof. de Marco was speaking during a meeting that he had with Pier Ferdinando Casini, President of
the Italian Chamber of Deputies, at the Palace, in Valletta.
•
6 July 2002 Pier Ferdinando Casini referred to the setting up of an Euro-Mediterranean parliament. He
said that such a structure would provide and promote dialogue and stability between the neighbouring
countries of both its littorals. Dott. Casini was speaking during a meeting he had with President Guido
de Marco.
•
6 July 2002 Pier Ferdinando Casini argued that neutrality had been superseded by history. "Russia has
joined the G8 and has signed an agreement with Nato. What sense does neutrality hold today?" he
asked. Dott. Casini was delivering a lecture on the theme Europe and the Mediterranean, at the Aula
Magna.
•
6 July 2002 International credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s confirmed its stable outlook for
Malta. The international credit rating agency affirmed its single 'A' foreign currency and double 'A'
minus local currency long-term issuer credit ratings. The affirmation reflects ongoing structural
reforms and medium-term prospects for further reform, the Government's commitment to fiscal
consolidation, and strong external solvency, the agency said.
•
6 July 2002 Communications and Transport Minister Censu Galea said that his Ministry was
committed to bring about a modal shift from the private car to public transport. Minister Galea was
addressing the second high-level meeting on transport, environment and health organised by the World
Health Organisation, in Geneva.
•
6 July 2002 Air Malta Chairman Louis Grech announced at a press conference that Airbus Industrie
aircraft had been chosen to replace the airline's fleet, saying that the deal would lay the foundations of
the company's next 12 years at least. Mr Grech categorically denied any political component in the
company's decision to choose between Airbus and Boeing and stressed that the decision was based on
financial, commercial and product development implications.
•
6 July 2002 Enemalta Chairman Professor Robert Ghirlando has been elected the first chairman of the
Network of Managers of Small Island Systems within EURELECTRIC, the association that represents
the electricity industry of Europe. The network was formally set up during a recent meeting of the
Board of Directors, which was held in Leipzig.
•
6 July 2002 The Meteorological Office at Malta International Airport announced that the mean
temperature for June had been 24.6°C, that is, 1.6°C higher than the mean for the years 1961 – 1990.
One reason for this rise in temperature was the persistence throughout most of the month of a highpressure area over the central parts of the Mediterranean, the office said.
•
7 July 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that the reports issued by two international credit rating
agencies over the past days had confirmed that a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum on European
Union membership would improve Malta's credit ratings. Mr Dalli was speaking to The Sunday Times
newspaper, following the publication of the Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s reports.
•
7 July 2002 President Guido de Marco inaugurated an exhibition hall in Couvre Porte, in Vittoriosa.
Prof. de Marco described Vittoriosa as the stage for the greatest events of Malta's history. Present at
the inauguration were Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Resources and Infrastructure
Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.
•
8 July 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami approved the award of Long and Efficient Service
Medals and clasps to serving members of the Armed Forces of Malta, with effect from March 31. The
recipients were listed in The Government Gazette.
•
8 July 2002 Maltapost plc and Transend Worldwide Ltd announced the appointment of Robert Lake as
the new Chief Executive Officer of Maltapost. Mr Lake will be taking up his position a month after the
previous CEO, Bob Macgregor, was removed from the post ‘in the long-term business interests’ of the
company.
•
9 July 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that, apart from being given an update on the
situation at the shipyards, the Cabinet had discussed various draft laws, the most important being the
constitutional amendment related to the right to vote and amendments to the Electoral Law. Dr
Fenech-Adami was addressing the media following a Cabinet meeting.
•
9 July 2002 President Guido de Marco paid a visit to the Gutenberg printing press in Tarxien. He was
shown round by Frank Spiteri, Managing Director. At the end of his visit the President presented Mr
Spiteri with a copy of his latest publication, Momentum. Prof. de Marco also received a donation in aid
of the Malta Community Chest Fund, made by the company directors and staff.
•
9 July 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said the number of students with serious behavioural
problems in schools was not simply increasing, but multiplying. He said that what was happening in
Malta's schools was actually a reflection of what was happening in and to the family, in and to society
at large. Dr Galea was speaking at the inaugural session of the five-day Malta European seminar on
Catholic Education in Europe, organised by the Secretariat for Catholic Education of the Archdiocese
of Malta, in Qawra.
•
9 July 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea met five youths who were due to take part in the
European Convention for Youth, in Brussels. During the meeting, Dr Galea said that the young people
had the perfect opportunity to play a part in the formation of a future Europe.
•
9 July 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry, George Hyzler,
announced that the filming of Ridley Scott’s $150 million historical epic, Tripoli, will take place in
Malta. Filming is expected to start in May 2003 and to run for eight weeks. The film re-unites actor
Russell Crowe with his Gladiator director/producer Branko Lustig.
•
10 July 2002 The Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and European Affairs, Jari Vilen, is on an official
visit to Malta. During his visit, Mr Vilen will be holding talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe
Borg and will meet Minister of Economic Services Josef Bonnici. Mr Vilen will also call on the
President, the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
•
10 July 2002 The European Commission dismissed a Reuters' report saying that Malta may miss the
boat for the next EU enlargement because it was falling behind in the number of chapters closed. JeanChristophe Filori, who is a spokesman for EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, told
The Times that there was absolutely no reason to indicate that Malta was at risk of failing to be
included in the next enlargement because of delays in the negotiations.
•
10 July 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami visited the St Aloysius College sports complex.
The Prime Minister toured the site that is to include an Olympic category synthetic turf ground, an
indoor pool complex, a climbing wall, a pavilion for indoor sports, and an aerobic/martial arts studio.
Dr Fenech-Adami was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett.
•
10 July 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea announced that the International Labour Organisation's
Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976, commonly referred to as ILO Convention
147, and its related protocol of 1996, will enter into force for Malta on January 10, 2003. ILO 147
aims at ensuring a wide range of minimum standards relating to safety, social security, shipboard
conditions of employment, and living arrangements for merchant ships.
•
10 July 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea told Parliament that 4,098 new cars, or just over 34 cars
a day, were registered in the first four months of this year. Mr Galea was replying to a Parliamentary
Question.
•
10 July 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said in Parliament that a number of Malta
Shipbuilding workers had been temporarily assigned to local councils. Prof. Bonnici was replying to a
Parliamentary Question.
•
10 July 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Home Affairs and Environment Ministry, George
Pullicino, attended the launch of the draft local plan for Gozo and Comino, which has been published
by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for public consultation. Mr Pullicino said that,
although the Government did not necessarily agree with the entire contents of the local plan, it agreed
with its general direction and its insistence on the need for sustainable development. A copy of the
plan may be seen at the MEPA website at www.mepa.org.mt
•
10 July 2002 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority set up a steering committee to oversee
environmental management concerns on Comino, a nature reserve. The move is in line with policy
proposals that form part of the Gozo and Comino Local Plan.
•
10 July 2002 The Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise (IPSE) published two reports, one on
the local winemaking industry, the other on the fruit and vegetable processing industry. Speaking to
producers at the IPSE offices in Marsa, IPSE Chief Executive Officer Joe Vella Bonnici said that the
reports were meant to highlight the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and challenges, that
producers would have to meet once protective levies were removed.
•
10 July 2002 President Guido de Marco was presented with the sum of Lm19,104 in aid of the
Community Chest Fund by Bank of Valletta Chairman Joseph FX Zahra. The presentation took place
at the Palace, in Valletta.
•
10 July 2002 Go Mobile Chief Executive Officer Juanito Camilleri announced that the company’s
subscriber base now exceeded the 90,000 mark. On the occasion, Go Mobile and Air Malta signed a
partnership agreement as a result of which clients of both companies will enjoy mutual benefits in the
respective loyalty schemes, namely Air Malta’s Fly-pass and Go Mobile’s go Gifts.
•
11 July 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that there was no risk of Malta not making the next EU
enlargement because of delays in negotiations. He reiterated that the Government would conclude
negotiations with the EU by the end of the year. Dr Borg was commenting on the Reuters report that
said that Malta might miss the boat for the next EU enlargement.
•
11 July 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg met Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and EU Affairs Jari
Vilen at his office, in Valletta. Speaking to The Times newspaper following the meeting, Dr Borg said
that the meeting with Mr Vilen focused on Malta's EU membership process, going into specific issues
of the negotiations and the timing of their conclusion.
•
11 July 2002 Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and EU Affairs Jari Vilen said that he believed Malta
had an important role to play as an EU member state in the Mediterranean, especially in bringing
together partners from North Africa and the southern part of the EU. Mr Vilen was speaking to the
press following his meeting with Dr Borg.
•
11 July 2002 Communications Minister Censu Galea announced that fourteen out of 26 projects
taking part in the EUMedis initiative were Maltese. Mr Galea was speaking at a workshop held to
evaluate the local projects.
•
11 July 2002 The representative of the Nationalist Parliamentary Group, Michael Frendo, said that the
competence for such highly divisive matters as abortion and euthanasia belonging exclusively to the
member states needed to be reasserted and emphasised in the new treaty following the European
Convention. Dr Frendo said that certain candidate countries could mistakenly think that such a
resolution had some binding effect on member states.
•
11 July 2002 The Consul General at the Embassy of Malta in Washington DC, Alfred Farrugia, was
elected President of the Consular Corps of Washington DC for the third year in succession. Mr
Farrugia’s nomination was endorsed by the entire executive committee and approved by the general
membership at its annual general meeting.
•
11 July 2002 The Foreign Ministry took part in a European Cultural Festival organised by the
European Union. The event was organised by the Danish EU Presidency at the famous Tivoli Gardens,
in Copenhagen. Malta's participation at the Tivoli was co-ordinated by the Maltese Embassy in
Copenhagen and the Economic Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
•
11 July 2002 Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities in Luxembourg, has
published a new yearbook on candidate countries, including Malta. The 257-page yearbook carries
detailed statistical tables on a variety of subjects.
•
11 July 2002 Former museums director Fr Marius Zerafa delivered a lecture on Caravaggio’s life and
work in Rome and Malta to a packed hall of over 500 guests at the prestigious Smithsonian Institute,
in Washington DC. The event was organised by the Embassy of Malta in the US in collaboration with
the Malta Tourism Authority’s New York office.
•
12 July 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that the European Commission’s reform plans for the
EU’s Common Agricultural Policy seemed to favour small leaseholds and small farms. In his first
reaction to the Commission’s review, Dr Borg said that the move would be positive for Malta.
•
12 July 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea announced that an agreement had been reached between
the Bank of Valletta, the Public Transport Authority, and the Public Transport Association regarding
the financing of low-floor buses.
•
12 July 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo announced that a programme of activities, including a
re-enactment of the entry into Grand Harbour of the Sta Marija Convoy, was being organised by the
Tourism Ministry and the Malta Tourism Authority to mark the 60th anniversary of Operation
Pedestal. Dr Refalo was speaking at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, in Valletta.
•
12 July 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that, according to Malta Tourism Authority
forecasts, tourism from Japan was expected to grow by 20 per cent this year. Around 10,000 Japanese
tourists currently visit Malta per year. Dr Refalo was speaking during a visit by a 24-member Japanese
delegation, led by Mayor Mitsuo Gima from Urasoe City in Okinawa, Japan.
•
12 July 2002 Prof. Zhang Guangrui, who is the Director of the Tourism Research Centre of the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Malta has become the first European country to sign a
protocol with the People’s Republic of China, giving it ‘approved destination status’. This means that
Malta will be among the first European countries to receive Chinese tourists in the near future, paving
the way to making China among the most important tourist markets for Malta outside Europe. Only 21
countries world-wide enjoy ‘approved destination status’ by China.
•
12 July 2002 Legal Notice 188/2002 brings into effect the new Customs Code that Parliament had
unanimously approved on February 11, 2002. The new code simplifies many procedures, while at the
same time improving controls.
•
12 July 2002 The Association of General Retailers and Traders said that 48 per cent of trade fair
exhibitors it had surveyed had reported a decrease in sales at this year’s trade fair compared to last
year’s. The GRTU said that 27 per cent reported better sales and 23 per cent said that this year’s sales
compared very well with last year.
•
13 July 2002 Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that, in a globalised world, a
small country could only shape decisions by being within an institution. She said that Austria was
supporting the Government in the negotiations, but it was up to the Maltese to make up their own
mind. Ms Ferrero-Waldner was speaking at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Joe Borg.
•
13 July 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said in its latest round up of negotiations that
negotiations on fisheries had been provisionally closed with the 10 countries that, according to the EU,
could be ready to join by 2004. Special arrangements were obtained for Malta, with a specific
conservation management regime in a 25-mile zone.
•
13 July 2002 The Government's nominee at the European Convention, Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott,
told the convention that the EU needed to designate a tailor-made, diplomatic agency to deal with the
non-European Mediterranean states in a privileged way. Prof. Serracino Inglott was speaking at the
plenary session of the convention which got under way on July 11, and which dealt with EU external
action.
•
13 July 2002 Government MP Michael Frendo supported the view that the office of High
Commissioner occupied by Javier Solana and that of External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten
should be merged. Dr Frendo said that this should resolve current ambiguity and overlapping of roles
and give the Union a single focal point for its foreign, security and defence policies. Dr Frendo was
addressing the European Convention.
•
13 July 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority launched a strong advertising campaign in Hungary in a
bid to attract more visitors from one of the emerging markets in Eastern Europe. The campaign
included advertising on billboards, buses, and national newspapers, as well as a number of press trips
to Malta by Hungarian journalists.
•
13 July 2002 The Rescue Co-ordination Centre of the Armed Forces of Malta kept under surveillance
a boat packed with suspected illegal immigrants reported sailing outside territorial waters to the west
of Malta. Maltese authorities were in constant contact with the Italian authorities on the location of the
boat.
•
14 July 2002 The Italian Ambassador, Dr Alvise Memmo, visited the Italian excavation projects under
way at the archaeological sites of Tas-Silg at Marsaxlokk, and San Pawl Milqi at Burmarrad.
Ambassador Memmo was accompanied by Anthony Pace, Director of the Museums Department, and
by members of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Malta.
•
15 July 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government was committed to
fighting all forms of child abuse. Dr Gonzi said that Cabinet's approval of the creation of a
Commission for Children was a further step in this direction.
•
15 July 2002 President Guido de Marco and Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit
Dimech inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Vilhena Palace forecourt in Mdina. The project, which
was carried out over a period of five months, was funded by the Portuguese Calouste Gulbenkian
Foundation. The ceremony was attended by Dr Jose' Blanco, trustee of the Foundation, Cabinet
Ministers, and Dona Luisa Manoel de Vilhena, a descendant of the Grand Master.
•
16 July 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said in an interview on a local radio station that, while
Government expenditure was spread throughout the year, the main chunk of its income did not become
available till the half-year mark. This income was expected to significantly reduce the deficit figure
and reach the targets set by the Finance Ministry, said Mr Dalli.
•
17 July 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami visited reconstruction works at eight wards at St
Vincent de Paule Residence for the Elderly. The project, which is to be completed by August next
year, is estimated to cost Lm4.5 million. Dr Fenech-Adami was accompanied by the Parliamentary
Secretary in the Social Policy Ministry, Antoine Mifsud Bonnici.
•
17 July 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that Lm200 million held by Maltese abroad have been
declared under the investment registration scheme in the first half of this year. Figures given by the
Minister show that, of these, Lm24.5 million were invested in Portugal, Lm8.8 million in Russia,
Lm1.8 million in Hungary, and Lm1 million in the Czech Republic. Mr Dalli was addressing
Parliament.
•
17 July 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt praised the vast majority of judges and magistrates who, he
said, were ‘rising to the challenge’ and working to reduce the backlog of cases before the Courts. The
Minister gave an overview of the situation in the Law Courts when he opened the debate in Parliament
on the Courts and Tribunals Procedures Bill.
•
17 July 2002 President Guido de Marco unveiled two marble plaques in the new CID block at Police
Headquarters in memory of PC 949 Roger Debattista, killed in a bank hold-up last year, and PC 525
Mark Farrugia who was murdered in 1999. During his tour, Prof. de Marco was accompanied by
Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, Police Commissioner John Rizzo, and Deputy Commissioner
Joseph Cachia.
•
17 July 2002 Bank of Valletta Chairman Joseph Zahra said that he was very satisfied that efforts to
consolidate the bank's leading role in the economy had been recognised, and that the bank's short- and
long-term rating had been reaffirmed at F2 and A- respectively. Mr Zahra was referring to the rating
assigned to the bank by Fitch's credit agency.
•
17 July 2002 According to the second Household Waste Composition Survey, carried out by the
National Statistics Office in collaboration with the Waste Management Strategy Implementation
Department, organic waste accounts for 60 per cent of the total rubbish collected. The NSO plans to
repeat the survey every quarter over a one-year period.
•
18 July 2002 The House of Representatives unanimously approved a motion for Joseph G. Galea to
serve as auditor-general for a second five-year term. The appointment needed the approval of at least
two-thirds of the members of the House. The motion was moved by Prime Minister Edward FenechAdami and seconded by Opposition MP Leo Brincat.
•
18 July 2002 President and Mrs de Marco presented on behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund
financial aid, specialised apparatus, and white goods to various philanthropic institutions and
individuals in need. A total of Lm25,628 was presented to 81 individuals and 17 philanthropic
institutions. The presentation was held at the Palace, in Valletta.
•
19 July 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami officially opened the Armed Forces’s new
operations centre, at Luqa. Dr Fenech-Adami thanked the Italian Government, represented at the
ceremony by Italian Ambassador Alvise Memmo, the Italian Coast Guard Command, the Italian
Military Mission in Malta, the Italian Air Force, as well as the United States, for donations of
equipment and expertise.
•
19 July 2002 President Guido de Marco presented Ms Cecilia Attard Pirotta with her letters of
credence as Malta’s Ambassador to Spain. Ms Attard Pirotta is the first female career diplomat to have
been nominated as resident Ambassador in another country.
•
19 July 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo praised the Malta Tourism Authority which, he said,
had successfully managed to minimise the backlash of the September 11 attacks. The Minister said
that it was thanks to the MTA’s excellent marketing and publicity that Malta was still attracting
thousands of tourists at a time when, world wide, tourism was still feeling the pinch. Dr Refalo was
speaking following a visit to Fort Rinella, in Kalkara.
•
19 July 2002 The National Statistics Office said that, in April this year, the total number of tourist
arrivals dropped by 16,658, or 15.5 per cent, to 91,141, from 107,799, in the same month last year.
During the same month, the number of cruise passengers went up by 3,261 to 20,203, from 16,942 in
the same month last year.
•
19 July 2002 The Federation of Industry said that it was finalising a twinning arrangement with the
Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation, thanks to funding provided by the European
Commission under a Euro-Med project. The FOI said that, through this arrangement, IBEC officials
would be assisting the federation to give a better service to its members in several respects.
•
19 July 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority’s Milan office, in conjunction with leading Italian tour
operator Settemari, utilised two postcards from Malta in an advertising campaign run targeted at 600
bars and restaurants in central and northern Italy. The cards carried the strap-lines Profumo di Malta
and Malta Blue & Blues.
•
19 July 2002 Malta was the backdrop for the popular Flemish soap opera Familie that has been
running in Belgium for over 11 years. This was not the first time an episode of ‘Familie’ has been
filmed in Malta. In fact, it has become more or less a tradition for the series to come to Malta every
year.
•
19 July 2002 The former Commander-in-Chief of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and first deputy
commander-in-chief of Russia’s Navy, Igor Kasatonov, paid a visit to the Maritime Museum in
Vittoriosa. Admiral Kasatonov, who was in Malta on a private visit, was accompanied by Russian
Ambassador Sergey Zotov.
•
20 July 2002 Malta's Permanent Delegate to the EU, Ambassador Victor Camilleri, wrote to the
Secretary General of the European Parliament making clear Malta’s stand against abortion. The letter
also notes that the issue of whether or not abortion should be legalised was a domestic one in which
the European Union, in terms with its acquis communautaire and in line with the principle of
subsidiarity, "has no competence to act, decide or legislate".
•
20 July 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Government was hoping to close the
chapter on Article 64 of the Industrial Relations Bill with the blessing of all the social partners. Article
64 deals with the clause on essential services that prevents certain categories of workers from striking.
Dr Gonzi was speaking to reporters following a meeting with the constituted bodies of the Malta
Council for Economic and Social Development.
•
20 July 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said in its latest round-up that negotiations on
Consumer and Health Protection were provisionally closed with the 10 countries that, according to the
European Union, could be ready to join by 2004. The 10 countries are Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Negotiations on this
chapter were also closed with Bulgaria and Romania.
•
20 July 2002 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that the inflation rate fell in June
to 3.54 per cent, down from 3.64 per cent the previous month. In June, the retail price index also went
down, by 0.37 per cent over May, and stood at 118.03.
•
20 July 2002 A survey carried out by the Department for Women in Society revealed that the political
interests of the majority of women who ran for local council elections revolved around the family,
education, youth and sport. None of the women candidates who took part in the survey expressed an
interest in issues related to industrial relations and economic services.
•
21 July 2002 A spokesman for the Freeport said that, during the first six months of the year, the
Freeport handled 613,000 containers, compared to 563,000 during the same period last year. The
increase took place at a time when the client portfolio underwent substantial upheavals, with Grand
Alliance shifting its business to Gioia Tauro, and a new consortium made up of the Taiwanese carrier
Yang Ming and the Japanese carrier 'K' Line introduced its container traffic to Malta.
•
21 July 2002 The Malta Centre for Restoration concluded a first round of talks with the Libyan
authorities with a view to establishing collaboration between the Department of Antiquities in Libya
and Malta's national agency for the provision of conservation services, in Tripoli. The Maltese
delegation was led by the Chairman of the MCR's Board of Governors, Joe Cannataci.
•
22 July 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that poultry breeders were to benefit from
Lm12.5 million in assistance over a 12-year period between this year and 2013. The Minister said that
this assistance was to be divided in Lm5.7 million for the production of broilers and Lm6.8 million for
the production of eggs. Mr Zammit was speaking at the annual general meeting of the Poultry
Breeders Co-operative.
•
23 July 2002 Malta, together with Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and
Slovenia, all EU candidate countries, teamed up with the European Agency for Safety and Health at
Work to launch joint occupational safety and health websites. The launch of the new sites marks a
milestone in the implementation of the agency's strategy to integrate all 13 EU candidate countries into
its information network. The agency can be accessed at europe.osha.eu.int/systems/programmes/ and
at osha.eu.int/
•
23 July 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that it was hoped that the new operator of Public Lotto
could start operations on January 1, 2003. The Minister said that the date was conditional on the
conclusion of the talks with the operator and the Union of Lotto Receivers, as well as final Cabinet
approval. Mr Dalli was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
23 July 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea launched the 2002-2003 prospectus of the Malta
College of Arts, Science and Technology. The prospectus includes facts and figures on MCAST, a
description of life at college, a description of the campuses, as well as detailed information on the 33
full-time and 60 part-time courses offered by the six institutes of the college. Information on selection
criteria, registration, maintenance grants, and ETC apprenticeship schemes are also included.
•
23 July 2002 University Rector Roger Ellul-Micallef announced that the Centre for Communication
Technology of the University of Malta, with the full support of the Strickland Foundation, will in
October be introducing courses related to journalism at Master’s and Diploma level. Details of the
courses were given by Prof. Saviour Chircop and Prof. Albert Caruana from the CCT.
•
23 July 2002 New regulations published in The Government Gazette establish that newly qualified
drivers would be given a driving licence provisionally for a probationary period of three years. Penalty
points for traffic offences would be recorded on the driving licence, and the licence could be
withdrawn if 12 penalty points were accumulated within the probationary period. Transport Minister
Censu Galea said that the penalty points system would be introduced towards the end of the year, and
would initially apply only to new drivers.
•
23 July 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech visited the site of the
newly restored monument to Sir Alexander Ball, at the Lower Barrakka, in Valletta. The restoration
was carried out at a cost of Lm37,000 by staff and students from the Malta Centre for Restoration,
under the supervision of Italian restorers.
•
23 July 2002 The National Statistics Office said that a total of 11.6 million kilos of fresh fruit and
vegetables, yielding Lm2.12 million, passed through organised markets in the second quarter of this
year. This marks an increase of 13.2 per cent in quantity, and 7.1 per cent in value, over the same
period last year.
•
24 July 2002 Prof. Giuliano Amato, who is the vice-President of the Convention on the Future of
Europe, met President Guido de Marco, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Foreign Minister Joe
Borg, Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant during a one-day visit to Malta. Later, at a public dialogue
organised by the Malta-EU Information Centre, he had this advice to offer: "I am here to sell a
product, Europe, but take the decision you consider best".
•
24 July 2002 A Bill to amend a clause in the Constitution dealing with the qualification of voters
failed to make it through Parliament when it did not achieve the required support of at least two-thirds
of the members of the House. The Bill would have extended the categories of people who would not
lose the right to vote even if they were temporarily resident abroad for a longer period than normally
allowed by the Constitution.
•
24 July 2002 The Government and the Trade Unions reached an eleventh hour agreement on clause 64
of the Employment and Industrial Relations Bill, which limits industrial action that may be taken by
workers who provide an essential service. The agreement was reached in talks with Social Policy
Minister Lawrence Gonzi a few hours before a Parliamentary Committee was due to consider the
clause.
•
24 July 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg tabled in Parliament an updated version of the National
Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis. The updated version incorporates the progress made by
Malta in adopting the European Union's body of laws and in establishing the necessary administrative
capacity.
•
24 July 2002 The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance released four new reports
examining racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance in Finland, Latvia, Malta, and the
Ukraine. ECRI recognised that, in all four Council of Europe member states, positive developments
had occurred. In Malta’s case, ECRI stressed the importance of combating stereotypes and prejudices
since ‘such latent phenomena’ might lead to more overt forms of racism and discrimination.
•
24 July 2002 The National Statistics Office said that the structural deficit between ordinary revenue
and total expenditure in the first six months this year amounted to Lm78.5 million, up from a deficit of
Lm53.9 million for the same period last year. The figure does not include contributions to the sinking
fund in respect of local and foreign loans as well as less direct repayment of loans.
•
24 July 2002 Deputy MIA Chairman Joseph Darmanin said that the Malta International Airport had
invested over Lm1.1 million by at its meteorological office over the past three years. Mr Darmanin
was speaking during the inauguration of new equipment at the Met Office, at Luqa.
•
24 July 2002 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, is leading a parliamentary
delegation on an official visit to the People's Republic of China. The visit is taking place at the
invitation extended by the Chinese authorities, following the visit to Malta of a delegation of the
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China led by Tiam
Jiyua, Vice Chairman of the Congress, in November 2000.
•
25 July 2002 Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdel Rahman Shalgam said that Malta’s
relationship with Libya would not change if this country joins the EU. Mr Shalgam was addressing a
joint press conference with his Maltese counterpart Joe Borg, following meetings with Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami, Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant, and Finance Minister John Dalli.
•
25 July 2002 The Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme
published its Human Development Report, 2002. Malta retains the 30th spot, that is the same ranking
obtained last year and features in the category of countries with a ‘High Degree of Human
Development’. Copies of the report can be found on the web-site of the United Nations Development
Programme at http://hdr.undp.org
•
25 July 2002 President Guido de Marco visited the offices of the Malta Maritime Authority. He said
that the aim of such visits was for the country to focus its attention on a particular, important, social
and economic aspect of the country's life. Prof. de Marco said that such visits also provided him with
access to the workers of the place he was visiting. President de Marco was welcomed by Transport
Minister Censu Galea.
•
25 July 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea told President Guido de Marco that cruise liners were
expected to make more than 400 calls at Malta this year, bringing over some 300,000 tourists. Mr
Galea said that Malta was becoming known as a port of call, with liners starting and finishing their
cruises here. President de Marco was visiting the offices of the Malta Maritime Authority.
•
25 July 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the Malta College of Arts, Science and
Technology would, as from the next scholastic year, have its own centre in Gozo that would be
offering all courses that are offered in Malta. Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono said that the new centre
was in line with the Government's policy to provide the best opportunities for Gozitans in Gozo. The
two Ministers were addressing a joint news conference.
•
25 July 2002 Official figures issued by the National Statistics Office show that the number of people
registering for work in June fell by 302, to 7,121, compared to the figure for May. The figure is 592
higher than that for June last year.
•
25 July 2002 The BBC is shooting parts of its three-part TV serial Daniel Deronda in Malta. Location
work is being carried out at Bighi; at the Vittoriosa waterfront; at Palazzo Parisio, in Naxxar; and out
at sea, with Grand Harbour as the backdrop. Producer Louis Marks said that the authorities had been
very accommodating and the co-operation he was receiving was ‘remarkable’.
•
26 July 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdel
Rahman Shalgam signed the first extradition treaty between Malta and a North African country. The
Government said that the agreement was another step forward in the strengthening of relations
between the Maltese and Libyan people.
•
26 July 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that Government had embarked
on plans for public-private initiatives to make internet accessible to more people. He announced that
the Government, together with the internet service providers, would be setting up an internet centre at
each local council to be used by the community. Dr Gatt was speaking at the International Comnet-It
Workshop, at Salina Bay.
•
26 July 2002 The Government Gazette published the text of the ‘Mutual Recognition of Qualifications
Bill’. The Bill provides for Malta to recognise the professional qualifications of foreigners wishing to
work or provide a service in Malta as long as reciprocal recognition is granted by the countries of the
persons concerned.
•
26 July 2002 The National Statistics Office said that, in the first half of this year, domestic exports
dropped by Lm47.9 million, to Lm377.8 million. With imports down by Lm39.2 million, to Lm598.6
million, and re-exports up by Lm18.9 million, to Lm59.6 million, the trade gap narrowed by Lm10.2
million, to Lm161.2 million.
•
26 July 2002 The Armed Forces of Malta rescued and brought ashore two hundred and twenty-eight
illegal immigrants from aboard a sinking boat off Malta. The AFM said that the immigrants on board
the 20-metre Zimalef were bound for Italy, but encountered problems in rough seas some 44 nautical
miles south of the Island.
•
26 July 2002 The Head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, Simon Busuttil, announced a new
scheme under which each media house would be asked to send one of its journalists to cover EU
affairs in Brussels for one month. Journalists will be chosen through a selection board composed of
MIC, the Malta Press Club, the Strickland Foundation and the Department of Information.
•
26 July 2002 The third edition of the national programme for the adoption of the acquis, published by
the Government earlier this week, has been made available to the public on the website of the MaltaEU Information Centre. MIC’s website address is www.mic.gov.mt
•
26 July 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici announced that the setting up of a plant in
Malta to assemble part of the range of Britain’s oldest surviving car marque, AC. The plant is expected
to employ some 40 people.
•
26 July 2002 The former Director of Museums Department, Tancred Gouder, died at age 66. Dr
Gouder was also the Chairman of the Antiquities Board and a member of the National Commission to
UNESCO since 1987. He was an expert in the Punic period and had also published works about the
Phoenician period. Dr Gouder was married to Rosanne and had two children, Paula and Albert.
•
26 July 2002 An Efficiency Report, drawn up by the Local Councils Department and tabled in
Parliament, places the Gozitan village of Fontana first among twenty-two towns and villages inspected
during the first quarter of this year.
•
27 July 2002 At the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council in New York, the EU reiterated
that a settlement between Israel and the Palestinian people “can only be achieved through negotiation”,
and that it “shares the vision of two States living side by side in peace and security, which includes an
end to the occupation, and the early establishment of a sovereign, viable and peaceful State of
Palestine with democratic institutions”. The Malta Government aligned itself with the EU statement on
the situation in the Middle East.
•
27 July 2002 Malta International Airport appointed Austrian Peter Bolech, a member of the
management team at Vienna International Airport, as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr Bolech’s
appointment was announced during the signing of the agreement to sell a 40 per cent stake in MIA to
the consortium Malta Mediterranean Link.
•
27 July 2002 Malta and Kuwait signed a convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the
prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. The agreement, which aims to promote
economic relations between Malta and Kuwait, was finalised following lengthy negotiations between
tax officials of both countries.
•
28 July 2002 Museums Director Anthony Pace was appointed Malta's first ‘Superintendent of Cultural
Heritage’ under the new cultural heritage law. The Cultural Heritage Act gives a wide definition of
heritage to encompass material heritage, archaeology, fine arts, anthropology and various aspects of
our intangible culture.
•
29 July 2002 A government statement lashed out at Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant for accusing
the Government of being so obsessed with joining the EU at any cost that, if the EU were to set
abortion as a condition for joining, the Prime Minister would accept. Dr Sant’s assertion, the
Government said, was most defamatory and broke all the limits of decency expected of a person in
public life. “Dr Sant knows that the Government led by Dr Fenech-Adami has, on every occasion that
has come up in Malta, in the EU, and at the United Nations, shown that it is strongly against abortion,”
said the statement.
