As another year comes to a close, it is only natural to take a look back and make some reflections of what 2013 brought with it, the achievements and the disappointments as well as the goals that we have set for the upcoming year. It was certainly a year full of ups and downs. It definitely started with a reality check as early as March with the electoral defeat for the Nationalist Party that returned Labour to government after an absence of twenty five years. Disappointing as the result may have been it also served as an opportunity for the party to take a good look within itself and start a serious process of regeneration and adopt a new way of doing politics and it is with some satisfaction that eight months down the line I now see a party that is more open, closer to the people and more sensitive to the citizens' needs.

My work on the European front was no less interesting, with several of my reports being adopted in Plenary and with numerous interventions in debates both in Brussels and in Strasbourg. One of the most interesting things in being a Euro Parliamentarian is the vast variety of subjects discussed within our institution. During 2013 I delved further in the battle against tax fraud in particular carousel fraud where criminals are constantly finding new ways to illegally gain money with yet another report that will further strengthen the mechanisms that fight this criminal ring that costs European Governments millions of euros yearly. I have also worked on several opinions as Rapporteur on issues related to the services sector and the Internal Market. What is most interesting during these exchanges is the fact that members from twenty-eight different member states all work in harmony despite political differences to make Europe stronger, sounder and safer. Dialogue and collaboration are key to solve the many issues that arise and both as rapporteur and as shadow rapporteur I saw this principle working at its best.

As a Maltese MEP it was also natural and imperative to work on irregular immigration, a phenomenon that has been high on the agenda for these last years and a problem which regardless of the best intentions has yet a long way to be solved. I have made several interventions with this regard and I am sure that at this stage many agree that the time for small talk is over and that we now need action. Nevertheless, politics of confrontation will lead us nowhere. We have achieved a lot in Europe and we were capable of doing so only because we were capable of laying our cards well at the opportune moment and not by threats and stamping of feet. During my nine year tenure in the European Parliament I have learned that respect has to be earned and to earn it one has to work hard, discuss and seek understanding and compromise. Our former Prime Minister commanded the respect of his counter parts in the European Council mostly because he was humble, he worked diligently to build a reputation for our country and achieve the desired results and it is a pity to see all that hard work blown away with acts and words unbecoming of statesmen.

Another unfortunate issue that has drawn attention not only in Malta, but worldwide, is the proposed sale of citizenship by our Government. Our European counterparts are worried and angered by this because it turns the right to live and travel in their countries into a commodity to be sold for cash. Our identity is something we cherish as Maltese. Citizenship should, on principle, not be for sale.

2014 is at our doorstep. Like every year we make our resolutions and our promises. I try to keep mine as simple as possible, to be close to the citizen and to be there for those who trusted me to be their voice in the European Parliament. With the elections in May, this promises to be a most challenging year. I hope that we all meet the challenges and outcomes ahead with courage and serenity.

I wish the editor, staff and all the readers of the  Independent a very happy festive season filled with peace.