Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1118959
33 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 MAY 2019 EUROPE 2019 THIS IS A SPONSORED FEATURE Joseph Sammut 'We can never have a strong Europe without sustainability as a continuous development' A practising lawyer for over 25 years, Joseph M. Sammut was elected to the House of Representatives on the Labour Party ticket in 1998, 2003, 2008 and again in 2013. He was a shadow minister for transport and maritime as well as a spokesperson for the self-employed, the Housing Authority, and agriculture and fisheries. As MP he served on the committees for planning and environment, and foreign affairs. He is currently the executive director and senior legal advisor for SMM Consultancy Services Limited and also their Senior Legal Advisor, which specialises in corporate, citizenship and residency schemes, employment and industrial relations, tax, visas and passports, maritime, shipping and superyachts. He is senior legal advisor to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM). He actively participated within the Council of Europe and Inter-Parliamentary Union. He is a member on the Financial Services Tribunal and legal consultant for the ministry for the economy and small industry. He was formerly a councillor for the Zurrieq local council and president for Zurrieq Civic Council. Sammut is married to Sonia, and is the father of Jordan. Name Dr Joseph Sammut Party Partit Laburista (S&D) Age 54 Contact 99477611 or email josephmsammut@gmail.com Facebook Joe Sammut Twitter @josephmsammut www.josephsammut.com Sustainability We can never have a strong Europe unless it is a sustainable one. Sustain- ability is a continuous de- velopment, it is an ongo- ing process. It refers to the need to develop sustainable models necessary for both humanity and our planet. I have a special interest in: • Innovative Farm- ing and Blue Growth Strategy - Preser- vation of the envi- ronment and con- servation of natural resources. • Focus on energy ef- ficiency of buildings, eco-design and bioen- ergy sustainability. • Cut greenhouse gas emissions • Sustainable agri- culture/ farming has been defined as an integrated system of plant and animal production that will last over a long time, satisfy human food needs, enhance natu- ral resources, use efficiently of non- renewable resources, sustain economic vi- ability of farms and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole. It is the practice of In- novative farming us- ing principles which respect ecology and save natural resourc- es. • Blue Growth Strat- egy - is the long term strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors as a whole. Seas and oceans are drivers for the European econ- omy and have great potential for innova- tion and growth. The pressures of a grow- ing world population should be taken as an opportunity to build a more sustainable fu- ture therefore there is even more urgency to be innovative. Malta is surrounded by sea water and our loca- tion is ideal to host the EU's Blue Growth Strategy within which aquaculture together with coastal tourism, marine biotechnol- ogy, ocean energy and sea bed mining sec- tors have a high po- tential for sustainable jobs and growth. The principle of freedom People are to be free in any form of thought and opinion without any form of victimisation because of his/her beliefs whether political, religious, sexual orientation or for any form of views that do not bring about any harm or damage to the community. The principle of fairness and equity We need a fairer, more in- clusive society that protects the weakest, our pension- ers, and families with low income and people with disabilities and those with serious illnesses who are unable to work. • Gender equality – equal pay and pen- sions for women. • Build social equity, support employee well-being and pro- mote fair trade • The successful reha- bilitation of prison- ers, in my opinion, has three components. These components, healing, treatment and education to help inmates gain employ- ment and flourish in society when released. • Rights to Health & Safety of workers and the removal of precarious payment which is a form of hidden poverty. • More Funds from the EU to be voted specif- ically for Animal Wel- fare - their protection, shelters and helping all organisations and sanctuaries. • Fighting for a truly Progressive Europe- an Society, with equi- table and sustainable well-being for all will be a major goal in this respect. I feel strongly about these principles... Do you agree with the creation of an EU army? No Should corporate taxation be harmonised across the European Union? No. I support all measures meant to increase transparency in taxation affairs however, such measures should not end up impinging the existing right of EU member states to retain sovereignty over their tax systems. Should children of refugees born on Maltese soil be entitled to Maltese citizenship? Yes Should MEPs have the power to veto decisions taken by the European Council? Yes Should Malta stop selling citizenship, which is also EU citizenship, under the IIP? No Should Turkey be a member of the EU? No Should border controls be re-introduced in Schengen countries? No Do you agree with a 'Mare Nostrum' style European rescue mission in the Mediterranean financed by the EU budget? No Quick-fire Q&A