•
29 July 2002 Russian Ambassador Sergey Zotov presented Foreign Minister Joe Borg with a letter
from the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Igor Ivanov, on the occasion of the 35th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and Russia. In his letter, the
Russian Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction with the state of relations between the two countries.
Dr Borg sent a letter to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow highlighting a number of key achievements in
the relations.
•
30 July 2002 Negotiations on regional policy were closed during an accession conference between
Malta and the EU, held in Brussels. The Chairman of the Core Negotiating Group, Mr. Richard Cachia
Caruana, announced that the first draft of Malta’s Single Programming Document will include a
separate priority entitled “Regional Development of Gozo” dealing with Gozo’s special needs. The
session, which was the first to be convened under the Danish Presidency, brought the total number of
areas where Malta has concluded negotiations to twenty-four.
•
30 July 2002 Bank of Valletta and Air Malta will be supporting a series of initiatives by the National
Youth Council throughout this year and the beginning of the next under the first sponsorship
agreement signed between the NYC and the private sector. The Parliamentary Secretary for Youth,
Jesmond Mugliett, attended the signing ceremony.
•
30 July 2002 The Government launched this year’s edition of the Environment Award for Industry
with the aim of acknowledging the contribution of industry in favour of sustainable development. The
environment award would be given in two categories, the first being a Management Award for
Sustainable Development, and the second the Conservation Award for Sustainable Development.
Category ‘A’ focuses on the methods used, while Category ‘B’ focuses on the results achieved.
•
30 July 2002 In its first-ever report on non-government organisations involved in social welfare, the
National Statistics Office said that, in 2000, such organisations employed 787 full-timers and had
49,898 people as members. 30,505 (61.1 per cent) of the members were women and 19,393 (38.9 per
cent) were men.
•
30 July 2002 Maltacom is offering its customers a whole month of reduced international rates for calls
to Australia, the US, and Canada. Residential customers can call the countries in question at a special
rate of 29c4 per minute, and commercial customers can call at 32c2 per minute. The rates are inclusive
of Vat. Further information may be obtained from the Maltacom website at www.maltacom.com
•
31 July 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that legislation governing the accountancy profession
would be amended with a view to bringing it in line with developments, and to strengthen the
profession itself. The Government, he said, was planning to publish the Bill containing the
amendments over the summer, after it has received the approval of Cabinet. Mr Dalli was speaking
during a presentation ceremony at the Ministry of Finance.
•
31 July 2002 Government is to start negotiations with the consortium that submitted the best proposal
for a public-private partnership project to embellish the environment. The negotiations are expected to
lead to an agreement over how embellishment of the country could be carried out economically,
effectively and efficiently.
•
31 July 2002 HSBC launched its business profile of the Maltese Islands. The profile provides all the
latest economic data, as well as information about the Government, investment, and trade regulations.
HSBC Chief Executive Officer Tom Robson told Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi that the
business profile would be distributed to all HSBC offices world wide, as well as to various trade and
diplomatic organisations.
•
31 July 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary within the Economic Services Ministry, Edwin Vassallo,
launched a directory of craftsmen and entrepreneurs registered with the Malta Crafts Council. The
directory is being distributed free of charge to shops selling artisan products, and may be obtained
from the Malta Trade Council.
•
31 July 2002 Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech visited San Anton Gardens to view the
Eagle fountain that has been restored at a cost of Lm22,000. The project was carried out by Italian
restorers helped by members of the Restoration Unit.
•
31 July 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority has recruited 20 people to act as marketing, enforcement
and administrative executives and operatives. Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that the MTA's
complement was now complete and the new personnel could in time be called to serve in MTA's
offices abroad.
•
31 July 2002 Malta International Airport Chairman Lawrence Zammit announced that MIA would be
imposing a new fee on all departing passengers to recoup the costs of new security measures at the
airport. Mr Zammit said the fee would come into force on April 1 next year.
•
31 July 2002 Malta's first interactive newspaper kiosk, Presspoint, was installed at the Radisson SAS
Baypoint resort. Presspoint digitally prints on demand any of 100 newspapers from 43 countries.
Newspapers on offer include The Los Angeles Times, Sports Nippon, El Pais, Komsomolskaya Pravda,
The Times of India, Die Welt and El Economista.
AUGUST
•
1 August 2002 In a joint statement, Foreign Minister Joe Borg and Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono
said that all indications point to the fact that Malta would be considered as a region under Objective 1.
They said that the Single Programming Document, explaining how Malta plans to spend EU funds
after membership, will include a separate priority entitled ‘The Regional Development of Gozo’,
which will deal with Gozo's special needs.
•
1 August 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said that, under the agreement reached with the EU,
funds would be allocated to Malta and Gozo as one unit. It would then be up to the Maltese authorities
to see how these funds would be allocated, spent, and all accounts verified. The Regional Policy
Directorate at the Office of the Prime Minister, said MIC, had been set up for this end.
•
1 August 2002 Outgoing British High Commissioner Howard Pearce said that relations between Malta
and the UK were of the highest level and would become closer if Malta decided to join the European
Union. Howard Pearce was paying a farewell call on Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami at the end
of his three-year posting in Malta.
•
1 August 2002 A government statement reiterated that there was no condition or obligation to legalise
abortion on any country joining the EU. The statement said that the Government would continue to
stress its anti-abortion position even after Malta gained membership of the EU. The statement was
issued in reply to claims by the Opposition that the Government would be ready to legalise abortion if
this were to be made a condition for EU membership.
•
1 August 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that Malta was embarking on a new niche
holiday market, that is, the organisation of wedding holidays. Dr Refalo said that tour operators
Thomson and Cosmos were already promoting Malta as a wedding destination.
•
1 August 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech toured the site of St
Thomas tower, in Marsascala. The tower is being restored at a cost of Lm75,000.
•
1 August 2002 The Ombudsman, Mr Joe Sammut, warned that the setting up of new administrative
structures within the Public Service should not be accompanied by a loss in the standards of public
accountability. Mr Sammut said that recruitment and promotion procedures adopted by some of the
new autonomous bodies, as well as the engagement of consultants by Government Ministries, were
cases in point. The Office of the Ombudsman has just published its annual report for the year 2001.
•
1 August 2002 The Armed Forces of Malta launched its newly designed official website. The site
gives an overview of the AFM, its organisation, tasks and commitments. The website address is
www.afm.gov.mt.
•
2 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that the police were investigating
Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and Judge Patrick Vella over claims that they had accepted thousands of liri
in return for reducing a convicted man's prison sentence on appeal by four years. Dr Fenech-Adami
said that he had met President Guido de Marco and Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant over the
case. The Prime Minister made the announcement at a news conference at Auberge de Castille, in
Valletta.
•
2 August 2002 During an official visit to the Federation of Professional Associations, President Guido
de Marco referred to a speech he made in February 2000 during a visit to the courts. Prof. de Marco
had said: "Honesty and integrity are the greatest heritage of the Maltese judiciary. This is a quality that
we cherish. To be brilliant in law is important. To be dedicated and motivated to the work of the
judiciary is essential. To be honest is indispensable.”
•
2 August 2002 Culture Minister Louis Galea launched Heritage Malta, the new government
organisation that will take over from the Museums Department. The body’s task will be to manage the
Island's heritage sites and museums in a sustainable manner. Heritage Malta will be governed by a
board of directors headed by Chairman Alex Grech.
•
2 August 2002 Maltapost Chief Executive Officer Robert Lake said that with immediate effect
Maltapost was withdrawing as legal tender all decimal stamps issued before January 1, 1998. As from
1st August 2002, only stamps issued after 1st January 1998 will be valid for postal purposes. Mr Lake
also announced an increase of one cent in local postage rates, effective 13th August of this year.
•
2 August 2002 In an effort to enhance the quality of life of blind and deaf mobile phone users, Go
Mobile is collaborating with the National Commission Persons with Disability to top up the Go Mobile
pre-paid accounts of some 150 blind and partially deaf people with Lm30 talk-time. The Chairman of
the National Commission Persons with Disability, Joseph Camilleri, said that the scheme had been
very well received.
•
2 August 2002 The Malta Stock Exchange has published a booklet about the Upper Barrakka Gardens
and the Garrison Chapel, now the Malta Stock Exchange. The money raised is to go towards the
upkeep of the gardens. The booklet is for sale from all leading bookshops.
•
3 August 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici held talks with the Icelandic Foreign
Affairs and Trade Minister, Halldor Asgrimsson, in Reykjavic. Prof. Bonnici said that a double
taxation agreement between Malta and Iceland was expected to be concluded shortly.
•
3 August 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre stressed that, contrary to the impression given by
sections of the media, the negotiations on Gozo had not yet been concluded. MIC said that Malta
would be negotiating a protocol for Gozo that would take into consideration issues like funding
requirements.
•
3 August 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said in its latest round-up that negotiations on the
Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union were provisionally closed with the 10
countries that, according to the EU, could be ready to join by 2004. The 10 countries are Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Negotiations on this chapter were also closed with Bulgaria and Romania.
•
3 August 2002 Prof. Edward Scicluna has been re-appointed Chairman of the Malta Council for Social
and Economic Development for a year from August 17, according to a notice in The Government
Gazette. The Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Joseph R Grima, is the Deputy
Chairman of the MCSED.
•
3 August 2002 Carnival Cruise Lines will be introducing cruises in the Mediterranean as from 2004
and Malta could feature in the company's itineraries. The announcement was made by the Carnival
Cruise Lines Business Development Manager, Ms Viviana Natta.
•
3 August 2002 Internet portal www.di-ve.com was considered Malta's favourite website in an
independent survey conducted on advertising trends in Malta by Informa Marketing Consultants.
www.searchmalta.com came a close second. The survey was conducted in April through telephone
interviews.
•
4 August 2002 Government announced that it was still following developments regarding the police
interrogation of Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and Mr Justice Patrick Vella. After it resulted there was
enough proof of misbehaviour, according to the Constitution, a motion is to be presented in Parliament
for the removal of the two judges. Opposition Leader Alfred Sant was informed of the Prime
Minister's declaration, the statement said.
•
4 August 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea launched the Committee of Guarantee for Malta's
cultural heritage. Dr Galea said that the committee’s function was to facilitate synergy between the
various agencies responsible for the protection and administration of the cultural heritage.
•
4 August 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that the 56 time
frames and targets set by Progett Skart, Government's Waste Management Strategy, were on target
and in most cases exceeded. He said that 11 of Progett Skart's proposals had been accomplished, 21
were currently being carried out, and 24 had started. Dr Zammit Dimech was addressing a press
conference, held to give an update report of the waste management situation.
•
5 August 2002 Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and Mr Justice Patrick Vella were arraigned in court and
charged with accepting bribes. Magistrate Antonio Mizzi granted the judges bail, on condition that
they do not leave their houses except for medical reasons. Each accused was bound with a Lm5,000
deposit and a Lm10,000 personal guarantee.
•
5 August 2002 Former Chief Justice Joseph Said Pullicino told Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami
that he was shocked when he heard that two judges were being investigated over allegations of bribery.
In a letter to the Prime Minister released by the Government, Dr Said Pullicino said that he appreciated
and supported the speedy, correct and transparent manner in which the Prime Minister had acted to
ensure that the process of justice takes its course.
•
5 August 2002 Twelve Maltese young people joined 1,000 young Europeans in Denmark for a twoweek stay in 13 Danish Folk High Schools to work on a proposal for a European constitution. The
Youth 2002 Meeting ran in parallel with the Youth Convention on the Future of Europe.
•
6 August 2002 Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and Mr Justice Patrick Vella, both charged with accepting
bribes individually wrote to the President saying that they would like to refrain from carrying out their
duties. The two judges made it clear, however, that they were not resigning from their posts.
•
6 August 2002 A motion for the impeachment of the two judges, signed by the Prime Minister and by
the Leader of the Opposition, was presented to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Speaker
Anton Tabone will be passing the motion on to President Guido de Marco, who also chairs the
Commission for the Administration of Justice.
•
6 August 2002 Culture Minister Louis Galea launched the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, at a
news conference at St James Centre for Creativity. Dr Galea said that the council would be replacing
the Department of Culture.
•
6 August 2002 According to the June issue of the Central Bank of Malta Quarterly Review, during the
first quarter of 2002, the economy showed some signs of recovery following the sharp downturn that
had characterised the second half of 2001. The CBM quotes the Gross Domestic Product as growing
by 1.4 per cent in real terms.
•
6 August 2002 A group of 49 illegal immigrants were rounded up soon after the small boat they were
in landed at Il-Qammiegh, near Paradise Bay. After interrogation by the police they were taken to Ta’
Kandja and the Hal-Far reception centre. The immigrants are understood to be mainly Iraqis and
Egyptians and their boat is thought to have left from Turkey.
•
7 August 2002 President Guido de Marco, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, designated Mr
Justice Joseph David Camilleri to perform the functions of the Chief Justice. The Constitution enables
the Government to appoint an acting Chief Justice when the incumbent cannot perform the duties of
Chief Justice.
•
7 August 2002 President Guido de Marco visited the site of the new Inter-Continental Hotel, at St.
George’s Bay. The Lm25 million, 451-room hotel, is owned by the Eden Leisure Group, and will be
the largest five-star hotel on the Island when it opens in November.
•
7 August 2002 The Home Affairs Ministry announced that the Government had set up a committee to
deal with the problem of the sharp rise in the number of illegal immigrants. The 514 immigrants
currently being held have stretched resources to the limit, the Ministry said.
•
7 August 2002 Import levies on a wide range of industrial-agro products will decrease by an average
10 per cent on 1st September 2002, 1st January 2003, and 1st July 2003, respectively. The remaining 70
per cent of the current levy will be removed completely upon Malta's accession into the EU, scheduled
to take place on January 1, 2004.
•
7 August 2002 The General Assembly of the United Nations met in an emergency special session to
consider a report by the Secretary General of the United Nations on the situation in the Middle East.
During the session, Malta aligned itself with the statement by the European Union and voted in favour
of the resolution adopted by the United Nations.
•
7 August 2002 The National Statistics Office said that a total of 252,670 people, or 64 per cent of the
population, now own a mobile phone. The statistics, compiled by the NSO with the co-operation of
Eurostat, show an increase of 79.2 per cent in mobile phone customers between March 2001 and
March 2002.
•
8 August 2002 Communications Minister Censu Galea said that, in the past two years, the number of
mobile telephony subscribers had increased from 20,000 to 250,000. He said that for the first time
mobile telephony had overtaken fixed line telephony. Minister Galea was speaking at a news
conference at the launch of the Malta Communications Authority's strategic plan.
•
8 August 2002 President Guido de Marco presided over an urgent meeting of the Commission for the
Administration of Justice. The meeting was called to determine how to deal with the motion for the
impeachment of Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and Mr Justice Patrick Vella for alleged misbehaviour.
•
8 August 2002 The Department of Culture within the Ministry of Education approved the sum of
Lm9,255 as financial support for cultural events or projects to be carried out by thirty-nine cultural
societies, organisations, artists, students, and other groups during the first semester of the year 2002.
•
8 August 2002 The shipyards have taken on 30 apprentices in a scheme launched by the Employment
and Training Corporation. Shipyards' Chairman John Cassar White said that the apprentices would be
trained over a period of three years. Those concluding their apprenticeship would receive a
Journeyman's certificate. According to the restructuring plan agreed upon in the task force, the
shipyards plan to employ a limited number of apprentices in the coming years to fill the void created
by retirement, resignations, and illness.
•
8 August 2002 A group of 48 men were given a six-month jail term suspended for a year for landing
in Malta illegally. Three men requested refugee status on the grounds that, once they were members of
the Armed Forces of Iraq, repatriation would have negative political repercussions on them. Magistrate
Giovanni Grixti ruled that the deportation order issued against the three Iraqis would not be executed
until the refugee status proceedings were concluded. Meanwhile, the other 45 men will be deported.
•
9 August 2002 A spokesman for the Office of the President confirmed that President Guido de Marco
had chaired Wednesday's meeting of the Commission for the Administration of Justice, held to discuss
the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and Mr Justice Patrick Vella. The
spokesman said that the meeting focused on the procedures to be adopted by the Commission within
the parameters of the law.
•
9 August 2002 EU Commissioner for enlargement Gunther Verheugen said that his advice to the
Maltese was to wait to see the package negotiated with the EU before making up their mind in favour
or against membership. Mr Verheugen was being interviewed by The Times newspaper.
•
9 August 2002 The joint committee for the north of the Island, embracing the local councils for
Gharghur, Mgarr, Mellieha, Mosta, Naxxar, and St Paul's Bay, agreed to run a pooling system for the
enforcement of regulations in their localities. The agreement will become effective on September 1.
•
9 August 2002 A spokesman for ST Microelectronics said that Tonio Portughese, the company's
Director and Human Resources and External Relations Manager, has been appointed Human
Resources Development Vice-President for ST's assembly and testing plants in Morocco, China,
Singapore, Malaysia and Malta. The plants have a total head count of 14,000 employees.
•
9 August 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that expenditure on village feasts by parish
churches had increased, from Lm574,641 in 1999 to Lm593,091, in 2001. Expenditure on parish festas
held in Gozo last year stood at Lm173,751, or 29.3 per cent of the total recorded expenditure.
•
9 August 2002 A tremor was felt following an earthquake on the seabed 20 kilometres north of the
Malta. The tremor was felt by people living in Birkirkara, Lija, Valletta, St Julian's, and Mriehel,
among others. Pauline Galea, a physics lecturer responsible for the seismograph station at Wied
Dalam, said that the tremor measured 3 on the Richter scale.
•
10 August 2002 Chief Justice Noel Arrigo personally tendered his resignation to President Guido de
Marco, apologising to the public for what he had caused and expressing regret at the manner in which
he had been ‘pre-judged’. Prof. de Marco accepted Dr Arrigo's resignation.
•
10 August 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea launched Skolasajf, the Education Division's summer
school programme, at the Kordin III megalithic site, in Paola. The venture is organised by Fondazzjoni
Wirt Artna and has the financial support of Bank of Valletta.
•
10 August 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Home Affairs Ministry, George Pullicino,
launched four projects which are to be presented to the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
being held in Johannesburg later this year. The projects are meant to regenerate Valletta; to safeguard
the sustainable use of coastal and sea resources; to control the management of building waste; and to
ensure greater use of public transport.
•
10 August 2002 Representatives of the Malta Press Club had a meeting with the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Anton Tabone, in his office at The Palace, in Valletta. Mr Tabone expressed the
wish to maintain a constant dialogue with the media to ensure that the highest standards of journalism
were maintained.
•
11 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami described the resignation of Chief Justice
Noel Arrigo as a ‘step in the right direction’. He said that Dr Arrigo's resignation should lead to a
gradual return to normality in the judiciary. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking to The Sunday Times
newspaper from Australia.
•
11 August 2002 The Prime Minister started a visit to Australia. In a radio interview broadcast by the
Special Broadcasting Services, Dr Fenech-Adami said that Maltese living in Australia who hold dual
citizenship would benefit from what the EU had to offer. He said that the Government had changed
citizenship laws in 1989, following which all Maltese who had lost their citizenship when acquiring
another one had automatically re-acquired their Maltese citizenship.
•
11 August 2002 A statement issued by the Malta Freeport said that the company has managed to
maintain the targets it had set. During the first six months of this year, said the statement, the Freeport
registered a throughput of 612,000 containers. This is an increase of 50,000 containers over the same
period last year.
•
12 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami met Maltese-Australian businessmen,
members of the Maltese-Australian Chamber of Commerce and of the Maltese-Australia Businessmen
and Professionals Association. The businessmen expressed great interest in developments in Malta’s
EU membership issue.
•
13 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami started an official visit to New Zealand, the
first by a Maltese Prime Minister. Shortly after his arrival, Dr Fenech-Adami met the Governor
General of New Zealand, Dame Silvia Cartwright. Diplomatic relations between the two countries,
established in 1973, were briefly discussed.
•
13 August 2002 Mr Justice Patrick Vella handed in his resignation from the Bench to President Guido
de Marco, at Verdala Palace. In his letter of resignation Dr Vella appealed to the public to let the
judiciary work in the peace that they deserved and to stop criticising them indiscriminately because of
the bribery case which led to his and the Chief Justice's resignation. Dr Vella cited health reasons for
not resigning earlier.
•
13 August 2002 A Gozo Channel ferry moored for the first time at the new berth in Cirkewwa that
forms part of the Lm13 million Cirkewwa terminal project. Transport and Communications Minister
Censu Galea, who was present for the occasion, said that the berth would enable the Gozo ferries to
moor in all weather conditions.
•
13 August 2002 The Maltese Ambassador in Tripoli, Richard Vella Laurenti, said that the
Government was seeking an official explanation why twenty-one Maltese workers, most of whom
worked on construction and technical projects, had been sent back immediately on landing in Tripoli.
Mr Vella Laurenti said that the issue had been addressed, ‘and was receiving a willing ear from the
Libyan side’.
•
14 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami met his counterpart in New Zealand, Helen
Clark. The two Prime Ministers discussed Malta’s EU bid, the Commonwealth, the political situation
in Zimbabwe, the Middle East, Israel, Iraq, and the Mediterranean. Dr Fenech-Adami later also met
Leader of the Opposition Bill English.
•
14 August 2002 In New Zealand, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami explored with New Zealand
Premier Helen Clark the possibility of strengthening bilateral relations between their respective
countries. In the wake of the Maltese Premier’s visit, Malta and New Zealand are to start negotiations
on three bilateral agreements, dealing with social security, double taxation, and working holiday
schemes.
•
14 August 2002 Dr Fenech-Adami told Prime Minister Clark that he hoped that the investment by
New Zealand Post in Maltapost would pave the way for more development. Given Malta's strategic
location in the centre of the Mediterranean, he said, it was hoped that Maltapost would develop as a
staging post from Malta to other Mediterranean areas. “It is too early to speak about results but
expectations are high,” said the Prime Minister.
•
14 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami described the allegations of bribery that led to
the resignation of the Chief Justice and a judge as ‘very unfortunate’, but said that Malta has a very
strong judicial system that worked well. “This does not mean that every now and then there is not the
occasional black sheep,” he said. Dr Fenech-Adami was replying to a question about the case by a
correspondent for New Zealand state television.
•
14 August 2002 The mini-series Helen of Troy is currently shooting in Malta for USA Cable TV.
Producer Ted Kurdyla said that he was very happy with the location work he has been able to do here.
He also praised Maltese acting talent and local craftsmen. Mr Kurdyla said that Malta would be on his
agenda for other future productions.
•
14 August 2002 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority released two separate studies in the
form of topic papers on Public utilities and Urban conservation and built environment. The studies
form part of the structure plan review that examines the land-use implication over the next 20 years.
MEPA has already published similar studies on issues like tourism, employment, and waste
management. Copies of the topic papers may be obtained from MEPA or viewed on the authority’s
website at www.mepa.org.mt
•
14 August 2002 The recent intake of shipyard apprentices has made history including as it did the first
female apprentice. Ms Elaine Saliba of Luqa will be receiving training in electronic servicing.
•
15 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that Malta in the EU could become a
staging post for New Zealand businessmen who wanted to exploit the European, African, and MiddleEastern markets. Dr Fenech-Adami, who was in New Zealand on an official visit, said that Malta's EU
membership could give a new dimension to the friendship that existed between the two countries.
•
15 August 2002 The Government announced that upgrading and refurbishing programme of police
stations was taken in hand this year and that all disused cells were being taken out of service. The
announcement took the form of a reply to a report drawn up by the European Committee for the
Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
•
15 August 2002 The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Mgr Archbishop Michel Sabbah, paid a courtesy call on
Acting Prime Minister Louis Galea. Mgr Sabbah was on his first visit to Malta to preside over
celebrations being held to mark the feast of Santa Maria, at Mosta Parish Church.
•
15 August 2002 The annual agricultural show at Villa Rundle in Victoria was inaugurated by Gozo
Minister Giovanna Debono. There were some 4,500 exhibits in this year's show, timed to coincide
with the feast of Santa Marija.
•
15 August 2002 Acting President George Hyzler attended the 17th edition of the Malta Volleyball
Marathon, in the absence of President Guido de Marco, who is on holiday. The marathon, being held at
the Trade Fair Grounds in Naxxar, is in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and the Dominican Mission in
Albania.
•
15 August 2002 A Malta Tourism Authority billboard promoting Malta holidays placed first in a
survey of advertising billboards in Germany. The Malta campaign billboard, which carried the slogan
Malta ist etwas Besonderes (Malta is something special), was judged to portray the most effective and
appealing advertising message and motif.
•
16 August 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici launched a Technology Venture Fund with
a capital of Lm1 million. The fund is to be administered jointly by the Malta Development
Corporation and the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise and will provide financial capital
for technological initiatives, as announced by Finance Minister John Dalli in last November’s budget.
•
17 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami and his delegation were welcomed in
Melbourne by Dr Clemente Zammit, the Consul General and President of the Maltese Community
Council of Victoria. The Prime Minister said that, when Malta joined the EU, Maltese living abroad
would have the same rights as any other European. Dr Fenech-Adami is on an official visit to Australia
after visiting New Zealand.
•
17 August 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said in its latest round-up that negotiations on
energy had been provisionally closed. EU energy policy obliges member countries to maintain at all
times their stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum stocks at a level corresponding to at least 90 days
internal consumption. The Maltese Government requested and obtained a transition period of six years
to implement this chapter.
•
17 August 2002 Culture Minister Louis Galea visited the Mediterranean Conference Centre to view
refurbishment works costing nearly Lm2 million. The MCC is a member of the International Congress
and Convention Association, which is the largest global association involved in conferences.
•
18 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that there was scope for changing
electoral laws in a reasonable way so that Maltese working abroad would be allowed to vote. He said
that he felt that those involved in voluntary work, and those engaged with Maltese and other
companies abroad, should be allowed to vote. Dr Fenech-Adami was being interviewed by Richard
Curmi on the Australian Special Broadcasting services radio station in Melbourne.
•
19 August 2002 In Victoria, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that he did not expect there
would be significant changes to the value of the Maltese lira when a switch is made to the Euro after
Malta joins the EU. This was because the Euro featured prominently in the basket of currencies against
which the Maltese lira is pegged. Dr Fenech-Adami was answering a reporter’s question about the
effects the introduction of the Euro might have on people's savings.
•
19 August 2002 The European Central Bank publication The Eurosystem's dialogue with EU
accession countries lists Malta, Estonia and Hungary as the candidate countries that have managed to
narrow their income gap with the euro area by around 10 per cent since 1995. Other candidate
countries, the ECB says, have not progressed in this regard, and some have even regressed.
•
19 August 2002 Legal Notice 147 of this year announces new hospital fees for foreign patients. The
notice, carried in The Government Gazette, amends notice 147 of 1989.
•
20 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami told an audience in Canberra that in Malta the
Opposition was ‘playing on a fear of the unknown’ in its campaign against EU membership. Dr
Fenech-Adami was fielding questions following the delivery of a speech entitled ‘Malta and the EU –
a Mediterranean perspective’, at the European Centre of the University of Canberra.
•
20 August 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that, in the last two years, over 360 Maltese had
benefited from training in EU member states. These included 130 students and apprentices, 125
workers, and 110 teachers and managers. Minister Galea was speaking during a meeting with 12
students of the Institute of Health Care who will be in Belgium between August 29 and September 28
as part of the Leonardo da Vinci programme.
•
20 August 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea met the fourteen Chinese students being hosted by
the Cospicua Council as part of an exchange programme between Malta and China. A co-operation,
friendship, and exchange agreement was signed in April between Cospicua Council and the Yancheng
City authorities.
•
20 August 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that the new access road to the new Mater Dei
Hospital and San Gwann Industrial Estate, which forms the first phase of a project involving the
construction of four roads, would be completed by the end of the year. Mr Galea, who toured the
works in progress, said that the entire project was expected to be completed early in 2003, ‘quite ahead
of schedule’.
•
20 August 2002 The National Statistics Office said that the number of occupational accidents had
gone down in the period between January and March 2002 in comparison with the same term in 2001.
Between April and June 2002, the number of accidents at work had remained constant to that of the
same quarter last year. The NSO was reporting on a survey of accidents at work reported to the
Department of Social Security in the period between January and June 2002 for the purpose of
obtaining injury benefit.
•
21 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami inaugurated the new Maltese High
Commission in Canberra. Dr Fenech-Adami was shown round the High Commission by outgoing
High Commissioner Yves de Barro. The Prime Minister also inaugurated a new website which, while
providing information about Malta, serves as bulletin board where Maltese Australians can post their
messages. The new website can be accesed at http://www.gregfarrugia.com/tal-maltin/
•
21 August 2002 Kunsill Studenti Universitarji, the students’ council of the University of Malta, has
published a report on the effect that EU membership would have on the student population. The report
is entitled The EU – possible scenarios and their effect on Maltese University students. KSU President
James Scicluna said that, though the report does not reach any conclusions as to whether EU
membership is beneficial or not, the content lists several opportunities for students.
•
21 August 2002 A consortium made up of universities and coastal management agencies from Italy,
Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia, and the UK has published a project manual that proposes practical
methods of conserving the coastal region and its diverse assets. The manual is entitled Baseline for the
Integrated Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Sensitive Coastal Ecosystems. Education
Minister Louis Galea was present for the presentation.
•
21 August 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that the number of foreign
students following English language courses in Malta last year shot up by 26.9 per cent, to 52,680. As
in previous years, the highest number of students came from Germany.
•
21 August 2002 The Maltese Islands are to feature in television programmes in France and Spain. On
the Spanish national station TVE Malta will feature in a documentary travel programme, titled Paraisos
Cercanos (Nearby Paradises). Meanwhile, French TV station Histoire was recently in Malta to shoot a
feature about Neolithic Malta.
•
21 August 2002 Sean Connery is in Malta for the filming of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
The film is being shot on location in Prague, with additional scenes being shot in Gozo. The film pays
homage to the grand adventure stories of yesteryear and stars Connery in the role of Allan Quatermain.
•
22 August 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami met Australian Premier John Howard in
Canberra. Dr Fenech-Adami later told newsmen that the two leaders had discussed matters of interest
to the Maltese in Australia. The Prime Minister said that they had also agreed to start discussions to
review the existing social security agreement between the two countries.
•
22 August 2002 Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he knew that Malta’s aspiration was to
become a member of the EU. He said that Australia looked forward to the day when Malta joined the
Union as the Australian perspective would be better understood by an EU member state. Mr Howard
was speaking following a meeting with Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami.
•
22 August 2002 President and Mrs Guido de Marco postponed their private visit to the Czech
Republic on the advice of the Czech authorities, in view of the floods that inundated Prague. The
invitation to pay a private visit in Prague had been made to Prof. de Marco by Czech President Vaclav
Havel during his state visit to Malta last April.
•
22 August 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit announced that his Ministry is aiming to treble the
amount of land used for vine-growing by the year 2014. He said it was intended to gradually increase
the wine-growing area from 320 hectares to 1,104 hectares. Mr Zammit was speaking during a visit to
Marsovin's Ghajn Rihana Estate, in Burmarrad.
•
22 August 2002 Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Civil Protection Department Director Peter
Cordina presided over a preparatory meeting with a view to setting up a contingency plan for Gozo in
line with provisions of the Civil Protection Act of 1999. Attending the meeting were members of the
Police, the AFM, the health sector, Enemalta, Maltacom and Gozo Channel, as well as the Red Cross
in Gozo.
•
22 August 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry, Edwin Vassallo,
launched a scheme to facilitate the identification and building of new industrial zones for the selfemployed and small business. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority said that it had
identified over 282,000m2 of land that could be developed into parks for micro-enterprises. Copies of
MEPA's public consultation draft of the site selection exercise are available on www.mepa.org.mt.
•
22 August 2002 Employees at the Land Registry Department started to register private property in
Valletta and Vittoriosa as part of a plan to register all property in Valletta, Floriana and Cottonera. The
exercise is being carried out according to a joint plan of the Land Registry Department and the Office
of Rehabilitation Projects.
•
23 August 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Environment,
George Pullicino, said that the Government was appealing for common sense to prevail over an
emotional reaction to the issue of hunting and trapping. Mr Pullicino stressed that the agreement
reached in the negotiations made sense because it took into account the interests of all Maltese and
Gozitans. “Above all, a balance has been struck between tradition and the conservation of the
environment," said Mr Pullicino.
•
23 August 2002 The Malta Financial Services Centre again warned about requests emanating from
abroad that offer rewards in return for ‘assistance’, usually related to the transfer of funds from one
country to another. The MFSC said that, despite past warnings, a number of people still fell victim to
these scams.
