Dr Sant said: “We are on the same wavelength with the PES, our priorities are the same. We need to safeguard the present social system while at the same time working to generate more and better jobs at a European and local level.

Referring to the campaign’s theme – Xoghol Harsien u Dinjita (Work, Protection and Dignity) – Dr Sant said the dignity of the people could not be safeguarded unless there is a guarantee of employment and a social safety net.

“It is obvious,” he said, “that the Nationalist government is trying to tear this net.

“We have been preparing for these campaigns for quite some time, and have tried to explore the issues that are most relevant to Maltese and Gozitan people,” said Dr Sant. The decision over whether Malta should join the EU had been taken and the June election will decide what kind of policy the Maltese want to represent them in the European Parliament, he added.

“We will keep telling the truth as we have always done but at the same time we will be doing our best to exploit the benefits of EU membership and protect the Maltese people from its negative effects.

“We are in a better position to do this,” Dr Sant said, “because the Nationalists have invested all their energy exclusively on promoting the benefits of EU membership. We are aware of both the advantages and the disadvantages, and therefore in a better position to address them,” he added.

“It is not wise to send ‘Yes men’ to the European parliament,” Dr Sant said. He criticised the Nationalists, saying that despite their preoccupation with the EU, no one seemed to back Commissioner Joe Borg following the comments by EU Commission President Romano Prodi that he should be removed at the earliest opportunity.