Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1204548
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 JANUARY 2020 OPINION Ivan Bartolo build on the synergies between different sectors including fi- nance, technology, blockchain and maritime, Malta can carve its own niche. The European Green Deal, President von Der Leyen's am- bitious project, is a deal we want to achieve for future gen- erations. While together with other Member States we want to commit for a greener future, we look forward to partake in the trillion Euro investment across Europe to achieve the ambitious targets. We look forward to work hand-in-hand with Commission Vice-Pres- ident Frans Timmermans, a friend, to make a success for Europe's children. We are at a stage in the devel- opment of our country where we cannot leave anything to chance. Rash decisions simply to appease one sector of socie- ty or another can hurt us in the long term when considering the economic eco-system that we have built in the past few years. That is why we need to talk less, plan wisely and act for the long-term benefits of our country. A balance can be achieved. But only if we all realise that the future of those concerned stu- dents who met the Prime Min- ister in his first days in office, lies on the decisions we make today. We won't allow it to be too late. SIMON, allow me to congrat- ulate you on your forthcoming post of General Secretary of the EPP. It does us Nationalists and Malta an honour. I entered politics with the Na- tionalist Party in 2015 under your leadership. You inspired me! You are an example of how all politicians should be and act. You promoted clean politics. My way of doing things is similar to yours. It has been a pleasure working by your side, as a candidate under your leadership, as a candidate on the same district, as a deputy mayor, mayor and later as a fel- low member of parliament. I am a Member of Parliament thanks to you. You relinquished the seat on the eleventh district and I was elected in the by-election, that followed, as a result. In your early days as a leader of the O p p o s i t i o n during the sec- ond legislature you handed me the portfo- lio I have now, spokesman on housing, the fight against poverty, and solitude. I admire your tenacity of fighting for what you believed in both as a leader and subsequently as a Member of Parliament. They called you all sorts of stuff but you kept on, your head held up high. History might not be on your side when mentioning Nation- alist leaders as prime ministers but history is on your side for fighting corruption, defending your cause, and exposing the crooks in the government and the system. You single-handedly contributed to the downfall of the for- mer prime min- ister. Your legacy will be ongoing. The pending court investigations bear your fruit. Once they are finished the truth will prevail and I am sure more will be exposed. You sacrificed your MEP's post in Brussels for the party and for Malta. You entered the fray when the party was in disarray. When everyone was jumping ship you had the difficult task to rebuild the party and set strong founda- tions for your successors. The party's eventual success will also be your merit. I am grateful to you and forever appreciate your advice, your way of doing things and above all your hard work. You are a man with a mission. You are a man of prin- ciple and consistent in what you do. You don't look at faces. Coincidentally you were elected to your new post on the day the former premier resigned. How ironic! What a feat! This means a lot. It means that you name is kept in high re- gard in the Eu- ropean Union structures. You have a chance, I am sure you will, to reha- bilitate Malta's name that was tarnished by the i r r e s p o n s i b l e few. What you believe in, justice, the clean way of doing politics, will prevail. Your name is and will forever be held in high esteem. I have nothing but grati- tude towards you. Thank you for your help in my regard. Thank you for your contribution to the Nationalist party and to local pol- itics. Thank you for your c o n t r i b u - tion to the good of our c o u n t r y . You will be missed and surely not for- gotten! 'Dear Simon' Ivan Bartolo is a Nationalist MP History might not be on your side when mentioning Nationalist leaders as prime ministers but history is on your side for fighting corruption Protesters demonstrate against the removal of trees on the Rabat Road as part of the Central Link project in August 2019 JAMES BIANCHI