•
23 August 2002 The adult education section of the Education Department published an informative
prospectus for the benefit of those interested in furthering their education. The prospectus gives details
about 227 classes covering academic, engineering, craft and leisure courses, together with literacy and
numerical courses, and courses in English and Maltese for foreigners. A copy of the prospectus may be
obtained from the Department’s webpage at www.education.gov.mt
•
23 August 2002 Elena Zokas, production manager responsible for the film The League of
Extraordinary Gentlemen, starring Sean Connery, said that her company had chosen to do location
work in Gozo instead of South Africa. Ms Zokas said that the reason for choosing Gozo was that the
Maltese Islands have a film infrastructure, many movies have been produced here, and they enjoy a
good reputation. Ms Zokas has worked on four James Bond movies.
•
23 August 2002 Kerygma raised its highest-ever amount for charity, collecting Lm232,228 during a
gruelling 240 hours of volleyball. The marathon was visited by 76,000 people.
•
24 August 2002 Malta and Libya renewed an agreement on the running of the Voice of the
Mediterranean radio station. The agreement was signed in Libya by Finance Minister John Dalli, who
headed a delegation for the 22nd session of the Maltese/Libyan Joint Commission.
•
24 August 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that Malta and Italy were expected to sign the fifth
and final financial protocol by the end of September or early October. Mr Dalli said that the protocol
was likely to cover three years, with funding expected to remain at the same level as in the existing
protocol - about Lm10 million a year.
•
24 August 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said in its latest round-up that negotiations on
culture and audio-visual policy were provisionally closed with the 10 countries that, according to the
EU, could be ready to join by 2004. The 10 countries are Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Negotiations on this chapter were
also closed with Bulgaria but are still open with Romania.
•
24 August 2002 The Central Bank announced that, in a bid to better reflect both present and future
trends in Malta's external trade, it had decided to upgrade the weight of the Euro in the Maltese lira
basket. As a result of this latest decision the Euro now has a weighting of 70 per cent in the Maltese
lira basket, up from 56.8 per cent; sterling has a weighting of 20 per cent, down from 21.6 per cent;
and the US dollar has a weighting of 10 per cent, down from 21.6 per cent.
•
24 August 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that government debt outstanding at the end
of July stood at Lm1,049.5 million, up by Lm55.7 million, or 5.6 per cent, from Lm993.8 million
outstanding at the end of July last year. The structural deficit between ordinary revenue and total
expenditure amounted to Lm72.5 million, up from a shortfall of Lm68 million for the same period last
year.
•
24 August 2002 According to the latest labour force survey issued by the National Statistics Office,
unemployment rose sharply in the 12-month period up to March, by 2,551 to 11,983. The survey
shows that the unemployment rate in March reached 7.7 per cent. This is an increase of 1.6 per cent
over March 2001.
•
25 August 2002 A government statement announced the appointment of Mr Justice Vincent De
Gaetano as Chief Justice. The appointment, by the President made on the advice of the Prime Minister,
follows the resignation of Chief Justice Noel Arrigo who, with Mr Justice Patrick Vella, was charged
with accepting bribes in return for reducing a drug trafficker's jail term.
•
26 August 2002 A Police statement said that some 400 Tunisian nationals had been refused entry to
Malta after they failed to produce the necessary documentation at the seaport. The Tunisians were
passengers abroad the Greek cargo and passenger ship Ariadne’s Palace that was in transit from
Tunisia to Genoa in Italy. An Armed Forces patrol boat assisted in the operation.
•
27 August 2002 Judge Vincent De Gaetano was sworn in as Chief Justice by President Guido de
Marco at the Palace, in Valletta. Chief Justice De Gaetano marked his swearing in with a strong appeal
for the country to stop the siege against the administration of Justice. He admitted that he had a tough
road ahead in order to restore faith in the judiciary, but added that this would be achieved with the cooperation of all concerned.
•
27 August 2002 During the swearing in of Chief Justice De Gaetano, President Guido de Marco said
that the public’s faith in the judiciary was indispensable to ensure the correct governance of a civilised
country. Prof. de Marco said the nomination of the Chief Justice was witness to the quality of the
judiciary.
•
27 August 2002 A government statement announced the names of the eight members of the Electoral
Commission for the next year. The Government said the appointments by the President were made on
the advice of the Prime Minister following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. The
members of the commission are Gorg Borg Cardona, Victor Cavallo, Mario Callus, Ena Cremona,
John De Gray, Henry Distefano, Vanni Ganado, and Carmel J. Portelli.
•
27 August 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, George Pullicino, announced at a
joint news conference that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority was relaxing its policy on
the placing of tables and chairs outside bars and restaurants. He said MEPA was changing its current
Structure Plan Policy in favour of a more liberal official attitude. Tourism Minister Michael Refalo
said that tourism operators welcomed the new arrangement.
•
27 August 2002 The Consumer Division of the Ministry of Economic Services approved an increase
of one cent in the price of bread. As from Wednesday 28th, a large loaf will cost 16 cents. The price for
a small loaf will also go up by one cent, to 10 cents.
•
28 August 2002 The Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise (IPSE) signed an agreement with
Bank of Valletta and HSBC Bank Malta setting up the operation of the New Enterprise Loan
Guarantee. As a result of this agreement, IPSE will be in a position to offer a guarantee of up to 80 per
cent of the value of a loan required by first-time entrepreneurs willing to start a business. Through this
agreement, Bank of Valletta and HSBC will charge an interest rate of 1.75 per cent over base rate for
the total amount of the assisted loan.
•
28 August 2002 A report that compiles and evaluates technical information about the environment
concludes that airborne fine dust levels in Malta are above what is considered safe. The report also
warns of the harmful emissions produced by the Marsa power station. The report, entitled The State of
the environment report for Malta, 2002, was commissioned by the Environment Protection Directorate
and is to be available on-line from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Environment.
•
28 August 2002 Maltacom Chairman Maurice Zarb Adami said that, while turnover was up by 8.2 per
cent to Lm26 million, profit after tax had dipped by 6.4 per cent to Lm3.7 million when compared
with the same period last year. Mr Zarb Adami said that, while Go Mobile was doing well and now
had 95,000 customers, Maltacom was looking into ways and means to make the most of its fixed line
infrastructure. Mr Zarb Adami was giving an overview of the company’s financial statement for the
second quarter to stockbrokers.
•
29 August 2002 President Guido de Marco left Malta for Maastricht to deliver the keynote address at
the graduation ceremony of the academic year of the Maastricht School of Management. Prof. de
Marco was invited to the ceremony by Dr R. van der Linden, school board chairman.
•
29 August 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that scientific studies on the two local grape
varieties, Girgentina and Gellewza, were being carried out as part of a twinning project on viticulture,
in conjunction with Italy and subsidised by the EU. Following the tests, it would be possible to
determine the ideal vines for Malta to be able to produce quality wine, Mr Zammit said. The Minister
was on a tour of the Emmanuel Delicata winery.
•
29 August 2002 The Malta Communications Authority published a consultative paper on the
introduction of two new telecommunication services that will enable consumers to choose what best
suited their needs in price and quality. The paper seeks the views of operators and interested parties on
the phased introduction of the so-called Carrier Selection and the Carrier Pre-Selection.
•
30 August 2002 International credit rating agency Fitch affirmed Malta's ratings at their previous
levels. The London based rating agency maintained its long-term foreign currency rating of A, shortterm at F1, and long-term local currency of AA-. These ratings apply to senior unsecured debt of the
Maltese Government.
•
30 August 2002 In the commentary to the report, Fitch warned that a decision not to join the European
Union could impair the Island's creditworthiness. The agency put a lot of emphasis on EU membership
and said the referendum could prove critical for the future course of the economy. Although opinion
polls currently showed a small majority in favour, EU membership remained contentious, it said.
•
30 August 2002 International credit rating agency Moody's announced that it had downgraded the
outlook of the financial strength rating for Bank of Valletta from stable to negative. The negative
outlook for the bank's A3/Prime -2 foreign currency deposit ratings remained unchanged. The outlook
change for the financial strength rating was prompted by increasing concerns about the Bank's
deteriorating loan portfolio quality and declining profitability, Moody's said.
•
30 August 2002 Air Malta's Board of Directors approved the appointment of the group's new Swiss
Chief Executive, Ernst Funk. Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that, for the future, the
posts of chairman and chief executive would be invested in two different persons. The chairman would
be more orientated towards policy, while the chief executive will be responsible for the management
of the company, the day-to-day administration, and for ensuring that the necessary changes are carried
out.
•
30 August 2002 The National Office of Statistics said that the rate of inflation had gone down in July,
to 3.39 per cent from 3.54 per cent in the previous month. This is the third month running in which
inflation has gone down. In July last year the inflation rate stood at 2.04 per cent.
•
30 August 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority said that the performance of the British tourist market
this year had proved the wisdom of the decision to replace the TOSS exchange rate subsidy with an
enhanced marketing plan and joint initiatives with UK tour operators. The MTA said that 2002 was the
first full year in which the TOSS subsidy was not available and, despite September 11, the UK market
had performed well.
•
31 August 2002 President Guido de Marco lamented the lack of a UN policy backed by the major
powers to achieve the end of the occupation of Palestine, the right of the Palestinian people to a state
of their own, and the right of Israel to exist within sure and guaranteed frontiers. Prof. de Marco was
speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Maastricht School of Management, where he delivered the
keynote address on ‘The kindred spirit in politics and management’.
•
31 August 2002 Enemalta Corporation Chairman Robert Ghirlando announced that the feasibility
study being carried out by ENI subsidiary SNAM into laying a gas pipeline between Malta and Sicily
should be ready by the end of the year. Prof. Ghirlando was speaking at Marsa where he launched a
programme of activities to celebrate the corporation's 25th anniversary.
•
31 August 2002 Tourism Minister re-appointed Dr John Grech chairman of the Malta Tourism
Authority for a term of three years. Dr Grech called for a concerted effort to promote tourism in the
wake of today’s global downturn.
•
31 August 2002 Prof. Lino Briguglio was engaged as a consultant by UNDP and is in Johannesburg,
South Africa to finalise a position paper on the Economic Vulnerability of Small Island States. Prof.
Briguglio is the lead author of the Malta National Report on Sustainable Development.
•
31 August 2002 The National Statistics Office said that, at the end of June, the total stock of licensed
motor vehicles stood at 258,045, compared to 250,950 in June 2001. Of the total this year, 191,908 or
74.4 per cent were private vehicles, while commercial vehicles made up 43,664 or 16.9 per cent.
September
•
1 September 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that the EU would not grant Malta a derogation to
keep the soft drink plastic bottles ban. However, said the Minister, the Government was determined to
create the mechanisms in an attempt to maintain the status quo as much as possible. Dr Borg was
discussing the Environment Chapter with The Times newspaper.
•
2 September 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that Malta Drydocks is considering
setting up a facility for the maintenance of super yachts. "There is no such facility in the
Mediterranean and we are looking at this niche market which promises to be quite successful if
handled correctly,” Prof. Bonnici said.
•
2 September 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici announced that the Government was
searching for a practical way to solve the drydocks’ Lm200 million debt. One possibility being
examined, said Prof. Bonnici, is that the 'yards pass on to the Government parcels of land that they can
do without and, in return, the Government would take it upon itself to honour the debt owed by the
'yards.
•
2 September 2002 Victor Camilleri, Ambassador to the EU, said that, with the technical negotiations
exhausted, Malta's bid to retain zero VAT rating on food and medicines in its membership negotiations
had now become a political issue. Mr Camilleri, who is a member of the Core Negotiating Group, was
interviewed at his office in Brussels by The Times newspaper.
•
2 September 2002 Malta and Hungary were selected to represent the Central Group, that is the group
representing EU candidate countries, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development taking place
in Johannesburg, South Africa. The other groups taking part in the debate are the EU member states;
the Group of 77 which represents the Third World Group; a group representing Japan, Canada, and
New Zealand; and the United States.
•
2 September 2002 The Government Gazette published regulations that establish rules for the
transmission, distribution, supply and storage of natural gas. The regulations form part of the
transposition to the EU's acquis communautaire. "These regulations are just a formality on how to
regulate a gas pipe network which we don't have in place yet," Enemalta Chairman Robert Ghirlando
said.
•
2 September 2002 A spokesman for Air Malta said that a directive by international aviation
authorities instructing airlines to check their Boeing jets because of a potentially dangerous fault in
certain fuel pumps did not affect Air Malta's Boeings. The advice received concerned particular fuel
pumps but the fuel pumps on the Air Malta Boeing jets were not from the batch involved.
•
2 September 2002 A total 152, representing 9.48 per cent, of the 1,603 inspections carried out on
Malta-registered vessels in 2001 resulted in the vessels being detained, while 985 ships (61.45 per
cent) were found to have deficiencies. The average detention rate for all flag states was 9.09 per cent.
These statistics emerge from the Blue Book 2001, recently published by the Paris Memorandum of
Understanding on Port State Control.
•
3 September 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami appointed Herbert Aguis as Head of the
Security Service. Mr Agius has been acting head for the past 11 months. Prior to that, Mr Agius was
the Director of the National Drug Intelligence Unit.
•
3 September 2002 Public Broadcasting Services Chairman Anthony Tabone presented the sum of
Lm476,000, collected in the popular PBS programme L-Istrina, to President Guido de Marco, for the
Community Chest Fund, and to four other philanthropic institutions at the Palace, in Valletta. In his
message, President Guido de Marco stressed the importance of being close to people with disability
and special needs.
•
3 September 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that, in May this year, the number of
tourist arrivals dropped by 8.3 per cent to 106,060, from 115,647 in the same month last year. This
brought the arrivals total in the first five months this year to 373,063, down by 8.7 per cent from
408,499 last year.
•
3 September 2002 Five organisations involved with young people signed up to the EU’s Youth
programme after their projects were approved by the Youth Co-ordinating Committee. A total of
Lm14,300 has been allocated to the projects by the EU. The contracts were signed in the presence of
the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Jesmond Mugliett.
•
3 September 2002 The Malta Communications Authority announced that all the surveys carried out
on mobile phone base stations in Malta have shown emission levels of electromagnetic frequencies to
be far lower than internationally accepted limits. The authority said that the finding should
significantly reduce the degree of public concern.
•
4 September 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta was planning to build its
capacity to assist in overseas development. The plan, he said, entailed the formulation of a National
Development Co-operation Policy backed by a Secretariat for International Development. Dr Gonzi
was addressing the World Summit for Sustainable Development, in Johannesburg.
•
4 September 2002 President Guido de Marco inaugurated the Ta’ Qali national stadium Millennium
Stand. The opening ceremony was followed by a friendly match between a selection from the Malta
national team and Italian club Inter.
•
4 September 2002 Figures issued by the National Statistics Office show that total sales by
manufacturing enterprises in the second quarter of this year dropped by Lm11.6 million, or 4.8 per
cent, to Lm240.9 million compared with the same quarter last year. A drop in sales was registered in
the sub-sectors of radio, television and communications; electrical machinery; plastic and rubber
products; leather; tobacco; and machinery and equipment.
•
4 September 2002 According to statistics published by the Department of Health Information almost
950 babies were born in Malta during the second quarter of this year. This is a decrease of 25 over the
same period last year, when 971 babies were born.
•
4 September 2002 Bank of Valletta again won the Financial Times Group’s Bank of the Year in Malta
award. This is the second consecutive year that BoV has won the award.
•
5 September 2002 The National Statistics Office reported that, in the seven-month period to July,
total imports were down by Lm32.9 million, or 4.4 per cent, to Lm711.2 million from Lm744.1
million. Total exports dropped by Lm15.1 million, or 2.8 per cent, to Lm518.2 million from Lm533.3
million. The visible trade gap contracted by Lm17.8 million, to Lm193 million, from Lm210.8 million
in the same period last year.
•
5 September 2002 According to statistics issued by the National Statistics Office, the population
(Maltese citizens only) in the year 2000 stood at 382,525, and the density of the population was 1,211
people to every square kilometre. Life expectancy for men stood at 74.9 years and 79.8 years for
women. Infant mortality was 6.1 per 1000 live births.
•
5 September 2002 A platoon from C Company, 1st Regiment AFM, started a four-week training
attachment with Italian troops in Italy for the second time this year. The training attachment was made
possible through the efforts of the Italian Military Mission based in Malta.
•
6 September 2002 The National Office of Statistics announced that a new index measuring the prices
of agricultural output shows an overall increase of 8.08 per cent in 2001 compared to the previous
year. The NSO said that it had also started compiling an index for the prices of agricultural input
which, last year, went up by 0.67 per cent over the previous year.
•
7 September 2002 A government statement replied to comments that the Ombudsman, Mr Joe
Sammut, made in a wide-ranging interview he gave to The Independent on Sunday on 1 September
2002. The statement said that a number of opinions expressed in the interview were gratuitous and did
nothing to enhance the respect in which the institution should be, and was in fact, held. Indeed,
continued the statement, the whole tone of the interview and the way that the Ombudsman handled
many of the issues could be said to give the distinct impression that the replies had the flavour of
political comment.
•
7 September 2002 Government Member of Parliament Frederick Azzopardi and Opposition Member
George Vella participated in the preparatory meeting of the Group for Mediterranean Affairs of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in Limassol, Cyprus. The meeting was convened to discuss the
creation, the composition, and the mandate of an ad hoc committee on the Mediterranean within the
Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE.
•
7 September 2002 According to statistics released by the National Office of Statistics, unemployment
in April increased by 656 over the same month last year to reach 7,637. At 5.3 per cent, the
unemployment rate was stable when compared to the previous month. The figures were based on
statistics from the Employment and Training Corporation.
•
7 September 2002 The former Gozo Channel ferry MV Ghawdex, renamed Virgem de Fatima, was
towed out of the Cassar Shiprepair 'yard in Marsa to meet its final resting place, a Turkish scrapyard.
Two years ago Gozo Channel sold the MV Ghawdex for $180,000.
•
7 September 2002 An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale rocked the southern Italian
Island of Sicily and was also felt in various parts of Malta. The ’quake’s epicentre was in the
Mediterranean Sea, some 30 to 40 kilometres north east of Palermo.
•
8 September 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stated that, ‘our most important step
towards sustainability has been the decision to accede to the European Union’. Dr Gonzi was
addressing the World Summit on Sustainable Development, at Johannesburg.
•
8 September 2002 EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom told The Sunday Times in
Johannesburg that Malta and other candidate countries would be closely involved in EU follow-up
actions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. “Mainstreaming sustainability into the
Euro-Mediterranean Partnership on both the political and financial level is particularly important,” said
Ms Wallstrom.
•
8 September 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea announced that 1,132 Maltese students had
already benefited from EU programmes. Dr Galea was speaking at the end of a conference on the
theme Youth policy - small states' perspective.
•
8 September 2002 Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino announced that the Government had
earmarked an area where all licensed fish farms in Malta could be relocated. Mr Pullicino said that
there were strong environmental advantages in having all the fish farms located in one area.
•
9 September 2002 Archbishop Joseph Mercieca celebrated a Pontifical Mass with Te Deum at St
John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, to commemorate victory in the two sieges. The President and Mrs de
Marco led the congregation, which was also attended by Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami,
Speaker of the House Anton Tabone, AFM Commander Rupert Montanaro, Chief Justice Vincent De
Gaetano, members of the judiciary, Ministers, MPs and members of the Diplomatic Corps, among
others. Also present were knights and dames of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
•
9 September 2002 President Guido de Marco laid a wreath at the foot of the Great Siege monument to
honour the fallen of the two sieges.
•
9 September 2002 The keenly contested traditional Regatta, held in Grand Harbour, was this year won
by Senglea.
•
9 September 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that preparations for the next budget
were well under way and the Finance Minister had finalised the basis of a report that would be
discussed at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development shortly. “There will be no
gimmicks in the budget,” said the Prime Minister. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at Zabbar.
•
9 September 2002 The Prime Minister, accompanied by Mrs Fenech-Adami, left Malta for a week's
holiday in England. Social Police Minister Lawrence Gonzi was Acting Prime Minister in Dr FenechAdami's absence.
•
10 September 2002 President Guido de Marco arrived in Nicosia at the start of a two-day state visit to
Cyprus. Prof. de Marco was greeted at the Presidential Palace Square by Cypriot President Glafcos
Clerides.
•
10 September 2002 President de Marco said at a state dinner in his honour in Nicosia that the Green
Line that divided the island was a wound on the conscience of the international community. Prof. de
Marco said that the Government of Malta believes that Cyprus is fully entitled to pursue successfully
its quest to join the European Union in that it cannot be penalised for the fact that it is still suffering
from the occupation of part of its territory, and this in violation of United Nations resolutions.
•
10 September 2002 Dr. George Bonello Du Puis, High Commissioner of Malta in the United
Kingdom, attended the inauguration of the Images of a New Europe photographic exhibition, in
London. The photographs exhibited show life as it is lived in all twelve applicant countries and aim to
raise awareness of EU enlargement.
•
11 September 2002 In a statement carrying the heading 'The Ombudsman - defender of the citizen and
promoter of good administration', issued through the Department of Information, Ombudsman Joe
Sammut replied to government criticism of an interview he gave to The Independent on Sunday. Mr
Sammut said that Government’s statement gave him the satisfaction that at least the Government noted
what the Ombudsman had to say and directed departments and public agencies mentioned in the
interview to act on the Ombudsman's critical comments.
•
11 September 2002 Moody's credit rating agency published its analysis on HSBC Malta. Moody’s
reported that, although the outlook for HSBC Malta's ‘D+’ financial strength remained stable, this
could come under negative pressure should the deterioration in the bank's loan portfolio quality
continue.
•
11 September 2002 One year after the terrorist attacks on the United States, Finance Minister John
Dalli said that the September 11 attacks had unleashed a devastating economic blow to many
countries. In Malta it had dealt a blow to the business of the biggest micro-electronics company (ST
Microelectronics), something which reflected on the country's growth. Mr Dalli said: “However, our
forward-looking economic policies allowed us to weather the storm reasonably well in the light of the
circumstances”.
•
11 September 2002 The Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools reached an agreement with APS Bank
Ltd, with the approval of the Finance Ministry, to acquire the funds it requires for an accelerated
programme to construct, restore, modernise and maintain state schools. At Corradino, Education
Minister Louis announced that the foundation would be investing Lm7 million a year in state schools
over the next eight years.
•
11 September 2002 President and Mrs de Marco visited the city of Limassol and Kolossi Castle. The
Cypriot Minister of Finance and Mrs Takis Klerides then hosted the presidential couple to a luncheon
in their honour.
•
11 September 2002 According to the census of agriculture held in 2001 by the National Statistics
Office the Maltese Islands have a total agricultural area of 10,013 hectares. Malta accounts for 8,081
hectares and Gozo for 1,932 hectares. The land is managed within 11,887 agricultural holdings.
•
11 September 2002 A government counter-statement commented on the Ombudsman’s recent
communication to the press, particularly to Mr Sammut’s assertion that the interview was given with
the intention of spurring Parliament as a whole to take heed of his reports. The Government pointed
out that it had spared no effort in setting up the Ombudsman institution, Local Councils, the National
Audit Office, and the Customer Service Charters in government departments, amongst others. “These
institutions all had but one clear aim in mind, that is to give the citizen a better deal,” said the
statement.
•
12 September 2002 Acting President George Hyzler sent a message to US Ambassador Anthony
Gioia to mark the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Dr Hyzler said that the whole of Malta and
the world were shocked and saddened when last year’s terrible terrorist attack occurred.
•
12 September 2002 Malta associated itself with a declaration by the EU Heads of State and
Governments, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission,
and the high representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy. September 11, the
declaration said, was a reminder that security and democracy could never be taken for granted but had
to be defended actively and ceaselessly.
•
12 September 2002 Malta joined the rest of the world in remembering the events of September 11
with a commemoration ceremony organised by the US embassy at St James Cavalier. The ceremony
was attended by Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, Ministers,
Labour Party deputy leader Joe Brincat, and members of the diplomatic corps, among other guests.
•
12 September 2002 US Ambassador Anthony Gioia recalled the “unprovoked act of terrorism” that
humanity had witnessed a year ago against the US and the world community, which claimed the lives
of citizens from some 90 countries, including a young man of Maltese origin. Mr Gioia said that he
was deeply moved by the countless expressions of sympathy and solidarity from the Maltese
authorities and people from all walks of life. Mr Gioia was speaking during the commemoration
ceremony at St James Cavalier.
•
12 September 2002 Addressing the ceremony, Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta
had been among the first six countries to sign the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of
Terrorism, and on November 11 became one of the first states to ratify it. Last November Malta also
acceded to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally
Protected Persons including Diplomatic Agents, to the International Convention against the Taking of
Hostages, as well as to the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings.
•
12 September 2002 President Guido de Marco arrived in Athens at the start of a state visit to Greece
following his two-day visit to Cyprus. Prof. de Marco was greeted by Greek President Constantinos
Stephanopoulos during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Athens, where the two
Presidents had official talks.
•
12 September 2002 In Athens, President de Marco was decorated by the Greek President with the
collar of the Grand Cross of the Redeemer. Prof. de Marco reciprocated by making President
Stephanopoulos Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit.
•
12 September 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that sea
quality this summer was the “best ever”. From the samples taken over the last few months, it emerged
that the sea was unfit for bathing for just seven site/days this season, Dr Zammit Dimech said. The
Minister was speaking at the end of a 'Clean Up the Seas' activity, at St Julian's.
•
12 September 2002 Maltapost said that the ‘Series 9000’ sort system introduced at Naxxar post office
had yielded an improvement in sorting productivity time of 46 per cent. The system was developed in
New Zealand.
•
13 September 2002 The first official calculation of the cost of enlargement, submitted by the
European Commission to the 15 EU member states, shows that Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia, Hungary, the
Czech Republic, and Slovakia could become net contributors to the EU budget by the first year of
membership, in 2004. However, the European Commission would be proposing adequate
compensation for Malta and the other five candidate countries to ensure that they will be net
beneficiaries upon accession.
•
13 September 2002 President Guido de Marco had talks with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis at
the start of the second day of his state visit to Greece. Prime Minister Simitis later told a joint press
conference that Greece supported Malta's membership in the EU.
•
13 September 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the link between education, commercial
companies, and employers was an essential factor in students' academic success. Minister Galea was
speaking at a training and development conference for teachers of the Business and Trade Institute of
the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology.
•
13 September 2002 Malta was one of fourteen countries signing the Council of Europe's Anti-Doping
Convention during a meeting of Sports Ministers in Warsaw, Poland. The other countries were
Armenia, Austria, Canada, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg,
Norway, Sweden, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Malta was represented by
Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett.
•
13 September 2002 The Maltese Armed Forces joined units from Italy, France, Greece and Tunisia in
a search-and-rescue exercise in the waters around Malta. The exercise, Canale 2002, was jointly
organised by Italy and Malta and also included an exercise in the control and inspection of merchant
vessels suspected of illegal activities.
•
14 September 2002 President Guido de Marco said that Greece and Malta both shared a common
understanding for peace in the Mediterranean region. The President was addressing the Economic
Forum at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
•
14 September 2002 Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott, who is the representative of the Maltese
Government at the European Convention, suggested that the future Union should seek to lay down
only what have hitherto been labeled as framework laws and should avoid the exigency of rigid
uniformity in their application. The session dealt primarily with the simplification of the Union's
instruments and procedures.
•
14 September 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici had talks in Ireland on co-operation in
trade and investment promotion between the two countries. He also met Mary Harney, Minister of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland. The Minister's declared aim
was to understand better the Irish experience as a guide to some of the measures currently under
review to promote Malta's future industrial development.
•
14 September 2002 Maltapost announced that Pat Burke, the company’s general manager for postal
services, had relinquished his post ‘due to personal and family reasons’. Mr Burke will be returning to
New Zealand once a replacement for his position has been selected.
•
15 September 2002 The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Jack Straw, reiterated the support
of the United Kingdom for Malta’s membership to the EU at the first enlargement. Mr Straw met
Foreign Minister Joe Borg in New York, where the two discussed bilateral relations and issues related
to the Commonwealth.
•
15 September 2002 Minister Joe Borg participated in the Meeting of Commonwealth Foreign
Ministers, at the United Nations General Assembly. The Ministers present discussed a number of
items, particularly the Commonwealth response to terrorism.
•
15 September 2002 A protocol was signed to establish a working group to consider the feasibility of
an alliance of Mediterranean stock exchanges. The agreement was signed by Malta Stock Exchange
Chairman Alfred Mallia, Tunis Stock Exchange Chairman Slahadem Ladjimi, and Cairo and
Alexandria Stock Exchange Chairman Sameh Torgoman, at the Westin Dragonara Resort, in St
Julian's. The protocol was signed in the presence of Finance Minister John Dalli, amongst others.
•
15 September 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli met the members of the Malta Council for Economic
and Social Development to present them with a document outlining the Government's financial
performance, targets and projections. During the meeting, the Minister asked the Constituted Bodies to
draw up a list of proposals for next month's meeting when the Budget for 2003 will be under the
spotlight.
•
15 September 2002 A team from the Malta Centre for Restoration has developed a process to produce
accurate, three-dimensional surveys of important cultural heritage sites to a level of detail and
accuracy that has, until now, not been possible. The process, technically known as ‘the thealasermetry
approach’ was launched at the International Workshop on Scanning for Cultural Heritage Recording,
held in Corfu earlier this month.
•
16 September 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that the Government would be making a strong
case during intense negotiations on the financial dimension of EU membership to ensure that, upon
accession, Malta would get a reasonable net amount of funding. Dr Borg was speaking with The Times
newspaper from New York, where he was taking part in the United Nations General Assembly.
•
17 September 2002 At a news conference held at Auberge de Castille, Prime Minister Edward
Fenech-Adami reviewed the Government’s fourth year in office. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the
Government had managed to make an impact on many aspects of the economy in the past four years,
and had managed to curb unemployment, empowered local councils, and made substantial
contributions to the education sector.
•
17 September 2002 Addressing the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New
York, Foreign Minister Joe Borg called for discussions on a ‘two state’ solution to the conflict in the
Middle-East. Dr Borg stated that the recent initiative by the Member States of the European Union in
presenting a ‘road map’ for the Middle-East outlining a three-stage process leading to the creation of a
Palestinian State by 2005 provided a veritable basis to take negotiations forward.
•
17 September 2002 President George W. Bush wrote to President Guido de Marco to say that the
American people were ‘profoundly grateful’ to him and the people of Malta for their ‘invaluable
contributions’ to the campaign against terrorism. President Bush’s letter was released by The Office of
the President.
•
17 September 2002 Malta Drydocks received a grant of Lm300,000 from the Chinese Government
following several meetings within the Malta-China Joint Economic Commission. Economic Services
Minister Josef Bonnici and the Chinese Overseas Trade and Economic Co-operation Deputy Minister,
Zhou Keren, signed the hand-over certificates and presented the grant to MDD Chairman John Cassar
White.
•
17 September 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit announced an agreement between the
Government, A.C van Diepen of Berkhout, Holland, and four Maltese producers for the growing and
exportation of 200,000 gladioli. The Dutch company will be providing the flower bulbs of five types
of gladioli which, when fully grown, will be exported to Italy.
•
18 September 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami addressed the first Cabinet meeting
following the summer recess. Speaking after the meeting, Dr Fenech-Adami said that Cabinet had
discussed the political situation in the country in the light of recent events. The feeling in Cabinet, he
said, was that the Government was managing to stay on top of things.
•
18 September 2002 EU Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen gave a guarantee that the
European Commission will not allow Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia and the Czech Republic to become net
contributors to the EU budget in the first years after accession. Mr Verheugen was speaking about
enlargement at the two-day European Economic Summit, in Salzburg.
•
18 September 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that, during a recent meeting in Tripoli of the
mixed commission between Malta and Libya, it was agreed that the Home Affairs Ministers of both
countries would be holding detailed discussions on the introduction of visas for visitors from Libya.
Mr Dalli was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
18 September 2002 The Finance Minister said in reply to another Parliamentary Question that the
privatisation of the Libyan Arab-Maltese Holding Company was not being considered for the moment.
The company had been included in the White Paper on privatisation, published in 1999.
•
18 September 2002 Mr Alfred Mallia, who is the Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange, announced
that the recently set up Mediterranean Corporate Governance Round Table had held its first council
meeting. Mr Mallia is the Council's first Chairman.
•
18 September 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said in reply to a Parliamentary Question that the
Central Bank is to engage Dr Alexander Markowski as an economic consultant for a year, as from next
October. The engagement will be made in association with the International Monetary Fund under the
Fund's technical assistance programme.
