The Core Group of the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) held it second meeting on the 26^th September 2008. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information.

The Core Group discussed a Report on the eligibility criteria for the participation of non-government organisations in the MEUSAC consultation process.  Members agreed that voluntary organisations that are enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, as well as those that are not enrolled yet fulfill the criteria astablished for enrolement are to be eligible to participate in the Sectoral Committees.

Agreement was also reached on the procedure to be adopted for the selection of three NGOs to represent the sector on the Core Group.  The process will be conducted by the Council for the Voluntary Sector according to a method agreed upon by the Core Group members during the meeting.

The Core Group also discussed the Commission Communication to the European Parliament, to the Council, to the European Economic and Social Committee and to the Committee of Regions on a Common Immigration Policy for Europe.  The Minister responsible for Justice and Home Affairs, Dr. Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, and senior officials from his Ministry, also participated in the Core Group’s discussion on this Communication.  Maltese members of the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee were also invited to participate in the discussion on this specific item.  It was agreed that due to importance of this item on the national agenda, the Communication would be discussed further between the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs and the Core Group members.