AD also launched the electoral website of its

candidate Prof. Arnold Cassola: www.arnoldcassola.com

The meeting was addressed by AD chairperson Dr. Harry Vassallo and AD's

candidate for next June's European elections Prof. Arnold Cassola.

Dr. Vassallo expressed AD's confidence that the Maltese and Gozitans will

rise up to the occasion and vote for the best candidates in this election.

"This is not a partisan contest between the PN, the MLP and AD. This is

not an election in which the government of the country is at stake. In

this election the Maltese people are being called to vote for the best

candidates to represent their country. Clearly, among the candidates

contesting these elections Arnold Cassola has the greatest experience and

the best knowledge of European institutions. Arnold Cassola was the first

Maltese elected to lead a major European political family. The country can

only gain from his representation"

"Malta also stands to gain from being represented by three European

political families rather than by just two. Through Arnold's election

Malta will be represented in Socialist, Popular and Green political

families. This would be the best scenario for our country".

In his speech Prof Cassola insisted that European membership means a lot

more than a sheer signature or access to funds.

"EU membership will only be useful to Malta if it serves to change and

modernise our mentality. It must be ensured that all Maltese and Gozitan

citizens must have access to the opportunities offered by the EU.

Unfortunately this is still not the case. The government still wants to

have complete control and unfortunately Malta is missing opportunities

due to inefficiency. It is a shame that a number of invitations from the

EU for participation in courses organised by the EU in Brussels have been

left unanswered.

“It is incomprehensible that while in Europe rules

protecting the natural and historical heritage are strictly enforced Malta

is considering developing a landfill near the Mnajdra Neolithic site. It

is incomrehensible that while Europe strives to protect consumers, in

Malta the government protects monopolies like those in our ports which

penalise Maltese industry and the Maltese consumer. It is also

incomprehensible that while Europe strives to limit the destruction of wild

life, the Maltese government defends hunting in Spring.

Arnold Cassola also explained the significance of AD's slogan Ghal Malta

ahjar Ewropa ahjar.

"As we have done consistently during the past five years, we will continue

to circulate information which is often suppressed by the government,

with everyone, because we believe that our country should benefit from the

talents of everyone. During the past years we have worked with everyone.

We have never asked the people we work with to vote for us. Wherever

possible we worked for the rights of all Maltese and Gozitan citizens

because we sincerely believe that through the EU we can modernise our

country and ensure that our children will inherit a better country. If I

am elected in the European Parliament I will have a greater opportunity

to work for all Maltese and Gozitans, irrespective of their political

opinion"