Challenges ahead for EU minnow.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: Using accession to strengthen the island's economy will bring the thorny issue of privatisation to the forefront, writes Martin Clark

AS THE fireworks crackled overhead, the cheers rang out all along Malta's historic harbour front, a fitting climax to the European Union accession.

After years of hard work by countless politicians and bureaucrats and a hard fought referendum on membership the Maltese people finally got their wish.

Now, as the EU's smallest member state with a population of less than 400,000, the challenge is to make it all work.

Many feel the real task, of utilising the EU to strengthen rather than undermine the economy and boost prosperity, still lies ahead.

The EU's most southerly state, Malta occupies a unique position in the expanded community.