Speaking at a discussion meeting yesterday morning, Mr Saliba explained that a vote for PN candidates in the EP election means a vote for promoting Malta in the EU. These candidates deserve people’s votes not because they are Nationalist but because they are capable and credible and will give Malta a strong voice with the EP, he said.
Mr Saliba emphasised that at this election, the Maltese should aim to put aside their party loyalties and take the interest of the nation into consideration. He noted that the Malta Labour Party billboards, put up as part of its EP election campaign, that urge people to “choose Labour” (“Ghazel Labour”), go against this ideal completely.
The general secretary said that the MLP only works in its own interest in Malta, not that of the nation. If this happens on our small island, how much more egotistical will the MLP be in the EP, he questioned. Within the sphere of the EU, political parties must work for the good of the people and not for the promotion of the party itself, he said.
Also addressing the meeting, Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Tonio Fenech explained that the drive and motivation of PN MEPs will be supported by the structure of the European People’s Party (EPP), of which the PN is a part. Speaking from his personal experience as an EP observer, Mr Fenech said that Malta’s diminutive size is no hindrance in the EP.
The EPP allows Malta to have a strong voice, despite its size, he said. This is because decisions are taken within committees made up of one person per member state, not during huge plenary sessions. Therefore, Malta is on an equal footing with all the other member states, said Mr Fenech.
Joe Friggieri, who is standing for election to the EP, supported Mr Fenech’s argument that Malta should not be intimidated because of its size. It is the power and strength of ideas that matters, he said.
Mr Fenech and EP candidate Roberta Tedesco Triccas both brought attention to the fact that the EPP is the largest party within the EP and by electing members to form part of it, Malta’s proposals and requests will have more weight.
Mr Fenech said the size of the EPP was not the only factor that prompted the PN to join this party. Although its size is useful, and there are advantages in being part of the largest EP party, the PN feels a strong affinity with the EPP. Its principles are very similar to those of the PN, continued Mr Fenech, and both parties work towards the same goals.
The EPP believes in strong family values and in fighting anything that may threaten them. Mr Fenech explained that the Greens and the Socialists have suggested that EU funds for equality should be used to promote same sex marriages and this is something with which the PN and the EPP strongly disagree.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi also addressed the gathering, explaining that Malta’s new EU membership is showing positive results. The owners of several small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) told him when he visited them last week that they had already benefited from reduced bureaucracy and improved cash-flow.
Retailers now only pay VAT after merchandise has been sold to the consumer, not when it arrives on the island. This way, explained Dr Gonzi, about Lm15 million has been “pumped back into the economy”. This is only one of the first changes due to EU membership to have a positive effect on the economy, he said.
Anton Tabone, Ian Spiteri Bailey, Joanna Drake, David Casa, Michael Falzon and Simon Busuttil, who each hope to be elected as one of Malta’s five MEPs, also spoke at yesterday’s meeting to give their points of view and explain what they believe is the way forward for Malta to develop within the EU.