Europe is changing! Thanks to events that occurred in the past few days and that will continue happening in the coming days, the European Union will be further integrated. We can now clearly say that the Europe that we are living in is becoming even more a Europe for people, a Europe that has broken down the borders and united its citizens. These were not always easy challenges, but time proved that the European Union is continually adjusting its self and keeping up with the times.
Earlier this month 10 new countries were given the green light to form part of the Schengen zone. The enlargement, which will become effective as of 21 December, will mean that European Union citizens will be free to roam all over the Schengen zone member states without border controls. On the other hand, the Schengen Information System II will enable sharing of information between police forces to trace criminals.
The entry in the Schengen zone will leave an effect on the population. Most notable would be the travelling to Schengen countries without any controls. This will make it easier both for Maltese business people and for holidaymakers when travelling abroad, reducing the amount of time one spends in passport control. Ease of movement is good for business, allowing workers, particularly lorry drivers, to move more quickly and easily across the continent. This is important for achieving the goal of a full single market.
Through this Schengen approval, as Maltese citizens we have now acquired new rights. We now can travel much more freely to other European Union destinations. Joining the Schengen zone also means having a network of information to close on international criminal organizations due the cooperation agreements amongst member states.
Another event worth of note is the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon. Last Thursday, 13 December, the leaders of EU governments met in Lisbon to sign the reform treaty.
The signing of this new treaty puts the European Union in a stronger position in global politics. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso described this occasion very well, saying “for the first time, the countries that were once divided by a totalitarian curtain, are now united in support of a common treaty that they had themselves negotiated”.
He added: “It is the treaty of an enlarged Europe from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea.” This treaty reaffirms the work started in 2004 with the enlargement which included former Warsaw pact countries uniting themselves with the European Union. The treaty, among other things, means Malta will have a sixth seat allocated to it in the European Parliament.
This agreement will guarantee more transparency and more efficiency. It is indeed a historic milestone for both our country and the European Union. With a more efficient and transparent union, we can turn these challenges, such as climate change, illegal migration, job creation and better working conditions into success stories.
The agreement that was signed is a clear message to all – the European Union is not stagnated, but progressive. We all want the European Union and the citizens to have a better future.
The last event that will be celebrated on the night between the 31 December and 1 January is the introduction of the euro as our new currency. A lot has been said about the changeover to our new currency.
This event further unites Europe, this time round from an economic perspective. Like other challenges that the European Union faced, this also was a challenge that we have managed to overcome. This event proves that the European Union was wise enough when it decided to allow the enlargement in 2004. This is a historic moment for the European Union since the eurozone is expanding to include more countries and people, permitting further European integration.
These events unite the people of Europe. A unity that may only be achieved in time of peace and one that leads to security, solidarity and common prosperity; a union that grew from the ashes of war and now projects harmony with no borders separating the people.
Soon we will be celebrating an important feast for Christianity, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. 25 December is an important date in our calendar, one that brings families together. At this special time of the year it is also appropriate to think of those who are less fortunate than us.
Allow me to wish you and your families a happy Christmas.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP
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www.davidcasa.eu