The impact of the WTO on agricultural trade in the light of the next EU enlargement : the case of Malta

Abstract

The objective which lays behind the carrying out of this study was to analyse the extent of WTO's impact on Malta in adopting its agricultural trade strategy in the light of the next EU enlargement. In due course, there was an attempt to provide a discussion on which might be the most WTO-compliant agricultural policy among the three options, namely EU membership, the Swiss Option and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. On this note, particular reference was given to the rules which lay out of the WTO Rounds following an introduction of the origins of the world trading regime. This provided the basis for analysing the extent of CAP' s harmony with WTO commitments and the implications for Malta upon aligning to this regime in due to its WTO obligations. Following an insight of the impact on Malta's agricultural trade in the event of choosing the Swiss Option or the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, it would then be discussed whether multilateralism, regionalism or bilateralism would be the most viable course for Malta in choosing its agricultural policy. This could be better understood after that an explanation of other countries' experience in this regard would be taken into account.