The questions relating to whether Malta would join or not the European Union has been answered and debated for too long during the last decades. The reality is that Malta joined the Union and subsequently introduced the euro as its currency.

Back then, the majority of the people of this country had made a choice. Ten years have passed since then. Most people are interested in how this choice has changed the way of life in this country. The real question we need to ask ourselves is whether the previous government had been in tune to the challenge of obtaining maximum benefits while at the same time minimizing the harsh realties of full membership.

Therefore which party in Malta is able to field the right candidates to meet the challenges ahead? In the last two European Parliament elections the Labour Party garnered the majority of votes. This shows that the people of this country view the candidates of the Labour Party as the most likely to succeed in the European institutions.

It is interesting to note that the Labour Party is now running this country. We had a scenario where the Labour Party had the majority of European members of parliament while the Nationalists had the control of the local government. The Labour Party needs to build on the previous national election and again win with the absolute majority of votes.

We are lucky that our Prime Minister was himself a successful member of the EU Parliament. We are on the road to excellence. Dr Muscat would like to see this country as the best in Europe and not just another European country.

At this moment in time, Malta is preparing for the EU Presidency in 2017. Fast forward to that time when Malta will be at the centre of attention and we must ensure that all our political and institutions forces are synchronized positively to make the most of this opportunity.

It makes you wonder why some politicians from the Opposition benches have embarked on a negative campaign to discredit the new government in its ventures. Criticizing a government with a strong mandate to change and unite is like shooting oneself in the foot.

The Leader of the Opposition knows very well how the European Parliament works. There are instances where conservative and liberal politicians join forces and vote for a measure or another. The Opposition needs to realise that Joseph Muscat and his government are inheritors of the previous government. Moreover, this present government has been administering this country with the Nationalist’s budget. Therefore, how can the Opposition criticize the government’s financial and budgetary constraints?

This government needs to cruise ahead to prepare this country for the tough challenges that lie ahead. Countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined the European Union at the same time, have surpassed Malta on various economic measures. Can we ask whether these countries have negotiated better terms than us during the negotiation process prior to joining the Union? Or, most probably, have they been more efficient and competent in ensuring maximum synergies?

We must be fair with ourselves and with the citizens of this country. Malta as a member state must adhere and ensure that we attain goals set for EU strategy 2020. These include increasing employment of the 20–64 year old population to 75 per cent, through, among others, higher employment of youth, the elderly, the low qualified, and through the increased integration of legal migrants. Secondly, improving the conditions for research and development in such a way that private and public investment together reaches a total of three per cent of the GDP.

Thirdly, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent compared to 1990, increasing the rate of renewable energies to 20 per cent in the whole of energy consumption, and increasing energy efficiency by 20 per cent. Fourth, improving the level of education, with special efforts made to reduce school dropout rate to 10 per cent, while at the same time increasing the rate of 30-34 year olds completing higher education, to a level of 40 per cent. The fifth objective is the promotion of social inclusion, above all by reducing poverty and by eliminating the risk of exclusion for at least 20 million people.

New challenges require new solutions. It is evident that the new government administration has understood and learned from its mistakes while the Opposition has not learned a single lesson after the heavy defeat at the polls.

There is a gap to be filled. The government is in tune to prepare positively and expand Malta’s potential to new highs and become one of the best performers in Europe.

Clint Camilleri is an architect and a Labour Party candidate in the European Parliament elections