The  European Disability Strategy (2020-2030) should build on what has been already achieved at national level and include investments obligation for Member States to boost social services and infrastructures, Maltese MEP and former Prime Minister Alfred Sant told the European Parliament when voting in favour the report on the ‘Implementation of the European Disability Strategy’.

Sant said that principles and guidance are well embraced across EU, but the reality is that their full implementation is still hindered by strict budgetary rules. Under the impetus of Juncker's Commission there is a genuine recognition that the European project needs to put vigour back into its social dimension.

The Maltese MEP said that in the aftermath of 2008 economic crisis, austerity policies forced Member States to cut expenditure for care and support services for people with disabilities. In the same period, the Commission developed a ten-year Strategy for people with disabilities, to better protect them and to align the EU with international standards.

“These principles and guidance in the Strategy, hardly matched with the budgetary cuts under the Stability and Growth Pact. Notwithstanding, at half of its life span, most of Member States, likewise the government in Malta, are implementing the Disability Strategy through measures intended for every person with disability to become an active citizen, with better opportunities in the labour market and better access to educational experience and social protection,” Sant said.

The report was approved with 529 votes in favour, 28 against and 45 abstentions.