Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech told participants at a conference discussing the EU’s institutional framework, that the Greek proposals seems to provide a solid basis for meaningful negotiations, though they still need to be evaluated properly.
Mr Grech was giving the concluding speech at a conference organised by MEUSAC themed; “A new Governance for Europe – Strengthening the European Union Institutional Architecture and Democratic Legitimacy”, held at the Aula Magna of the Old University. Keynote speeches were delivered by Mr Sandro Gozi, Italy’s Under-Secretary of State for Europe and by Dr Ian Borg, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds and the 2017 Presidency.
“It is not yet business as usual,” Mr Grech stated. The Deputy Prime Minister listed some of the challenges that the EU is currently facing; it can also be said that this is the most delicate of times that the European integration process had ever faced.”
Mr Grech said that Malta agrees with a number of the recommendations made in the Five President’s Report, including the strengthening and fast tracking of the EMU. But he cautioned that Malta expects the EU not to cross the red line of pan European direct tax harmonisation, since this would be to the detriment of a number of economies. Direct taxation falls within the competence of Member States.
The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated previous statements that Malta does not favour Treaty change as a route to make changes to EU institutions and key policies. He said the Union can ill afford to spend years hammering out a new Treaty when it had more urgent priorities, such as economic growth and the Union’s competitiveness.
“Ordinary citizens, especially those coming from the weaker economies, feel an increasing sense of uncertainty and betrayal”, that is why we need to restore the trust of European Citizens in the Union and its institutions the Deputy Prime Minister continued to say. Events in Greece are dramatic and emotive. Whatever the outcome is, they are not to be underestimated. The end result is that the EU landscape will have to change in order to reflect the realities that are emerging. Ultimately, the current situation may “serve as a strong wake up call for positive action.” Mr Grech concluded.
Parliamentary Secretary Dr Ian Borg also addressed the conference and called for a more effective and responsive institutional structure. He said that Malta had always been supportive of intiatives aimed at making the Union more effective, democratic and fair without taking away the variety and the diversity that binds all member states together.
The challenge of striking the right balance between convergence and coopertation will always be key to safeguard interests, especially those of small states as in Malta’s case, concluded Dr. Borg.
State secretary Sandro Gozi said that we are facing many challenges in EU governance. We are at a water-shed of our common history. Gozi spoke about solidarity and the solidarity gap that does exist which should not just be a one way street. Gozi emphasized the need to regain citizen's confidence by acting seriously. He even focused on the importance of the need to put the issue of demography at the center of the European agenda. Finally, Gozi firmly believes that the governance of the euro zone must change imminently.