Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1443936
NEWS 4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 JANUARY 2022 These articles are part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. NICOLE MEILAK ROBERTA Metsola faced a grill- ing by foreign journalists on her abortion stances during her first press conference as president of the European Parliament. "My position is that of the Euro- pean Parliament - it's position has been unambiquous. It's called for these rights to be protected," she insisted when prompted on her stance. Metsola's anti-abortion voting tendencies became a key sticking point during her candidacy. The prospect of an "anti-abortion" female president of the Europe- an Parliament preoccupied some quarters within the French press especially, where even French president Emanuel Macron was asked for his views on Metsola's impending election. She always insisted that she would push the European Parlia- ment's position on abortion, and not her personal one, as president. "I will do what i did as vice pres- ident when I presented to the Polish senate a resolution passed on abortion law in Poland. I pro- moted it and presented it as the position of parliament," she said during the press conference. Metsola began the press confer- ence with a brief speech on David Sassoli. "He was a great European and his death weighed heavily on this House. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends." She told the journalists present that she will try to be available for them when questions arise, add- ing that the House is an ardent defender of journalists. "I'm honoured to have been elected as president. I know I have big shoes to fill, and I will pay trib- ute to David and all those before him by always standing up for this House and Europe. I look forward to working with all of you." During her speech, Metsola spe- cifically mentioned Ukraine and Belarus and the need to strength- en security at the EU's external borders. At the press conference, she said that she mentioned the two countries specifically due to security threats at their EU bor- ders. "The European Parliament has been strong and consistent in say- ing that it will not divide us [...] We will remain very vocal and use all the tools at our disposal to send political messages and and words of solidarity," she said. On migration, she mentioned the European Commission's re- cent migration pact and said that she will abide by any decisions taken by the parliament and await the outcome of the relevant com- mittees, and possible trialogues. "I'm proud of what we've done and now the pact is being intense- ly negotiated in the civil liberties committee," she pointed out. Addressing Maltese journalists, Metsola thanked her colleague David Casa as well as her four S&D counterparts in the Maltese delegation. "I really feel that we came togeth- er to realise what is important and good for the country," she said. Metsola met with Prime Min- ister Robert Abela in Strasbourg on Monday ahead of the election. Abela told journalists that he's looking forward to working with Roberta Metsola on a European level but also for the national in- terest. "I had a very good meeting with the Prime Minister Robert Abela where we agreed to work together on issues of concern and of need to address, not only as Maltese but as Europeans." With regards to 'traitor' accusa- tions made to her by Labour pol- iticians, she said she would rather look forward, not backward. "Today's result is testament to that we can look forward," she said. Metsola grilled on abortion during first presser as EP President LAURA CALLEJA CONGRATULATIONS poured in from Malta's national leaders after Nationalist MEP Robert Metsola secured the European Parliament Presidency with 75% of the vote. Metsola obtained an absolute majority on the first round, secur- ing support from the EP's three largest poltical groups. "Congratulations, Roberta Met- sola. I look forward to working together on mutual priorities," Prime Minister Robert Abela said, who was in Strasbourg on Mon- day night to attend the memorial ceremony for the late, outgoing EP president David Sassoli. Abela also greeted Metsola warmly when the two met on Monday evening before a ceremo- ny to honour the late EP President David Maria Sassoli. Their em- brace went viral on social media as a sign of the new EP president's growing stature in European pol- itics. Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech said that Metsola had se- cured the highest role ever occu- pied by someone from Malta. "We are incredibly proud to call you one of our own," Grech said. "A success for EPPGroup, PN- malta for all Europeans," said Metsola's colleague, MEP David Casa. President George Vella congrat- ulated Metsola on her remarkable accomplishment. "I am sure she will succeed in fulfilling the oner- ous duties and responsibilities that this position entails," Vella said. He added that her appointment was an important achievement for the country, which time and time again provided that if united, our size and geography pose no obsta- cle to vision and commitment. "I wish the Maltese President of the European Parliament every suc- cess." The NGO Repubblika congrat- ulated Metsola on her appoint- ment, citing her numerous contri- butions to truth and justice as well as her support for civil society in Malta. "Experience has shown us that Metsola regards civil society as a key partner of the state in a de- mocracy, " the NGO said. Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba said that he is always happy to see Maltese succeed aboard. "In addition to European priori- ties, she must also work in the best interest of Malta and Gozo," Agi- us Saliba said. Prime Minister Robert Abela met with Roberta Metsola before attending the ceremony to honour the late EP President David Maria Sassoli Congratulations pour in for Metsola RESTAURANT MANAGER Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant are seeking the immediate employment on a full-time basis of a restaurant manager who have working experience in Oriental restaurants. Minimum experience 3 years. A salary of € 12000 per annum is being offered to the suitable candidates. Interested candidates can send CV by e mail on: jadegardensmalta@gmail.com not late then 23/01/2022.