Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant has welcomed how the EU is developing the partnership concept to establish relations with non-EU member countries as demonstrated by the planned negotiations with the UK.

Sant voted in favour of the European Parliament resolution that describes the EU’s position in negotiations towards a comprehensive partnership between the UK and the EU following BREXIT.

Some years ago, the concept of a partnership was derided in Malta as meaningless but it has become increasingly evident that the partnership framework will continue to be developed by the EU as the best method by which to maintain deep and close relations with European states that do not aspire to become members of the Union, Sant said in a statement. Sant was Leader of the Opposition when Labour had mounted a campaign against Malta's EU membership, preferring instead to go for a partnership agreement. In a referendum in 2003, the people had voted in favour of membership.

The resolution approved by the European Parliament covers provisions that go well beyond free trade and investment cooperation issues. The text acknowledges that the EU and the UK will continue to have many interests in common.

The Commission is rightly urged to conduct negotiations transparently, through public consultation and dialogue with social partners. The inclusion of national parliaments will too be a key factor.

“The proposed mandate contains some very tough positions. At the opening of any negotiation, this is how a mandate should be formulated. However it also confirms and updates the concept of a European state having relations with the EU in the form of a partnership” stated Dr Sant.