MEP John Attard Montalto recently met representatives from Malta Business Bureau (MBB) in Brussels and discussed the need for further collaboration.

MBB representative Leonard Mizzi said that since Dr Attard Montalto managed to acquire vice-chairmanship of the Industry Committee for the Malta delegation as from next January, structural links with the MBB and Business Community should be established.

Dr Attard Montalto said the role of new MEPs within the European Parliament is a continuous process. He pointed out that it is very difficult to follow and participate in more than one committee as these often meet simultaneously and one has to take a decision based on priorities.

Dr Attard Montalto added his obvious choice is the Committee of Industry, Research and Energy.

Malta Business Bureau has an interest in the committee relating to transport and tourism, where Dr Attard Montalto is a substitute.

Although tourism is of interest to Malta, Dr Attard Montalto pointed out that most of the work in this particular committee is focused on transport.

"Even here, internal waterways, canals, railways take up a great deal of discussion which is not relevant to Malta," said Dr Attard Montalto.

Recently, Commissioner Gunther Verheugen gave credibility to Dr Attard Montalto's arguments implying that tourism is within the remit of individual countries and not the European Union as an institution.

Dr Attard Montalto said he recently wrote to the president of the Federation of Industry suggesting monthly meetings and that he is willing to hold them with the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.