•
18 September 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli told Parliament that, following the publication of
revised estimates of government capital spending, the Central Bank had revised this year's projections
of economic growth to 3.3 per cent, from the estimate of 2.5 - 3 per cent given in its Annual Report.
Mr Dalli cautioned, however, that economic projections were difficult in the current uncertain global
economic climate and Maltese economic growth depended heavily on the performance of Malta's
trading partners. Mr Dalli was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
18 September 2002 The Chinese Overseas Trade and Economic Co-operation Deputy Minister, Zhou
Keren, said that the volume of trade between Malta and China over the last seven months was already
higher than that in the whole of the preceding year. Mr Zhou was speaking at the conclusion of the
fourth meeting of the China-Malta Joint Economic Commission.
•
18 September 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici expressed his appreciation for the of
Lm300,000 grant that China had made. He said that the grant would be used to increase the
infrastructural investment required in the shipyards, at present undergoing a restructuring programme.
Prof. Bonnici was speaking at the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the China-Malta Joint Economic
Commission.
•
18 September 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said in Parliament that Air Malta
would be paying its new Chief Executive Officer Lm60,000 per year. The CEO would also enjoy a
performance allowance and other allowances relating to relocation and accommodation, which was
normal in the remuneration package of foreigners. The new CEO would also be Deputy Chairman of
AzzurraAir.
•
18 September 2002 Infrastructure and Resources Minister Francis Zammit Dimech visited the
recently restored St Luke's Chapel, at Tigné. Developers MIDI said that the rehabilitation and
restoration of the chapel was just one practical example of the thorough and professional approach that
MIDI were taking prior, during, and after each aspect of this Lm140 million project.
•
18 September 2002 According to the World Investment Report 2002 released by the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development, Malta is among 43 countries considered to be front runners in
terms of high performance and high potential in terms of foreign direct investment. Commenting on
the report, Central Bank Governor Michael C. Bonello said that, while Malta’s performance was a
matter of great satisfaction, it should not, however, give rise to complacency.
•
18 September 2002 The British Royal Navy and the British Merchant Service, in conjunction with the
Malta High Commission in London, organised a remembrance occasion of Operation Pedestal.
Malta's High Commissioner, George Bonello Du Puis, along with the Deputy Master Trinity House
and Senior Naval Officer Admiralty were the guests of honour to the remembrance service at the All
Hallows-by-the-Tower, wreath-laying at the Merchant Navy Memorial reception, and reunion
luncheon at Trinity House.
•
18 September 2002 The Department of Information website has launched a chronicle of historical
landmarks entitled Flashbacks from Malta's Past. ‘Flashbacks’ makes full use of the Department’s
own archived films and photos, as well as various other records. The first feature in the series,
recalling the 1964 Independence celebrations, can be viewed at www.doi.gov.mt
•
19 September 2002 Deloitte and Touche announced the results of a survey for the second quarter,
carried out for the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association. Commenting on the survey, Tourism
Minister Michael Refalo said that the survey confirms that Malta's tourism industry has managed to
weather September 11 and recessionary conditions in source markets better than competing
destinations as Malta's performance is rated above the market average.
•
19 September 2002 Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that restoration work at the
Presidential Palace in Valletta incorporated three main projects. These were the courtyard, the Matteo
Peres D'Aleccio fresco at the Grand Council Hall, and the Paladini Hall and its wooden ceiling. Dr
Zammit Dimech was speaking during a visit to the Palace.
•
19 September 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that the European Council for Ministers of
Transport has accepted a Maltese request for the extension of the multilateral quota for road haulage
operation to Malta. The request had been unanimously accepted. This means that, as from next year,
Maltese truck drivers will be able to drive across Europe without any difficulties. Mr Galea was
speaking at the ECMT Workshop.
•
19 September 2002 Speaker Anton Tabone informed the House Business Committee that the
Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Walter Schwimmer, would be visiting Malta between
October 9 and 11 and had expressed a desire to address the House.
•
19 September 2002 Maltese MP and delegate to the European Convention on the Future of Europe
Michael Frendo accepted to take part in the campaign to get Irish voters to support the Nice Treaty. Dr
Frendo was invited by John Bruton, former Prime Minister of Ireland and current Director of Elections
for the Irish Yes to the Nice Treaty campaign.
•
19 September 2002 Malta Freeport's financial statements, tabled in Parliament, show that Malta
Freeport Terminals Ltd made an operating profit before depreciation of $8.5 million, and a net profit
of $4.5 million, in the period between March and December last year. Company Chairman Marin Hili
said that during 2001 Malta Freeport handled a record 1,165,070 TEUs. This is an increase of 12.8 per
cent over the previous year.
•
19 September 2002 The Accountant General announced Lm21 million worth of government stock, to
be issued on Monday 23rd. The stock, carrying an interest rate of 5.7 per cent, matures in 2012.
•
19 September 2002 Air Malta and Alitalia have signed a memorandum of understanding to start the
process by which Air Malta will soon join the SkyTeam Alliance as an associate member. Through this
move Air Malta will gain greater distribution and market access.
•
19 September 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea announced that, by the end of the year, thirty
new buses would be joining the seven new low-floor public buses already on the road. The owners are
receiving a subsidy of Lm32,000 each from the Government to help them change their buses.
•
19 September 2002 Aviation magazine Flight International reported that an Australian venture capital
company is showing active interest in acquiring Air Malta's financially troubled subsidiary,
AZZURRAair. The company, Integrated Airline Solutions (IAS), has embarked on a due diligence
exercise of the Bergamo-based company in the hope that it can acquire the regional carrier and
transform it into a low-fare operator. Air Malta has a 49 per cent stake in AZZURRAair.
•
19 September 2002 Winston Azzopardi relinquished his post as Film Commissioner, which he
occupied since the establishment of the Film Commission in 1999. Oliver Mallia, who works in the
Economic Services Ministry and has been involved in the Film Commission since its inception, has
been appointed acting Film Commissioner.
•
19 September 2002 A reception for about 40 World War II veterans who have a Malta connection has
been held at the Imperial War Museum in London to mark the 60th anniversary of Operation Pedestal.
The guest of honour was Malta's High Commissioner in London, George Bonello Du Puis.
•
20 September 2002 The Danish EU Presidency is expected to invite Malta and other candidate
countries to a Mini-Summit in Copenhagen on October 28 where they would be briefed on accession
terms. Reuters quoted diplomats as saying that the meeting would follow the October 24-25 Summit
in Brussels where the 15 EU member states are due to name the countries set to complete enlargement
talks in December. The Foreign Ministry welcomed the news as a "positive development".
•
20 September 2002 Newly appointed British High Commissioner Vincent Fean said that Britain
backed Malta's efforts to join the EU and was committed to EU enlargement. Mr Fean made his
comments shortly after presenting his Letters of Commission to President Guido de Marco at the
Palace, in Valletta.
•
20 September 2002 The new Ambassador of Egypt, Fatma El Zahraa Ibrahim Othman, and new
Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdulal Sulaiman Al-Qenaei, presented their diplomatic credentials to the
President.
•
20 September 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that a
sewage treatment plant costing Lm3.4 million is to be built in Gozo. He said that EU pre-accession
funds allocated to Malta for next year were intended to finance a substantial part of the plant. Dr
Zammit Dimech was speaking during a seabed clean-up activity in Gozo, during which he presented
anti-sea pollution equipment worth Lm30,000 to Gozo Minister Giovana Debono.
•
20 September 2002 More than 100 veterans of Operation Pedestal, the 1942 Santa Marija Convoy,
have accepted the Ministry of Tourism's invitation to meet in Malta to celebrate the 60th anniversary
of the event. The veterans will be joined by Maltese nationals who were on active service during those
momentous days in August 1942.
•
21 September 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that joining the EU was for Malta a
continuation and a natural development of its history. Membership, said Dr Fenech-Adami,
strengthened our sovereignty and helped us voice our opinion in Europe. The Prime Minister was
addressing a political meeting in Floriana.
•
22 September 2002 President Guido de Marco and Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami led
activities marking the 38th anniversary of Malta’s Independence. The two leaders attended Mass at St
John’s co-Cathedral, led by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, and laid wreaths at the Independence
Monument in Floriana. Later, during an investiture ceremony at the Palace in Valletta, President de
Marco conferred honorary membership of the National Order of Merit on one Honorary Consul
General and two Honorary Consuls for Malta overseas.
•
22 September 2002 The European Commission approved the restructuring plan for Malta Drydocks
and Malta Shipbuilding aimed at achieving financial viability and eliminating subsidies by 2008. The
European Commission position now has to be analysed and approved by the individual member
countries.
•
22 September 2002 For the second consecutive year, the Malta High Commission in London
organised Malta Day UK, in conjunction with a number of Maltese migrant organisations based in the
UK, Government Ministries, and other entities in Malta. Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi
participated in the activities.
•
22 September 2002 A parliamentary delegation led by Government MP John Vella attended the
Fourth part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg.
Government MP Michael Asciak and Opposition MPs John Attard Montalto and Joe Debono Grech
formed part of the delegation.
•
22 September 2002 The Museums Department is carrying out a joint project with the Italian Navy for
the identification and protection of archaeological and historical sites at sea. The project is proving to
be an important step forward towards the creation of a marine heritage map for Malta, and for the
improved policing of these threatened marine resources.
•
23 September 2002 Government announced plans to develop, in partnership with the private sector,
the Pace Grasso football ground area into a complex that would incorporate a home for the elderly,
assisted-living apartments for the elderly, offices, a commercial area, parking bays, and lock-up
garages. Parliamentary Secretary in the Minister of Education Jesmond Mugliett has been given charge
of the project.
•
23 September 2002 Local councils of eighteen localities took part in car-free day. The Maltese towns
and villages joined another 1,500 European cities marking the day.
•
24 September 2002 Deputy Prime Minister and Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, together with
Education Minister Louis Galea, Health Minister Louis Deguara, and Economic Services Minister
Josef Bonnici, addressed a joint news conference at Auberge de Castille. The conference reviewed
Government’s achievements in areas affecting the family during the last four years. Parliamentary
Secretaries Jesmond Mugliett, George Hyzler, and Edwin Vassallo also addressed the news
conference.
•
24 September 2002 In his contribution to the conference, Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said
that over 5,000 people had found new employment as a result of 185 projects approved by the Malta
Development Corporation. Dr Gonzi said that the feather in the cap of this Government, however, was
a major revision of the employment and industrial relations legislation through social dialogue of all
the partners involved.
•
24 September 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea told newsmen present that, during the past four
years, the Government had invested Lm19 million in upgrading, refurbishing and building schools. Dr
Galea said that a further Lm3 million were being invested this year.
•
24 September 2002 During the news conference, Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that
foreign direct investment had increased by 36 per cent during the Nationalist Government years.
•
24 September 2002 Health Minister Louis Deguara said that, although construction of the new Mater
Dei hospital was still underway, the Government had continued with a modernisation programme at St
Luke's Hospital, purchasing highly advanced modern equipment that would eventually be transferred
to the new hospital. Dr Deguara was addressing members of the media assembled at Auberge de
Castille.
•
24 September 2002 Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ninu Zammit informed Parliament that, on
August 23rd, the Director-General of Fishing had written to the fishing authorities in Tunisia to suggest
ways how clashes between fishermen from the two countries could be avoided. Unfortunately, there
had been no reply from Tunisia yet, the Minister said. Mr Zammit was replying to a Parliamentary
Question following complaints by Gozitan fishermen concerning clashes with Tunisian fishermen in
international waters.
•
24 September 2002 Figures released by the Ministry of Education show that this year over 42,000
students - 21,630 boys and 20,650 girls - are attending primary and secondary schools.
•
25 September 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami delivered a public speech on Malta's EU
membership bid at a discussion held by the European Policy Centre, in Brussels. The discussion was
one in a series called 'Meet the member states', at which Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of
applicant countries are invited to give their views on how the EU would function after enlargement.
•
25 September 2002 In Brussels, Dr Fenech-Adami had an informal meeting with EU enlargement
Commissioner Gunther Verheugen. During the meeting, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the
Chairman of the Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana, and by Malta's Ambassador to the
EU, Victor Camilleri.
•
25 September 2002 Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China, said in a letter to
President Guido de Marco that the forthcoming opening of the Chinese Culture Centre in Valletta
would help to deepen mutual understanding between Malta and China. The letter was presented to
Prof. de Marco at the Palace by Chinese Ambassador Yang Guirong.
•
25 September 2002 The newly appointed Maltese Ambassador to Spain, Cecilia Attard-Pirotta,
presented her diplomatic credentials to King Juan Carlos of Spain in a ceremony at the Royal Palace.
The possibility of a visit to Malta by the King was also discussed.
•
25 September 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli informed Parliament that the Government had a
revenue of Lm75.3 million from Value Added Tax between January and August this year. Mr Dalli
was replying to a Parliamentary Question.
•
25 September 2002 Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said in reply to a Parliamentary
Question that restoration works on Portes des Bombes and the Lower Barrakka are expected to be
concluded by March 2003 and will cost Lm40,000 and Lm90,000 respectively. Work on Hastings
Garden in Valletta is due for completion next December and will have cost Lm25,000, the Minister
said.
•
25 September 2002 A report, drawn up by the Rural Development Plan Unit within the Ministry of
Agriculture, shows that the most relevant threat to the survival of Maltese agriculture in the coming
years is its present condition, in which Maltese agriculture supplies consumers with high-priced, lowquality products. However, the plan departs from a number of studies that had previously concluded
that the present situation of Maltese agriculture was largely unsustainable, regardless of EU accession.
•
25 September 2002 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that the number of
unemployed persons in August had risen by 235 over the figure for July to reach 7,412. The rise over
August last year was of 356. The figures issued by the NSO are based on Employment and Training
Corporation data. However, figures for the labour supply were not available, making it impossible to
give an unemployment rate.
•
25 September 2002 The vice-Chancellor and President of Victoria University, Jarlath Ronayne
announced that the possibility of creating a virtual campus on internet between Victoria University, in
Melbourne, and the University of Malta. The idea is the brainchild of the Consul General in Australia,
Clemente Zammit. A recent survey showed that a significant number of people of a Maltese
background living outside Malta were interested in learning about the Maltese language, the history of
Malta, as well as traditional Maltese customs, arts and crafts.
•
25 September 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre has selected thirteen journalists to go to
Brussels to cover European Union affairs in the coming months. MIC teamed up for this initiative with
the Malta Press Club, the Strickland Foundation, and the Department of Information.
•
26 September 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami gave a broad overview of Malta's
negotiating pace with the EU. He stressed that the Government never had any doubts or second
thoughts about reaching its objective of successfully concluding its EU negotiations on time, placing
Malta among the candidate countries that will form part of the next enlargement. Dr Fenech-Adami
was addressing a public audience in Brussels at the invitation of the European Policy Centre.
•
26 September 2002 Malta aligned itself with a statement that the EU made at the United Nations
Security Council on the recent developments in the Middle East. The statement unreservedly
condemned the suicide bomb attacks in Umm el-Fahm and Tel Aviv, in which at least six Israelis were
killed and many more injured. It likewise condemned the bomb attack on a Palestinian school in
Hebron.
•
26 September 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli chaired a private-public dialogue session on ‘eTransition - Modernising Governments’, organised by the Commonwealth Business Council. Minister
Dalli was in London for the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' meeting.
•
26 September 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that the Government was providing
around Lm1 million in financial assistance to the main meat processors for the upgrading of
production plants so that they could attain the highest standards in food hygiene. Minister Zammit was
speaking during a visit to the firm Chef Choice, in Marsascala.
•
26 September 2002 The National Statistics Office said that 348 holdings scattered over Malta and
Gozo between them have 1,023 greenhouses. 843 of these glasshouses are found in Malta, the
remaining 180 are located in Gozo.
•
27 September 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the UHM was obliged to explain
the impact of EU membership to its members. “The Government believes that the advantages of
membership by far outweigh the disadvantages. I am certain the UHM has reached this conclusion too
and I urge the union to continue to communicate with its members to help them make the best future
for themselves and for their families,” Dr Fenech-Adami said. The Prime Minister was addressing the
general council meeting of Union Haddiema Maghqudin.
•
27 September 2002 The Slovenian Minister for European Affairs, Janez Potocnik, said that as
members of the European Union small nations like Malta and Slovenia had the opportunity of
becoming much stronger in comparison to the size of their population. Dr Potocnik, who is also the
head of Slovenia’s negotiating team, was speaking at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister
Joe Borg and the chairman of Malta’s Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana.
•
27 September 2002 Government MP Michael Frendo told a public meeting in Dublin that an Irish
‘Yes’ vote in the Nice Treaty referendum was crucial in order not to stall the enlargement process. Dr
Frendo, who is one of the Maltese parliamentary representatives at the Convention for the Future of
Europe, was speaking at a meeting organised by the Yes for Nice referendum group.
•
27 September 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that the Government was working hard to
repatriate a substantial number of illegal immigrants soon. Dr Borg said that there were also moves to
repatriate some of the illegal immigrants who had been in Malta for a substantial period of time. “I
have seen significant developments in this direction,” said Dr Borg.
•
27 September 2002 A spokesman for the Economic Services Ministry announced that Malta
Drydocks had reached agreement with the United States’ premier custom yacht builders Palmer
Johnson Yachts to create a strategic Mediterranean refit and service location at the drydocks. The
partnership will be known as PJ@Malta Super and Megayacht Refit and Service Centre.
•
27 September 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that domestic exports rose by Lm8
million to Lm64.2 million in August compared to the same month last year. This was the second
successive month that domestic exports had risen after showing a decline between January and June.
•
27 September 2002 The Royal Navy’s flagship, HMS Ark Royal, sailed into Grand Harbour for a
four-day visit, escorted by the destroyer HMS Southampton. The ships are in Malta for the
celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Operation Pedestal.
•
28 September 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the prospect of European Union
membership presented both a challenge for the Government to negotiate the best deal possible, as well
as an exciting moment in the country's history. Dr Fenech-Adami spoke briefly to reporters shortly
before a meeting with the Slovenian Minister for European Affairs, Janez Potocnik, at Auberge de
Castille, in Valletta.
•
28 September 2002 Hundreds of people lined up the ramparts overlooking Grand Harbour, in
Valletta, to watch the re-enactment of the arrival to the beleaguered island of the American tanker
Ohio during World War II. Also present was a group of veterans who had been invited to the island by
the Ministry of Tourism. President Guido de Marco and Tourism Minister Michael Refalo attended the
re-enactment.
•
28 September 2002 The new High Commissioner for Malta in Australia, Ivan Fsadni, presented his
letters of commission to the Australian Governor General, Dr Peter Hollingworth.
•
28 September 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that government debt
outstanding at the end of August stood at Lm1,031.3 million, up by Lm24 million, or 2.4 per cent,
from the figure outstanding at the end of August last year. However, compared to one month earlier,
government debt declined by Lm18.2 million.
•
28 September 2002 The film industry trade magazine Hollywood Reporter reported that a "big budget
project, based on Homer's epic account of the Trojan War is set to begin shooting in Malta, the UK
and Morocco in spring, with an eye toward a 2004 release". The Malta Film Commission, declined to
confirm the news, saying that it was ‘too early’ to confirm anything at this stage.
•
29 September 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that, next month, he would be meeting a
Libyan Government delegation to draw up a readmission agreement in an attempt to staunch the
inflow of illegal immigrants. Such an agreement, which already exists with Italy, would enable the
Maltese authorities to repatriate immigrants to Libya once it is established that their trip originated
from there.
•
29 September 2002 The Government has appointed Dr Austin Sammut as the new Chairman of
Public Broadcasting Services. Dr Sammut, 48, takes over from Anthony Tabone, who held the post for
the past three years.
•
30 September 2002 A delegation of 18 businessmen and officials of the Chamber of Commerce and
the Federation of Industry returned from a three-day visit to Brussels. The delegation had meetings
with EU officials involved in the accession negotiations between Malta and the European Union.
•
30 September 2002 Thousands of people attended the Malta international air show to view some of
the world's most impressive aviation hardware, and admire the pilots’ skills. The high point of the
show was a heart-stopping display by the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatics team. The air show was put up
by the Malta Aviation Society in association with Malta International Airport.
OCTOBER
•
1 October 2002 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi said that the
Government’s multi-million lira programme of investment in care services for the elderly has brought
about a complete overhaul of state-run homes, day-centres, and medical treatment. He said that Lm7
million had been invested in St Vincent de Paule residence alone over the last two years. Dr Gonzi was
speaking at a news conference to review the government’s fourth year, focusing specifically on the
sector of the elderly.
•
1 October 2002 Mr Alfred J. Falzon presented his credentials to King Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm
as Malta's Ambassador to Sweden.
•
1 October 2002 The Tunisian Ambassador expressed confidence that a solution would be found to the
dispute between Maltese and Tunisian fishermen. Ambassador Abdessalem Hetira said that he had
contacted the authorities in Tunisia and a preliminary investigation had been launched. Mr Hetira was
interviewed by The Times newspaper following a meeting with President Guido de Marco.
•
1 October 2002 Middle Sea Group declared a consolidated profit of Lm586,980 for the half year to
June 30. This is a 15 per cent increase in the group's overall profit after taxation and minority interest
over the corresponding 2001 figure. Earnings per share for the period is 4c7, as against 4c1 in 2001.
•
1 October 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that the number of tourist
arrivals last June reached 109,121, a drop of 11,354 or 9.4 per cent over the same month last year. In
the same month, the number of cruise passengers increased by 17,519 over last year and reached
42,932.
•
1 October 2002 University of Malta Rector Roger Ellul Micallef welcomed close to 3,950 new
students on campus. In his address, the rector put an accent on the University’s need to move towards
internationalisation. “One can safely say that no change is possible without opening our doors to our
international partners," Prof. Ellul Micallef said. Education Minister Louis Galea and University
Chancellor John Rizzo Naudi were among those present for the ceremony.
•
1 October 2002 Mr Anthony Borg, president of the Nationalist Party's pensioners' association, APAN,
won the Elderly Person of the Year award. Mr Borg, 81 from Sliema, has been involved in voluntary
work for over 40 years and is a member of several committees doing work related to the elderly. Mr
Borg is also the deputy mayor of Sliema and helps in the running of the Royal British Legion.
•
2 October 2002 Malta has successfully closed negotiations with the EU on matters pertaining to the
environment. Malta successfully negotiated a number of transitional arrangements to be able to adapt
to EU environmental standards. These cover areas such as air quality, sea quality, and wastemanagement. Malta also negotiated a special arrangement to continue to allow hunting and trapping in
spring. The results were described by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Borg as ‘excellent news for
Malta’.
•
2 October 2002 Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano voiced his concern at "the trend, which has
sprouted in some quarters of late, of criticising the judiciary and its administration with gay abandon".
Chief Justice De Gaetano spoke at the ceremony marking the start of the forensic year, which
traditionally marks the end of the summer recess.
•
2 October 2002 Frank Pullicino, Director of Industrial and Employment Relations within the Ministry
of Social Policy, announced that the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations would be
supporting a research project on collective agreements, being co-ordinated by the Workers'
Participation Development Centre of the University of Malta. Mr Pullicino was speaking at a news
conference to launch the research project.
•
2 October 2002 The Monetary Policy Advisory Council has been constituted under the provisions of
amendments to the Central Bank of Malta Act, which have just come into force. The council will be
composed of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the other three directors of the bank, and three other
individuals appointed by the Governor after consultation with the board.
•
2 October 2002 Restoration work has started on the central feature of the façade of the church of Our
Lady of Victory in Valletta, by the Valletta Rehabilitation Project. The project, which is being
completely financed by the VRP, is being executed by the firm Sante Guido Restauri.
•
2 October 2002 The Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker, today
arrives in Malta on a two-day official visit.
•
3 October 2002 The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Claude Juncker, arrived in Malta for a twoday official visit. Mr Juncker was given a warm welcome by Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami at
Malta International Airport. Later, at an official dinner at Auberge de Castille, Dr Fenech-Adami
toasted him "as a future partner for Malta in the great family of the European Union".
•
3 October 2002 The Chairman of TUI AG's executive board, Michael Frenzel, said that TUI would
soon be launching its own low-cost airline and that he would be alerting TUI AG to Malta's potential
for group and short break holiday traffic. Dr Frenzel was on a short fact-finding visit to Malta during
which he called on Tourism Minister Michael Refalo and on the Prime Minister.
•
3 October 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the Malta Development
Corporation (MDC), the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise (IPSE) and the Malta External
Trade Corporation (METCO) were to merge into ‘Malta Enterprise’. Prof. Bonnici has given his
assurance that none of the 210 employees of the three agencies would end up unemployed, and has
met representatives of Union Haddiema Maqghudin and of the General Workers' Union about the
issue.
•
3 October 2002 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone is leading a
parliamentary delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Conference on the Mediterranean with the theme
Ensuring Peace, Democracy and Prosperity in the Region. The Maltese parliamentary delegation also
includes Government MP John Vella and Opposition MP Anglu Farrugia.
•
3 October 2002 Air Malta Chairman Louis Grech was chosen as the tourism industry ‘Personality of
the Year’ in the Malta Tourism Awards. The ceremony was organised by Skal Malta in conjunction
with the Malta Financial and Business Times.
•
3 October 2002 According to figures issued by the National Statistics Office, Gross Domestic Product
figures maintained a steady recovery in the second quarter this year, rising by 2.2 per cent in real terms
in the June quarter on top of an increase of 1.4 per cent in the first quarter. GDP had dropped by 1.0
per cent in the whole of last year.
•
3 October 2002 The Government announced a reduction in the price of leaded and unleaded petrol
and higher prices for diesel and kerosene. Leaded and unleaded petrol went down 1 mil per litre each,
to 39c6 and 36c6 cents per litre, respectively; diesel went up by 8 mils to 23c8 per litre; and kerosene
went up by 5 mils to 12c7 per litre.
•
3 October 2002 Go Mobile launched a photo messaging service – Snap & go. “This is just the
beginning of a new range of multi-media messaging services that Go Mobile is planning to launch in
the near future," Chief Executive Officer Prof. Juanito Camilleri said. The service is being launched
for a trial period until the end of November, and during that time sending and receiving photo
messages will be free.
•
4 October 2002 Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker said there would be no third chance
for Malta to join the EU if the Maltese voted 'No' in next year's referendum. Mr Juncker was speaking
at a joint news conference with Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami at Auberge de Castille.
•
4 October 2002 Mr Juncker stated that Malta should have six Members in the European Parliament,
the same number that Luxembourg has, and not five as it was allocated in the Nice Treaty. The
Luxembourg Prime Minister was addressing a public meeting organised by the Malta-EU Information
Centre.
•
4 October 2002 Prime Ministers Jean Claude Juncker and Edward Fenech-Adami presided over the
signing of an agreement between the two countries on stronger co-operation in areas related to young
people. The agreement was signed by Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett and Minister MarieJosee Jacobs.
•
4 October 2002 According to a survey published by Eurostat, Malta is the second most expensive EU
candidate country for food, beverages and tobacco. Prices in Malta for these products are 88 per cent
of the EU average. The survey relates to the prices of more than 550 comparable products in 2001.
•
5 October 2002 Mrs Margot Wallstrom, the European Commissioner for the Environment, presented
a European Award for the Environment to Mr Gene Gretchen, Vice-President of ST Microelectronics
(Malta), in Budapest. Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, in his capacity as Chairman of the
National Commission for Sustainable Development, congratulated Mr Gretchen saying that, “the fact
that a Maltese company was awarded such an award proves that our industry is geared to compete in
the international market whilst giving its share in environmental protection”.
•
5 October 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt hailed the new Court registry as proof of the
Government's determination to upgrade the legal system in Malta. He said the new registry was the
first in a series of structural alterations at the Law Courts, which are expected to cost Lm2.5 million in
total. Dr Gatt was speaking at the official inauguration of the new Court registry, which is located in
the same area that used to house the Valletta police station.
•
5 October 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said at a press conference that the Malta
Enterprise Board pools the resources of the Malta Development Corporation (MDC), the Institute for
the Promotion of Small Enterprise (IPSE) and the Malta External Trade Corporation (Metco). The new
organisation has studied closely the strategy employed by ‘Enterprise Ireland’, which had notched a
series of successes, the Minister said.
•
5 October 2002 The Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority, John C. Grech, launched the French
version of the MTA website, during Top Resa, the most important travel trade fair in France. The
MTA website is currently available in English, French, German and Italian. The website can be
accessed at www.visitmalta.com
•
6 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that opinion polls consistently
showed that support for EU membership is growing and indications were that it would continue to
grow. Dr Fenech-Adami was fielding questions by the public during an open-air debate on EU
membership, in Sliema.
•
6 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that ex Premier Dom Mintoff's argument
that Malta's membership of the European Union would have to be approved by a two-thirds majority in
Parliament was untenable. Dr Fenech-Adami said that, "Negotiations on foreign policy were
concluded with the EU a long time ago and the EU stated clearly that Malta's neutrality will not be
affected."
•
6 October 2002 The Prime Minister said that, according to the formula used Malta would receive only
some 7 million Euro each year in the first three years of membership, apart from the structural funds.
"This is a pittance," said Dr Fenech-Adami, adding that he had already taken up the matter with EU
President Romano Prodi, and the Commissioner for Enlargement, Guenther Verheugen. The Prime
Minister was answering questions after addressing a conference on the theme The quality of life: The
European Social Model in concrete terms.
•
6 October 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that leaded petrol would be phased
out by the end of the year and lead-replacement petrol would be introduced in its place, without a
change in price. The transition, which was beneficial to the environment and to public health was
expected to be extremely smooth, Professor Bonnici said.
•
7 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami referred to the declaration made by past Prime
Ministers Dom Mintoff and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici on television discussion programme Xarabank.
Dr Fenech-Adami said: "That is exactly why Malta should join the EU, as the EU was born
specifically to work for peace in Europe and beyond." The Prime Minister was speaking at San
Gwann.
•
8 October 2002 Slovenian President Milan Kucan began a two-day state visit in Malta. On his arrival,
he said that he was looking forward to seeing his country share the stage with Malta as a partner in an
enlarged European Union. Later, at a state dinner at the Palace, Mr Kucan said that, as smaller
countries, Malta and Slovenia would share an almost identical starting position.
•
8 October 2002 At the state dinner in honour of President Kucan, President Guido de Marco said that
the Government was confident that entry negotiations would be concluded in the coming weeks. The
package of negotiations would then be referred to the people to exercise their sovereign democratic
right and decide on EU membership. "I am convinced that, as shown in the past, once a decision is
taken, all Malta will stand by it," Prof. de Marco said.
•
8 October 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that Lufthansa Technik Malta, the
Malta-based Company set up by Lufthansa and Air Malta to carry out maintenance checks on aircraft,
already had 60 job orders and would employ 32 technicians this week. Prof. Bonnici was addressing a
news conference reviewing the fourth year in office.
•
8 October 2002 Speaking at the same conference, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that
the number of under-25s registering for work with the ETC in May 2002 stood at 1,800, compared
with 2,100 in September 1998. This meant that people were finding it easier to get their first job, said
Dr Gonzi.
•
8 October 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that the Government had been bold and opened up
the economy to create new sectors whose value-added was higher than ever. Competitiveness no
longer relied on low wages, Mr Dalli said. The Minister was speaking at a news conference reviewing
the fourth year in office that was also addressed by Tourism Minister Michael Refalo and Education
Minister Louis Galea.
•
8 October 2002 The Ministry for Economic Services decided to remove, with immediate effect, the
remaining import levy on furniture following a specific request by the Malta Furniture Manufacturers
Organisation, subsequently endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Industry. To
this effect, a general levy exemption on all furniture was published in The Government Gazette.
•
8 October 2002 The University of the Third Age again opened its doors to some 850 students,
marking the 10th anniversary of its foundation. University Chancellor and U3E Chairman John
Rizzo Naudi urged the students to carry out research projects to record certain cultural aspects of
Malta, that were destined to be lost forever once the elderly generations passed away.
•
8 October 2002 MaRIS, the Malta Real-time Inter-bank Settlement System, a payment system for the
local handling of large inter-bank payments, became fully operational on October 1, with the coming
into force of the recent amendments to the Central Bank of Malta Act. The system provides for the
immediate delivery and settlement of wholesale financial payments and replaces the correspondent
banking method of payments previously used by banks in Malta to effect such payments.
•
8 October 2002 The US guided missile cruiser Monterey entered Malta Drydocks for possible repairs.
The American Embassy said that the Sixth Fleet ship was here on a routine port call that might require
engine repairs.
•
9 October 2002 Slovenian President Milan Kucan said that the Irish referendum on the Nice Treaty
should not and would not prevent enlargement, but a 'No' vote would mean that selfishness would have
prevailed over solidarity. Mr Kucan was speaking at a joint press conference with President de Marco,
at San Anton Palace.
