PN MP and foreign affairs shadow minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said he could not understand why the Office of the Prime Minister took so long to release information tied to the Martin Galea abduction, acknowledging the fact that it was not the Minister of Foreign Affairs who was responsible for the delay in information.

Parliament is currently discussing the budget's financial estimates. This evening it is the Foreign Affairs ministry's estimates which are being discussed.

On Libya, he said that the issue remains a priority for the Opposition. He said the Opposition agreed with the fact that Malta closed down the embassy in Tripoli.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that the ever growing tense situation in Libya prevented Malta from continuing to operate its embassy in Tripoli. Malta was one of the very few countries which kept its embassy open in Tripoli despite growing internal conflicts. In an interview with this newsroom, Dr Vella had said that if a country shut down its embassy it would send the wrong signal.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici initially started off his speech by stating that the Opposition has great respect for Dr Vella and it appreciates the new challenges that have cropped up during the last few months, referring to a string of international developments.

He said that Libya is continuing to witness internal conflicts, the situation seemingly going more towards a civil war than one reaching some form of agreement.

"We should ensure that our foreign policy remains what it is and we should continue to build on the good," he said.

It is vital the Opposition is always kept in the loop of things and is told by the government what is going on, he said. Information is the key to democracy, he added.

"We are aware that the minister has a lot to do but it is vital the public is regularly informed on the work both you and me are conducting in this sector, especially because it is the people who appointed us to serve them.

"Despite this, I understand that there are certain issues that have to remain confidential as well," he added.

He acknowledged the fact that the minister enhanced diplomatic ties with certain countries such as Qatar and Bahrain.

"Your visit to the Middle East is very much well appreciated by the Opposition as well, he said, adding that it is a step forward in our diplomacy efforts.

Last month, Dr Vella visited the Middle East and engaged in intensive discussions with Palestinian dignitaries in the West Bank. Minister Vella held meetings with the Foreign Minister Riad Malki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy, Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister Rani Hamdallah and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The visit to Ramallah took place over a scenario of tension in East Jerusalem.

On the number of ambassadorial appointments, he said that now one has to look at whether they are actually attracting investment to Malta, now that a over year has gone by since they were appointed since most of the appointments were politically motivated and the indviduals chosen are not career diplomats.

“A year should be more than enough to see whether they have achieved their mission statement,” he said.

 

Career diplomats must be respected, PN MP Marthese Portelli says

 

During her speech, Nationalist MP Marthese Portelli acknowledged the areas where, in her opinion, the ministry is doing a good job, such as the initiative to have a Convention for the Maltese Living Abroad, the minister’s meeting with the Consuls, the increase in the budget allocation for the Overseas Development Aid, as well as a number of other state visits. But she did not stop short of criticising the ministry’s operations where needed.

Dr Portelli had words of praise for career diplomats as well as for all the people serving within the embassies and consulates. She acknowledged that it is not always easy to live away from one’s homeland.  She pointed out that their work often goes unnoticed whilst stressing their vital role in country to country relations. 

“Salaries must be revisited and I urge this to be done jointly between the government and Opposition.”

She lashed out at the political appointments, those of Alex Sciberras Trigona, Joe Grima and Sai Mizzi among others.  “What have they brought to Malta?  What have they done for Malta so far?” 

She insisted that it is not fair that some embassy employees are being burdened with the workload and responsibility that would normally be borne by career diplomats.   

She also mentioned the transfers given and specifically mentioned Antoinette’s Cutajar case saying that the Malta Taghna Lkoll mantra has vanished into thin air, if it ever existed in the first place.

Dr Portelli also spoke about Libya.  “What has the Maltese Ambassador for Libya done so far?  How come we also have a special envoy for Libya?  What is their role?”  With respect to business investment, she asked Government “What is being done to safeguard the millions of investment that Maltese have done in Libya?  What is being done to help Maltese people whose main income depends on Libya?” 

She also spoke about the oil exploration project and asked the government to speak clearly of its plans.  Dr Portelli also questioned the investigation that had been initiated with respect to the allegation that oil was being illegally imported into Malta from Libya, asking the government to state at what stage was the investigation.

On the point of irregular immigration, she emphasised the important role the ministry has.  She insisted that government should keep the citizens abreast with what is being done. 

“Which countries are taking irregular immigrants?  How many irregular immigrants have been taken over the past months?   Did the government reach any agreement with any EU countries to help over the past months?” she asked

Dr Portelli mentioned a number of PQs that remained unanswered and asked the minister to reply to them.  Making reference to the IIP scheme, she asked the minister to divulge how many passports have been granted and to whom.  With reference to Finance Minister Edward Scicluna’s budget speech and the increase in government services fees, Dr Portelli asked the minister to clarify which services were to see an increase in fees and by how much.

With respect to the financial estimates, Dr Portelli pointed out that there is a 22% increase, a 2.7 million euro increase between 2013 and 2015.  She pointed out that in a reply to one of her PQs, the minister had pointed out that a total of 85 new employees had been taken on between March 2013 and January 2014.  “Is this 22% increase due to the intake of the new 85 employees?” she asked. She also pointed out that an additional 20% increase in expenditure was related to overseas trips.  “From 900,000 euro in 2013, it has now gone up to 1.12 million euro,” she lamented.