Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533191
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 MARCH 2025 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Register For Free Today Using This Link https://healingstreams.tv/zone/BRKGRP BIEX TARA Location 1 Location 2 Valletta The Embassy Hotel Valletta, 173 Strait Street Valletta. VLT 1435 Malta St Pauls Bay Hotel Santana, Triq il - Maskil, Qawra, St Pauls Bay, Malta Tel: +35699434950 / +447388459459 Email: ceaglowchurch@gmail.com Entrance: Free Irreġistra Għal Ħieles Illum Bl-Użu ta' Din il-Link 5 PM Kuljum Il-Ġimgħa 14 sal-Ħadd 16 ta' Marzu 2025 ...Huwa l-Ħin Sett Tiegħek Għall-Fejqan!!!! FRIDAY 14th to SUNDAY 16th MARCH 2025 5 PM DAILY LABOUR MEP Thomas Bajada questions whether increased EU spending on defence will result in social and cohesion budgets being slashed, in an interview with Malta- Today. In the interview that will be published this Sunday, Bajada asks: "The question which needs asking is where we will get the billions from?" Bajada's statement comes as Europe scrambles to reorganise its defence in the wake of a Trump administration in the US, which seems more inclined to align with Russia then the EU. Bajada believes the issue of defence is multi-faceted and something Malta should not ignore. "I think the first thing we must address is that when we speak about de- fence, we think missiles, but tend to forget a crucial aspect to modern warfare – cy- berattacks. I ask you one thing: Is Malta able to defend itself from attacks of this nature? I am not speaking about the EU, I am speaking about Malta," the Labour MEP says. He argues that an island like Malta, which is continuously digitising itself, would be particularly susceptible to such attacks on its infrastructure. "What will we do if something happens to that digital infrastructure? I think it's good to start discussing how we will defend ourselves from contemporary threats," Bajada says. Setting his gaze on the EU, he questions where the money for increased defence spending will come from. "I think it is important to look at the Eu- ropean budget and ask where that funding will come from. What will we spend less on? And normally the first budgets which are slashed are cohesion funding which Malta depends on, and social funding which is very important," he says. He questions whether increased defence spending will lead to European bureau- crats and officials setting aside their prior- ities on social issues. "Will we use the European budget on de- fence and forget the other elements which make us human and that promote cohe- sion in our union? That is my fear," he ar- gues. Last week, European Commission Pres- ident Ursula von der Leyen unveiled an €800 billion plan to significantly increase defence spending across the European Union. She declared the continent has entered "an era of rearmament" in response to es- calating security threats. Subsequently, all EU leaders endorsed the conclusions on defence in a special summit held in Brussels. The European Council agreed with the Commission's plan intended to boost defence spending. MaltaToday's full interview with La- bour MEP Thomas Bajada will be pub- lished on Sunday. 'Where will money for increased defend spending come from?' - Thomas Bajada THE Malta Hotels and Restau- rants Association (MHRA) has long been a prime mover in ad- dressing the issue of drug abuse in Malta, repeatedly raising con- cerns at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Develop- ment (MCESD). In light of recent reports highlighting the preva- lence of cocaine use in Valletta, MHRA has once again called for this matter to be discussed as a matter of urgency. "It is evident that drug abuse has become a widespread prob- lem across the country, not just in Valletta," it said in a state- ment. "This is a national concern that requires a zero-tolerance approach, as drug abuse not on- ly harms individuals and their families but also undermines the economy. Criminal activity linked to drug trafficking creates unfair market conditions, dis- torting legitimate business oper- ations and damaging the integri- ty of the hospitality and tourism sectors." The MHRA acknowledged the ongoing efforts of law enforce- ment authorities but insisted that criminal networks operating in this sphere are highly dynamic and advanced. Authorities must continuously strengthen their strategies to stay ahead of these developments, it said, and addressing this issue must remain a national priority. The MHRA objected to the portrayal of Valletta as a "coke den," saying such generalizations unfairly tarnish the image of the capital and the many legitimate businesses that have invested millions in upgrading its status. "The core issue is not Valletta itself but the growing presence of drugs at various social gatherings across Malta, including private events," it said. "The focus should be on en- forcement, deterrence, and en- suring that the right resources are in place to curb this serious issue." The MHRA called on all polit- ical parties to form a common front in the fight against drug abuse. "This is not a partisan issue but a national one that requires a united stance." MHRA Calls for urgent action and national unity to combat drug abuse Thomas Bajada