Sig. Francescato was speaking at a seminar organised by AD on the subject of political groupings in the European Parliament. This seminar was also addressed by AD chairperson, Dr Harry Vassallo and by Dr Cassola himself.
In his introduction, Dr Vassallo spoke about the collaboration in the Malta EU Steering Action Committee (MEUSAC) and this experienced civil societies’ contribution to the electoral process especially during the EU referendum. He said he was seeing the forthcoming European Parliament elections as a continuation of this process and that surveys and polls were indicating that thousands of voters will not be casting their ballot along party lines but for the benefit of the country. Dr Vassallo urged them to vote for Arnold Cassola who is working in the national interest and not for any personal or political gain.
Prof. Cassola said he had always represented the aspirations of Maltese civil society throughout his tenure as Secretary General of the European Green Party in Brussels. Dr Cassola also mentioned various issues he had brought to the attention of the European Parliament such as the Verdala golf course, hunting and agriculture. He cited the important cases regarding the Mnajdra landfills and the Maghtab situation and said these elections will change the Maltese perspective of the European Parliament.
Grazia Francescato began her address by stating that the Maltese language emphasises unity through diversity adding that the European Greens is the first party to be united at pan-European level. She said that while Europe should open its boundaries, it was important to have a common policy for the environment that would also enforce peace between nations. Sig Francescato insisted that we must work hard to double our energy from renewable sources within the next 10 years and also called for Mediterranean Green Parties to be the leaders in the issue of alternative energy. She outlined the GreensÕ policies on Genetically Modified Foods, agricultural domination and the birdsÕ directive, which was an important matter for Malta with regard to its hunting problem.
Rudolph Ragonesi from the Gaia Foundation asked what the Greens’ policies for renewable sources and the spread of globalisation were. Sig Francescati responded by mentioning the lobbying that has already taken place to reduce nuclear energy in 11 out of 15 member States adding that the Greens believed in sustainable globalisation. Prof. Cassola indicated that as soon as the European Constitution was approved, they would begin pushing for a referendum to abolish the Euro tone treaty. He also mentioned various targets such as a 30 per cent reduction of greenhouse gases by 2010, reduction of heavy traffic, a climate stability pact and a re-orientation of transport policy.
Dr Harry Vassallo spoke at length about nuclear warships entering our harbours and blasted previous governments for their complacency with regard to this hugely sensitive issue. He also called for more debate on the installation of an American security system at the airport and asked why this was simply imposed on us without any form of evaluation. Dr Cassola lambasted Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg for his remarks on nuclear deterrence and also on the botched handling of the Eritrean refugees situation. Broadcasting and the possibility of a television station for AD were also discussed at length.