Alternattiva Demokrattika’s Carmel Cacopardo did not mince his words on giving his take on the outcome of former Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella’s grilling, saying that he was unable to reply to the majority of questions made by various blocks within the European Parliament during yesterday’s ‘grilling’ time.
“Mr Vella told members of the EP that ‘we will have chance to discuss later’ on replying to the majority of questions posed to him.
“One cannot discuss later issues being raised there and then,” Mr Cacopardo said.
Mr Cacopardo said that he felt embarrassed instead of Mr Vella throughout the hearing.
“I feel that Mr Vella has the impression that he was in Malta’s parliament at the time of the hearing, where everything goes, irrespective of what one says.
Mr Cacopardo said that Mr Vella’s major problem was that the majority of issues brought up by members of the European Parliament were ones Mr Vella never handled politically.
Vella’s replies on Bird Directive ‘evasive’, BLM says
BirdLife Malta executive director Steve Micklewright said that Mr Vella was asked some very direct and precise questions about the enforcement of the Birds Directive in Malta, but his answers were evasive.
"He has acknowledged that while Tourism Minister he received letters from potential tourists saying that they would not visit Malta because of hunting, but he did nothing about it.
"His overall performance has not demonstrated any knowledge or enthusiasm for his role,” he said.
FAA: environmental issues not addressed convincingly
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar coordinator Astrid Vella argued that yesterday’s hearing showed that there was “still a huge gulf between Malta’s environmental standards and aspirations, and those of the EU.”
She also maintained that the former minister’s lack of experience in environmental affairs was evident.
“Health protection and nature protection, clean air, alternative energy and efficient use of resources were not addressed convincingly which reflects the fact that Perit Vella’s remit has never remotely covered environmental issues,” Ms Vella said.
However, she noted that Mr Vella emphasised that he would not be a Commissioner for Malta but for the entire EU, and said that one would hope that if he is confirmed, “it will result in the Maltese government taking a much stronger stand in favour of environmental protection, the stamping out of abuse and urban planning that meets European standards, in the interests of all Malta and Gozo’s residents.”
Greenpeace unimpressed by Vella’s performance
Karmenu Vella’s performance at the EP hearing raises serious concerns about the ability of the Juncker Commission to play its “institutional role” of safeguarding environmental protection and promoting sustainable development,” according to Greenpeace EU.
In a statement issued shortly after the conclusion of the hearing yesterday evening, Greenpeace EU director Jorgo Riss said that “the Commission started off on the wrong food. Despite President Juncker’s commitment to put the environment at the top of his Commission’s political agenda, what we heard today raises more concerns than it addresses.”
Mr Riss insisted that Mr Vella “did not display a firm grasp of the dossiers he is meant to take responsibility for… he failed to convince that he is up to the job of environment, maritime affairs and fisheries commissioner. He did not show understanding of the complexity of environmental issues, ranging from nature and health protection to circular economy, dodging many specific questions and giving vague and general answers.”
“Today’s hearing raises serious doubts not only about the candidate, but also about President Juncker’s commitment to make environmental protection and sustainability central to the new Commission’s work.”
The NGO has questioned Mr Juncker’s decision not to appoint a Commissioner solely responsible for the environment – as was previously the case – and instead having this policy area shared with other demanding dossiers, stating that in practice, this relegated environmental issues in the order of political priorities.
“Vella’s hearing confirmed these fears. The effective downgrading is reinforced by the virtual lack of any reference to environment in the responsibilities of the Vice-Presidents,” Greenpeace maintained.
The NGO noted that Mr Juncker has been criticised by a cross-party group of MEPs for his failure to structure the new Commission in a way that ensured that sustainable development was prioritised.
“So far Juncker has shown no understanding of this criticism. Today’s poor performance by Commissioner Candidate Vella adds further doubts as to whether Juncker’s general commitment to put sustainable development at the top of its political agenda can be taken seriously,” it concluded.