•
9 October 2002 During the press conference, Mr Kucan described his state visit to Malta as a
milestone in the relationship between the two countries. He said that, to Slovenia, Malta is a very
favourable destination from which Slovenian companies, with the co-operation of Maltese companies,
could work on North African markets. To Malta, Slovenia could serve as a springboard for the markets
in former Yugoslavia and south-east Europe in general. Earlier in the day President Kucan had held a
meeting with Maltese businessmen at the Chamber of Commerce, in Valletta.
•
9 October 2002 The Chairman of the Institute of Directors, James Satariano, presented a cheque for
$5,000 to US Ambassador Anthony Gioia at the US Embassy for the victims of the September 11
attacks in the United States. Mr Satariano said the IoD would like the donation to be administered
through Red Cross organisations that are supporting and counselling family members of the September
11 victims.
•
10 October 2002 The European Commission released a report called ‘Towards an Enlarged Union’,
in which Malta was named as one of the 10 candidate countries able to assume the obligations of
membership within the envisaged time frame. The Commission said negotiations would be concluded
by the end of the year and the 10 countries would be ready for membership from the beginning of
2004. Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that Malta was "one step away from EU membership".
•
10 October 2002 EU Chief Negotiator for Malta Arhi Palosuo and the head of the EU delegation in
Malta, Ronald Gallimore, presented the progress report on Malta to Prime Minister Edward FenechAdami, at Auberge de Castille. Dr Fenech-Adami said at the presentation that the report on Malta
showed the huge progress that had been made by the country in the implementation of the acquis.
•
10 October 2002 President Guido de Marco swore in two new judges in the presence of the Prime
Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Attorney General and the Chief Justice. The two judges are
lawyer Dr Philip Sciberras, 57, and Magistrate Noel Cuschieri, 50, respectively.
•
10 October 2002 The Chairman of the Privatisation Unit, Emanuel Ellul, explained the process that
had led to the selection of the Malta Mediterranean Link Consortium as partner with a 40 per cent
holding in Malta International Airport. Mr Ellul was addressing a meeting of the Public Accounts
Committee.
•
10 October 2002 Bank of Valletta Chairman Joseph F. X. Zahra said that an encouraging number of
Maltese firms have, in the past few years, been gaining a stronger foothold in Tunisia, particularly in
tourism, manufacturing, the construction sector and production of consumer goods. Mr Zahra was
addressing a seminar at the San Gorg Corinthia Hotel.
•
10 October 2002 A government statement said that Malta would only extend shelter to recognised
refugees, who were given the right to stay on the island together with their dependants, the right to
have a travel document, the right to have free hospitalisation and schooling and the right to a workpermit. It was not fair that the same treatment should be accorded whether one applied for refugee
status or not, as that would mean the dismantling of the country's structures, the statement added. The
declaration came in the wake of the recent deportation of 223 Eritreans.
•
11 October 2002 Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer said that Malta deserved to
be a member of the European Union. Dr Schwimmer said accession to the EU "will be an advantage to
Malta and the European Union". He referred to EU membership for an eligible European country like
Malta as a right and not a gift. Dr Schwimmer was in Malta on an official visit to finalise preparations
for the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which Malta will
assume for six months as from November 7.
•
11 October 2002 The Finance Ministry said that the prospectus for the acquisition of shares in Malta
International Airport will be available by the end of the month. The Government will be selling 20%
of the company's shareholding to the public after selling 40% earlier this year to Malta Mediterranean
Link Consortium. Investors in Malta Government Privatisation Bonds will be given preference to
convert their bonds into shares.
•
11 October 2002 Government MP Helen D'Amato, Chairman of the Parliamentary Social Affairs
Committee, was the keynote speaker at the fifth annual convention of the Global Alliance of Mental
Illness Advocacy Networks - Europe, being held in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The theme of her talk was
employment and people with mental health problems, with particular reference to initiatives being
undertaken in Malta.
•
11 October 2002 A group of 35 children aged between 5 and 17 from Stechovice, in the Czech
Republic, visited Malta at the invitation of President Guido de Marco. The children presented Prof. de
Marco with souvenirs and photos of their village before and after the recent floods that played havoc
on their homes.
•
11 October 2002 Special Olympics Malta hosted the fourth annual Special Olympics Football
Conference, at the New Dolmen Hotel in Qawra. About 50 delegates, as well as a number of observers
from 55 countries, took part in the conference.
•
12 October 2002 President Guido de Marco received Dr Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the
Council of Europe, at the Palace, in Valletta. Dr Schwimmer said later that their discussion had
"hovered on the position of the Council of Europe within the new political architecture of Europe, in
particular to its role with regards Central-Eastern European affairs, where new democracies still
require the Council's assistance".
•
12 October 2002 The General Secretary of the Council of Europe, Walter Schwimmer, stressed the
council's role to promote respect for cultural diversity and social cohesion in and around Europe, based
on the values of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. In this context he praised Malta's role in
the council to promote the Mediterranean dimension of Europe. Secretary General Schwimmer was
addressing a special session of Parliament. An audio broadcast of Dr Schwimmer’s address can be
found at http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/schwimmerparl.asp
•
12 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that, when Malta assumed the
Presidency of the Council's Committee of Ministers next month, it would continue to insist on the
principles that the council fostered, particularly the protection of human rights, the rule of law, peace
and stability, and social, political and economic development. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at a
special sitting of Parliament in the presence of Council of Europe General Secretary Walter
Schwimmer. An audio broadcast of the Prime Minister’s address can be found at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/pmschwimmerparl.asp
•
12 October 2002 Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant said at the same sitting that the Opposition
believed that Malta should be a partner of the European Union without becoming a full member in all
the common policies that the Union had developed. Dr Sant said that these policies reflected the needs
and achievements of big continental countries and it was not realistic to expect that they would fit well
with the conditions of Malta as a small Mediterranean country.
•
12 October 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre said in its latest update of negotiations that
negotiations on the Environment were provisionally closed with all the 10 countries that, according to
the EU, could be ready to join by 2004. These 10 countries are Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Negotiations on this chapter are
still open with Bulgaria and Romania.
•
12 October 2002 A spokesman for the Home Affairs Ministry said that there was no evidence that the
Eritreans sent back to their homeland after arriving in Malta had been jailed and tortured. The
spokesman said that the claims were being made by a London-based movement whose main interest
was to create unrest in Eritrea.
•
12 October 2002 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority unanimously approved an
application for the construction of a world-class marina within Dockyard Creek, in Vittoriosa, as part
of the Cottonera project. The marina would provide berths for 255 vessels, 34 of them super-yachts.
•
12 October 2002 Air Malta launched a new website to speed up communications between the airline
and its customers. Local and overseas customers can now book a flight and use a credit card to pay on
the internet. The site can be accessed at www.airmalta.com
•
12 October 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority said that a number of tour operators in Japan had
included Malta in their travel brochures. The brochures include information on Malta's location,
history, gastronomy and culture.
•
13 October 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici announced that the volume of work in
terms of TEUs at Malta Freeport between January and September had increased by eight per cent over
the same period last year. Prof. Bonnici said that the results were considered to be very positive,
particularly since the volume of trade world-wide had decreased for the first time in 20 years, and
competition from other ports was very tough. The Minister was speaking during a tour of the Freeport.
•
13 October 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici visited Delimara power station where an
open day was organised to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Enemalta Corporation. Prof. Bonnici
announced that a new combined cycle plant, which runs on diesel and is more eco-friendly, would be
constructed within the next five years to meet demand. He added that a site at the power station has
already been earmarked for the plant.
•
13 October 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said that, within the next three
years, the Government planned to more than double the number of households that had access to the
Internet. Minister Gatt was speaking, together with Education Minister Louis Galea, at the
Mediterranean Conference Centre where he launched the initiative dubbed myWeb. myWeb is geared
to eradicate the digital divide by offering the public free computer and internet courses.
•
14 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that the EU referendum would be
held very early in the New Year. Dr Fenech-Adami warned that the present opportunity for Malta to
join the EU would be the last one.
•
14 October 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is also Chairman of the task force on
the restructuring of the shipyards, said that the task ahead is to seek ways of reducing the workforce at
the 'yards by a further 500 over the coming year. Dr Gonzi was being interviewed by The Times
newspaper.
•
14 October 2002 Professor Edward de Bono, a leading authority in creative thinking, innovation, and
the direct teaching of thinking as a skill, was awarded an honorary degree in design from the Royal
Melbourne Institute of Technology of the University in Melbourne. Prof. de Bono was honoured for
his contribution to the development of thinking, his work teaching creative and conceptual thinking to
many organisations, governments, communities and schools, and his efforts to promote thinking to the
young.
•
15 October 2002 British Minister for Europe Peter Hain urged Malta to grasp the opportunity to join
the EU because there might not be a second chance. Mr Hain was in Malta for a day in which he had
meetings with President Guido de Marco, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Foreign Minister
Joe Borg, and Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant.
•
15 October 2002 Speaking at a joint news conference after a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister
Joe Borg, British Minister for Europe Peter Hain stressed the UK’s strong support for Malta’s
accession. “We will be Malta’s best friend in the EU, just as we have been Malta’s closest friend in the
negotiations to secure membership,” Mr Hain said.
•
15 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami presented the letter of appointment to new
Malta Freeport chairman Mark Portelli who succeeds Marin Hili. During the ceremony, which was
also attended by Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici and Finance Minister John Dalli, Dr
Fenech-Adami heaped praise on Mr Hili who had been at the helm of the Freeport since 1987.
•
15 October 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli announced that the Government had concluded talks
with a Greek operator interested in running the Public Lotto Department. Mr Dalli was speaking
during a news conference reviewing the Government’s fourth year in office.
•
15 October 2002 Staff from the Integrated Administration and Control System Unit in the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries and from the Ministry for Gozo paid a five-day visit to Rome as part of a
twinning project funded by the EU Commission aimed at introducing the IACS system in Malta. The
delegation was given an overview of the administration and controls of the subsidies to farmers under
the various schemes of the Common Agriculture Policy.
•
15 October 2002 Senior distribution technical officer Charles Said won this year’s Enemalta ‘Worker
of the Year’ award. Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici made the presentation during a
ceremony at the Marsa power station.
•
15 October 2002 Maltacom announced that it was planning to launch a service whereby customers
would be able to receive local and foreign TV channels via a telephone line. In addition to TV
reception, the proposed service would also enable users to browse the net and send and receive e-mails
using the TV set as monitor. “The service will change the whole idea of television as we know it
today,” a Maltacom spokesman said. The revolutionary system is to be demonstrated at the
forthcoming IT & T Fair.
•
15 October 2002 An Australian of Maltese descent was missing following the blast that ripped
through a Bali nightclub, killing 181 people and injuring 300. Another Australian with a Maltese
surname was seriously injured. A spokesman for the Maltese High Commission in Canberra told The
Times newspaper that Anthony Francis Cachia was reported missing by a friend in Bali.
•
16 October 2002 Hungary’s State Secretary for EU integration, Peter Gottfried, met Foreign Minister
Joe Borg, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Valletta. Mr Gottfried said that Malta and Hungary
were negotiating the same issues with the EU and it was therefore useful to share information on the
problems, and the way each country was addressing them.
•
16 October 2002 Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ninu Zammit said in Parliament that preparations
were being made for a meeting between the Maltese and Tunisian authorities about clashes between
fishermen of the two countries. Mr Zammit said the incidents had happened in international waters and
Maltese law therefore had no jurisdiction, but Malta and other countries wanted to make arrangements
to resolve such issues as they arose.
•
16 October 2002 Dr Abraham Borg presented his letters of credence to Israeli President Moshe
Katsav as Malta’s Ambassador to Israel.
•
16 October 2002 Central Bank of Malta governor Michael Bonello said that the social partners must
accept that Malta’s national deficit was a problem, to understand the entity of that problem, and the
difficulty of solving it. The main problem, he said, was that much of the recurrent expenditure was not
discretionary but committed, mostly to providing social services. And the social services were viewed
as sacred cows by the political parties and by the electorate. Mr Bonello was speaking at the annual
conference of the Chamber of Commerce, in St Julian’s.
•
16 October 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo told Parliament that the Malta Tourism Authority
was hoping to attract 25,000 tourists from China by the year 2007. The Minister said that the fact that
Germany, like Malta, was recently designated a preferred tourist destination by China was
advantageous for Malta in view of Lufthansa’s direct flights to China and Malta.
•
16 October 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority’s office in Paris launched an intensive advertising
campaign to coincide with the match between Malta and France at Ta’ Qali Stadium. Some 300
posters, each measuring four metres by three, were put up in vantage points across Paris and Lyons.
•
16 October 2002 A Maltese consultant vascular surgeon, Alex Attard, performed a complex eighthour operation to remove an aneurysm situated in the renal artery. The operation, carried out at St
Luke’s Hospital, was deemed a success and the patient was doing well. This was the first operation of
its kind to be performed in Malta.
•
16 October 2002 ‘The Mediterranean Yacht Planners’ Guide 2002’ is now available on CD. The
guide, launched last May, highlights the major yachting areas in the Mediterranean, including Malta. It
is also a world-wide comprehensive yachting directory.
•
17 October 2002 European Commission President Romano Prodi reassured former Prime Minister
Dom Mintoff that the Nice Treaty did not jeopardise neutrality and said that enlargement was an
opportunity not to be missed. “Already today we have three neutral members in the Union and their
position is not threatened in any way,” said Mr Prodi. President Prodi met the Mr Mintoff at the
headquarters of the European Commission, in Brussels.
•
17 October 2002 National Statistics Office figures show that, in the first six months of this year, the
construction and quarrying industry contributed Lm23.2 million to Malta's Gross Domestic Product,
marking the highest sectoral growth. The figures were announced by Resources and Infrastructure
Minister Francis Zammit Dimech during a seminar on Protection 2002, organised by Alberta Fire
Fighting and Security Equipment.
•
17 October 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that 238 licensed buses, coaches and minibuses that are in service are more than 41 years old. A further 445 are between 21 and 40 years old.
The figures were given in reply to a Parliamentary Question.
•
17 October 2002 Government MPs Dolores Cristina and Helen D'Amato and Opposition MPs Helena
Dalli and Rita Law attended the Third Euro-Mediterranean Forum of Women Parliamentarians, in
Madrid. The conference focused on the themes Education and Equality of Women and Violence and
Trafficking in Women.
•
17 October 2002 The National Statistics Office said that fresh fish landings at the central fish market
in the third quarter this year amounted to 303,673 kilo. This is a drop of 14,162 kilo, or 4.5 per cent,
from 317,835 kilo in the third quarter of 2001. On the other hand, the wholesale value of these fish
landings was Lm556,231, an increase of Lm67,072, or 13.7 per cent, over the same quarter last year.
•
17 October 2002 A TV commercial for oil-company Shell was shot in Spain and at the Mediterranean
Film Studios in Kalkara. Local filming consisted of the creation of various water effects shot in the
studios' shallow tank where storm scenes have been created for movies such as White Squall and U571.
•
18 October 2002 EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen met Prime Minister Edward
Fenech-Adami, at Auberge de Castille. Following this meeting, Dr Verheugen said that the decision by
the Commission that Malta will be one of the 10 states it considers will be ready for accession by
January 2004 represents a great success for Malta. Dr Fenech-Adami said he was looking forward to a
speedy conclusion of the negotiations, and expressed his appreciation to Mr Verheugen for his visit at
this particular juncture, when the Island was on its final lap. An audio broadcast of the press statements
made by the Prime Minister and Dr Gunther Verheugen can be heard on
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audioindex.asp
•
18 October 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that participation in EU budgetary
structures would reduce the overall volatility of the local economy. Prof. Bonnici was speaking at a
seminar on 'The EMU and countries applying for accession to the EU', organised by the Economics
Department of the University.
•
18 October 2002 President Guido de Marco said that, although drug use was a crime, abusers were
victims themselves and should therefore be assisted to reintegrate themselves in society. Prof. de
Marco was speaking at a seminar on the correlation between drugs and criminality organised by the
national agency against drug and alcohol abuse, Seqda, and the European Collaborating Centres in
Addiction Studies, at Qawra.
•
18 October 2002 President Guido de Marco received the diplomatic credentials of two new
Ambassadors to Malta. These are the Algerian Ambassador Mokhtar Reguieg and Ecuadorian
Ambassador Marcelo Fernandes de Cordoba Ponce.
•
18 October 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi met the National Council of Women. The
council presented Dr Gonzi with reports of conferences that NCW representatives had attended in
recent months. They also presented him with studies of job evaluation systems and checklists for the
implementation of the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
•
18 October 2002 Senior officials from Malta's employer, labour and human resource organisations
visited Dublin for an intensive, week-long study on social dialogue. The visit was organised by the
University of Malta's Workers' Participation Development Centre, with the sponsorship of the
Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
•
18 October 2002 The Armed Forces of Malta's 'C' Company completed a four-week training
attachment held with the Italian 1st Lagunari Serenissima Battalion based in Venice. Radio procedure,
vehicle recognition and basic soldiering skills were brushed up during this initial phase under the
guidance of Maltese and Italian instructors.
•
18 October 2002 German Ambassador Georg Merten presented the University library with a number
of books on folklore studies on behalf of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinshaft foundation of Bonn and
the Marchen Stiftung Walter Kahn foundation of Munich. Both foundations are strongly committed to
research in folklore.
•
18 October 2002 A European experts' report on Malta's culture and the arts said that a key policy
objective should be to increase access to the arts, heritage, libraries and archives. The report was
presented to the council's Steering Committee for Culture by a group of experts headed by Pirrko
Rainesalo of Finland. The report was assembled by Professor Anthony Everitt, a cultural policy expert
in the UK.
•
19 October 2002 President of Malta Guido de Marco received EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter
Verheugen at the Palace, in Valletta. Addressing members of the press following the meeting,
Commissioner Verheugen stressed that, "Malta, as part of the Euro-Mediterranean region, when
forming part of an enlarged European family, will have an important consideration in the European
Council. This consideration is further underlined within the perspective of the role Malta can play in
the southern dimension of the European Union."
•
19 October 2002 Commissioner Gunter Verheugen said he was convinced Malta would get a "very
good" financial package from the EU. He appealed to the Maltese to await the outcome of the whole
package before making a judgement on the financial package. Mr Verheugen was replying to questions
from an audience made up mainly of representatives of different organisations on discussion
programme Xarabank, on TVM.
•
19 October 2002 Negotiations on Competition were closed during the fifteenth meeting in Brussels of
the Accession Conference held at Deputies’ level between Malta and the European Union. Malta was
represented by the Chairman of the Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana. Following the
meeting, Malta has closed negotiations on a total of twenty-six areas, leaving talks open on the areas of
Taxation, Customs, Agriculture and Budgetary Provisions.
•
19 October 2002 Housing Authority Chairman Marisa Micallef Leyson announced that the Authority
is making available 195 new units spread over various localities in Malta and Gozo, with a commercial
value of around Lm5.7 million. The subsidised units will be sold for around Lm3.8 million. Social
Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said work was under way to simplify Housing Authority applications.
•
19 October 2002 The third survey on domestic waste composition carried out by the National
Statistics Office among a sample 400 households showed that each household generated an average of
2.2 kilo of waste per week, or 0.65 kilo per person.
•
19 October 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that the Ministry of Agriculture has drawn
up a plan of action to ensure Maltese farmers complied with Eurepgap standards for the development
of good agricultural practices in the production of potatoes intended for the export market. Mr Zammit
was speaking at the final session of a training programme for Maltese agricultural officers and
agricultural extension workers.
•
20 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that it was his Government's policy to
eventually liberalise areas of the energy market, including the importation and distribution of fuels for
the inland market. Dr Fenech-Adami was addressing a conference organised on the occasion of
Enemalta’s 25th anniversary, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
•
20 October 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici referred to the potential that Malta held
as a base for industrial and commercial activities in support of developments in the energy sector
within neighbouring countries and the Mediterranean region in general. Prof. Bonnici was closing the
Enemalta conference.
•
21 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami urged the Maltese to wait for the final
package before deciding on EU membership. “But decide in the interests of your children too,"
continued Dr Fenech-Adami. The Prime Minister was commenting on the outcome of the Irish
referendum.
•
21 October 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that Ireland's 'Yes' vote was excellent news for
Ireland and Europe. “It's now impossible to turn the clock back. It is one hurdle less now," said Dr
Borg.
•
22 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that he had personally congratulated
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern on the Irish electorate's decision to ratify the Nice Treaty, paving the
way for enlargement. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking to reporters following the weekly Cabinet
meeting at Auberge de Castille. An audio broadcast of the Prime Minister’s comments can be found at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audioindex.asp
•
22 October 2002 According to an Eurobarometer survey, Malta is the second most popular country
among citizens of EU member states to join at the next enlargement. Forty-eight per cent of EU
citizens said they most favoured Hungary to join the EU, with a close 47 per cent expressing support
for Malta's membership. The survey was carried out last spring and was published by the European
Commission.
•
22 October 2002 Speaking at a news conference to review the fourth year in office, Home Affairs
Minister Tonio Borg announced that talks are in hand with the Libyan Government over an agreement
to repatriate all illegal immigrants arriving in Malta from Libya. The news conference was also
addressed by Justice Minister Austin Gatt, Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici, and by Deputy
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. A video feature connected with the conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/gverninsahhupajz/index.asp
•
22 October 2002 Around 120 Malta Shipbuilding workers are involved in the construction of a 73metre long, 3,800-ton vessel for Havtrade. Speaking to reporters at the 'yard, Company Chairman
Mikkel Vaage said that the whole project is estimated to cost NOK 125 million (around Lm7 million),
some 40 per cent of which will be generated at the Malta 'yard.
•
22 October 2002 Malta's competitive advantages and the opportunities of using Malta as a platform to
penetrate the Euro-Mediterranean region were highlighted during a seminar in Toronto organised by
Bank of Valletta's Canada representative office on the theme ‘Malta: An emerging financial services
centre’. The seminar was inaugurated by Finance Minister John Dalli.
•
22 October 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea opened the first international Archives conference
on the theme ‘Converging frontiers: Regional co-operation in the archives sector’. The conference
was organised by the Libraries and Archives Department, in collaboration with the Maltese National
Commission for Unesco, within the Education Ministry.
•
22 October 2002 President Guido de Marco made an official visit to the main campus of the Malta
College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), in Paola. During his visit, Prof. de Marco was
accompanied by Victor Scicluna and Roy Snelling, President of the Board of Governors and College
Principal respectively.
•
22 October 2002 A delegation from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress
of China paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament, Anton Tabone, Foreign Affairs Minister
Joe Borg, and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant. The Chinese delegation also met with the Foreign
Affairs Committee, at the Palace, in Valletta.
•
22 October 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority has carried out its first large-scale advertising
campaign in Poland. As a first step, the MTA posted large outdoor billboards in over 100 locations in
Warsaw.
•
22 October 2002 Museums and sites under the responsibility of the Museums Department will be
open to the public free of charge on Sunday, on the occasion of European Heritage Day. European
Heritage Day is observed annually by the Council of Europe and is promoted in Malta by the
Museums Department.
•
23 October 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg joined his counterparts from the other nine EU acceding
countries in welcoming the result of the Irish referendum, in Prague. Following the meeting, the 10
Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement in which they expressed their expectation that the European
Council in Brussels would decide on a financial package that will reflect a fair balance between rights
and obligations of membership. It was agreed that the next meeting of the acceding states would be
held at prime ministerial level next month.
•
23 October 2002 A Bill to promote equality between men and women has just been published in The
Government Gazette and is expected to be debated in Parliament shortly. The bill provides for the
setting up of a National Commission for the Promotion of Equality for Men and Women which shall
“identify, establish, and update all policies directly or indirectly related to sexual equality, identify the
needs of persons who are disadvantaged by reasons of their sex, and propose measures to cater for
such needs”.
•
23 October 2002 US Ambassador Anthony Gioia presented a cheque for $60,000 to the Commander
of the Armed Forces of Malta, Rupert Montanaro, for refurbishment of the AFM's newly created
Search and Rescue centre. During the presentation ceremony at the AFM barracks in Luqa,
Ambassador Gioia praised Malta as being one of the first countries to co-operate in the fight against
terrorism.
•
23 October 2002 Maltapost's stamp for the 2002 Europa stamp issue was selected by the plenary
delegates of PostEurop as the best out of 44 entries submitted for the stamp design competition. This
is the first time in the 50-year history of the Europa stamp that a contest was organised among postal
operators to pay tribute to the originality and attractiveness of a design.
•
23 October 2002 For the second consecutive year, the Malta Tourism Authority's London office has
been voted the ‘Best UK-based Mediterranean Tourist Office’ by around 600 travel agents in the 2002
Travel Industry Awards. The awards are organised by Business Magazine International, publishers of
Selling Short Breaks magazine.
•
24 October 2002 According to the latest Eurobarometer survey carried out in candidate countries,
fifty-five per cent of eligible voters in Malta would vote 'Yes' in a referendum on European Union
membership. Forty-five per cent of Maltese respondents aged 18 and over would vote 'No'. The survey
was conducted in late March and early April in the 13 candidate countries.
•
24 October 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, for various reasons, statistics on
occupational accidents did not give a clear picture of the situation. Many of the incidents that took
place at work were not reported, he said, while statistics did not gauge risk situations or lack of
wellbeing arising from bad working conditions. Dr Gonzi was speaking at a conference entitled
Working on Stress, organised by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority.
•
24 October 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli attended a European Investment Bank meeting that
grouped Finance Ministers from EU member states and the Mediterranean, in Barcelona. The meeting
discussed an Euro-Mediterranean investment partnership, with a view to the creation of a Customs
Union by 2010.
•
24 October 2002 Police Commissioner John Rizzo said at a news conference that illegal immigrants
were proving to be a strain on the human resources of the police force. Some 100 members of the force
were engaged in maintaining order and as escorts and guards at hospital when illegal immigrants are
hospitalised. In addition, said Mr Rizzo, the kitchen at Police Headquarters had to cater for meals
practically round the clock.
•
24 October 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that unemployment in
September went up by 108 over the figure for the previous month, reaching 7,520. The number was
536 higher than that for the same month last year. The figures are based on Employment and Training
Corporation figures.
•
24 October 2002 The National Statistics Office reported that the retail price index in September went
up by 0.28 points, or 0.24 per cent, over August and reached 119.16. In September the inflation rate
stood at 2.89 per cent.
•
24 October 2002 The Malta Red Cross Society hosted the annual European working-group conference
on first aid, at the New Dolmen Hotel, in Qawra. Sixty-two delegates from 27 European countries and
four from the US took part in the conference.
•
25 October 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that the Government was investigating allegations
of irregularities by a Greek bidder involved in the privatisation of the Lotto Department. The Minister
was referring to reports that Intralot, which forms part of the consortium short-listed for the
privatisation, was involved in irregularities.
•
25 October 2002 The new Chief Executive of Malta International Airport, Peter Bolech, said that he
believed that MIA had the capacity for a substantial increase in air traffic. He observed that Malta
International Airport handled three million passengers annually with two runways, while London's
Gatwick Airport handled over 30 million with just one. Mr Bolech was addressing a business breakfast
hosted by The Malta Business Weekly
•
25 October 2002 Figures issued by the National Statistics Office show that domestic exports rose by
Lm2 million, to Lm65.8 million, in September compared to the figure for the same month last year.
Total imports in September rose by Lm12.7 million, to Lm96.6 million, with imports of industrial
supplies rising by Lm6.4 million, to Lm49.7 million.
•
25 October 2002 Air Malta announced that it would be imposing a total ban on smoking on all its
scheduled and charter flights as from Sunday 27th. The airline said the decision to ban smoking on all
its services was in line with moves by other major airlines to provide an optimum environment inside
the aircraft.
•
25 October 2002 The National Statistics Office reported that, in the third quarter this year, the total
quantity of agricultural produce sold through organised markets increased by 1.5 million kilos, or 12.3
per cent, to 13.5 million kilos over the same quarter last year.
•
26 October 2002 President Romano Prodi said that he was convinced that the final financial package
that Malta would acquire would be "more than acceptable". Mr Prodi was speaking at the end of the
two-day Brussels summit that discussed the thorny issues of finance and agriculture.
•
26 October 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that co-operation in fisheries, entry visa agreements,
and illegal migration were among the topics that should be discussed by both Malta and Tunisia. Dr
Borg was speaking at the fourth session of the Maltese-Tunisian Mixed Commission which held its
fourth session in Tunis.
•
26 October 2002 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that the Government's
structural deficit in the first nine months this year reached Lm85.6 million, that is, Lm4.6 million more
than in the same period last year. Provisional statistics supplied by the Central Bank show that
government debt outstanding at the end of September stood at Lm1,042.7 million, up by 3.9 per cent,
over the figure for September last year.
•
26 October 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea said that no fewer than 300 university students had
benefited from the European Union's educational programmes every year. Dr Galea was speaking at an
activity at the University marking the millionth student taking part globally in the Erasmus
programme.
•
26 October 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that the Ports Consultative Council had
recommended the setting up of a port authority to take responsibility for the management of the
Island's two major ports. He said that the recommendation, as well as others made by the council
earlier this year, was now being studied by the Ministry. Minister Censu Galea was speaking at a
seminar on port development organised by the Foundation for Transport Studies, at the Maritime
Museum in Vittoriosa.
•
26 October 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo announced that Volksbank Malta Ltd, operating in
Malta for the last seven years, was expected to be granted an onshore licence shortly. Bank Chairman
Maurice Mizzi said that the new services provided by the bank would be available to local and foreign
clients. Dr Refalo was speaking at the bank's premises in Sliema.
•
26 October 2002 Minister of Education Louis Galea inaugurated an exhibition entitled ‘Lost Arts of
the Ancient Goldsmiths’, at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. The exhibition was
funded by the European Union as part of the Fifth Framework programme.
•
26 October 2002 Malta was recently the subject of a one-page promotion carried in popular German
women's magazine, Freundin. According to a spokesperson for the magazine, over 155,000 readers
took part in the promotion, organised by the Malta Tourism Authority office in Frankfurt, and
Kelloggs.
•
27 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami welcomed the European Union's enlargement
deal and expressed optimism that the Government would be able to negotiate a good financial package
for Malta in one of the last hurdles to membership. "The internal problems of the EU have been ironed
out and nothing can stop enlargement now," Dr Fenech-Adami told The Sunday Times newspaper.
•
27 October 2002 Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres thanked President
Guido de Marco for taking the initiative to bring together in Malta a group of Israelis and Palestinians
in an effort to bridge differences between the two peoples. The message was forwarded through
Malta's Ambassador to Israel, Dr Abraham Borg, who presented his credentials on October 14.
•
28 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami attended the summit for the acceding
countries, in Denmark. Prime Ministers from the ten acceding countries were invited by European
Council President Anders Fogh Rasmussen to be formally briefed about the outcome of the EU
Brussels summit and its implications, as well as the way forward. Dr Fenech-Adami was accompanied
by Foreign Minister Joe Borg, Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici, and the Chairman of the
Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana.
•
28 October 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt said that more than 6,000 people had already applied
for free computer tuition in government schools during the afternoons. The Minister said that most
applicants were over forty, and were people whose children were computer literate and who did not
want to fall behind. Dr Gatt was speaking in Victoria, Gozo.
•
28 October 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that Malta was already benefiting from its
expected EU membership and was currently trying to reach an agreement with Europol on sharing
information related to organised crime, particularly drug-related crime. Dr Borg was speaking in
Victoria.
•
28 October 2002 Also speaking at Victoria, Parliamentary Secretary George Hyzler referred to the
film industry in Malta. He announced that Warner Brothers UK would be co-producing Troy, their
biggest film next year, in Malta. Dr Hyzler said that the film would cost more than $100 million.
•
28 October 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that the Government wanted to control the deficit
without taking any measures that would stall the economy. He said that the deficit would be as
projected, that is, around Lm78 million, representing less than 4.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic
Product. Mr Dalli was speaking at a public consultation meeting about the Budget.
•
28 October 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli had a meeting with his French counterpart to lobby for
what Malta is asking for from the EU. Last week, Mr Dalli had a similar meeting with the German
Foreign Minister about the same matter.
•
28 October 2002 Mount Etna made a heavy physical presence in Malta as ash from the volcano
crossed the Mediterranean and coated the country in an insidious film of black fine dust. The volcanic
plume was swept to Malta by north-to-north-easterly winds blowing from Sicily.
•
29 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that, in all probability, the referendum
would be held at the beginning of spring. Prime Minister Fenech-Adami was addressing a news
conference in Copenhagen where the 13 candidate countries were updated on the outcome of the EU
Council's two-day meeting in Brussels.
