Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant believes it important for Maltese MEPs in the coming five years to stand for the safeguarding of Malta’s autonomy when the government is drawing up its budget, or when pressures arise from the EU for member states to accept the introduction of common taxes on a European basis.

Dr Sant, addressing hundreds of well wishers at Cafe’ Riche in Cospicua, stated that it was in Malta’s interest to retain as much flexibility as possible when common European policies were being drafted. The likelihood always was that as has happened frequently in the past, these would follow one-size fits all approaches. In future, it would be wise to foresee how this could happen and to win the support of other EU representatives to prevent it from taking place.   

Dr Sant was interviewed by media personality Alfred Zammit at a social event held for his supporters.

Asked about the challenges to be faced by Malta’s elected MEPs for the next legislature, Dr Sant said that such challenges would concern the need to faithfully and correctly analyse developments taking place within the European Union, relate them to Malta’s interests and then take a position that would protect and enhance Malta’s status.

Other challenges, according to Dr Sant, include ability to work in crucial areas such as the issue of irregular migration, the ongoing efforts to ensure that there was a central European control over the budgets of member states and the development of a European tax structure.