In-negozjati mar-Renju Unit jikkonfermaw il-kunċett tal-parnership bħala alternattiva għas-sħubija fl-UE

Alfred Sant ivvota favur ir-riżoluzzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew li tiddeskrivi l-pożizzjoni tal-UE fin-negozjati lejn sħubija komprensiva bejn ir-Renju Unit u l-UE wara l-BREXIT.

Xi snin ilu, il-kunċett ta’ partnership kien meqjus f’Malta b’mod negattiv iżda issa sar dejjem aktar evidenti li l-qafas ta’ partnership se jkompli jiġi żviluppat mill-UE bħala l-aħjar metodu biex jinżammu relazzjonijiet fil-fond u mill-qrib ma’ stati Ewropej li ma jaspirawx li jsiru membri tal-Unjoni.

ir-riżoluzzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew tkopri dispożizzjoniiet li jmorru lil hinn mill-kwistjonijiet ta’ koperazzjoni ta’ kummerċ ħieles u investiment u tirrikonoxxi li l-UE u r-Renju Unit se jkomplu jkollhom ħafna interessi komuni.

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea hija mħeġġa bir-raġun biex tmexxi n-negozjati b’mod trasparenti, permezz ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika u djalogu mas-sħab soċjali. L-inklużjoni tal-parlamenti nazzjonali se tkun ukoll fattur ewlieni.

“Il-mandat propost fih xi pożizzjonijiet iebsa ħafna. Fil-ftuħ ta’ kwalunkwe negozjar, dan huwa kif għandu jiġi fformulat mandat. Madankollu jikkonferma wkoll u jaġġorna l-kunċett ta’ kif stat Ewropew ikollu relazzjonijiet mal-UE fil-forma ta’ partnership” iddikjara Alfred Sant.

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Negotiations with UK confirm Partnership Concept as alternative to EU Membership

The European Parliament has adopted a 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.

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.