•
29 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami left Copenhagen for an official visit to
China. Dr Fenech-Adami was accompanied by Foreign Minister Joe Borg.
•
29 October 2002 The European Commissioner responsible for the budget, Michaele Schreyer,
applauded Malta for reaching an advanced stage of institutional building in so far as internal auditing
was concerned. Ms Schreyer was speaking during the opening of the fifth contact group meeting for
European financial control organisations held in Malta.
•
29 October 2002 Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino said that pending applications at the Malta
Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) were down by nearly 1,500 in less than a year. He
added that MEPA officials were removing an average of 100 illegal structures every year. Mr Pullicino
was speaking when reviewing his fourth year in office during a press conference at Auberge de
Castille.
•
29 October 2002 Reviewing Government’s fourth year in office during a press conferenhce at
Auberge de Castille, Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that the
Government had carried out 70 restoration projects in the last four years, while another 50 were in
hand. During the said conference, Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said that farmers' co-operatives
and associations had received technical advice and would be receiving an aid package worth Lm70
million. On his part, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi challenged the Opposition to state how it
intended to finance its environment policy. Dr Gonzi said that it was thanks to this Government that
the issue of the environment had been put on the front burner.
•
29 October 2002 Fourteen employees from Malta Drydocks, Malta Shipbuilding, and Manoel Island
Yacht-yard were the first of a group of forty workers due to leave Malta for training in super-yacht
work at Palmer Johnson, in the United States. Palmer Johnson has joined up with the 'yard to develop
Dock No. 3 for super-yacht refurbishment and repair.
•
30 October 2002 President Guido de Marco said that the path towards EU membership for the
Maltese and Polish Governments was difficult and full of sacrifices. He said, however, that the new
generation was determined that it would never again experience a divided Europe, an iron curtain, or
cities and peoples blocked by walls. Prof. de Marco was speaking in Warsaw on the first day of a twoday state visit to Poland.
•
30 October 2002 Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said that, whereas Poland plays an
important role in Central-Eastern Europe, Malta is situated in a strategic position of the Mediterranean.
“Therefore, through our shared experiences, both countries can benefit from the formulation of a
common foreign policy which enhances co-operation,” he said. President Kwasniewski was addressing
a news conference held jointly with Prof. de Marco.
•
30 October 2002 The European Commissioner responsible for the budget, Michaele Schreyer, said
that she was optimistic that the EU would take into consideration Malta’s ‘specific situation’ when
drawing up its budgetary package for the island. “The Commission will make a specific offer to Malta,
but this depends on the proposals and tough negotiations of the Government,” Ms Schreyer said. The
EU Commissioner was speaking at a joint news conference with Finance Minister John Dalli after a
meeting at the Finance Ministry.
•
30 October 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said Malta would become a net contributor to the EU
only when, with the EU’s help, it became much richer than it is today. He said that he hoped this
would take place sooner rather than later. Mr Dalli was speaking in the presence of the European
Commissioner responsible for the budget, Michaele Schreyer, who was on a visit to Malta.
•
30 October 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that there was no doubt that the foreign investment
registration scheme, announced in the last Budget speech, had been a success. Targets for the whole
year had been achieved by June when Lm200 million in funds held abroad were registered. The
Minister was replying to a series of parliamentary questions.
•
30 October 2002 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority said that six local schools were to
take part in a pilot initiative aimed at empowering pupils, teachers and parents to take practical steps to
reduce the environmental impact of their schools. If successful, this pilot initiative would enable
Maltese schools to join some 7,000 other schools in 26 countries in a programme known as ‘EcoSchools’.
•
30 October 2002 Figures given in Parliament show that the workforce at Malta Drydocks has been cut
by 38 per cent in five years. Malta Drydocks employed 3,186 in 1997 and 1,978 last month. The
workforce at Malta Shipbuilding had been reduced from 849 in December 1997 to 692 last month. The
figures were given by Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici in reply to a parliamentary question.
•
30 October 2002 Malta is to take part in the EU’s FP6 Research Programme. This follows the signing
in Brussels of the association agreement by the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Science and
Research in the Ministry of Education, Jesmond Mugliett. Further information may be obtained from
the MCST website at www.mcst.org.mt
•
30 October 2002 According to the latest labour force survey issued by the National Statistics Office,
the number of unemployed in June reached an estimated 11,049, representing an unemployment rate of
6.9 per cent. In March, the figure was 11,983, representing a rate of 7.7 per cent.
•
30 October 2002 Archbishop Jose Sebastian Laboa died in his native Spain. He was 79. Archbishop
Laboa was Apostolic Nuncio for Malta between 1995 and 1998.
•
30 October 2002 Prof. Victor Griffiths was presented with the award of Honorary Member of the
Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his work in promoting relations between the UK
and Malta, especially in medicine, culture, and education. The award was presented by British High
Commissioner Vincent Fean, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.
•
31 October 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, who was in China on an official visit, met
assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Jin Jun. During the visit, Dr Fenech-Adami inaugurated a Maltese
painting exhibition by artist John Grima at the Yanhuang Museum.
•
31 October 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government's policy for Gozo
in the last four years had produced unprecedented results. Gozo had registered its lowest levels of
unemployment and the highest levels of Maltese and foreign visitors, he said. Dr Gonzi, together with
Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, was giving an overview of the Government's performance in
Gozo during the last year.
•
31 October 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt and Jean Philippe Courtois, who is President of
Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa, told members of the press that the two sides had agreed on
initiatives that should enhance Malta's reputation in information technology and make the Island a
regional technology centre. Dr Gatt said a number of initiatives were agreed, including the setting up
of a Microsoft academy financed by the multinational.
•
31 October 2002 Representatives of key organisations involved in labour and industrial relations took
a close look at the Irish experience of sustained social partnership during a week spent in Ireland. The
visit was organised by the Workers' Participation Development Centre and co-ordinated by the centre's
director, Godfrey Baldacchino, with the support of the Friedrick Ebert Foundation of Germany.
NOVEMBER
•
1 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, who was on an official visit to Beijing, was
welcomed at the Great Hall of the People by Chinese Premier Zhu Ringji. Dr Fenech-Adami also
toured the Forbidden City, inspected a guard of honour, and addressed a business forum.
•
1 November 2002 Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg signed an educational agreement with his
Chinese counterpart Shen Zhi Li, in Beijing. Dr Borg formed part of the delegation to China led by
Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami.
•
1 November 2002 Negotiations between Malta and the European Union entered their final phase with
a meeting between Malta's negotiators and the Danish Presidency in Brussels. The Head of the Core
Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana, led the Maltese delegation, which included Malta's
Ambassador to the EU Victor Camilleri. The Danish Presidency was represented by Ambassador Poul
Skytte Christofferson and Director General for Enlargement, Eneko Landaburo.
•
1 November 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that, last year the number of cruise liner
passengers had been 50 per cent higher than that for the year 2000. And, this year, the number was
expected to be significantly higher than that for 2001, continued the Minister. Mr Galea was
addressing a seminar on new regulations for commercial vessels.
•
1 November 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority's Product Planning and Development Directorate
launched information booklets on three countryside walks at Girgenti, Bahrija and Dwejra Lines.
Tourism Minister Michael Refalo visited Dwejra Lines in Gozo for the launch.
•
1 November 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that tourist arrivals had
dropped by 5.3 per cent in July, maintaining a downward trend into the summer. Arrivals in July
totalled 142,487, a decline of 8,023 over the same month last year.
•
1 November 2002 The Maltese High Commissioner in Australia, Dr Ivan Fsadni, and his wife Rita
met some of the relatives of the two known Maltese victims of the terrorist attacks in Bali earlier this
month. The victims' relatives were taken to Canberra for a ceremony conducted by the Australian
Government.
•
2 November 2002 The Central Bank of Malta left the central intervention rate and the discount rate
unchanged at four per cent. Bank Governor Michael Bonello explained that, though domestic money
market interest rates had eased in October, the comparable rates on the currencies of the Maltese lira
basket had fallen too. The analysis of economic and financial data undertaken by the council revealed
a continuation of prevailing trends.
•
2 November 2002 A statement issued by Maltapost said that, over the next few months, the company
would be undergoing a major restructuring process in an effort to sustain the future economic viability
of the company, after an internal study concluded that it had over 260 extra employees. "Similar to
other postal administrations world-wide the company faces declining volumes, higher costs, and more
competition. The major threats specifically come from new technology, e-mails, internet, and large
international alternative delivery networks," the company said.
•
2 November 2002 Bank of Valletta Chairman Joseph F.X. Zahra announced a bonus issue of one
ordinary share for every five held, at no cost to shareholders. He also said that a special dividend of
five cents gross per share would be paid over and above a dividend for the year of 11 cents gross per
share. Mr Zahra was speaking at a press conference on the BoV Group's performance in the past
financial year.
•
2 November 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that a total of 7,520 people were
registering for work with the Employment and Training Corporation last September. This is an
increase of 108 over August. The unemployment rate in September was 5.2 per cent.
•
3 November 2002 Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi referred to a ceremony held at Auberge
d'Aragon earlier on in the week commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the death of former Prime
Minister George Borg Olivier. Dr Gonzi said that, when Dr Borg Olivier obtained independence for
Malta in 1964, he had already been visualising a united Europe. It was because Malta had such people
of vision that the country could now apply for membership in the EU, concluded Dr Gonzi.
•
3 November 2002 In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that, over the past few days, the
Labour Party had made much of two documents presented at the Convention on the Future of Europe.
The statement continued: "Labour cannot grasp one simple fact about these proposals - that they are
expressly meant for countries in the Mediterranean and to the East of the enlarged Union that cannot or
are not yet in a position to enjoy the benefits of membership."
•
3 November 2002 In a message to the forces of law and order, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg
praised the efforts of the Police and the Security Service for winning an important battle against
criminality in connection with drugs. The message, sent on Government's behalf, is addressed to
Police and the Security Service following the arraignment of 19 people charged with conspiring to deal
in four kilos of cocaine and one kilo of cannabis in Malta and Italy last May.
•
3 November 2002 Air Malta officially announced the appointment of Ernst Funk as its Chief
Executive. The appointment took effect on October 15. Mr Funk takes over from Louis Grech, who
remains the airline's chairman.
•
4 November 2002 Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta was linked to the EU in
every sector of activity and the next logical step for the country was therefore membership of the
Union. Dr Gonzi was speaking at Fgura.
•
4 November 2002 European Commissioner for the Environment Margot Wallstrom said that Malta's
accession to the European Union would provide "a greatly strengthened framework for bird protection
on the island". Once a member, Malta will have to conform to the common standards defined in the
Birds Directive and already applied in all member states, she said. Ms Wallstrom was replying in a
letter to Max Van den Berg, vice President of the European Socialists Group in the European
Parliament.
•
4 November 2002 The Chairman of the Malta Development Corporation, Lawrence Zammit,
announced that the Corporation had approved thirty new projects (or expansions of existing projects)
in the first nine months of this year. Mr Zammit said that these projects were expected to generate a
capital investment of over Lm25 million and create a substantial number of jobs.
•
5 November 2002 A draft resolution on enlargement was presented to the members of the European
Parliament's Committee on foreign affairs, human rights, common security and defence policy during
a session that was addressed by Gunter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement. The
section about Malta recommends that an appropriate financial package should be agreed upon with
Malta to ensure that Malta will have "a net beneficiary status during the first years of membership".
•
5 November 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that, over the past four years, the Government
had invested Lm30 million in improving the roads network system. Mr Galea said that extensive work
was carried out on 20 arterial roads and 300 residential streets, as well as roads in a number of
industrial estates. Minister Galea was reviewing his fourth year in office.
•
5 November 2002 President Guido de Marco received a delegation from the General Workers' Union,
at the Palace in Valletta. In reply to Union General Secretary Tony Zarb, who appealed for tolerance
on the EU issue, Prof. de Marco said that the right to hold an opinion was a democratic right. The
President concluded, "In the end we have to bow our heads to what the people decide on this issue
because the people are sovereign."
•
5 November 2002 Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo said that a total of 54 new initiatives,
inspired by the European Charter for Small Businesses, form the backbone of the second business plan
launched by the Parliamentary Secretariat Responsible for the Self-Employed. Mr Vassallo said that
the initiatives contained in the plan were the result of public consultation with the commercial sector.
•
5 November 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said that sixteen Maltese companies were already
receiving aid through the EU programme EUMEDIS - Euro Mediterranean Information Society
programme. EUMEDIS is the largest project ever undertaken by the European Commission in the
development of the global information society. Mr Galea was delivering the opening speech at a halfday seminar on ‘Managing the Supply Chain from Suppliers to Customers’, at the Metco offices, in
San Gwann.
•
5 November 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that Malta had successfully made a bid to
host big conferences mainly in the medical and pharmaceutical sector. A number of such conferences
had been confirmed for 2003, he said. Minister Refalo was speaking at a meeting with Dr Jeroen
Torenbeek, vice President for international relations of the European Association for International
Education.
•
6 November 2002 David Harley, who is the spokesman for the President of the European Parliament,
announced that six Maltese MPs were to take part in a special session of the European Parliament to be
held between November 18 and 19. The session would discuss "the enlargement debate in the presence
of candidate countries".
•
6 November 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that Malta would be ready to adopt the Euro by
2005, even though the currency was likely to be introduced sometime between 2006 and 2007. Mr
Dalli said that Malta was taking the necessary measures to be able to adopt the Euro, including
reducing the deficit and unemployment. The Minister was speaking to the press after a meeting
between the Finance Ministers of European Union and candidate countries.
•
6 November 2002 Nine Maltese companies involved in the manufacture of furniture and furnishings
joined forces with a Libyan firm to set up an international furnishing centre in Tripoli, Libya. The
companies forming a consortium known as the Maltese Consortium Holding Limited (MC Holdings)
teamed up with Ashkahi Company of Tripoli. Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that one
wonders why such a venture was not undertaken before now.
•
6 November 2002 Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Ninu Zammit addressed a 'Business to
Business' networking organised jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Malta External
Trade Corporation, at the Malta Embassy in Paris. Mr Zammit briefed those present on Malta's
agricultural and fisheries credentials, emphasising the opportunities offered through EU accession.
Ambassador Salvino Busuttil made a presentation on the business investment and exporting
opportunities in Malta.
•
6 November 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit announced an agreement introducing a new
direct compensation scheme on the milk produced by herdsmen. The agreement was signed between
the Agriculture Ministry and the Milk Producers Co-operative Society Ltd (KPH). The new Dairy
Compensation Scheme, on trial for a year, is replacing the Beef Intervention Scheme.
•
6 November 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea said in reply to a Parliamentary Question that the
Cirkewwa quays project is expected to cost Lm13 million by the time it is completed in 2004. Minister
Galea said that Lm4.9 million had been spent so far.
•
6 November 2002 An action committee is being set up between the office of the Parliamentary
Secretariat in the Economic Services Ministry, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, and the
Small Business Unit (SBU) to better organise industrial zones which were not the responsibility of the
Malta Development Corporation. Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo said that the Committee
would also see that those working in such estates had all possible assistance in acquiring the required
permits and licences.
•
6 November 2002 According to the National Office of Statistics, the number of foreign students who
came to Malta to study English in 2001 was 52,680. In the same year there were 32 schools of English
in operation, including four in Gozo.
•
7 November 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that, in
the first seven months of the year, 166,702 tourists visited Malta on cruise liners. This figure is 26 per
cent more than in the same period the previous year.
•
7 November 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority's London office embarked on one of the largest ever
advertising campaigns on buses. Following the success of a similar campaign in April this year, the
MTA's London Office launched the advertisements on just under 5,000 buses in all major British
cities. The advertising campaign highlights Malta as an ideal winter-sun destination.
•
7 November 2002 The European ombudsman's website has been updated to provide information in a
number of new languages, including Maltese. This makes the ombudsman one of the first EU
institutions to offer information in the Maltese language on his website. ‘A guide to the European
Ombudsman’ in the applicant country languages may be found in Maltese by clicking on the
appropriate language bar at www.euro-ombudsman.eu.int/home/en/default.htm
•
7 November 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg announced that a meeting of the Civil
Protection Council had agreed to set up a voluntary corps in co-operation with non-governmental
organisations. Dr Borg said that a register would be kept of people wishing to give a helping hand in
emergencies. The Minister was speaking in Parliament following the first big storm of the season that
saw a number of drivers being rescued from cars trapped in floodwaters.
•
7 November 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea praised the initiative taken by Karistu Abela who
developed the first Maltese language spell-check. Dr Galea said at the launch that his hope was that the
programme would be compatible with all computers. Local Government Minister Austin Gatt, who
was also present, said that the Government was giving importance to increasing the presence of the
Maltese language, especially on the Internet.
•
8 November 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg set out Malta's priorities as it took over the presidency of
the Council of Europe for the next six months. The priorities focus on two basic objectives: to continue
the process of unification of a greater Europe on the basis of the co-operation structures offered by the
Council of Europe; and to strengthen the social and cultural dimensions of European integration on a
continent-wide scale. Dr Borg was speaking during the 111th ministerial session of the Council of
Europe, in Strasbourg.
•
8 November 2002 A top-level delegation from Vienna International Airport, which is a majority
shareholder in the consortium Malta Mediterranean Link, started a working visit in Malta. The director
of Vienna International Airport, Herbert Kaufmann, spoke of the importance of Malta joining the
European Union for the strengthening of MIA. He also said that the long-term objective was to
develop MIA into a hub for Northern Africa and the Mediterranean region.
•
8 November 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit met Agriculture Ministers from EU candidate
countries in Prague, where they discussed the pending problems in the agriculture sector with Franz
Fischler, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries. Contacted for his
reactions to the meeting, Mr Zammit said that each Minister had the opportunity to explain his
country's problems in the sector and why requests for assistance or exemptions were being made.
Minister Zammit said: "We have made our position very clear and negotiations are still going on."
•
9 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that there was no reason why the
Commission for the Administration of Justice should have doubted Dr André Camilleri's credentials as
having practised as a lawyer in Malta for more than 12 years. He said that Dr Camilleri's decision was
a big loss for the courts. Dr Fenech-Adami was reacting to Dr Camilleri's withdrawal from his
appointment as a judge.
•
9 November 2002 Catherine Combette, an administrator in the European Commission's enlargement
unit, said in an interview that in negotiations related to agriculture, Malta had been given much more
consideration than other countries because of its size and specific agricultural situation. Ms Combette
had meetings with the Malta Agricultural Lobby, in Brussels.
•
9 November 2002 A top-level delegation, led by the Director of Vienna International Airport, Herbert
Kaufmann, met Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami to discuss the latest developments regarding
the privatisation of MIA, at Auberge de Castille. Dr Fenech-Adami said that he was of the opinion that
Malta had not managed to get the full benefit of the location of its international airport in such a
strategic position in the Mediterranean. Mr Kaufmann replied that he saw a lot of potential for an
increase in tourist traffic at the Maltese airport.
•
9 November 2002 Malta International Airport Chairman Lawrence Zammit said that MIA had made a
series of proposals to the Transport Infrastructure Network Assessment to bring the airport up to EU
standards. Mr Zammit said MIA's request focused mainly on the resurfacing of runways, the
construction of an internal flight gate, and the construction of a new taxiway. The request, said Mr
Zammit, was part of a package of structural funds Malta would obtain from the EU.
•
9 November 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli spoke about the need to introduce and instil a culture
of moderation in the demands placed on Government. "I keep reminding everybody that demands on
Government will only translate into demands by Government, that is taxation. There is no manna
falling from Heaven," said the Minister. Mr Dalli was speaking during the annual dinner hosted by the
Institute for Financial Services.
•
9 November 2002 Central Bank Governor Michael Bonello said that EU membership promised
immediate benefits to local exporters. Any product made in Malta would not only have complete
access to the EU, but would also benefit from any preferential treatment which the EU receives under
the various reciprocal trade agreements it has with third countries. Mr Bonello was delivering his
speech at the annual dinner of the Institute for Financial Services.
•
9 November 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that total sales by large
manufacturing enterprises in the third quarter this year amounted to Lm251.7 million. This is an
increase of Lm20.4 million, or 8.8 per cent, over the same period the previous year.
•
9 November 2002 The Commission for the Administration of Justice said that its constitutional
function precluded it from making a public statement about its operations, let alone to enter into a
dispute. The Commission, however, expressed its disappointment at "certain words" expressed in its
regard, and towards President de Marco, who presides over it.
•
10 November 2002 Gunnar Wiegand, official spokesman for EU Commissioner for External
Relations Chris Patten, said that, “Malta has a very clear choice ahead: to join the EU or to remain in
splendid isolation." Mr Wiegand was interviewed by The Sunday Times newspaper.
•
10 November 2002 Government announced a share offer of over 13 million shares in Malta
International Airport. The shares, which have a nominal value of 20c, are being offered at 73c each.
Speaking during a news conference at the San Gorg Corinthia, Finance Minister John Dalli urged
investors to be aware of the tremendous potential of the airport’s new strategic partner.
•
10 November 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi inaugurated a new shelter for homeless
women and children in Valletta. The home, which can take in a maximum of 25 people, was named
Dar Tereza Spinelli, after the founder of the Augustinian nuns, herself a victim of domestic violence.
•
10 November 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici augured that the Opposition would
finally realise the benefits of Government's plan to merge the Institute for the Promotion of Small
Enterprise (IPSE), the Malta Development Corporation (MDC), and the Malta External Trade
Corporation (Metco). Professor Bonnici said that it would be beneficial if there were political
consensus about this kind of development.
•
11 November 2002 Malta, together with other Commonwealth countries, celebrated ‘Remembrance
Day’ in memory of the victims of the two World Wars. A concelebrated mass held at St John’s coCathedral was followed by a remembrance ceremony at the War Memorial in Floriana, led by
President Guido de Marco.
•
11 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami assured farmers that, in its negotiations
with the European Union, the Government was committed to safeguard their interests and those of the
future of agriculture in Malta. Dr Fenech-Adami was addressing visitors to the ‘Fruit and Vegetable
Fair’ at the Pitkali vegetable market, at Ta’ Qali.
•
11 November 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta’s membership in the
European Union would help safeguard the future of Maltese factory workers. On the other hand, if
Malta did not join the EU, member countries would take preference over Malta, Dr Gonzi continued.
The Minister was addressing a meeting at Zabbar.
•
11 November 2002 A watercolour showing the Grand Harbour, painted in 1830 by J.M.W. Turner, is
being loaned by HSBC to the Museum of Fine Arts for the Maltese to enjoy. The loan was decided at a
meeting between HSBC Chief Executive Officer Chris Hothersall and Education Minister Louis
Galea, where they discussed ways in which HSBC could contribute more to the Maltese community.
•
12 November 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta had been embellished
over the past four years. He said that, as a result of infrastructure projects undertaken directly by
Government, the quality of life of the Maltese had continued to improve. Dr Gonzi was speaking at a
press conference that was also addressed by the Minister for Resources and Infrastructure, Francis
Zammit Dimech.
•
12 November 2002 Arhi Palosuo, who is Head of the section responsible for Malta at the European
Commission’s Enlargement Unit, said in an interview that Malta could expect to receive up to 75 per
cent of the cost of infrastructural projects after joining the EU. Mr Palosuo said infrastructural
investment was linked to regional policy and EU members had the possibility of submitting projects
for assistance.
•
12 November 2002 Trade union leaders described a meeting they had with Finance Minister John
Dalli over the Civil Service collective agreement as ‘productive’. Follow-up talks are scheduled for
Friday 15th. The two main points of contention in the dispute are the unions’ demand for an increase in
salaries between this year and January 2005, and the right of civil servants to refer a dispute to an
industrial tribunal.
•
12 November 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli announced that the fifth financial protocol between
Malta and Italy has been initialled. The Minister said, however, that since the protocol still had to be
signed and ratified, it was not prudent to give information about it. Mr Dalli was replying to a
Parliamentary Question.
•
12 November 2002 Queen Elizabeth expressed her appreciation to the Government of Malta for the
hospitality and welcome extended to the British participants in the recent activities marking the 60th
anniversary of Operation Pedestal, the Santa Marija convoy. The Queen’s sentiments were conveyed
by means of a letter from Sir Robin Janvrin, her private secretary, to Malta High Commissioner
George Bonello Du Puis.
•
13 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami visited Sir Adrian Dingli School in
Pembroke where a Lm2.5 million-modernisation project is being carried out by the Foundation for
Tomorrow's Schools. Dr Fenech-Adami praised all those who had helped transform the school, a
former British military hospital, into a great working environment for the students. The Prime Minister
was accompanied by Education Minister Louis Galea, Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett,
Education Division Director General Charles Mizzi, and FTS Chairman Conrad Thake.
•
13 November 2002 Malta was reported to have won important transition periods in negotiations on
the chapter on agriculture. Agreement was also reached on a number of issues, including those related
to veterinary and phytosanitary issues. Richard Cachia Caruana, who is the Head of the Core
Negotiating Group, led the Maltese delegation at the negotiating session. He had with him in the
delegation Malta's Ambassador to the EU, Victor Camilleri. The Danish Presidency was represented
by Ambassador Poul Skytte Christofferson and Director General for Enlargement Eneko Landaburo.
•
13 November 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that Malta should contain its losses in
tourism volume in 2002 to under-five per cent. Dr Refalo said Malta was “over-performing” the
general trend for European and Mediterranean destinations, although it was still below levels achieved
in 2000 and 2001. The Minister was speaking following the meeting of the World Travel
Organisation’s Tourism Recovery Committee, of which Malta is a member, in London.
•
13 November 2002 Two reports commissioned by the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise
(IPSE) show that Maltese operators in the building materials industry were still refusing to co-ordinate
between themselves and were failing to tap niche markets overseas. The reports, 'Basic Metals:
Aluminium, Iron and Copper Products' and ‘Non-Metallic Mineral Products’ were released at a news
conference at the Economic Services Ministry.
•
13 November 2002 The Malta Centre for Restoration signed a contract with Loral Cyberstar Europe,
one of the leading suppliers of satellite-based services world-wide, to provide the telecommunication
system for an innovative distance-learning project in conservation education. The contract was
awarded by the Centre in its capacity as the contracting authority for the EU-funded IKONOS Project,
valued at over €3 million. Education Minister Louis Galea attended the signing ceremony.
•
13 November 2002 A government statement announced that, following a public invitation, a number
of commercial outlets in various towns and villages in Malta have agreed to stock government
publications. To date, these publications had been offered for sale solely from the DOI Sales Office.
•
14 November 2002 US Ambassador Anthony Gioia handed over a new patrol boat worth around
Lm2.2 million to the Government for use by the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta in
search-and-rescue operations. Speaking during the commissioning of the boat at the Maritime
Squadron headquarters in Hay Wharf, Floriana, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that Malta
had to shoulder the responsibility to patrol an area of about 250,000 square kilometres.
•
14 November 2002 Economic activity in Malta is expected to progressively recover from the
downturn experienced last year. In 2003 and 2004, improvements are expected in the rate of
unemployment, imports, exports, inflation and the government deficit. The recovery is forecast in the
report published by the EU Commission on candidate countries.
•
14 November 2002 MIA Chief Executive Peter R. Bolech described the acquisition of shares in MIA
as a ‘very safe investment’, and a great opportunity to take part in the challenges ahead to develop the
airport into a very strong commercial centre. The shares, at a nominal value of 20 cents each, were
offered at the price of 73 cents.
•
14 November 2002 The Malta-EU Information Centre launched its Information Point at the former
offices of the Malta Tourism Authority, in Republic Street, Valletta. Foreign Minister Joe Borg praised
MIC for its development and said that giving objective information without going into the for-andagainst debate on the EU was no easy task. However, MIC was managing to provide the facts, said Dr
Borg, and the information it handed out was very complete.
•
14 November 2002 Malta took over the six-month Presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of
Ministers. On this occasion, the standing committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
- comprising of the President and 19 vice presidents of the assembly, the chairmen of the political
groups, of national delegations, and of the general committees - meets in Malta for a local exchange of
views.
•
14 November 2002 ETC Chief Executive John Camilleri said that a training scheme entitling the over40 unemployed to full employment for at least a year had only been taken up by 81 persons out of the
eligible 1,200. Mr Camilleri said that the corporation would strike off the unemployment register any
job seeker that refused to accept job training for no valid reason.
•
14 November 2002 The Malta External Trade Corporation led a business delegation to Dubai for the
annual Big 5 Show, held at the Trade Fair Grounds of the World Trade Centre. The show is the leading
international event in the Gulf region for building materials, construction works, interiors and related
products and services.
•
15 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the recent investment of Lm3.5
million by De La Rue Currency and Security Print Ltd, in Bulebel, was proof that Malta was still
capable of attracting foreign investment. During a visit to the factory, Dr Fenech-Adami said that it
was encouraging to note that, despite the fact that De La Rue had various plants around the world, it
had opted for an extension in Malta, viewing the country as having the right opportunities for such
investment.
•
15 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that about 64% of the Maltese
population own a mobile phone. Internet subscriptions had continued to increase, and internet users in
Malta had increased to 25.4 % of the total population. The Prime Minister was speaking at a
conference entitled The Information economy: New work, new workers, new organisations, organised
by Malta Information Technology and Training Services Ltd, at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel. The
conference was closed by Local Government Minister Austin Gatt.
•
15 November 2002 A total of 171 students from the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology
received their certificates or diplomas. During the college’s first graduation ceremony, Education
Minister Louis Galea announced that MCAST was taking the necessary measures to open a number of
other institutes for education and vocational training in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering,
agri-commerce, and community services.
•
15 November 2002 Health Minister Louis Deguara said that EU membership would offer new
opportunities for professionals because their qualifications would be considered on a par with those of
their counterparts in EU member sates. "On the other hand, it is completely out of the question that
Malta would be inundated with foreign nurses," he said.
•
15 November 2002 Three Ambassadors presented their diplomatic credentials to President Guido de
Marco. The new ambassadors are Muhammed Farooq Qari, High Commissioner of Pakistan, Nikola
Ivanov Kaloudov, Ambassador of Bulgaria, and Song Young-Oh, Ambassador of the Republic of
Korea.
•
15 November 2002 Bank of Valletta won the Best Bank Award 2002 for Malta awarded by Global
Finance magazine. This is the third consecutive year that BOV has won the prestigious award.
•
16 November 2002 The Heads of Government of the 10 EU acceding-countries, including Prime
Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, issued a joint declaration emphasising that negotiations on the final
financial package must address specific concerns of each candidate country. The 10 leaders met in
Warsaw to discuss the final phase of accession negotiations.
•
16 November 2002 A conference organised by the Council of Europe and the Maltese Government
concluded that poverty and exclusion would only be eliminated when fundamental social rights
became legally binding. In the Malta Declaration adopted in the presence of President Guido de
Marco, participants called on Governments and other partners to promote access to social rights.
•
16 November 2002 According to the latest Eurobarometer survey carried out among candidate
countries, a total of 47 per cent of the Maltese would vote 'Yes' in a referendum on EU membership.
Thirty-two per cent said they would vote against membership, while just five per cent said they would
not vote. The rest expressed no opinion. The survey was based on a sample of 500 face-to-face
interviews carried out between September 2 and October 16.
•
16 November 2002 The Central Bank's Quarterly Review announced that the Maltese economy had
recovered further in the second quarter this year, with growth in real gross domestic product
accelerating to 2.2 per cent, from 1.2 per cent in the March quarter. According to the Central Bank's
latest forecasts, given in the review, real GDP is expected to grow by 2.9 per cent this year.
•
16 November 2002 Sea Malta chairperson Marlene Mizzi said that, from a loss of over Lm500,000 in
its last financial year, Sea Malta Group had managed to post an after-tax profit of Lm160,000 in the
year ending March 31, 2002. Ms Mizzi was addressing the shareholders at the company’s annual
general meeting.
•
17 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the economy has started to
recover and GDP is expected to grow by some three per cent by the end of the year. Dr Fenech-Adami
said that in view of the negative growth last year - mainly reflecting the performance of the largest
company in the electronics sector - the growth in the economy this year was quite acceptable. The
Prime Minister was addressing a press conference on the performance of the economy, which was also
addressed by Foreign Minister Joe Borg.
•
17 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami inaugurated Access, a community centre
encompassing district offices from the Housing Authority, the Elderly and Community Services
Department, the Social Security Department, the Employment and Training Corporation, and Agency
‘Appogg’, at Vittoriosa. Dr Fenech-Adami said he hoped the centre would be a beneficial experience
to families and all who had social needs.
