As from next week, Maltese citizens who feel that their rights as EU citizens are breached can seek free legal advice thanks to a new service offered by the European Commission Representation in Malta, the Head of Representation, Joanna Drake, announced yesterday.
Dr Drake was speaking during the official opening of the third edition of the “Europe Close to You” fair that is being held in a tent in Freedom Square, Valletta.
She explained that, as from Tuesday, Maltese citizens who feel that particular or personal circumstances might affect their rights as EU citizens can make an appointment for free legal advice about the matter.
Dr Drake said that free legal advice is also offered in other EU member states and added that her office felt there was the need to set it up in Malta.
Those who are interested can call the free phone number 8007-3177 or send an email to [email protected] to make an appointment.
The fair is organised by the European Commission Representation in Malta in collaboration with the European Parliament Office and the National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC).
Dr Drake pointed out that, for obvious reasons, the theme chosen for this year’s fair was the euro.
“We have one of the smoothest changeovers in the history of the euro zone and we decided that the euro is the theme that should be celebrated this year,” she said.
Various activities are planned for people of all ages including morning tours for school children and informative talks about the euro for the elderly in the afternoon.
The head of the European Parliament Information Office, Julian Vassallo said the changeover was a smooth one thanks to the hard work of all those involved.
Dr Vassallo quoted European Parliament president Hans Pottering and said that now Malta is in the top rank of the EU thanks to recent membership in the Schengen area and the euro changeover.
“We can now say that we are fully integrated in the EU. The euro changeover has answered any doubts that anyone, foreigners and Maltese alike, might have had about Malta’s membership in the EU,” he said.
Alan Camilleri from the NECC, said that the changeover was not creating any difficulties as could be clearly seen in the number of phone calls.
“The NECC used to receive around 700 phone calls daily but after the changeover took place these decreased to around 500,” he said.
He went on to say that it was calculated that there were around e612 million/Lm263 million in circulation before the changeover. However, after 1 January, e140 million was withdrawn from the banks.
The fair is open from 9am until 6pm until Saturday.