Malta may hold EU referendum in January 2003

Malta is likely to be the first amongst the ten EU candidate states to hold a referendum on EU membership. Speaking during a meeting on Sunday, the Maltese prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami gave an indication that this referendum will be held in the first weeks of 2003. In its earlier statements, the government had left the option more open - saying only the first half of next year.

The first country holding a referendum on EU entry will be crucial as it could influence the results in t...