Malta becomes first accession country to complete ratification process

Malta yesterday became the first accession country to complete ratification process, when deposited its Instrument of Ratification to the EU Accession Treaty at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Malta’s ratification follows that of Denmark, which to date is the first Member State to have completed the ratification process.
The Treaty was signed by Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg in Athens on 16 April 2003 and was ratified by the House of Representatives on 14 July 2003.
The Instrument of Ratification was signed by the prime minister and foreign affairs minister and was presented to the Deputy Head of the Treaty Service Department of the Italian Foreign Ministry, Dottoressa Anna Teresa Frittelli Annibaldi, by the Maltese Ambassador in Rome Edward Melillo.
In presenting the document, Ambassador Melillo expressed satisfaction that he was depositing the Instrument in Rome, the city that had given birth to the European Union, forty-six years ago, and that had received Malta’s application for membership in 1990.
Ambassador Melillo quoted Dr Fenech Adami, who described the ratification of the EU Accession Treaty by the Maltese Parliament as a historic moment that will open new doors for the country’s economic and social development. He emphasised that Malta is prepared to play its part as an EU member and looks forward to participating in the process that will determine the future of the Union in the years to come.
Ministro Frittelli Annibaldi said, in reply, that she completely shared the views expressed by the Ambassador and that she, too, felt honoured to receive Malta's Instrument of Ratification. She was convinced that Malta would play a useful role within the European Union. Malta is always well prepared as demonstrated by the fact it had been the first to deposit this important document.