Dr Joanna Drake, former chairperson of the “Yes to Malta in Europe” movement and Dr Roberta Tedesco Triccas, who led a Commission on EU affairs of the European Youth Forum, have just attended a seminar organised by the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats – European Democrats [EPP-ED]) women’s sector. The EPP-ED is the largest political group represented in the European Parliament.

Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, Dr Drake said the seminar organised for female MEP candidates from all accession countries focused mainly on the “new challenges for a strong Europe”.

“The aim of the seminar was to familiarise us with MEPs, and give us a practical insight into what the role of an MEP is,” said Dr Drake. “However, the main point was how an MEP can bring Europe home, and the importance of an MEP’s work with her constituency.”

Dr Drake, and Dr Tedesco Triccas learnt about the organisational aspect of being an MEP.

“The most important thing is for an MEP to be accessible to the people. Those who have made a difference as MEPs are those who have taken the time to reconcile with their constituency,” said Dr Drake.

Malta, Dr Drake said, was particularly mentioned during the seminar. “Small Members States have the potential to make a difference. The magic is not the number of MEPs but how effective they are in first listening to their people in their constituency,” she said. “One also has to have a solid network in Brussels.”

MEPs spend one week each month at a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, while additional two-day sittings are held in Brussels. Two weeks of every month are set aside for meetings of Parliament committees in Brussels. The remaining week is devoted to meetings of political groups.