Even though Malta does not have its official members elected to represent the country at the European Parliament, the observers have been “promoted” to MEPs, and now have the same right to speak and vote as the MEPs representing other European Union member states who have been in that position for the past five years. Dr Jason Azzopardi, Dr Mario de Marco and Professor Josef Bonnici are Malta’s representatives on behalf of the Nationalist Party while Dr John Attard Montalto and Dr George Vella are representing the Malta Labour Party. These temporary MEPs will be replaced by those chosen during the 12 June EP election.

Four themes will be debated at the European parliament between 11am and 8pm today. The first item is entitled Towards a European Constitution and Dr Azzopardi has been listed as one of the speakers on this issue. The second theme is the European Economic and Social Model on which Professor Bonnici will address parliament. Dr de Marco is expected to speak about The Enlarged Europe and its Neighbourhood. The final theme is the Liberty and Security of the Union’s Citizens.

The Maltese representatives will be speaking in Maltese which is one of the official languages recognised by the EU.

At about midday tomorrow, the members of the European Parliament will be asked to vote on the nomination of the new European Commission. This includes the nomination of former Foreign Minister Joe Borg.

Later tomorrow, another vote will be taken to confirm or otherwise the nominations for the European Court of Auditors which includes Professor Bonnici’s

nomination.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Dr Azzopardi and Dr de Marco said they were proud that they are the first Maltese representatives who have this privilege. “As soon as we arrived here they asked us for our green name tag which we were given at the beginning as observers. Instead they gave us a new blue name tag which is the colour given to MEPs. This filled us with joy and pride,” they said.