It is a great honour for me that the Labour Party and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat recommended me to be amongst the candidates for the European Parliament elections. For these elections the Labour Party candidates represent a broad spectrum of the Maltese society. People aspire to elect those candidates that truly endeavour to represent Maltese citizens in the European Parliament.

It is no coincidence that I chose my campaign slogan B’Hegga ghal Pajjizna because I sincerely believe that as a country state we are at par with other fellow Europeans. Malta and Gozo really deserve to be amongst the top performing European nations, both from an economic standpoint as well as the advancement of our human capital.

We need to unite our forces together so as to negotiate the best possible conditions for the benefit of our country. Maltese decision makers and policy institutions should reorganize local priorities to accommodate to the ever changing shifts in Europe and beyond. Most probably today we need to employ different tactical negotiation techniques as those used prior to Malta joining the European Union.

The relentless drive by our Prime Minister suggesting that Malta needs to become the best country in Europe implies that we need to be at the forefront of the innovation bandwagon in Europe. To reach that aim we need to prepare the country structurally, politically and economically to position ourselves in the top league of Europe.

I am determined to listen to constituents in the next months and if successful work for the Maltese and Gozitan citizens in the European Parliament. We need to work hard to convince the majority of citizens that the elected members from the Labour Party are the best choice for European Parliament representation.

Amongst the priorities I would like to envisage the importance for youth representation and involvement in the running of this country. Youths are the future of this country and therefore we need to make sure that youths are provided with the best education possible and subsequently attain employment opportunities.

Secondly, the next priority is to address the problem of illegal immigration. Strategically these islands are most vulnerable to the crossing of illegal immigration from North Africa. On the basis of humanitarian issues but not only, we need to safeguard our national interests as well. This is not a Maltese problem but also a European issue of considerable concern, therefore we need to seek the right mutual way forward.

I also believe that our country needs to tap more European funds and to make the right investments. We need to convince our European partners on our special needs regarding maritime, fishing and farming needs.  Moreover, we should seek to build strategic alliances to facilitate and bolster our negotiation positions in European political circles.

I would like to work for a Europe that respects the right of minorities. Where democracy rules and where majorities reign we need to ensure the full respect for the right of minorities. We must ascertain in the months and years ahead that the unemployed, those at risk of poverty, LGBT lobby and others are given the full democratic rights on a par and as enjoyed in other European nations.  Also we need to heed environmental concerns whilst ascertain the business community requirements.

With full confidence ahead our vision for this country is truly one that respects Maltese traditions, cherish European values and explore global opportunities.

Clint Camilleri is contesting the MEP elections on the PL ticket