During the study days being held by the EPP-ED in Malta, President Emeritus Guido de Marco, will be awarded the Robert Schuman Medal. The award bears the name of one of the founders of the European Union.
The Parliamentary Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats of the European Parliament (EPP-ED Group) pay tribute to public figures who have advocated peace, the construction of a united Europe and human values through their public activities and personal commitment by awarding them the Robert Schuman Medal.
This medal honours men and women whose courage and vision helped to reunite the continent of Europe and bring into the world the values of freedom and democracy with which our political family identifies. Since its introduction back in July 1986, to July 2006, it has been awarded to 112 eminent public
figures. Hans-Gert Poettering, Pope John Paul II and our own European Commissioner Joe Borg are among those who have been honoured in this way.
The award is not limited to individuals. In 1999, the EPP-ED decided to award the Robert Schuman medal to the independent radio station B2/92 operating out of Belgrade. In Hans-Gert Poettering words: “The award of the Robert Schuman medal to B2/92 radio symbolises our common struggle for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
It is no coincidence that the Maltese person who is to be honoured by this award is Prof. Guido de Marco. A
figure-head for Malta’s foreign affairs, President Emeritus Guido de Marco not only contributed to the reintegration of democracy on our island but also led our country’s bid for accession to the European Union.
One of his first missions as Foreign Minister was to submit Malta’s application for membership of the European Community in Brussels on 16 July 1990. Stressing Malta’s European vocation, Prof. de Marco also underlined the validity of the Mediterranean dimension. He
continued to promote and pursue the principle that the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue was a basic element in creating structures to consolidate regional security and cooperation. He was also instrumental in consolidating Malta’s active contribution to the work of international organisations, including the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the Commonwealth.
The Bush-Gorbachov summit held in Malta in 1989 is one of the major contributions that Prof. de Marco made to world politics – an event that led the world to new realities and the closing of old chapters.
In 1967, just three years after Malta’s independence, Prof. de Marco was elected by the House of Representatives of Malta to be one of its representatives at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He maintained the position of a member of this Parliamentary Assembly for almost 20 years.
Since the very beginning of the Euromed partnership, President Emeritus Prof. Guido de Marco, was a main contributor to the process. Holding firm to his belief that there will not be peace in the Mediterranean if there is no peace in Europe, and that there will not be no peace in Europe if there is no peace in the Mediterra-nean, he met with various leaders to spread his vision for growth within the region.
That is why I am proud to be a Christian Democrat and more so a Maltese. The Nationalist Party has provided politicians that have not only contributed to Malta’s growth but have also contributed to European and world politics – leaders such as George Borg Olivier, who led Malta to gain its deserved independence and started down the road towards European integration.
Under Eddie Fenech Adami’s leadership, the Nationalist Party led the Maltese society in its fight to regain democracy. The same leader led Malta to accession to the European Union. President Fenech Adami was also honoured with the European Person of the Year award as an appreciation of his contribution to European integration.
The Nationalist Party is the party that has never been afraid of introducing changes, the party that led the Maltese people to historic targets, and it is only right that the politicians who gave so much to our country are given due recognition not only locally, but also abroad.
www.davidcasa.eu
[email protected]