Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1488125
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 DECEMBER 2022 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "It is not practice for the Pres- ident to speak on a Bill that is in front of parliament since we have to allow the democratic process to take its course but I feel these are particular circumstances and express hope that ongoing dis- cussions will lead to solutions that address all concerns being raised," Vella said. This was the only reference he made to the abortion debate that kicked off when government put forward an amendment to the Criminal Code that would allow a pregnancy to be terminated if a woman's health or life is at risk. Vella is understood to have in- formed government that he will resign if the Bill is approved in parliament and comes before him for signing. Government has said it will tweak the amendment but will retain the principle that a woman's health and life should be protected. No formal tweak has yet been put forward and it remains un- clear whether any changes will be enough to allay the President's moral objection to the law. The Opposition has said it will vote against the Bill, objecting to the inclusion of the health aspect, which it claims will open the door to abortion on demand. The vote on the Second Reading of the Bill will be held on Mon- day but the committee and Third Reading stages will not happen until the new year when parlia- ment reconvenes after the Christ- mas recess. The Constitution says that the President has to sign on an act of parliament as quickly as possible. The President does not have the power to stop a law or send it back to parliament for reconsideration. Vella's interjection in the ongo- ing parliamentary debate, even if just for a brief moment, is not unique. His predecessor Ma- rie-Louise Coleiro Preca had also interjected when parliament was discussing changes to the IVF law in 2018 by calling for an extended consultation process when the Bill was at committee stage. Coleiro Preca, who had concerns on embryo freezing, eventually signed the law despite her per- sonal moral objections, insisting it was the president's duty to do so. More enforcement, harsher penalties, full justice Vella used his speech to identify several challenges facing the coun- try, including climate change, en- vironmental degradation, traffic congestion, road and workplace deaths, multiculturalism and judi- cial delays. He mentioned by name three people, who died in different cir- cumstances but where justice needs to be done – JeanPaul Sofia, Bernice Cassar and Daphne Caru- ana Galizia. Sofia, 20, died recently when the building under construction that he entered into collapsed. His body was recovered almost 17 hours later from beneath the tonnes of rubble. Five other people were injured in the collapse. Vella called for better monitor- ing, more enforcement and disci- pline to avoid abuse as he recalled the memory of all those who died at their place of work. The President also called for harsher penalties in domestic vio- lence cases, better education and maximum support to victims. He then recalled Cassar's murder. "No words of comfort will ev- er bring back this woman to her children, family and friends but it is our duty that all circumstances that could lead to another wom- an being killed are not repeated," Vella said. Cassar, a mother of two, was murdered by her estranged husband last month amid out- rage at police and judicial failures to protect the woman, who was a victim of domestic abuse. On Caruana Galizia, the Presi- dent said the country was morally obliged to ensure that the judicial processes are conducted well so that all those involved in her mur- der are brought to justice. Two-thirds impasse Vella also appealed to poli- ticians from both sides of the House to overcome the impasse on the nomination of people for constitutional appointments that require a two-thirds majority in parliament. There is currently no agreement between government and the Op- position on the appointment of the standards commissioner and no progress can be made unless consensus is reached. The Oppo- sition has rejected government's nominee, former chief justice Jo- seph Azzopardi. Government has put forward legislation to introduce an an- ti-deadlock mechanism in these circumstances by ensuring that if after two votes the two-thirds majority is not reached, a simple majority will suffice. The Oppo- sition has accused government of resorting to undemocratic moves to overcome the problem. Multiculturalism Vella also dwelt on the issue of multiculturalism and the need for better integration of foreign work- ers and migrants. "Are we working enough to inte- grate better? Some of these foreign workers do not have a place where they can practice their faith. Some do not try to learn our language, because this is also a two-way process. Our future is tied to the fact that our country will become more multicultural and we have to be prepared to benefit from the advantages this can bring about through more education and bet- ter preparedness," Vella said. He condemned xenophobic, racist and offensive language ad- dressed towards migrants and expressed concern that a survey commissioned by his office had found that only 27% of people felt comfortable with multiculturalism. After delivering his address, Vel- la decorated several individuals with the country's highest hon- ours. See full list of honours PGS 4 & 5 Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 "Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our chall enges" Advert part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Co-financing rate: Public Eligibl e (80% European Union; 20% National Funds ) Announcement Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes ERDF Grant Schemes cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands (MEFL), designated by the Managing Authority as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the 2014-2020 programming period, would like to notify the last cut-off dates for most of the open calls under the ERDF Grant Schemes. The last cut-off dates for the following Calls are set at noon of the following dates: Call 2 e-Commerce Grant Scheme 30 December 2022 Call 3 Start-up Investment Grant Scheme Call 1 SME Growth Grant Scheme (2nd Issue) Call 2 SME Diversification and Innovation Grant Scheme Call 1 SME Internationalisation Grant Scheme 31 January 2023 Meanwhile, Call 2 SME Consultancy Services Grant Scheme will have further cut-off dates set at noon of the following dates: Call 2 SME Consultancy Services Grant Scheme 16 January 2023 31 January 2023 Further information relating to ERDF Grant Schemes, including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt or by contacting the Measures and Support Division on msd.eufunds@gov.mt or 2555 2635. Vella calls for solution to all concerns raised