As the EU celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome to mark Europe Day yesterday, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo insisted that the EU must regain the self-confidence it has lost during the last few years.
Malta joined the rest of the EU to celebrate Europe Day, which dates back to 9 May, 1950, when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented his proposal for the creation of an organised Europe, which he saw as indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.
Known as the “Schuman Declaration”, it is considered to be the beginning of what is today the European Union.
Celebrations in Malta began with a European Children’s Parliament session, entitled If I were an EU Commissioner.
The event was held in the parliamentary chamber at the Palace in Valletta. After introductory remarks by Speaker Anton Tabone, 12 students from different schools acted as European commissioners responsible for the environment, economic and monetary affairs, science and research, and the information society and the media, among others.
They spoke about their ideas for a better Europe and awaited replies from some Maltese MPs sitting opposite them.
Following the session, President Edward Fenech Adami addressed the students before they celebrated “Europe’s Birthday Party” in the palace courtyard.
Later on in the day, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome at the Lower Barrakka Gardens in Valletta.
Shortly after the arrival of Dr Gonzi, the Siege Bell overlooking Grand Harbour was rung 12 times, and this was followed by a seven-gun salute from the Upper Barrakka. The event, which was organised by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, was attended by resident ambassadors and other guests.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry and Forum Malta fl-Ewropa, in collaboration with the European Commission representation in Malta, held a public lecture entitled Can the EU survive another 50 years?, which was addressed by Minister Michael Frendo.
Dr Frendo spoke about the various major challenges that the EU would be faced with in the years to come, particularly the global issue of climate change and energy security, enlargement and irregular immigration.
He said that the EU had lost its self-confidence during the last few years, primarily due to the phenomenal influx of irregular migrants and the fact that it had not managed to “see through” the Constitutional Treaty.
The foreign minister said that, while he believed the EU was addressing the issue of irregular migration, it had not yet come to terms with the issue surrounding the Constitutional Treaty.
Referring to future enlargement of the union, Dr Frendo said the EU must place more importance on certain south-eastern European states such as Serbia and Croatia, giving them the opportunity to move ahead by means of a truly European perspective.
As for Turkey, he said there was a clear signal that the EU was ready to accept into its fold those countries that have embraced the Copenhagen criteria, irrespective of religious differences.
Speaking about irregular migration, Dr Frendo said that there was no instant solution, and that the subject had to be addressed in a holistic manner. He said that the EU must address the issue of movement of people between member states and the Euro-Med area.
He stressed the importance of creating the opportunity for more dialogue between those who lived in the same country, but who embraced different religions – particularly Islam and Christianity.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued to mark Europe Day, Forum Zghazagh Laburisti (Labour Youth Forum) insisted on the need for a new “Social Europe” – a project led by the Young European Socialists.
The forum said it was committing itself to provide all its support in favour of this project and for Malta to continue making the most of EU membership, while minimising its negative effects.