•
17 November 2002 The Chairman of Malta’s Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana, said
that the European Commission was preparing a concrete proposal about the financial package Malta
would be eligible for in the first years after EU accession. The proposal was expected to be circulated
among EU member states over the coming weeks so that decisions may be taken, either at the General
Affairs Council in the beginning of December or at the European Council in mid-December. Mr
Cachia Caruana was interviewed by The Sunday Times.
•
17 November 2002 President Guido de Marco urged European young people to work for a Europe of
culture in the context of unity within diversity, and said that young people should work to eliminate
economic divides. President de Marco was addressing the concluding session of the General Assembly
of the European Youth Forum, meeting in Malta.
•
18 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that he would not decide when and
how the referendum and election were to be held in the interest of the party, but in the interest of the
country. Dr Fenech-Adami said that he wanted the people themselves to decide whether or not they
wanted EU membership: “What they choose has to be done,” he said.
•
18 November 2002 EU Chief Negotiator for Malta Arhi Palosuo criticised the Opposition's EU
option, describing it as nothing more than a ‘one-sided solution’ favouring the EU. He said:
"Membership is clearly the option which makes sense. I don't understand why it should be worthwhile
discussing any other policy at greater length because any other option would involve mainly
obligations, duties, responsibilities, and very few benefits." Mr Palosuo was interviewed at his
Brussels office.
•
18 November 2002 An overwhelming 84.5 per cent of residents voted against the Qala Creek project
in a referendum organised by the local council over the weekend. The proposed development involves
a five-star hotel and marina on the site of a disused quarry in Qala. The project, which would
incorporate a port, a tourist village and a yacht marina, would cost some Lm41 million and take around
four years to complete.
•
18 November 2002 Guzè Diacono, playwright, critic, author and lexicographer died a week before
turning 90. His most famous work is the TV series Il-Madonna tac-Coqqa. In 1997, Guzè Diacono
was made a member of the National Order of Merit by President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici for his
contribution to society.
•
19 November 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that Malta is expecting a “substantially higher sum
of financing” from the European Union compared to the contribution it would make to the EU.
Speaking to The Times following the conclusion of a General Affairs Council session in Brussels, Dr
Borg said that Malta had made its case for a good financial package.
•
19 November 2002 European Parliament President Pat Cox urged Maltese reporters in Brussels to
look at his native country, Ireland, to realise how small countries have had an influence in the EU's
proceedings. Mr Cox said: “You are speaking to someone whose country has 15 members in the
Parliament and will shortly lose three. And you are interviewing the President of the European
Parliament, an Irishman. So my attitude is - don't let size get in your way. That's in your head. It
shouldn't be in your system.”
•
19 November 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi proposed the holding of a round table
conference on migration policies in early 2003 to discuss the migration management strategy proposed
by the Council of Europe. He said that the Maltese chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers would
give the necessary political support to ensure progress in the work currently being done on the
proposal to prepare a European Convention on Trafficking in Human Beings. Dr Gonzi was speaking
at the meeting of the standing committee of the Council of Europe, at the Hilton, in St Julian’s.
•
19 November 2002 According to a report tabled by Health Minister Louis Deguara, the migration
from St Luke’s to the Mater Dei Hospital will cost just under Lm3 million and will take three years to
complete. International consultants Cyril Sweett, specialists in the field, had prepared three options for
the Government to choose from, Dr Deguara said.
•
19 November 2002 The annual report of the Malta Maritime Authority tabled in Parliament shows
that, at the end of September, the number of ships registered in Malta was 3,143, with a total gross
tonnage of 27 million. This figure represents a decrease in gross tonnage of 2.44 per cent compared to
the previous year. The Authority said it was confident that the loss suffered by the registry would be
recovered as the registry attracted more serious ship-owners who looked for a flag that inspired
confidence and reliability.
•
19 November 2002 Maltapost has decided to withdraw the Christmas surcharge on the Yuletide
stamps. A spokesman for Maltapost said that the amounts collected had dwindled, from Lm10,000
some thirty years ago, to the Lm3,000 collected last year. “Collection boxes are being placed instead in
all Maltapost branches in Malta and Gozo over the Christmas period, and it is sincerely hoped that the
public will respond by showing their usual generosity,” Maltapost said in a statement.
•
20 November 2002 The President of the EU Council, Danish Prime Minister Anders-Fogh
Rasmussen, warned Malta and some other candidate countries to desist from making too many
demands or else risk missing the enlargement. Mr Rasmussen was speaking to Maltese reporters
shortly after addressing a news conference following the first-ever-plenary session at the European
Parliament involving the candidate countries.
•
20 November 2002 Addressing the European Parliament, Government MP Michael Frendo said that
Malta’s small size was, in a way, "a contribution", because nobody perceived the country as a threat;
on the contrary, it could be seen as a natural base for reconciliation. Opposition MP Chris Cardona
said the Labour Party openly welcomed the enlargement of the EU, even though it opposed Malta's
membership of the bloc. Alternattiva Demokratika Deputy Chairman Arnold Cassola said the special
sitting at the European Parliament had effectively sealed the reunification of Europe. The speakers
addressed the plenary session of the European Parliament in Maltese.
•
20 November 2002 The first phase of the Lm2.5 million upgrading programme of Pharmamed Ltd's
Bulebel facility was inaugurated in the presence of Icelandic Foreign Affairs and External Trade
Minister Halldor Asgrimsson. Present at the inauguration were also Health Minister Louis Deguara
and Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici.
•
20 November 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici officially opened Toly Products's new
factory housing a state-of-the-art UV lacquering facility, at Bulebel industrial estate. Today, Toly
occupies seven factory units and employs over 400. It specialises in the manufacture of luxury
packaging for the beauty business, with its own sales offices in London, New York, Paris and
Brussels.
•
20 November 2002 The 15th meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Tourism, set up in 1998,
discussed action on various topics, including road signage, diving regulations, and the beaches in the
north-west of the Island. Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said these subjects were of particular
interest to the tourism industry, but most fell outside the Tourism Ministry's and the Malta Tourism
Authority's remit.
•
20 November 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Parliament that the first group of illegal
immigrants' children had started schooling. Dr Borg said he hoped that more immigrant children
would start school soon, and that more schools would open their facilities to immigrant children.
•
20 November 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that households generated an estimated
2.2 kilograms of domestic waste every day during October. This is 0.2 kilograms less than the amount
for the previous July. The NSO carried out its third household waste composition survey, in
collaboration with the Waste Management Strategy Implementation Department, in the week between
Monday 30th September and Saturday 5th October.
•
20 November 2002 A group numbering several hundred marched down Republic Street to the Palace
in Valletta calling for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. The activists presented Home
Affairs Minister Tonio Borg with a petition bearing 8,348 signatures.
•
21 November 2002 The European Parliament approved a resolution about Malta. The resolution
expressed the hope that "the result of a referendum concerning EU accession will be accepted as a
democratic decision of the population”. The resolution also recommended, amongst others, that an
appropriate financial package be agreed upon with Malta to ensure that Malta will have "a net
beneficiary status during the first years of membership"; that Malta be granted six seats in the
European Parliament; and that Malta's requests for a transition period for VAT exemption on food and
pharmaceuticals be considered.
•
21 November 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that significant progress had been made in the
ongoing negotiations with the European Union and he was certain that all the remaining issues would
be cleared by next month's Copenhagen summit. Dr Borg was reacting to a statement made by the
President of the EU Council, Danish Prime Minister Anders-Fogh Rasmussen, who warned Malta and
some other candidate countries to stop making too many demands or risk missing the enlargement. Dr
Borg said: “Mr Rasmussen is in the middle of tough negotiations and therefore his comments have to
be taken in this context.”
•
21 November 2002 The Government and the Unions reached agreement over a new collective
agreement for the Civil Service. Mr Dalli expressed satisfaction that the agreement had been reached.
He said that he appreciated that unions had shown a sense of responsibility as they fought for workers'
rights, keeping the country's financial position and national interest in mind.
•
21 November 2002 The House Business Committee agreed on a provisional timetable for the debate
on the Budget and the financial estimates of a number of public corporations and authorities. The
Budget will be presented on the evening of Monday 25th. Opposition Leader Alfred Sant will give his
reaction on Monday December 2nd, and Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami will reply on
Wednesday, December 4th. The debate ends on December 18th, with the debate on the Office of the
Prime Minister in the morning and the vote on the Appropriation Bill in the evening.
•
21 November 2002 The Commission set up to investigate and report on matters relating to the
appointment of court experts presented its report to Justice Minister Austin Gatt. In its report the
Commission drew up an extensive list of subject areas where expertise may be required. These include
medical specialities, scientific specialities, legal, traffic, technical, computers, financial, education,
forensic and others.
•
21 November 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Services, George
Hyzler, announced that, as from next year, the Government will be offering, on a case-by-case basis,
incentives to film production companies shooting in Malta. Dr Hyzler was speaking at the opening of
the MEDEA Script Development seminar held in Malta by the Mediterranean and European Audiovisual Development Programme (MEDEA) and the Malta Film Commission in collaboration with the
European Audio-visual Entrepreneurs.
•
21 November 2002 The High Commissioner of Malta, George Bonello Du Puis, launched the High
Commission's first edition of the business newsletter, Malta-UK Business Link. The newsletter, which
is to be published every two months, forms part of a joint project between the Malta External Trade
Corporation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working together to promote Malta’s business
interests abroad.
•
21 November 2002 The Malta High Commission in London participated in the recent 36th
Commonwealth Fair in Kensington Town Hall, London. The annual event is organised by the
Commonwealth Country League, and High Commissions in London take part by selling a wide variety
of indigenous products, with the proceeds going to charity.
•
21 November 2002 Bank of Valletta is to launch a range of alternative ways to access banking
services, including internet banking. Chairman Joseph Zahra said that, as from December 2, customers
could choose to bank via the internet, 24 hours a day, by phone from anywhere in the world, or
through a dedicated customer service centre.
•
22 November 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that preliminary figures showed that, in
volume terms, Malta had enjoyed a good summer, and the trade also pointed towards a positive
conclusion to 2002. Dr Refalo was delivering the closing address at the Malta Tourism Authority's
fourth annual conference, 'Three Years of Achievements - A Review of the Malta Tourism Authority's
Performance'. Dr Refalo dedicated a good part of his speech to the importance of EU membership for
the tourism industry.
•
22 November 2002 President Guido de Marco paid official visits to Public Broadcasting Services,
Super One Television, and Net Television on the occasion of World Television Day. During his
respective visits Prof. de Marco stressed the role of a diversity of views in a democracy.
•
22 November 2002 Malta Freeport Chairman Mark Portelli told the House Public Accounts
Committee that the Malta Freeport was planning to increase productivity with a view to keeping its
share of a market that has more than doubled in the Mediterranean region. Mr Portelli said that the
Freeport's technological set-up was considered to be among the best, to the extent that other freeports
had shown interest in buying software from the Malta Freeport.
•
22 November 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that provisional data on
Malta's current account transactions in the first nine months reveal a deterioration in the current
account balance of Lm14 million compared to the same period last year, from Lm21.9 million to
Lm35.9 million. The NSO also said that early indicators of the international economic and financial
transactions during the third quarter of 2002 revealed an improvement in the current account balance
of Lm2.5 million, from a net surplus of Lm13.1 million during the September 2001 quarter, to one of
Lm15.6 million.
•
22 November 2002 Malta Freeport Chairman Mark Portelli told the House Public Accounts
Committee that the Freeport is planning to increase productivity with a view to keeping its share of a
market that has more than doubled in the Mediterranean region. Mr Portelli said that Malta Freeport's
technological set-up was considered to be among the best, to the extent that other freeports had shown
interest in buying software from the Freeport.
•
23 November 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli said that the wage rise to be given under the new
Civil Service collective agreement will cost the Government about Lm2 million annually. Under the
agreement, public sector employees will receive a minimum Lm2.50 a-week wage rise in 2003 and
2004, which includes cost-of-living adjustments. The agreement is backdated to January 2002 and
lasts until the end of 2004.
•
23 November 2002 The second phase of a four-stage scientific profile of the Maghtab, Qortin and
Wied Fulija landfills carried out by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Company Limited did not identify
liquid seepage into the ground. Neither did it show contamination of the marine environment at
Maghtab. The results were released by Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech during a press
conference at the Ministry.
•
23 November 2002 The National Statistics Office announced that a rise in government revenue of 6.9
per cent between January and October failed to make up for an increase in government expenditure of
7.3 per cent, resulting in another increase in the structural deficit. The deficit reached Lm91.9 million,
up by Lm9.2 million from Lm82.7 million in the same period last year.
•
23 November 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the environment, George Pullicino,
announced a Cabinet decision to issue a tender for the lease of 20 electric cars to be used by
government officials. The electric cars are to replace conventional fuel-operated vehicles.
•
23 November 2002 Air services between Malta and Germany were liberalised following an agreement
giving Air Malta access to all destinations in Germany without any limits set on the number of flights.
Malta has been trying to obtain this agreement since 1992.
•
23 November 2002 The Malta Privatisation Unit announced that the Malta International Airport share
offer has been fully taken up, with a margin of over-subscription. The Government said that it "would
like to thank the investing public for its support and the team of advisers for their effort and diligence
to make this offer a success".
•
23 November 2002 Director of Information Emanuel Abela said that, following the publication of
extracts from The Government Gazette on DOI website http://www.doi.gov.mt subscriptions to the
Gazette had dropped by 30 per cent. He said that the drop in sales was in fact cost-effective because
the cost of paper and printing far-outweighed relative revenue made from the Gazette. Mr Abela was
interviewed by The Times newspaper.
•
24 November 2002 President Guido de Marco took part in the international conference Europe, the
United States and the Mediterranean held in Barcelona. In his intervention, the President highlighted
the need to guarantee peace and security in the Mediterranean region, while stressing the importance
of the observation and implementation of pertinent United Nations resolutions.
•
24 November 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea and his Greek counterpart, Minister of Mercantile
Marine George Anomeritis, said that the Maltese and Greek Governments were expected to sign three
maritime-related agreements within the next two months. Mr Galea said the agreements were a
maritime agreement between the two countries, an agreement in the field of search-and-rescue, and an
agreement for the mutual recognition of standards of training, certifications and watch-keeping for
seafarers.
•
24 November 2002 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that the
restoration of the figure of Christ the Saviour by renowned baroque sculptor Algardi had been
completed at a cost of Lm10,000. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking following a visit to St John's CoCathedral.
•
25 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Budget for 2003 would
contain no surprises and the exercise would be a realistic one. The Budget would be no magic wand
aimed to solve the country's problems, turning the island into a heaven on earth, but would include
measures aimed at boosting specific categories of society. "The message of the budget will be that the
country has started to reap the fruit of the work carried out over the past four years." Dr Fenech-Adami
was speaking at Birkirkara.
•
25 November 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the liberalisation of air
services between Malta and Germany would give Air Malta greater flexibility to operate to any
destination in Germany as long as there were air slots available. Prof. Bonnici said that Malta was now
holding talks with France to increase the frequency of Air Malta flights to Paris.
•
25 November 2002 Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit announced that the Agriculture Department is
to draw up a four-year plan to strengthen the Maltese cheeselets (gbejniet) sector. The plan would
include a study on the assistance the sector required for expansion, training on the production of
cheese other than cheeselets, the use of modern technology, the use of solar energy, control of farms,
waste management, and the use of by-products. Mr Zammit was addressing the annual general meeting
of the Assocjazzjoni Maltija tal-Produtturi tal-Gbejniet.
•
26 November 2002 In his Budget speech for the year 2003, Finance Minister John Dalli announced an
easing of income tax for low- and middle-income earners, as well as a number of measures to benefit
small businesses and the environment. "The purpose of the Budget is to ensure not only that no one
falls behind but also that the country does not fall behind," the Minister said in a press briefing prior to
the delivery of his speech in Parliament.
•
26 November 2002 Mr Dalli said that the Gross Domestic Product was this year expected to show a
growth rate of 2.7 per cent in real terms and five per cent in nominal terms to reach Lm1.714 billion.
Government ordinary revenue was expected to reach Lm746 million, while total expenditure this year
would reach Lm825 million. The structural deficit would this year reach Lm78 million, down by Lm7
million from last year.
•
26 November 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli devoted much of his Budget speech to listing the
Government's achievements over the past four years. The results, he said, showed how the
Government had not concentrated solely on preparing Malta for European Union membership, but had
worked to improve everyone's standard of living. Next year, said Mr Dalli, would be the year of
destiny when the people would be asked to make important choices.
•
26 November 2002 The full text of the Budget Speech
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/Budget2003/eng/Budgetspeech.doc
while the Economic Survey can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/Budget2003/Econsurvey.pdf
•
26 November 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Government wanted the
Budget to strengthen the economy and to satisfy social needs. Dr Fenech-Adami said when one looked
back at the past year, one found that there had been a ‘measured success’ in Malta's economy. The
Prime Minister was speaking shortly after Finance Minister John Dalli had finished reading the Budget
speech. Audio and visual recordings of the Prime Minister’s press statement and his replies to the
press can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/Budget2003/budgetindex.asp#video
•
26 November 2002 Dr Abraham Borg presented his credentials as the new Ambassador of Malta to
the Republic of Albania to the President of Albania, Alfred Moisiu. The ceremony took place in the
Presidential Palace in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Head of Protocol.
can
be
accessed
at
•
26 November 2002 The Central Bank of Malta warned the public that the Lm20 banknote (4th Series),
which ceased to be legal tender 10 years ago, would remain exchangeable only until December 2nd.
The banknote, which is brownish in colour, shows a portrait of the late President Agatha Barbara and a
Maltese sailing boat of the xambekk type on the front, and images of Auberge de Castille and of the
Worker's Monument at the back.
•
26 November 2002 The University Students' Council announced that the latest issue of Question and
Answer on Malta and the European Union, written both in English and Maltese, carries 43 questions
of interest to students. The publication was launched by the Malta-EU Information Centre together
with the KSU.
•
27 November 2002 The EU Presidency presented its ‘comprehensive’ package to Malta. Speaking to
reporters shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of Malta’s Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia
Caruana, said that the package was very ‘technical’, and a reaction would be given after the
Government had studied the proposals in detail. Mr Cachia Caruana expressed optimism that a
compromise acceptable to Malta and the EU would be reached.
•
27 November 2002 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, together with
Government MP Victor Galea Pace and Opposition MP Joe Mizzi were in Brussels for the President of
the European Parliament’s meeting with the presidents of the parliaments of the countries participating
in the enlargement process. The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, delivered the opening
address.
•
27 November 2002 The Government again allocated money to constituted bodies and representative
organisations to assist them to keep abreast of developments in the European Union and enable them
to better educate their members about EU matters. The organisations benefiting from the scheme will
be required to submit a project proposal, including details of all activities envisaged, together with a
breakdown of the anticipated costs for each activity.
•
27 November 2002 Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced the setting up of Waste
Management Services Ltd, the company that is to be responsible for the closure and rehabilitation of
the Maghtab and Qortin rubbish dumps. Dr Zammit Dimech said that, for 2003, the company had been
allocated a recurrent budget of Lm450,000 and a capital budget of over Lm1 million. The company's
shares are to be held by the Government through Malta Government Investment Ltd and Mimcol.
•
27 November 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea attended the launch of the prototype of the Solaris
Urbino Low Floor bus, which was built specifically for Malta's public transport system. The bus seats
45 passengers, has access for the disabled by means of a fixed ramp, and boasts large windows,
automatic transmission, and air-conditioning.
•
27 November 2002 Malta International Airport chief executive Peter Bolech said that the MIA board
of directors had decided not to get involved in ground handling services when the market becomes
liberalised. Instead, Mr Bolech explained, the company would oversee the liberalisation of the market,
focusing on the quality aspect of the services offered to customers.
•
28 November 2002 The Danish Presidency of the EU ruled out Malta’s request for an additional seat
in the European Parliament. Malta was allocated five seats under the Nice Treaty, but had asked for an
additional seat to be on a par with Luxembourg, which has a similar sized population. Foreign Minister
Joe Borg reacted to the Presidency’s decision by saying that Malta had achieved its two key goals
under the Institutions chapter: to have a commissioner, and that Maltese should be an official language
of the Union.
•
28 November 2002 Government MP Michael Frendo said that a good financial proposal from the
European Union for Malta would ultimately be reflected in a positive referendum result. Dr Frendo
was speaking to Commission officials in Brussels at the invitation of the European Commission’s
chief negotiator for Malta, Arhi Palosuo.
•
28 November 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that the number of tourists from Japan, one
of the most promising of Malta’s emerging sources of visitors, should this year exceed 12,000. The
Malta Tourism Authority’s long term target is to attract 35,000 visitors from Japan every year.
•
28 November 2002 The Sewers’ Maintenance Section within the Drainage Department launched its
Quality Service Charter. Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that the charter placed
new obligations on the Department.
•
28 November 2002 The Head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, Simon Busuttil, presented a copy
of MIC’s publication ‘Favur jew Kontra l-Unjoni Ewropea?’ to President Guido de Marco, at the
Palace, in Valletta. The publication contains opinions in favour and against Malta’s accession to the
EU.
•
29 November 2002 In its latest report, Moody's credit rating agency maintained Malta's negative A3
rating outlook, first pegged in February 1999. The agency said that the outlook stance reflected
numerous constraints as well as concerns that much-needed reforms in the pension system and the
labour market were ‘deeply contentious politically’. The agency said that constraints on Malta's ratings
also included a lack of economic diversification, the large public sector debt, and sizeable structural
deficits in the public finances and external accounts.
•
29 November 2002 European Commissioner for Enlargement Gunther Verheugen said the European
Union had ‘gone a long way’ to meet Malta's needs and demands, and expressed optimism that a good
overall package would be agreed to at the Copenhagen summit. Mr Verheugen was speaking during
the 18th Meeting of the EU-Malta Joint Parliamentary Committee in Brussels, the last before the
negotiations are officially sealed.
•
29 November 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi praised the Housing Authority for its
impressive level of activity over the past year. Speaking in Parliament, Minister Gonzi said that the
sale of housing units by the Authority had risen to Lm3 million from Lm2 million the year before. Dr
Gonzi said that, what was even more significant was that the Housing Authority was becoming more
socially oriented.
•
29 November 2002 Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that this year the Government had made
substantial investment to ensure that the police were suitably equipped with up-to-date technology and
equipment, spending more than Lm151,418 on vehicles, motorcycles and horses for the Police Force.
Dr Borg was speaking during the presentation of 28 new vehicles to the Force.
•
29 November 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo said that estimates made by Air Malta revealed
a 9 per cent increase last month over October last year. This translated into a total of 116,000 visitors.
Dr Refalo was closing the annual general meeting of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.
•
29 November 2002 The Central Bank of Malta has left the central intervention rate and the discount
rate unchanged at four per cent. The decision was taken by the Governor Michael C. Bonello in terms
of article 17A of the Central Bank of Malta Act, following a meeting of the Monetary Policy Advisory
Council.
•
29 November 2002 Malta Enterprise Executive Director Joe Zammit Tabona said that the setting up of
Malta Enterprise through the amalgamation of the Malta Development Corporation, the Institute for
the Promotion of Small Enterprise, and the Malta External Trade Corporation would allow the country
to benefit from an integrated approach to economic and social activity. Mr Zammit Tabona was
speaking at The Malta Business Weekly - Le Méridien Phoenicia Business Breakfast on Malta
Enterprise: why the change?
•
29 November 2002 Air Malta has signed a contract with Lufthansa Technik AG for the engine
maintenance of its new Airbus A319/A320 fleet over the next 12 years. Lufthansa Technik AG said the
contract would start with the roll out of the new Airbus planes in December of 2003.
•
29 November 2002 Malta's High Commissioner in London, George Bonello Du Puis, presented a print
to the Duke of Edinburgh marking the 60th anniversary of the presentation of the George Cross to
Malta. The presentation took place during an audience at Buckingham Palace.
•
30 November 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the relevance of many of the
comments made by the latest update on Malta by Moody's credit agency depended on when its update
was drafted. Dr Gonzi supported his statement by quoting as examples the fact that the Employment
and Industrial Relations Bill had ended up being applauded by all; the fact that during the third and
fourth quarters the deficit had been brought under control; and the fact that tourism was now
recovering.
•
30 November 2002 The Government presented its counter-proposal to the EU's offer of a financial
package for the first years of accession. Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that the Government had put
forward a detailed case on the need for the EU to take account of ‘our special circumstances’ when
compared with other acceding countries. Dr Borg and Chief Negotiator Richard Cachia Caruana met
Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller, representing the EU Presidency, in Copenhagen, four days
after the EU's proposal was presented to Malta.
•
30 November 2002 Malta became the 85th State Party to the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court when the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Walter Balzan, deposited
the necessary Instrument of Ratification at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York. The court
was set up to pursue atrocities like genocide, war crimes and gross human rights abuses.
DECEMBER
•
1 December 2002 Joe Camilleri, who chairs the National Commission Persons with Disability, said
that 140 organisations and commercial firms had signed a declaration that recognises that persons with
disability face various obstacles in their daily lives because of lack of accessibility. The signatories
pledged that they would work in a reasonable manner to offer equal opportunities to persons with
disabilities and their families. Mr Camilleri thanked President Guido de Marco for his support.
•
1 December 2002 Edward Borg, Chief Executive Officer of Mount Carmel Hospital, was awarded the
Worker of the Year award for his leadership skills, tenacity and dedication. The award was presented
to Mr Borg at a ceremony held under the auspices of President Guido de Marco.
•
1 December 2002 Fisheries Minister Ninu Zammit gave details of the assistance package the
Government has prepared for fishermen who want to improve their operations. Speaking during a
seminar organised by the Federazzjoni ta' Sajjieda Dilettanti - Malta, Mr Zammit said that this
assistance was aimed at both full and part-time fishermen who owned their own boats.
•
2 December 2002 Eneko Landaburu, European Commission Director General for enlargement, said
that Malta was expecting ‘too much’ from the EU in the final phase of negotiations. However,
speaking at an interview, Mr Landaburu expressed optimism that a compromise would be reached on
Malta's requests on VAT on foods and pharmaceuticals.
•
2 December 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government was working
hard so that no one would be left behind and to assist those who were mostly in need. He said that
workers' wages had increased by an average of Lm19 in the last four years and, as a result of the
budget measures, couples making a joint declaration of income would be saving up to Lm187 a year.
Those making a separate declaration would save up to Lm108. Dr Gonzi was speaking in Sliema.
•
2 December 2002 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi presented
Dominic Lewis, who is the Deputy Head of Human Resources at HSBC Bank Malta, with the 2002
Human Resources Practitioner of the Year Award. The award is given annually by the Foundation for
Human Resources Development to highlight excellence in human resources management and
development.
•
3 December 2002 The Central Bank of Malta announced that the liberalisation of a number of
exchange control measures comes into effect on January 1, as announced by Finance Minister John
Dalli in the Budget Speech. The liberalisation measures include travel allowance, cash gift allowance,
the foreign portfolio investment allowance, and foreign currency holdings/demand deposit accounts.
All exchange controls are to be removed by the date of EU accession.
•
3 December 2002 The Government's Privatisation Unit announced that over 4,700 applications had
been received for the sale by the Government of 13,530,000 ordinary shares in Malta International
Airport. The share offer was fully taken-up with a margin of over-subscription.
•
3 December 2002 A huge banner bearing a full size print of Portes des Bombes at Floriana has been
hung on the old structure to cover scaffolding during the restoration of what is the main gateway into
Floriana and Valletta. The banner was designed to soften the visual impact of the scaffolding. The
Lm55,000 restoration work started in September and is expected to be completed in March.
•
3 December 2002 Malta International Airport CEO Peter Bolech said that the Shop and Win
promotion organised by the Tax-Free Marketing Group was an effective way to boost sales. He said
that, for the past six years, back-to-back lottery promotions had contributed in no small manner to an
increase of 53 per cent in sales from tax-free shops. This year all three prizes at stake were won in the
UK.
•
3 December 2002 A delegation from the Employment and Training Corporation made up of John
Camilleri, Chief Executive Officer, and Senior Manager Sue Vella, took part in a meeting of the
European Union Employment Committee, in Brussels. This was the first time that Malta was
represented at the meeting for EU member and applicant countries. The Committee's role is to draw up
long-term labour strategies.
•
3 December 2002 Malta and the Netherlands have ratified a bilateral agreement on social security.
The agreement, signed in Rome on 11th September 2001, provides for a reciprocity scheme with regard
to the payment of social insurance benefits and the payment of social contributions by employees, selfoccupied and self-employed persons. The agreement will come into effect on January 1, 2003.
•
3 December 2002 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority appointed Godwin Cassar its first
Director General. The move is part of the restructuring exercise undertaken by MEPA following the
merger of the Planning Authority and the Environment Protection Department in March.
•
3 December 2002 Bank of Valletta and the National Commission Persons with Disability signed an
equal opportunities agreement in line with the Equal Opportunities Act 2000. Under the agreement,
BoV will be committing itself to have a substantial number of its premises and facilities accessible to
all, customers and employees alike.
•
4 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami attended the celebration of Iftar (Breaking
Fast) at the end of the Islamic fasting of Ramadan. The celebration, which was led by the
representatives of the Islamic Community, was also attended by US Ambassador Anthony Gioia, other
Ambassadors, and Members from both sides of the House.
•
4 December 2002 The Maltese Government aligned itself with two recent stands taken by the EU on
the situation in the Middle East. The EU had called on the Palestinian Authority "to do all humanly
possible to fight terrorist acts against Israel and bring the perpetrators, instigators and sponsors of
terrorist acts to justice". It had also called on Israel "to stop the use of excessive force, extra-judicial
killings, arbitrary detentions, deportations, demolition of houses and infrastructure, confiscation of
property and to bring to justice the guilty under due process of law".
•
4 December 2002 Finance Minister John Dalli presided over the signing of the document establishing
the Mid-Med Employees Foundation. Representatives of the Finance Ministry, the Malta Union of
Bank Employees, and the General Workers' Union took part in the ceremony.
•
4 December 2002 The Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise joined forces with the Malta
External Trade Corporation to help clients create networks to get the best out of export opportunities.
A minimum of two manufacturing enterprises employing at least 15 employees between them can
submit an export marketing plan and apply for assistance under the Export Network Programme.
Economic Services Minister commended the venture.
•
4 December 2002 Speaking at a press conference to launch the Malta Communications Authority's
first annual report, Chairman Joseph Tabone said that Maltacom had asked the telecoms regulator to
allow it to double the monthly connection rate for fixed line telephony to compensate for a requested
average 50 per cent reduction in international tariffs. Mr Tabone assured the press that increases would
not be sanctioned without their being justified.
•
4 December 2002 The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Joseph R Grima,
congratulated twenty-three officers from the Public Service who graduated with a Diploma in Public
Administration from the University of Malta. The officers were on a two-year part-time attachment
with the University's Institute of Public Administration and Management, and were sponsored by the
Public Service through the Staff Development Organisation.
•
4 December 2002 The Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disability, Joseph
Camilleri, said that persons with disability should join forces if they wanted to have an impact. "Let us
forget our personal interests, especially those between one disability and another. We are already in a
minority, but together we can bring down the barriers. Together we will get there," he said. Mr
Camilleri was speaking at a press conference in Bugibba, organised to mark the International Day of
People with a Disability.
•
5 December 2002 Speaking in Parliament in reply to the Leader of the Opposition's remarks on the
Budget, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that Italy had agreed to raise its initial offer
and give Malta €75 million (Lm31 million) as part of the new financial protocol. Dr Fenech-Adami
also said that a protocol between Malta and the EU against the introduction of abortion was due to be
announced shortly.
•
5 December 2002 In his Reply, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami listed legislation approved
over the past four years. These included the reintroduction of VAT, the Equal Opportunities Act, the
law that liberalised communications, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Malta Tourism
Authority. There had also been new legislation on fisheries, food safety, veterinary services, data
protection and protection of consumers. The Employment and Industrial Relations Act was finally
enacted following long years of debate. Which law would a Labour Government repeal, asked the
Prime Minister.
•
5 December 2002 Disability Rights UK chairman Bertie Messie expressed his surprise at the fact that
so few cases of discrimination in employment have been reported to the National Commission –
Persons with Disability. He said the reason for this was possibly because Malta was not yet a rightsbased culture. Mr Messie attended the Parliament of People with a Disability, organised by the
National Commission Persons with Disability and spoke about the importance of enforceable rights for
persons with disability and how the issue is handled in the UK.
•
6 December 2002 The Government and the unions representing Public Service employees signed the
Collective Agreement for the years 2002 to 2004. The new agreement aims to maintain the congenial
industrial relations environment shared between the Government, the employees in the public service
and their respective unions. An audio recording of the Prime Minister’s comments at the signing of the
agreement can be acceded at www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspageaudio.asp
•
6 December 2002 Mr Richard Cachia Caruana, Chairman of the Core Negotiating Group, described
the common position on agriculture arrived at between Malta, the Danish Presidency of the European
Union, and the European Commission, as an ‘excellent agreement for the Maltese farmer and
consumer’.
