It is a matter of national concern that, notwithstanding the substantial resources hitherto invested to set up an efficient Representative Office in the EU, and in spite of the efforts by Maltese business institutions to set up their bureau in Brussels, there is as yet no viable communication between the two. Malta is the net loser.
Well before Malta joined the EU, the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Industry joined forces to establish the Malta Business Bureau, to represent their interests in the many EU countries, and in various business organisations. Under the wing of the European Confederation of Industrial Employers (UNICE) alone, there are as many as 60 technical working groups, and there are others still operating under the wings of Eurochambres.
The MBB, which has been in existence for the best part of the last 10 years, has since expanded its ranks to include the MHRA.
The bureau needs to be fully briefed about government policies on business-related topics and on the state of play relating to new proposals and initiatives launched by the EU.
Weakness identified
The government has not been of much help to the MBB. The Director General of the Bureau, Dr Leonard Mizzi, complained openly about this, on various occasions.
On 18 March 2004 he told The Times that the Malta Mission was short of technical expertise. “We certainly cannot continue with a situation where all decisions, even technical ones, have to be taken by the Minister. Malta needs to use its resources and not lose valuable people because of political inclinations…” he said.
These words did not leave much to the imagination. They revealed that the government had failed to look ahead by setting up the administrative structures that would have enabled it to seize the moment at the time of accession.
No improvement
Notwithstanding the fact that Malta now has its Permanent Representative Office to the EU, and a strong complement at his disposal, things have not improved that much.
On 14 October 2004, Mr Mizzi complained that “at the moment” the MBB needed to have a proper exchange of information. “This is not happening on a consistent basis between the Bureau and the Permanent Representation,” he declared unequivocally.
He added, for good measure, that “another thing we need is for the government to listen more to the constituted bodies and to put into place a fast and efficient flow of information. We need a two-way channel. We need quick and precise responses – this is not happening and we need to tackle it fast”.
I recall taking this matter up in The Malta Independent on Sunday last November. When The Times carried an editorial wake-up call, there came a reaction in the form of a joint letter under the signature of Richard Cachia Caruana, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Malta to the EU, and Leonard Mizzi.
The two co-signatories conceded that “one would expect that certain clear policy decisions could be communicated from the Brussels end as well, thus enhancing the flow of communications” once staffing goals are achieved. That was on 21 October,2004.
Situation unchanged
Sadly, Mr Mizzi and the MBB continue to be marooned and unassisted by the Malta Permanent Representation Office in Brussels.
Speaking at a Business Conference last week he said that the MBB “is finding great difficulty in getting the Maltese point of view following recent EU events” (The Malta Independent, 24 June).
He was clear and unambiguous. He said that it was often asked: “What is the view of Malta on CAP reform?”, but no answer was forthcoming. “It is easier for the Maltese in Brussels to get the point of view of Slovenia and other member states, than it is to get the reaction of the Maltese Government”.
Mr Mizzi made it clear that “the bureau is finding it extremely difficult to get briefings after European Council meetings, so that it finds out what has been decided…. I get fobbed off with unclear replies. There must be clearer lines of communication between the Permanent Representative and the government.”
Questions
Why is the government unable to overcome its inertia, a full year after Malta’s EU accession?
How are the substantial financial and human resources invested in Brussels? Why do the business institutions forming part of the MBB stay mum, and make no noises in support of Dr Mizzi, and to deplore this state of paralysis?
Why is the government unable or unwilling to remove the formidable barrier that has stood for so long in the way of Malta’s best interests?
How can Malta overcome its prevailing economic problems, if it is not willing and able to help itself?
[email protected]