Prime Minister Robert Abela blamed EU institutions for being cut off from the realities of farmers, with regulations and directives which only look good on paper, but cause more damage than good in practice.

In a ministerial speech in Parliament on Tuesday, Abela spoke about subject matters discussed in the recent European Council meeting last Thursday.

Abela said that the roads in Brussels and other cities in Europe were dominated by farmers protesting against regulations created by institutions which are being accused of being cut off from citizen's realities.

He said that government has recognized the farmers' concerns, and he is one to insist that European institutions must seriously listen to what bothers society.

Abela said that in a more regular manner, EU institutions seem to only be interested in policies which look "good" on paper, which do not always make sense in practice, and could do more damage than good.

"I spoke directly to farmers, and it is important that I listen to their worries. The majority of what bothers them is tied to the regulations created by the European Commission," Abela said, adding that he believes that this important and crucial sector needs support from government.

He said that government has invested €79 million in machinery and equipment for farmers to operate between 2019 to 2020, has provided incentives for youth farmers and for the production of organic products, with the sector also receiving millions in EU funds in support.

Abela added that investments for farmers to invest in rural zone projects will reach to up to €25 million this year, in addition to direct grants to farmers and livestock farmers. He said that farmers have praised these reforms themselves, giving them peace of mind.

He also said that the extension in the new water network is progressing, which is a multimillion investment to reduce pressure on the use of ground water.

"The farmers' protests were not aimed at government, but aimed at EU rules which do not make sense. I gave them my word that government will continue to be a shoulder for farmers," Abela said, thanking Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo.

Another matter the Council discussed was the allocation of financial packages to countries, as well as the enlargement of the European Union. Abela said that the country's position is clear, that it wants assurances that the needed internal reforms are implemented before considering adding more members to the EU.

Abela said that countries that wish to become members of the EU must be judged on their merits. On the war in Ukraine, Abela said that the Council took note of developments, and discussed the budget for aid towards Ukraine, appealing for effort towards peace.

"I was immensely disappointed, however, that the Council has adopted clear conclusions on the war in Ukraine, but has not reached any conclusions on the conflict in the Middle East, having last pronounced its position in October of last year," Abela said.

He said that the EU cannot portray the message that a life in Ukraine has more value than one in Gaza, and condemned the EU which he said has outwardly spoken for Ukraine, but stayed silent on matters in the Middle East.

"It is as though the humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not interest the EU, or else does not interest the EU more than other wars," Abela said, adding that he believes "we need to continue insisting to an immediate ceasefire."

He said that it is not a question of whether the EU has the necessary tools it can use, as it has done against other aggressors around the world, but it is a question of remaining consistent, and the will must come from all EU institutions.

Abela spoke about the discussion on the Multiannual Financial Frameworks (MFF) which include the long-term budgets for a country. Whereas other countries were forced to lower their budgets, Malta has kept the same budget it negotiated for in July 2020.

There were also agreements made for financial aid in the form of grants and loans towards Ukraine. Abela tabled a copy of the conclusions adopted by the European Council, adding that whether it is in the Maltese Parliament, or at the EU Council, government wants to continue sending a message of a politics for the people.

In reply, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said that the Prime Minister should respect the Parliament, and should not inform the Opposition just two hours before a ministerial statement is made.

Grech said that the Opposition has met with farmers and relevant sectors, and not just when there is a protest. He said that there are several laws and developments which worry farmers.

"It worries me that the Prime Minister only realises that he has made a mistake the moment farmers protest, and has done everything to change the narrative," Grech said.

He questioned where the Maltese government was when the EU institutions were discussing the current policies, and said that government should have paid more attention, and voted against these laws.

Grech said that government accepted the measures created by EU institutions, and is now pretending as if the EU institutions alone failed the farmers.

"Who will government blame when the investment it is making on the new water has not reached the majority of farmers in the country, let alone all of them?" he asked.

Grech continued that government has not provided subsidies on diesel for farmers, while continuing to blame the EU institutions.

He said that the Opposition is in agreement with government's position on the fight for peace and for all lives to be valued.

PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami briefly spoke, saying that it was "too little, too late" for government to blame the EU institutions on the issue of farmers.

Abela said that "high top officials" within the EU sent a message which encouraged retaliation by Israel, which prompted a point of order by Grech, who said that the Prime Minister must redact his statement, which insinuated that EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola, in the way she spoke in Israel, justified Israel's attack on Palestine.

Grech asked for Abela to clarify the insinuation, as he would be making a very serious allegation. Abela continued that he was clear in his message.

Abela also alleged that the lawyer representing Bernard Grech and the Opposition has been involved in cases to take land from farmers, prompting another request by Grech to retract his statement.

He reiterated that the new water project for farmers is ongoing, to provide the best quality water for Maltese farmers.