§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 478, what are the institutional problems which were identified in respect of Malta's application to join the EC.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI refer my hon. Friend to page 19 of the Commission opinion on Malta's application for membership, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. This lists the institutional problems in respect of Malta's application to join the EC as: the small number of Maltese officials with sufficient international experience to play a full part in the decision-making and operational processes of the Community institutions; the small size of the diplomatic corps and its inexperience in co-operating with other European countries; the difficulties Malta might have in taking on the Presidency; and the more general institutional problems that would be posed by the accession of Malta or any other applicant of a similar size. The Council endorsed the opinion in October 1993.