The EU is a unique political and economic cooperation made up of 28 member states. Malta was one of the 10 acceding countries that signed the Treaty of Accession on 16 April 2003 with the then-EU member states. Our country became a member state on a par with others within the EU; we are with them in this unique form of partnership based on cooperation and not on bullying. We are all EU nationals; diverse in origin yet united in a union between member states. The main general objectives of the EU are three: promotion of peace, the Union's values and the well-being of its citizens. These objectives are supplemented by more detailed ones such as the encouragement of economic, social and territorial cohesion, and solidarity amongst Member States.
The scope of the European Parliament
The European Parliament (EP) is the only institution of the EU which is directly elected by the citizens of each member state. It operates strongly with two other core EU bodies, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, the latter frequently referred to as the Council of Ministers. The European Commission is the EU’s executive while the Council is made up of ministers of the member states. The EP does not initiate EU legislation but does have an input on the EU’s legislative and budgeting processes. The EP is made up of a number of political groups, currently seven in number, which alliance is based on political ideology rather than country of origin, plus a number of independent members. It has 20 standing committees and a total of 41 delegations. The former is engaged in the implementation of EU legislation while the latter works to ensure parliament-to-parliament relations.
Over recent years, the EP has gained more muscle through the Lisbon Treaty, the EU’s most recent attempt at institutional reform. From a consultative body, the EP now shares legislative authority with the Council of the European Union in several policy areas. Excluding some matters relating to taxation and foreign policy, it is now vested with the power to accept, amend, or decline EU legislation. Also, the Treaty gave power to the EP to determine with the Council the allocation of the EU budget and had vested it with the authority to endorse or decline international agreements, and wider decision-making power on trade-related matters.
Malta: A state within the EU
The number of members of the EP of each Member State is approximately based on population size; Germany, has the largest number of MEPs at present - 99, while Malta, similar to Cyprus and Estonia, has 6. The ‘proportional’ number of MEPs from each country has no bearing on the significance or otherwise of a given member state within the EU. All states are in this union and Malta is no exception. Our country, with the other member states, forms an integral part of the EU; with them we make this unique cooperation possible. Malta is a state within the EU and not a state of the EU. We are a nation with a legacy as rich, though diverse, as any other nation. It is unique among EU member states as any other state. The EU is about bridge building and not about erecting barriers; the EU is about peaceful cooperation and not bullying; about solidarity not intimidation. Using institutions within the EU to clamp down on a member state is not acceptable. Support is the norm. A recent example where Malta stood its ground and, despite the economic difficulties which the country was going through, the Maltese and Gozitans supported the Greeks, EU nationals like ourselves, through financial crisis. True to the characteristics of our nation, our financial share was higher than the burden carried by other member states. Malta is a great nation as any other. Its human capital is strong, prosperous, dynamic and energetic. We, Maltese and Gozitans, are renowned as survivors by nature. Through history, and turmoil associated with it, we made it through. The position of Malta with respect to the EU is clear: it is a member state like all the other states within the EU; ahna maghhom imma mhux taghhom (we are with you but we do not belong to you).
With respect to a number of issues, Malta endorsed and embraced the positions of the EU. Malta can be a leader and not just a follower. It can be a prime mover. It can be at the forefront on a number of issues affecting EU nationals. In this context one can mention the widespread practice of ruthless, rampant exploitation of our students and youth.
The students and youths of Europe came up with the official motto of the EU: unity in diversity. This motto is not a commodity but a principle. It is a reference to the many and diverse member states comprising the Union. What is its relevance to Malta? Malta is a nation with a distinct language and identity, different from other member states of the EU. Maltese and Gozitans are different from other EU nationals but specifically this makes us a distinctive part of the EU.
May Malta and Gozo get the best six representatives in the EP. For the common good, all should be one voice in the EP and in other EU institutions; vuci wahda fl-Ewropa (one voice in Europe). While confident that all elected MEPs want the best for Malta and Gozo, one must not forget that we are one nation, a nation like the others in Europe. We are not beggars nor should we be reduced to such a level and nor should we aim to render us into such a state. The human capital of Malta, us, is valid and vibrant. Where the national interest is concerned, compromise is just not on the agenda. Humiliating one’s nation is cursing one’s existence.
Prof. Bianco is a Labour Party candidate in the forthcoming European parliamentary elections