Simon Busuttil, Member of the European Parliament elected in the Nationalist Party interests, said that vision and determination were key ingredients for success. He was addressing a public discussion organised by PN-MEPs last Sunday at Mosta parish square on the theme Familja Wahda (One Family).

Dr Busuttil said success required a strong sense of determination on the part of each individual, and equally a government that pursued a vision that enabled people to widen their horizons.

This was the case, he said, with EU membership, which enabled the Maltese to exploit new benefits and opportunities, ranging from EU-funded projects to cheaper flights and to new jobs in sectors such as the financial services sector and the on-line gaming industry which recently registered the 250th company since EU membership.

“EU membership requires the determination of each individual to make the best of it. But equally, it requires a government with a vision to help us get there,” Dr Busuttil said.

Dr Busuttil said that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the European Union, on 25 March, the Maltese should feel proud to be part of the European family of nations.

“Malta will be celebrating this anniversary as part of the premier league and not the second division,” he said.

Simon Busuttil praised local councils, like Mosta, for successfully tapping European youth, cultural and inter-regional funding programmes for the benefit of their community.

The debate was also addressed by Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo and PN MPs David Agius, Dr Michael Axiak, Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Dr Joe Cassar.