In a few days, Malta will be hosting the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats conference, better known as study days. During this conference, which will be held between 4 and 6 July, the largest group in the European Parliament will formulate its position on various issues.

The topics chosen for this year’s study days are Euromed, maritime policy and immigration, three issues that are proximate to Malta’s particular needs. The formulated position will be structured on the output from this conference.

Being geographically situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, it is of utmost importance for us to push forward the Euromed issue. Malta was among the first to illustrate the impact the Mediterranean region has on the European Union’s growth.

The topic of maritime policy is very important for our islands. Not only the sea is a means for communication but also the maritime sector provides employment and contributes to economic growth. The third issue the delegates will focus on is migration, a reality being faced by various EU states in various manners and forms.

Thanks to this two-day high-profile political conference, Malta will also be projected further on the European scene, while at the same time, we reaffirm ourselves as an ideal place to hold such events.

Malta has been chosen for our ability to integrate successfully within the EU structures. In just three years since joining the EU, we managed to make our economy sustainable, we are just a step away from joining the eurozone and gained enough respect to be entrusted with the hosting of such an important event.

This conference will bring together the EPP deputies in the European Parliament, around 200 technical staff, journalists and correspondents among which BBC and EuroNews that will broadcast our country worldwide. The participation of around 500 delegates is expected.

The fact that the EPP-ED group chose Malta to host this activity is another important credibility certificate for Malta and the Nationalist Party. A certificate that shows the trust and respect that our party has within the ranks of our European family, EPP-ED. This is not a coincidence; Malta made impressive progress towards European integration, and the latest achievement came last Thursday.

Last week the Council of Ministers gave the last-but-important approval for Malta to join the eurozone on 1 January. Malta’s economic growth will continue in its build-up with this consent.

Among the delegates present for the study days, one finds the European Commissioners who, between them, share the responsibilities brought with the issues that will be discussed. These are Commissioner Jacques Barrot, in charge of transport, Italian Franco Frattini, responsible for justice, liberty and security, our own Joe Borg, accountable for fisheries and maritime affairs and Viviane Reding, commissioner for information society and media.

All these political VIPs, together with others of the same influential stature, will be discussing on our shores. EPP-ED is the only political group, from the seven political groups in the European Parliament, that can boast representation from each member state.

This event will improve the relations between the participants and it is a great way to get to know colleagues and discuss potential bilateral projects. Let us not forget that these people come from political parties that are very influential in the European Union and its member states.

Some of these parties form the government in their respective countries, such as the French UMP and Germany’s CDU. These are two countries that not only form part of the European Union but also of the G8, the group of the eight most economically strong countries in the world.

Once again, perseverance and insistence led our country to host such a high-calibre activity. Dr Simon Busuttil and I worked hard in the European Parliament’s corridors and, with the help of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and assistant general secretary of the Nationalist Party, Angelito Sciberras, we reached our objective. The next step is to guarantee a wonderful experience to our guests and market our country so that they visit us again.

This shows the commitment not only of the Maltese government but also of the Nationalist Party to attract high-profile events to our island. This is because the Nationalist Party believes in the Maltese workers’ capability to produce a highly-professional event that will produce a ripple effect to attract more.

This is the vision of the Nationalist Party – advertise our country as a high quality service provider. That is why we invested heavily on sectors such as health and education. These are sectors that guarantee a better standard of living.

The same family that welcomed us three years ago when we joined the European Union back in 2004. Merhba to our European family on our shores!

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP

www.davidcasa.eu

[email protected]