Speaking at an activity for women in Mellieha yesterday, Dr Gonzi said that Malta needed serious candidates for the European Parliament elections, candidates who had always believed the future was all about joining the Union.
“We need serious people who will make a significant effort to get the best out of the EU for Malta as a whole,” he said.
Dr Gonzi said opposition leader Alfred Sant just wanted to paint everything black and make everything look bad. “But look, prices have fallen. Government has removed levies (government taxes), Lm9 million of them per year, more or less,” he said.
“Government lost out on Lm9 million. No wonder people say everything is becoming cheaper,” said Dr Gonzi.
He said there was also a better selection to choose from. “And the best thing about it is that those who need prices to go down the most will benefit,” said Dr Gonzi.
Dr Gonzi said the main difference between the PN and the MLP was that 13 to 14 months ago, the PN wanted to join the EU while the MLP did not.
The choice for MEP representation needed to be a good one. “We need people in the EP who know what is going on and who know how to speak out to get the best for our country,” he said.
The PN’s focus was on education and training. “And the state of the economy is improving, unemployment is going down, tourism is improving as are expressions of interest from abroad to invest in Malta,” he said.
Dr Gonzi said Malta had already received funds from the EU. “But we must work harder to improve the environment and solidarity. And I will also point out that pension payments have increased, although the MLP said that if we ever got into government, we would reduce them,” he said.
“The MLP is full of cobwebs. I will tell Dr Sant that we want to guarantee pensions for the future and I accuse him of mounting a campaign to scare people, just like he did 13 months ago,” said Dr Gonzi.
He continued: “You did not manage to scare people 13 months ago and you will not manage this time around either.”
He also laid down the gauntlet to Alternattiva Demokratika. “I hope AD do not take a leaf out of the MLP’s book. Arnold Cassola said we lost EU funds because we did not present our planned projects for Gozo on time. That is a lie. We did submit them and the money will come,” he said.
Dr Gonzi said: “If you want to contest the European Parliament elections, at least be truthful.”
He concluded by saying that it was important to vote for all eight PN candidates because the importance of this election was down to the way in which votes will be transferred.