President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca believes that “we definitely need a Europe for the people…with the people, closer to our peoples”.

This was the message relayed as President Coleiro Preca received Mr Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament (EP) on a courtesy call at Sant’Anton Palace.

Addressing the Conference of Presidents, President Coleiro Preca described this as a historical moment for Malta, not only because it is the very first time for Malta to be presiding the European Union Council, but also because, Malta, as the smallest Member State in the European Union will be leading a foremost regional actor on the global stage.

“While the European Union holds the historical place of being a primary promoter of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, Malta will be taking up the Presidency of the European Council, during very taxing times, when our European project is being challenged. We are at a time when the European Union needs to invigorate and energise the spirit of the European project, which our forefathers have so aptly envisioned for a stable, peaceful, and prosperous continent, which acknowledges and respects diversity, for the wellbeing of all our peoples,” the President said.

This is a time when we need to revitalise our European ideals 

She said that this is a time during which we need to recuperate and strengthen our values – values that have always distinguished Europe from other regions in the world, through our social values.

This is the reason why Malta has chosen to put a number of priority areas as the main focus of the Presidency, which are crucial for the prosperity and wellbeing of all Europeans.

“Migration, social inclusion, the single market, the European Union’s neighbourhood policy, the maritime sector and security, are all interlinked areas of concern that impinge on the aspirations of our peoples. Europeans expect us to work together in synergy and in solidarity so as to ensure their prosperity and wellbeing,” the President said.

One in four Europeans is poor

During her speech to the Council of Presidents, she outlined two key problems which are currently being faced by in the European Union; poverty and unemployment.

The President said that the constant sight of families and individuals who lack the very basic needs to live in dignity is a juxtaposition against the great consumer outlets, with all the facilities of modern technology, which, in themselves are testimony to the great innovative thinking emerging from our continent and beyond.

“I am afraid that this fact alone illustrates that not all is well in our European Union,” she stated.

The President also touched on the fact that the European Union is currently facing a situation where unemployment levels are high and said that “even those who have invested in education find themselves in situations, where they have gained more qualifications than their parents, but cannot reach their parents’ standard of living and quality of life”.

Here, President Coleiro Preca appealed to those present that we must be careful not to turn a jobs crisis into a skills crisis, blaming people for lack of skills or scapegoating migrants for our crisis, insisting that “we cannot be complacent – we need to walk the talk – we need to regain our strength through an effective social Europe”.

In conclusion, she said that Malta recognises that we must act to implement effective and efficient measures, which acknowledge the concerns of individuals and communities in Europe, and uphold the human dignity of all. 

“These are some of the serious challenges we are facing and which Malta, during its Presidency will attempt to tackle together with all Member States, so as to ensure that Europeans will regain confidence in our European project and to trust you, as politicians,” the President concluded.