•
6 December 2002 The Government asked Spain and Portugal to state what criteria were applied in
banning a Maltese-flagged vessel from their territorial waters. Malta Maritime Authority Chairman
Marc Bonello said in an interview that similar requests would be made to the French Government
following a similar incident involving another vessel. “If ships continue to be stopped without specific
guidelines, there will be chaos," said Dr Bonello.
•
6 December 2002 President Guido de Marco said he had a responsibility to ensure that the will of the
people was observed. He said that political parties owed their legitimacy to the people and it was
therefore for them to decide important issues. Prof. de Marco was speaking during a visit to the
University.
•
6 December 2002 A new round-the-world service by the world's leading shipping companies is to
include Malta Freeport. Through this new venture, the Freeport will see its connection to 104 ports
extended to 121, generating additional traffic of some 40,000 containers each year.
•
6 December 2002 Malta has the highest life expectancy and possesses the largest number of cars and
mobile phones per capita among the 10 EU acceding countries. This results from figures released by
Eurostat.
•
6 December 2002 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the inflation rate in
October stood at 2.82 per cent, down from 2.89 per cent in September. In October 2002, the retail price
index went up by 0.22 points, or 0.18 per cent, over September, to 119.40.
•
7 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami met the Speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States of America, Mr Dennis Hastert, at Auberge de Castille. During
the meeting, Mr Hastert affirmed the US Government’s support for Malta’s accession to the European
Union, stating that as a result of Malta’s membership, Malta will be a more attractive destination for
US companies to invest in. Mr Hastert’s delegation included, amongst others, US Ambassador to
Malta Anthony Gioia.
•
7 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami described go mobile’s track record as a ‘rare
and outstanding achievement’. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the company's ability to register a marginal
profit so soon after it was set up was a commendable effort. The Prime Minister was speaking during a
ceremony marking go mobile's second anniversary at the company's head office in Marsa.
•
7 December 2002 In its latest financial proposal, the Danish Presidency of the EU allocated an
additional 300 million Euro spread over three years to Malta, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and
Slovenia. The 300 million Euro is over and above the 23 billion Euro agreed at the Brussels summit in
October, and the additional 1.3 billion Euro offered by the Danish Presidency over three years from
2004 to 2006.
•
7 December 2002 President and Mrs Guido de Marco left Malta for Rome on a private visit. In the
absence of Prof. de Marco, Dr George Hyzler assumed the duties of acting President.
•
7 December 2002 Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen said that the European Commission
would use every means at its disposal to ensure that Malta complies with the Birds Directive. Mr
Verheugen was replying to concerns expressed by Max Van den Berg, vice President of the European
Socialists Group in the European Parliament.
•
7 December 2002 Austrian Airlines announced at a press conference that it would soon start operating
five non-stop flights per week between Malta and Vienna, using group airline Lauda Air. The launch
was also attended by MIA Chairman Lawrence Zammit, MIA Chief Executive Peter Bolech, and the
Executive vice President of Vienna International Airport plc, Michael Hoeferer.
•
7 December 2002 According to figures published by the National Statistics Office, domestic exports
in October rose by Lm8.8 million, to Lm67 million. Imports rose by Lm5.9 million, or 5.4 per cent, to
Lm114.2 million.
•
7 December 2002 Two paintings of Grand Harbour by Giovanni Schranz (1794-1882) were sold for
£98,000, in Edinburgh. A spokesman for fine art auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull said that the paintings
had been sold to an anonymous Briton.
•
8 December 2002 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government last year spent at
least Lm10 million on services for people with disability. He said that this did not include other
significant amounts spent on health care and medicines. Dr Gonzi was speaking at the end of a seminar
on the theme Flimkienaslu, held by the National Commission Persons with Disability.
•
8 December 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that, with the impending enlargement of the
European Union, Malta feels conscious of the need to further intensify its strong participation in the
Mediterranean. "It is this Mediterranean dimension that we wish to promote within Europe," he said.
Dr Borg was addressing the 10th meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security
and Co-operation in Europe, in Porto, Portugal.
•
8 December 2002 The new Immigration Act has come into force. The most significant change in the
new law is that the deportation of illegal immigrants may be made by the Commissioner of Police
without the need for the immigrants to be taken to court. The immigrants will, however, have the right
to appeal before a new Immigration Appeals Board.
•
8 December 2002 Vodafone Malta launched the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), enabling
Vodafone customers to send and receive messages containing colour pictures, sound and text between
MMS-enabled phones.
•
9 December 2002 A new report published by the European Environment Agency shows that, in Malta,
5.2 per cent of the total land available, is taken up by roads. This figure is by far the highest among the
13 candidate countries and the 15 EU member states.
•
10 December 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that, together with Prime Minister Edward FenechAdami, he had embarked on last minute lobbying with the Foreign Ministers of member states to
achieve what he termed as ‘the results we need’. Comments were given to reporters following a 45minute meeting between Minister Borg, the Chairman of the Core Negotiation Group, Richard Cachia
Caruana, Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen and Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig
Moeller, among others.
•
10 December 2002 Tourism Minister Michael Refalo led a Maltese delegation to the European
Tourism Forum, in Brussels. The Forum brings together some 400 delegates, among them EU Tourism
Ministers, their colleagues from candidate countries, leading industry representatives, leaders of civil
society, European, national and regional tourism authorities, as well as international authorities.
•
10 December 2002 Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt presented to the media the
recommendations of the task force set up on the initiative of the eMalta Commission to look into the
various aspects of child abuse on the internet. The recommendations include an educational campaign
and the strengthening and extension of the legal framework dealing with the topic. Copies of the report
are available until the end of January 2003 from the Ministry website at [email protected]
•
10 December 2002 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Economic Services Ministry, Edwin Vassallo,
said that the latest report on the regulatory constraints faced by SMEs reiterated the Government's
commitment to reduce the bureaucracy that hampered the self-employed and small businesses. The
report, which is published twice a year by the Small Business Unit, contains the answers to the
questions of various individuals in the field of commerce.
•
10 December 2002 Malta International Airport's Meteorological Office is providing five-day forecasts
and climate data on Malta on the World Weather Information Service website at
www.worldweather.org. The website was developed by the Hong Kong Observatory under the
auspices of the World Meteorological Organisation of the United Nations.
•
11 December 2002 The Chairman of Malta’s Core Negotiating Group, Richard Cachia Caruana, said
that the Danish presidency of the EU had brought Malta’s demand to retain a zero-VAT rate on food
and pharmaceuticals before the General Affairs, but a couple of countries had still not come round to
accept it. Malta is asking for a transition period longer than the five years negotiated with Cyprus, with
the right to a review should Ireland and the UK still retain the zero-rate for food and medicines by the
expiry of the set transition period.
•
11 December 2002 The Malta Tourism Authority’s website www.visitmalta.com, winner of the Best
Website Award in the Travel & Tourism category of the 2002 Web Awards, reached a milestone with
1,000,000 hits since its launch in October 2001. The website is available in English, Italian, German
and French. A concise version of the website in Chinese has also been launched.
•
11 December 2002 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that the full
liberalisation of the telecommunications sector on 1stJanuary 2003 would open a new chapter in the
country’s history. He expressed confidence that what had happened with mobile telephony would
repeat itself in all the markets that were opened up to competition, namely fixed telephony and
international connectivity. Mr Galea was speaking at a forum on the telecommunications regulatory
framework.
•
11 December 2002 Enemalta chairman Robert Ghirlando said that vehicles switching from leaded to
the lead replacement petrol that will be introduced in the New Year would require no modification
apart from an adjustment to the ignition timing. LRP consists of unleaded petrol plus an additive based
on manganese. Although it fulfils the same function as leaded petrol, LRP is not as harmful to the
environment.
•
12 December 2002 Malta joined nine other EU membership candidates for the enlargement summit in
Copenhagen that, as expected, was witness to some last minute bargaining. Prime Minister Edward
Fenech-Adami, Foreign Minister Joe Borg and the Chairman of the Core Negotiating Group, Richard
Cachia Caruana, attended the summit. Enlargement was also one of the main subjects to be discussed
at the European People’s Party summit in Copenhagen which Dr Fenech-Adami also attended. An
audio recording of the comments the Prime Minister made to the media before his departure for
Copenhagen can be accessed at www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspageaudio2.asp
•
12 December 2002 The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association’s survey for July to September
shows that, while tourism remains down compared with last year, the rate of decline has slowed. The
survey, compiled by Deloitte & Touche, shows that while the tourism industry generally had a weaker
summer than 2001, the 10 per cent decline reported during the second quarter of this year has now
been halved.
•
12 December 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that the number of
unemployed persons registering for work with the Employment and Training Corporation in October
was 7,691, that is a rise of 508 over October 2001. In July this year, the number of persons registering
for work with the ETC was 7,177, an increase of 336 persons over July 2001.
•
12 December 2002 President Emeritus Sir Anthony Mamo inaugurated a commemorative feature on
Republic Day 1974 in the series ‘Flashbacks from Malta’s Past. Sir Anthony Mamo was the last
Governor General and the first President of Malta. The feature can be accessed on the DOI website at
www.doi.gov.mt
•
13 December 2002 With negotiations between the European Union and 10 candidate states set to be
officially sealed, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami told members of the press at the EU
Copenhagen summit that the Government would use the day’s session to bargain for a better financial
package. The Prime Minister said that a report tabled at the European People's Party summit cited
Malta and Poland as the two countries that had still not struck a deal with the Danish Presidency.
•
13 December 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said in Parliament that Malta Drydocks
had won a $1 million contract for the building of steel structures such as buoys. Minister Bonnici said
that the contract had been won in the face of stiff competition from shipyards in Turkey and Croatia.
•
13 December 2002 Figures released by the National Office of Statistics show that tourist arrivals had
dropped by 6.7 per cent in the first eight months of the year, from 832,428 to 776,753. In the same
period the number of cruise liner passengers went up by 48,165 to 212,756.
•
13 December 2002 Lateral thinker Edward de Bono was appointed Professor of Thinking by the
University of Pretoria, South Africa. The institute will be running a one-year course in ‘Thinking’.
•
14 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that Malta stands to benefit
from a net financial package of €194 million, that is just over Lm80 million, from the European Union
between 2004 and 2006. The Prime Minister was speaking to reporters following a marathon day of
talks at the Copenhagen summit.
•
14 December 2002 Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patten said he firmly believed that Malta
had obtained a good deal from its negotiations. He said that the issue of EU membership now lay
solely with the Maltese electorate who he believed was ‘mature and politically shrewd enough’ to
make the right decision. Mr Patten was speaking during the Copenhagen summit.
•
14 December 2002 Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson said: "We opted for membership because
we believed Europe was the best partner. We wanted to have a ‘say’ about the regulations that we have
to follow whether one is inside or outside the Union. So that is why we hope to see Malta as a member
of the EU soon."
•
14 December 2002 European Parliament President Pat Cox believes that a European vocation for
Malta would be a "wonderful" thing for its people. “I don't have a vote, but if I did, I know how I
would vote - I would vote yes," Mr Cox told The Times newspaper.
•
14 December 2002 In his Christmas message to Maltese and Gozitans living overseas, Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami called on all citizens to carefully weigh their decision on whether Malta should
join the EU or not. "When we join the EU, we will also become citizens of Europe with all the rights
that membership brings with it. We have to look ahead with courage and be certain that our choice is
the right one, not just for ourselves, but also for our children," said Dr Fenech-Adami.
•
14 December 2002 During the annual Republic Day award ceremony, held in the Grand Council
Chamber, at the Palace in Valletta, President Guido de Marco presented the instruments of
appointment to sixteen people who, through their contribution, had helped in the building of a society
based on solidarity. During the investiture ceremony Prof. de Marco referred to the decisions the
Maltese are expected to take in the coming year. He said that, within a context of divergent opinions,
the sovereign will of the people has to prevail.
•
15 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami expressed his satisfaction that the
Government had managed "to steer the ship inside the harbour" by securing a European Union
membership package beneficial to the country and the people. Dr Fenech-Adami was addressing a
press conference in the VIP lounge at the airport soon after his arrival from Copenhagen. An audio
recording
of
the
press
conference
can
be
accessed
at
www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspage.asp
•
15 December 2002 President and Mrs Guido de Marco presided over the Malta Community Chest
Fund's festive season activities that started off with the illumination of the Christmas tree at St
George's Square in Valletta. The activities are aimed at raising funds for the Malta Community Chest
Fund.
•
16 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that European Union membership was
the only guarantee of growth in employment. Dr Fenech-Adami said that, as part of the Union, Malta
would attract more investment because of its new access to European markets.
•
16 December 2002 Malta Financial Services Authority chairman Joe Bannister said that European
Union membership was crucial for Malta in order to enable it to expand its financial services sector.
Prof. Bannister said that the internal market had been exploited completely by local practitioners. With
EU membership, firms providing insurance and investment services would be able to spread overseas
by marketing new products or by entering into alliances.
•
16 December 2002 The 2002 annual report of ‘Pancontinental Oil and Gas NL’ says that the company
had completed the interpretation of 75 kilometres of two-dimensional seismic data acquired earlier this
year. Technical analysis showed that the ‘prospects are large enough to contain commercially viable
reserves’ and merit further investigation. The company has an interest in two large offshore permits for
oil exploration in Maltese waters.
•
16 December 2002 Figures published by the Malta Transport Authority show that the number of
people using buses has continued to decline. Revenue from ticket sales between September 2001 and
last August reached Lm5.08 million, compared to Lm5.31 million in the previous year.
•
16 December 2002 A set of five stamps issued by Maltapost in August 2001 placed second in a
philately competition organised by the Philatelic Music Circle of Great Britain. The stamps, showing
old Maltese musical instruments, were designed by Gorg Mallia. The stamps show a Whistle Flute
(1c), a Reed Pipe (3c), a Maltese Bagpipe (14c), a Friction Drum (20c) and a Frame Drum (25c).
•
17 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami informed the House of Representatives
about the conclusion of the EU membership negotiations. He said in a statement that, on Republic
Day, he had on behalf of the Government accepted that Malta join the EU on May 1, 2004 according
to the terms and conditions that had been negotiated. Dr Fenech-Adami said the conclusion of
accession negotiations with 10 applicant countries, including Malta, marked the end of the division of
Europe and the birth of a new, united, Europe.
•
17 December 2002 The British Government sent a message of congratulation to Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami on the completion of negotiations for European Union membership. “The
Government of the United Kingdom wishes to congratulate you and your highly proficient negotiating
team on the successful completion of Malta's European Union accession negotiations,” the message
says. “Mr Blair particularly wishes to congratulate all who are part of this historic and dramatic
process for the changes you have made on the way to a summit which has redefined Europe for the
future.” The message was conveyed to the Maltese Government by the British High Commission.
•
17 December 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici attended the official inauguration of the
Malta Trade Centre in Dubai. The office will be operated by METCO in conjunction with the Maltese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be dedicated to the promotion and support of Maltese trade with
the U.A.E. in particular, and the Gulf region in general.
•
17 December 2002 In a message for Christmas and the New Year to Maltese and Gozitans who live
abroad, President Guido de Marco said that next year would be a very important one for Malta as
citizens would be called upon to take an important decision over European Union membership. As a
sovereign people the Maltese should take that decision and their will should be respected, said Prof. de
Marco.
•
17 December 2002 A delegation from Algeria arrived in Malta for a three-day visit to take a closer
look at the water information systems being used by the Water Services Corporation. The delegation
also showed an interest in the desalination technology used by Malta Desalination Services, a
subsidiary of WSC.
•
17 December 2002 According to a survey carried out by the National Statistics Office, the overall
school absenteeism rate stood at 10.5 days per pupil between 25th September 2000 and 31st March 31
2001. The absenteeism rate for boys stands at 11.4 days, while that for girls is 10.4 days.
•
18 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami and Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant
engaged in a lively one-and-a-half hour debate on RTK radio, with the main focus being the financial
package that Malta obtained from the European Union in last week’s Copenhagen summit. Dr FenechAdami emphasised the importance of the Maltese having a freehand on how they should vote. He said:
“I will grant such liberty, and if the people vote ‘no’ then I will have to bow my head and accept that
decision, and Dr Sant should do the same. We are servants of the people. We must accept their
decision.”
•
18 December 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that Malta's adoption of the acquis
has proved a catalyst to the adoption of internationally recognised standards and the implementation of
the necessary support mechanism. Prof. Bonnici said: “A company wanting to export to the EU must
have its products abiding by EU standards if it wants them to be allowed to enter the EU single
market." Prof. Bonnici was speaking at the opening of the second session of the Euromed Working
Group on Regional Integration, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Sliema.
•
18 December 2002 The Malta Council for Science and Technology launched an Innovation Relay
Centre to help small and medium-sized enterprises. Set up with financial assistance from the European
Union, the main objective of the IRC, which forms part of the European IRC network, is to encourage,
support and exploit innovation and technology for the benefit of SMEs.
•
18 December 2002 President Guido de Marco was presented with a letter from Pope John Paul II to
mark World Peace Day. In the letter, which was presented by the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Luigi Conti,
at the Palace, the Pope spoke of the essential conditions and values for peace - truth, justice, love and
freedom. Prof. de Marco said that next year, the Maltese electorate should base its decisions on the
same four values.
•
18 December 2002 Statistics released by the National Statistics Office in a brief overview of some of
the environmental parameters in Gozo and Comino show that, during the past 40 years, dry
agricultural land had decreased from 3,457 hectares in 1955, to 1,473 hectares in 2001. In the same
time span, the area of irrigated land had decreased by 20 per cent.
•
18 December 2002 The Gozo Tourism Authority has published the Gozo Directory of Services, which
contains the main tourist attractions in Gozo. The directory includes information on hotels, restaurants,
diving schools, self-catering accommodation, farmhouses, language schools, museums, car hire, tour
operators, real estate, souvenir shops and handling agents.
•
19 December 2002 The House of Representatives approved the Budget for 2003 with 33 votes in
favour and 26 against. The House then rose for the Christmas recess and will reconvene on January 13
2003 when it will start debating the conclusion of the EU membership talks.
•
19 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami tabled in Parliament the Security
Committee’s annual report for 2001. In the report, the Security Service identified Islamic
fundamentalism, the possibility of a terrorist act, and the setting up of a terrorist cell in Malta as areas
requiring ‘continuous surveillance’.
•
19 December 2002 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that bus-owners who
had signed the agreement with the Government in 1995 to change their old buses to new low-floor
ones have until the end of the year to book a new vehicle. The Minister was speaking at Industrial
Motors Ltd in Blata l-Bajda during the launch of a bus prototype approved by the British Vehicle
Certification Agency and the Malta Transport Authority.
•
19 December 2002 Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said that the present environment was
not conducive towards the setting up of another airline. “The market is still not liberalised in Europe
and this constrains the operations of Air Malta. When the market is more liberalised it will be a
different story. It would be premature to partially liberalise the sector here now,” said Prof. Bonnici.
The Minister was speaking in the context of the Government’s refusal to consider an application by a
leading local tour operator to set up a second Maltese airline.
•
19 December 2002 Ives De Barro presented his diplomatic credentials to Tunisian President Zine El
Abdin Ben Ali as Malta’s Ambassador to Tunisia. The Tunisian President said he hoped to make a
state visit to Malta in the near future in order to meet his many friends, including President Guido De
Marco, and to continue strengthening relations between the two countries.
•
19 December 2002 Joseph F.X. Zahra, who is the chairman of the Bank of Valletta Group, said that
despite the volatile market conditions, the falling interest rate environment, the intensification of
competition, and a lower economic growth in both the local and international scenarios throughout the
past financial year, Bank of Valletta Group had managed to record very encouraging results. Dr Zahra
was giving an overview of the bank’s achievements over the past year during its 29th annual general
meeting at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
•
19 December 2002 Hundreds of schoolchildren made a money donation to the Malta Community
Chest Fund’s Kampanja Milied Hieni when they heard Mass in Freedom Square, in Valletta. The Mass
was celebrated by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca and was attended by President and Mrs de Marco.
•
19 December 2002 Five airport trainees from Munich International Airport took part in a vocational
training programme at Malta International Airport under the auspices of the European Union’s
Leonardo da Vinci programme. MIA and Munich International Airport GmbH signed a letter of intent
between them to network and co-operate in projects and other areas of activity under the Leonardo da
Vinci programme. They also agreed to exchange employees.
•
20 December 2002 Dutch Ambassador Joachim Rienko Wilton presented his credentials to President
Guido de Marco, becoming the first resident Ambassador in Malta for the Netherlands. Swedish
Ambassador Staffan Wrigstad and the Ambassador for Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Samura, also
presented their credentials to President de Marco.
•
20 December 2002 Government and the Arka Foundation signed an agreement providing the respite
centre in Gozo with up to Lm65,000 per year in financial assistance for its permanent residential
services to disabled people. The agreement was signed at the respite centre in Ghajnsielem by Social
Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, and Arka Director Emanuel
Curmi.
•
20 December 2002 Education Minister Louis Galea launched a 2003 calendar called ‘Together
towards the future’. The calendar is the result of collaboration between students from Maria Regina
Junior Lyceum in Blata l-Bajda, and schools in Austria, Italy, and Portugal, and forms part of an EU
Comenius project.
•
20 December 2002 Transport Minister Censu Galea distributed Lm3,000 to 21 voluntary
organisations and charitable institutions. The money was raised by Maltapost from the surcharge on
Christmas stamps in 2001. This year Maltapost has not issued surcharged stamps but has placed
collection boxes at all its branches.
•
20 December 2002 Maltapost announced that a number of street letter-boxes were being lowered to
facilitate use by people with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs. The move had been agreed
with the National Commission Persons with a Disability.
•
20 December 2002 Maltacom announced that it would halve the cost of overseas calls for residential
customers, between Christmas and the New year. The offer is available for all overseas calls
originating from and terminating on any residential line.
•
20 December 2002 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority held a digital exhibition entitled
‘My history... my future - 10 years of life and land’, to mark 10 years of land-use planning in Malta.
The current land-use planning system was introduced 10 years ago when Parliament approved the
structure plan for the Maltese Islands and set up the Planning Authority.
•
20 December 2002 ‘Malta through Russian Eyes’ was the theme of an exhibition of works of art by
Russian artists and photographers, held in Moscow. The exhibition was held to mark the 35th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Valletta.
•
21 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami expressed ‘huge satisfaction’ over the
signing of the fifth financial protocol between Malta and Italy, under which the island is to receive
Lm31 million over three years. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking to reporters in Malta after the signing
in Rome by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Foreign Minister Joe Borg. An audio
recording of the Prime Minister’s comments to the press can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/Pmpressstatements/pmprstatementsopen.asp
•
21 December 2002 British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that Malta would bring fresh ideas and new
impetus to the EU to help deal with subjects such as economic reform and international crime. His
comments were made in a letter to Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, sent to congratulate him on
concluding the enlargement negotiations “at the truly historic European Council in Copenhagen”.
•
21 December 2002 In a press statement Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that Malta would
retain VAT exemptions on land, sea and air transport and on water, land, and property, as long as these
sectors remain exempt in other EU member countries.
•
21 December 2002 Local Government Minister Austin Gatt announced that Local Council Executive
Secretaries would be visiting the UK for exchanges in order to foster greater co-operation between the
two countries. The secretaries will be visiting the councils of Cornwall, a county roughly comparable
in population to Malta and with similar interests in tourism and the maritime sector, and Torfaen and
Neath Port Talbot in Wales. The secretaries will hear how the councils deal with projects under
Objective 1 of the EU's structural funds.
•
21 December 2002 Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that nine initiatives in
Valletta worth Lm6 million are among the projects for which EU structural and cohesion funds are
being requested. These Valletta projects include the pedestrianisation of a larger area of the capital and
the cleaning of underground drainage tunnels. Dr Zammit Dimech said the Government had already
prepared the necessary documentation for its requests for the money.
•
21 December 2002 The Central Bank of Malta cut the central intervention rate and the discount rate
by 25 basis points to 3.75 per cent. The decision was taken by Bank Governor Michael Bonello, in
terms of the Central Bank of Malta Act, at the end of a Monetary Policy Advisory Council. Following
the announcement, HSBC and APS Bank announced changes to their interest rates.
•
22 December 2002 In a show of consensus, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition had a
common message to the public - embrace the virtue of solidarity at a time when the island prepares to
make important choices on Malta's future. Dr Edward Fenech-Adami and Dr Alfred Sant, together
with President Guido de Marco and Archbishop Joseph Mercieca delivered their Christmas and New
Year greetings as part of the Milied Flimkien campaign. Also present were a number of foreign
Ambassadors who gathered to hear the greetings.
•
22 December 2002 Foreign Minister Joe Borg hailed the fifth Italo-Maltese financial protocol signed
in Rome last week. The protocol, which covers the period 2003-2005, will entitle Malta to €75 million
(around Lm31 million). Dr Borg explained that the grants from the protocol would be directed towards
a number of infrastuctural projects, as well as cultural, health, and educational initiatives. The Minister
was speaking to The Sunday Times shortly after his return from Rome.
•
22 December 2002 Jean Philipe Courtois, President of Microsoft Corporation in Europe, Middle East
and Africa, expressed his Company's and his own personal satisfaction at the outcome of the
Copenhagen Summit. He did this in an e-mail message sent to Local Government Minister Austin
Gatt, who is pushing the partnership agreement between the Government and the giant global software
company. In his message, Mr Courtois asked Dr Gatt to accept Microsoft's congratulations for this
‘remarkable achievement’ and to convey Microsoft's wishes to the Prime Minister for the ‘best of
success in the new era that Malta is entering’.
•
22 December 2002 Justice Minister Austin Gatt said that people should not stigmatise society's
problems but should do something about them to foster solidarity. He said that it was pointless using
nice words if they were not translated into real initiatives. Dr Gatt was speaking during the opening of
a new IT centre that will cater for residents of the San Blas drug rehabilitation centre in Zebbug.
•
23 December 2002 The Office of the Prime Minister released the proposed text of the draft protocol
on abortion agreed between the Government of Malta and the EU. The text states that, "Nothing in the
Treaty on European Union, or in the Treaties establishing the European Communities, on in the
Treaties or Acts modifying or supplementing those Treaties, shall affect the application in the territory
of Malta of national legislation relating to abortion." The document was released along with
correspondence between Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami and the Archbishop, Mgr Joseph
Mercieca.
•
23 December 2002 The EU's Commissioner for Environment, Margot Wallstrom, urged the Maltese
to realise that no individual state can undertake alone the ‘immense tasks’ of adopting environmental
protection policies. "Membership will not only provide incentives and benefits, but also bring positive
pressure to bear on governments to keep environmental issues high in their political agenda," she said.
Ms Wallstrom was being interviewed by The Times newspaper.
•
23 December 2002 Microsoft donated 1,001 Encarta Encyclopaedia packages as give-away prizes to
raise money for the annual fund raising marathon l-Istrina to be broadcast on TVM on Saturday 28th.
Justice and Local Government Minister Austin Gatt said at the presentation ceremony that the
donation was probably the largest single donation ever made to l-Istrina.
•
23 December 2002 Emanuela Borg from Lija, at present resident at the Good Shepherd Sisters
convent in Balzan, turned 105 to become the oldest woman in Malta. Prime Minister Edward FenechAdami and the Parliamentary Secretary in the Social Policy Ministry, Antoine Mifsud Bonnici,
attended Mass at the convent to celebrate Emanuela’s birthday.
•
24 December 2002 Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat appealed to President Guido de Marco to urge the
United Nations to intervene to stop the ‘destructive war’ that Israel is waging against the Palestinians.
Mr Arafat’s letter, dated December 12, was delivered to the Palace by Palestinian Ambassador Awad
Yakhlef and was in response to a letter that Prof. de Marco had sent to Mr Arafat.
•
24 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami visited a photographic installation in
Attard’s parish square where eight large photographs depicting Christmas messages by local residents
were on show. The exhibition was inaugurated by President Guido de Marco.
•
24 December 2002 The government representative at the Convention on the Future of Europe, Prof.
Peter Serracino Inglott, said that the text of a proposed European constitution should be carefully
crafted to leave space for a specific mode of integration of neutral countries into a holistic European
defence policy. The plenary session of the convention, which convened on December 20, debated
reports by the working groups on external action and defence.
•
24 December 2002 Video and audio recordings of the Christmas and New Year Messages to the
Maltese Nation by President of Malta Guido de Marco and Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami
were broadcast on the website of the Department of Information at www.doi.gov.mt.
•
27 December 2002 Malta Communications Authority Chief of Operations Joe Cuschieri said that
three internet service providers would start offering a cheap international telephone call service as
from January 2003. Mr Cuschieri said that the new service could not be considered an alternative to
the service offered by Maltcom, as it would be using a different technology and medium, and would be
of poorer quality.
•
27 December 2002 President Guido de Marco visited the Greek Catholic Church of Our Lady of
Damascus in Valletta. Prof. de Marco was welcomed by Papas Vito Borgia and Papas George Mifsud
and taken on a tour of the church.
•
27 December 2002 The Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, after consultations with the Monetary
Policy Advisory Council, lowered both the central intervention rate and the discount rate from four per
cent to 3.75 per cent. Following the announcement, HSBC and APS Bank announced changes to
their interest rates, with the Bank of Valletta expected to follow suit.
•
27 December 2002 The Deputy Attorney General who is also Chairman of the Financial Intelligence
Analysis Unit, Dr Silvio Camilleri, chaired the Council of Europe's plenary meeting of the select
committee for the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures, in Strasbourg. Dr Camilleri was
unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Committee for a second term.
•
28 December 2002 Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono inaugurated the new premises of the Gozo
Business Chamber, at 27 Republic Street, Victoria. The chamber may be contacted on tel. 21 550305,
fax 21 563389, or email [email protected]
•
28 December 2002 Figures published by the National Statistics Office for the third quarter of 2002
show an improvement in the current account balance of Lm16.9 million, from a net surplus of Lm12.6
million during the September 2001 quarter, to one of Lm29.5 million during the same period this year.
•
28 December 2002 The National Statistics Office said that the number of people registering for work
with the Employment and Training Corporation in August this year was 7,412, a rise of 356 over the
figure for August in 2001. This brings the unemployment rate for August 2002 to 5.1 per cent.
•
29 December 2002 This year's edition of the charity fund-raising marathon L-Istrina, broadcast on
Television Malta, raised the all-time record sum of almost Lm900,000. Last year, L-Istrina netted
Lm476,000. A selection committee set up by the Public Broadcasting Services and chaired by
Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima identifies organisations that would benefit from the funds
collected in any one year.
•
29 December 2002 President Guido de Marco paid tribute to the Polish airmen and sailors who died
during the Second World War and are buried in Malta. At a ceremony attended by the Polish
community, the President laid wreaths on a number of graves at the Capuchin military cemetery at
Kalkara. The ceremony took up where the President’s recent state visit to Poland left off.
•
29 December 2002 Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that two hundred and fifty
Girl Guides had, since March, collected more than 82,000 plastic bottles from the countryside. The
bottles are to be exported for recycling. The bottle-collecting exercise was the Guides' environmental
challenge for this year.
•
30 December 2002 President Guido de Marco said that he never dreamed that the fund-raising
programme L-Istrina would break last year's record sum of Lm476,000, let alone nearly double that
amount. The record sum of Lm882,000 also went beyond the wildest expectations of the charities set
to benefit from the donations. They have now to revise their wish list to include projects that they had
only previously dreamt of.
•
31 December 2002 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami received a letter from the President of the
European Investment Bank, Philippe Maystadt, congratulating him on the ‘momentous conclusion’ of
the Copenhagen Summit. The letter reaffirmed the EIB's strong commitment to work together with the
Maltese authorities and with the business community in a common effort to bring the advantages of
enlargement forward and closer to the citizens of Malta.
•
31 December 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said at a news conference that worker
rights will be greatly strengthened by the coming into effect of eight legal notices relating to the new
Employment and Industrial Relations Act. The new measures include the provision of three-month
unpaid parental leave for workers, the entitlement to pro-rata benefits for part-timers working more
than 14 hours per week, and the establishment of a guarantee fund for wages claimed during
insolvency. All measures are backdated Friday 27th December 2002.
•
31 December 2002 Maltese nationals travelling to Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco will, as from the 1st of
January, require an entry visa prior to their departure from Malta. Visitors from Egypt, Turkey, and
Morocco would need to have a visa in their possession to travel to Malta. The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said the Maltese Government had introduced visas for nationals hailing from the three
countries as a result of aligning its visa policy with that of the European Union.
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