An Introduction to the Empirical Research: Malta and the EU Decision-Making Process

Abstract

This chapter describes Malta’s relations with the EU, with the intention of allowing the reader to place in context the three legislative case studies found in Chaps. 7 and 8. Section 6.1 begins with a brief overview of Malta’s key geographical, economic, and political characteristics. It also gives key dates in Malta’s EU membership process and its first few years of EU membership. Section 6.2 deals with Malta’s post-EU membership reality. It examines the government’s modus operandi when preparing and co-ordinating a national position for uploading processes in EU decision-making. In short, it highlights the government’s administrative machinery, i.e., the role played by various governmental ministries and departments and in their co-ordination to cope with the vastness and complexity of EU legislative decision-making processes. Section 6.3 provides a brief conclusion. This chapter is necessary to enable the reader to fully grasp how Malta’s government functions internally when dealing with EU matters. It thus constitutes a necessary background to the case studies presented in the next chapters.