Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521709
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JUNE 2024 MEP 2024 Q&A Is the European Union relevant to the Maltese? Of course, it is. Frequent EU surveys have shown the Maltese do not regret joining the EU, even if at the pre-acces- sion stage almost half the electorate was against. Democracy, however, prevailed and it tells a lot about that party which not only accepted the people's verdict but exploited fully Malta's membership of the EU by coming up with ideas, meet- ing challenges such as the Presidency of the European Council, and turning the previous meagre use of EU funds into a 100% success that has benefited the na- tion in so many sectors. If that is not rel- evant, I don't know what is! The Maltese electorate is motivated by issues which are local and often partisan, does this not make it more difficult for you to campaign? First of all, this is not a Maltese phe- nomenon. Anyone who's been follow- ing the EU election campaigns in Italy, Germany, France and elsewhere will tell you how focussed they have also been on local and partisan issues. But also bear in mind that the electorate is also being asked to vote in local council elections which, as one would expect, are dom- inated by local and national issues. As Labour candidates, we have been able to assemble in two teams that comple- ment each other without encroaching into each other's territory. So, it has been easier for us, knowing full well that, un- like our political adversaries, we have a serious, 10-point manifesto to promote among the electorate, while there is an electoral manifesto for each and every local council in Malta and Gozo. Noth- ing can be clearer than that. Malta has a small representation in the European Parliament, can we be influential? Being small has been Malta's reality since time immemorial. While it has its obvious disadvantages, it also presents each and every one of us with the oppor- tunity to work harder, to compete, and to engage more forcefully. As an example, this always reminds me how dedicated, motivated, and successful my Gozitan classmates at school were because they had to do that extra effort. This has also been amply shown throughout the past 20 years by various Maltese MEPs who were often entrusted with important as- signments and rapporteur roles. We al- so know Maltese MEPs from both sides of the Maltese political arena have been appointed to important posts within the EP set-up. In my brief spell at the EP, I was also asked to form part of important committees, a role I enjoyed and felt like I was honestly and fruitfully contributing despite the fact I came from the smallest EU state. Yes, we can, and we have been influential within the EU but without trying to display a disproportion of our role in that huge institution. Why are you so motivated to stand as a member of the European parliament? I had been in everyday journalism and broadcasting when I first contested the European Parliament elections and eventually winning a seat to represent Malta – not my party – when it came to issues that could impact on the Maltese population as a whole. It was an expe- rience I carried with me all along that campaign, having been in close contact with the public and acutely aware of peo- ple's needs and their potential benefits for as long as all six of us Maltese MEPs remained united and, in Brussels, fight- ing for one joint cause. Sadly, since 2013 that situation has changed dramatically, and we all know why. I remain strongly motivated, determined to again give my 100% commitment to safeguarding Mal- ta's interests while I avoid falling into the partisan politics trap so common and so divisive across the various EU institu- tions. Is the European Union relevant to the Maltese? Yes, it is. However, we need to tread carefully how to deal with other coun- tries. The EU cannot assume the respon- sibility of a military Union. The raison d'etre of the EU was to disarm not a race to arm itself. What we are interested in is an EU that progresses economically and socially. It is truly disappointing to see many ugly characters fighting for a seat at the expense of the EU's ideology and its inception. We are living in an EU that is unstable due to the bad political decisions of Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, who in the recent years worked as an outfit to disrupt Europe's soft diplo- macy. Also, it saddens me to see the PN candidates writing to EU Commissioners to act against Malta in areas that are not within their competences. What I want to see is an EU that does not meddle with Malta's politics. They do not know it and they cannot understand it. The Maltese electorate is motivated by issues which are local and often partisan, does this not make it more difficult for you to campaign? Yes, it does. Obviously, I have been con- sistent all the way through the past two years. Personally, I am glad that I man- aged to set a narrative. People understood what I said, even though it took a while. Frankly, I believe in peace and dialogue. Believing in peace and dialogue is not the equivalent of being pro-Russia. This is a false equivalent. I can write and reply in English. This is the reason why I opened my own space and retained my weekly column. My credo is to reply to conjec- tures and half-truths, and assumptions. In fact, I replied to some of the articles, say- ing that by being pro-peace and dialogue, is not the equivalent of approving what the aggressor is doing. With the same logic, Roberta Metsola is pro-Azerbaijan because she never or hardly condemned the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Na- gorno-Karabakh. Once again, with the same logic, Roberta Metsola is excusing Ilham Aliyev. However, I can tell you that the electorate is quite intelligent. There are those who favour partisan politics. And there are those who are moderates and enjoy listening to analytical discus- sions. Indeed, I meet with many of them. Malta has a small representation in the European parliament, can we be influential? Of course, it can be influential. Most of the work is not executed in the corridors of the EU parliament, but at dinner and reception parties. These are much more important as they are the equivalent of canvassing to promote a narrative. At times, hosting reception, and attending lunches and dinner is much more im- portant than locking yourself behind closed doors in an office. I've been there and done that. The most powerful nego- tiations are not executed within the cor- ridors of the EU intuitions, but outside. I saw many of the EU parliamentarians lunching with influential people. So, I know what I am saying. Why are you so motivated to stand as a member of the European parliament? My mission is to defend Malta and the Maltese. I think, my academic back- ground, as well as my EU experience, can contribute positively to EU policies. Be- sides, I am ready to resist policies that are damaging for Malta. We need to undress the one size fits all mentality at EU level. We, as island states must see that regu- lations and legislations are not detrimen- tal to our competitiveness. For instance, when it comes to aviation ETS we need to get a permanent derogation not just a temporary because it is indeed detrimen- tal to Malta. We do not have any other al- ternatives. On mainland Europe, they can use trains. We cannot do it, so we need to be compensated to be able to compete with other EU economies. Cl a u d e t te A be l a B a l d a cc h i n o Labour Party candidate for the MEP election Cl i n t A z zo pa rd i Fl o re s Labour Party candidate for the MEP election