First of all I would like to start off by paying my respects to John Camilleri, a respected man who used to occupy the office of private secretary to former Prime Minister and President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami, who sadly passed away last week. I knew John personally and had the privilege to work with him closely in my time as personal assistant to another sadly missed and wellrespected statesman, Guido de Marco
As we enter the month of September, the European Parliament’s work is initiated once more, as a new era in the European fora is upon us. Jean Claude Juncker has been finally confirmed as the new President of the European Commission – a great advantage to Malta which has a very good working relationship with the former Luxembourg Prime Minister. I have met Juncker on a number of occasions and have formulated a strong rapport with the man, and I have a very positive outlook on the upcoming legislature.
Juncker is also preparing the European Commissioners’ new roles for the next five years, and we are waiting to see how Malta’s new portfolio will be advantageous to our aims and goals. This role has been filled admirably by Tonio Borg after the reputation of our country had been unfortunately tarnished by previous events.
The Nationalist Party will finally have three MEPs in the European Parliament. Although the result of last March’s election was definitely not one which can be classified as satisfactory, our party, which strived so hard to give Malta the respect and international position it so deserves with EU accession, can finally pride itself with a fair representation in Parliament.
Our MEPs have always gained credit for the immense work and contribution given in the European institutions, and up until now this has always been done with just two representatives for Maltese citizens. The fact that now we have an added representative in the European Parliament means that our contribution will be greatly enhanced. Roberta, Therese and myself now can cover more committees, from which the entire Maltese population can benefit. Our local government would do well to learn from this approach, and start governing for the benefit of all – and not just a select few.
At the same time, I have also committed myself to use whatever time I have left from my parliamentary responsibility and duties to help move our Nationalist Party forward on the local scene.
Summer has come as a welcome period of time where we can take a few steps back and reflect on our results so far, and where we want to go from here on. It is a well agreed upon fact that our work needs to improve, and our message needs to be conveyed more clearly, honestly and efficiently to the general public. However, it should serve as a clear warning to those who may doubt our success in ultimately doing so that the Nationalist Party has always risen to the occasion and will show the progress that is wanted, and clearly needed by this country.
Our party’s role in Opposition for the few coming years will serve as a constitutional balance against the ever-increasing negative aspects of Muscat’s government, as well as a learning curve. This is of great benefit to both the party as well as to the Maltese and Gozitan citizens, who already feel that this government is failing to keep its promises and make Malta a better place – a better European country.
With the upcoming 50-year anniversary of Malta’s acquisition of Independence – a huge milestone in the nation and the party’s history – we should come together and prepare to make history once more in the upcoming future.