According to Dr Lawrence Gonzi, the EU has made €1.128 billion available to Malta for the next seven years. During the same period, Malta is bound to contribute €501 million to the EU budget. Hence a balance of €627 million in favour of Malta. Or €89.57 million per year. In our old currency: Lm38.51 million per year! And this will happen only if Malta uses the entire amount made available down to the last euro!

This government’s track record to date does not augur that if re-elected, it will be capable of utilising the entire amount of funds available for Malta. Suffice it to say that it has only been able to make use of €278 million from 2007 up to October 2012. While paying the EU €306.7 million up to the end of 2011! These are figures provided by the Commission to Prof. Edward Scicluna that were never contested by the government.

What does not appear here, is the COST of EU membership as reported by the international organization ‘Open Europe’, which has calculated that it is costing our government €72.5 million a year to introduce and implement EU regulations. Hence, a further expense of around €507 million, or Lm31.17 million a year, leaving a balance of Lm7.33 million or €17.04 million a year. A far cry from the Lm100 million a year (€232 million) from the EU, remember? If €49 million, to Lawrence Gonzi “ are a drop in the ocean”, how does he consider €17 million a year?

What does not appear here too, are the €1.5 billion which Malta is guaranteeing and paying for the bailout fund to protect the euro currency. Of course, it could have been much worse. But, at least, Dr. Gonzi seems to have learned something from Dr Joseph Muscat. That where Malta’s vital interests are concerned, we have to stamp our feet and fight to get the best deal possible!

What is needed now is to make sure that on 9 March, Maltese and Gozitan voters elect a government that guarantees seriousness and responsibility, together with the right priorities on how to use the funds available. GonziPN has a lousy record in this regard. Just check how many of this government’s financial targets have gone haywire!

How can Maltese and Gozitan taxpayers trust Lawrence Gonzi and his crew with the responsibility of administering the finances of our country in a wise and responsible way?

Eddy Privitera

MOSTA