I believe we are the only country in the World that celebrates five National Days. However, their significance is equally important and all deserve to be adequately celebrated. This week we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of when Malta, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, achieved Freedom and as such acquired full independence.Therefore, it is a big mistake that the current government commemorates this important day with an activity it prefers to commemorate as army day. It is not so and with due respect to the army, on Freedom Day we achieved more than just the departure of the last British soldiers from the island. The recent history of Malta is very much debated by some, but notwithstanding this, we still don’t appreciate the events that led to what we are today.

The road to independence started many years before it was actually achieved. As such, we should always give due importance and salute people such as Mikiel Anton Vassalli and Manwel Dimech and others. There were many other steps by political and non political leaders that were vital to achieve what people before them only wished to achieve. When we celebrate Freedom Day and Independence, the debate usually centres around which one is bigger or the most important. Actually these are equally important and go hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other and we must include with them the day when Malta became a Republic in 1974.

Achieving political independence was important. Likewise, it was important to achieve economic and social independence. This was fully achieved in 1979 with Freedom Day, when we can say that our independence was fully achieved. But now it is more important to look ahead rather than backwards. Of course our history is very important and all should be aware of it and appreciate our past achievements. If, as a nation, we do not appreciate our past we cannot build the future.

But today, how can we value and celebrate Freedom Day when Malta joined the European Union? This is a question that from time to time is spelled out by some. One can say that when Malta opted to join the EU we also chose to give and share our sovereignty with other countries. When we joined the EU we had new duties and obligations but we also acquired new rights. Therefore, in my opinion, the best way to celebrate Freedom Day and any other important day that we commemorate is to try and fulfill the aspirations of the Maltese people by enhancing our membership within the European Union.

One of the issues which the EU targeted as a key issue is the need to fight poverty and those who are at risk of poverty. This is also one goal that needs to be addressed by Malta too. Statistics confirm that poverty is among us and needs to be tackled. Poverty is increasing and this means that government is not doing what it should to decrease it. To the contrary, with some policies adopted by the GonziPN administration, the opposite will happen. The reduction in the family and social security budgets will hinder the country’s fight against poverty and those vulnerable people who need special attention.

Last week Caritas Malta published a very interesting study. A minimum budget for a decent living is the title of this study which continues to shed light on the problems that low income workers are experiencing. The issue of the working poor should not be put aside simply for the reason that these are in employment. Families are doing their utmost to earn a living and to spend wisely according to the basic needs of their members. However, expenses and bills exceed their income and at times it is very difficult to make ends meet without including unexpected expenses such as doctors and medicine.

Then there are those who are socially deprived and are not in employment and this for a number of reasons. The fact is that society should try and help these people. Our aim shall not be to keep them totally dependent on social services but to help them until they can earn a decent living too. Of course there will always be a percentage of individuals and families who will always need to receive the social benefit and the state is duty bound to provide them with their needs.

The GonziPN clan opted not to exclude reductions from social budgets and as such these people will also be hit by the budget cuts after the European Commission expressed doubts on the figures given by the Ministry of Finance for the budget for 2012. I urge the current administration to revise their decision and prioritise according to the urgent needs of our society. This will be the best way to celebrate our national days.