A Department of Information statement yesterday said that Malta’s membership means that it must observe a number of rules that concern the movement of people from one country to another, in particular with reference to the coordination of social security schemes.

These regulations concern the movement of people in the European Economic Area. They focus on four principles: the application of a common law, equal treatment, the safeguarding of rights obtained and the safeguarding of rights during the process of attainment.

The Health Ministry, as well as the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry, is responsible for the administration of the benefits Maltese people will enjoy when going abroad and those of foreigners who travel to Malta.

The specific aim of this section, which was set up on 1 May, is to see to these needs.

The Health Ministry sought the help of the EU in this regard and, after a call for tenders, reached an agreement with a United Kingdom organisation called Nicare.

The agreement was signed in December 2003. It included specific training for Health Ministry officials and general training for workers in government hospitals and health care centres.

The training started in January and came to a close this month.

In total, the cost of the exercise was E168,000 and it was paid for from EU funds.