Cyprus-Malta on the threshold of accession to the European Union : challenges to workers and trade unions : positions of the main trade unions and reports from two seminars

Abstract

The predicament of small island economies is significantly shaped by developments elsewhere AII the more so when the external agency is none other than the largest economic block in the world today . The European Union (EU) is now a pan-national organization of 15 countries, with various other European States hopeful of future membership. On its Mediterranean peak lie two small but sovereign islands already with substantial levels of trade with the EU, Cyprus and Malta. As if to confirm a basis of commonality both submitted application to join the EU in July 1990. It appears that the main decision has already been taken: The European Union has already decided to accept Malta and Cyprus within the fold. Negotiations with the EU are likely to start after June 1997 and it is expected that the two countries will join the European Union by the year 2000.