The Prime minister needs to decide whether he supports the European Parliament’s expenditure to defend itself better or not, PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami said Tuesday.

For the past month, Abela has been warning against the PN’s support for the EU to increase its budget for its defence, arguing that this would be against the country’s neutrality. However, last week the PM voted in favour of this proposal at the EU Council.

Fenech Adami said that the neutrality clause is already enshrined in the Maltese constitution. Additionally it was also a PN government that back in 2004 which negotiated the neutrality clause when Malta was to join the EU.

Fenech Adami said that the Maltese Armed Forces have already greatly benefited from EU funds. Such as €35 million from European funds for a new patrol boat and another €2.5 million invested in a date centre.

On his part, PN MEP candidate Lee Bugeja Bartolo said that security and defence is not limited to weapons. He said that with new technological advances, this means that attacks also include online software.