At times I find myself asking whether we have really started to appreciate the true value of EU membership. Most of the people I meet repeatedly mention funds and the ‘free’ trips to Brussels. It is true that the use of EU funds has itself brought about a considerable change in Malta’s infrastructure and the big euro numbers continuously repeated by local politicians are truly wondrous. It is also true that a trip to Brussels may likewise become truly wondrous. But EU membership should not be calculated in euro (€) signs or amounts. 

We will soon reach the tenth anniversary of EU membership and consequently one would expect that we start to calculate the value of EU membership in substantive terms rather than money terms. I, for one, prefer to check the objectives set for the use of those funds rather than rely on the amount. It is true that once objectives and policy are set at EU level, this is often translated at national level in money terms thereby making it difficult for the real aim of those funds to remain visible. Despite this, for me the value of EU membership lies precisely in the objectives and policies set by EU institutions and only then the amount of funds voted for the implementation of those objectives. There is also another dimension to EU membership that we often fail to see or to translate into our daily lives. 

Although we joined the European Union in 2004, I believe that the most advantageous and valuable (in fact its effects are priceless) strategy document for each and every European citizen only came about in December 2009. With the coming into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, there also came the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. I understand that a few of you may react by saying that of course I would give this document such importance since I work in this field. But let me first explain my position and then feel free to dismiss it.

Without the Charter, we would not have a consolidated recognition of those rights that are fundamental to our existence as human beings with dignity, but also to our daily lives in societies that aspire not merely for a dignified existence but for a dignified way of life. The Charter took stock of our lives at a point in time, considered changes in society, social progress, scientific and technological developments and compiled those principles, which are so fundamental to dignified living, that the member states as well as the European institutions are expected to adhere to.

This may still seem a bit too theoretical so let me refer to specific issues. One of the first rights recognised is that of respect for one’s physical and mental integrity, which in the field of medicine also includes the patients’ right to give a free and informed consent. In a country where our general hospital carries out thousands of medical interventions a year, (thanks to the people who are dedicated to their medical profession) have you ever taken note of this? 

Over the last few years, not least because of controversies that have occurred, we have all started to be sensitised to data protection.  Well, don’t go thinking that this is something that came about only out of a national urge to recognise privacy. On the contrary, the protection of personal data and the levels that even the Maltese authorities as well as others must adhere to are continuously set by EU policy.

But let me also give you an example that applies not only on an individual level, but also on a collective basis – the right to good administration. Every person who comes in contact with the Union’s institutions and bodies has a right to good administration. This means that the administration is obliged to treat all persons equally, to respect the law, fight corruption and establish rules of good administrative behaviour. Administrative behaviour is good only when decisions taken by community institutions are taken as openly and closely as possible to the citizen, that is also in a manner as transparent as possible. In employment within the institutions and in tendering processes this certainly implies an adherence to meritocracy. Community institutions must act in a manner that refrains from abuse of power. Where they fail to do so, community institutions are called to answer and consequently held accountable.

It seems to me, therefore, that the EU does not only dish out funds but rather places its money where its mouth is. It reflects a principled cooperation among states and it is the shaping of those principles that at the end of the day need to be influenced to ensure that our individual needs as EU citizens are considered by European institutions.

Dr Comodini Cachia is a Nationalist Party candidate in the forthcoming European parliamentary elections