Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/221559
10 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2013 Muscat, Barroso discuss EU stance ahead of Yanukoych visit, strong stance expected Ahead of visit by Ukrainian president Victor Yanukovych, Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat discusses EU stance with José Manuel Barroso MATTHEW VELLA PRIME Minister Joseph Muscat this evening held a teleconference with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to discuss Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych's forthcoming visit to Malta on the 9 and 10 December. "The EU President reiterated the Commission's view that Malta should host the Ukrainian President, which is being seen as a strategic visit and of significant importance," the OPM said in a statement. Muscat said he will be conveying the common EU position which specifies that Europe's door remains open to Ukraine, but that it should finally be the Ukrainian's people's choice to forge ahead with EU membership. "There will also be an unequivocal message against any type of violence," the OPM said after a wave of protests in Kiev at the U-turn effected by Yanukovych on EU accession, were quashed violently by riot squads. President Yanukovich's visit will be the first in a EU member state since Ukraine froze the signing of a co-operation agreement with the European Union. "Prime Minister Joseph Muscat believes that the Ukrainian people are sending clear signals to the Ukrainian President that the way forward for Ukraine is for closer cooperation and eventual membership in the EU," Muscat said. Thousands of Ukrainians remain on the streets in Kiev demanding the resignation of the country's government as well as Yanukovych. Yesterday Yanukovych left Kyiv for a three-day trip to China, where he plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and secure investment for Ukraine, according to a statement posted to his administration's website. "Even though the internal situation is not good for the visits, the economy of the country will lose out if I reject it," he said. The Kyiv Post reports that foreign investors are leaving Ukraine: Greek Astra Bank and Swedish Swedbank sold their subsidiaries in Ukraine earlier in the year "and more are expected to exit the country soon". The Ukraine remains one of the most corrupt nations. It ranks 144th out of 177 countries in the latest Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. China is one of Ukraine's biggest Ukranian president Victor Yanukovych trade partners. The trade between countries has exceeded $10 billion in 2012. In 2012 China loaned Ukraine $3 billion for agriculture Constitutional amendments against discrimination 'require society's efforts' MIRIAM DALLI FIGHTING discrimination suffered by LGBTI persons has brought the House of Representatives together in supporting amendments to the Constitution. The amendments were proposed by Nationalist MP Claudette Buttigieg, after presenting a Private Members' Bill. The amendments require the support of two-thirds of parliament to pass, but the Bill has the support of the full House of Representatives. The Bill calls for the words "sexual orientation" to be added to Article 32 and 45 of the Constitution, which list the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals that are protected by the state. The proposed amendment would see Article 32 read: "Whereas every person in Malta is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed, sex or sexual orientation, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following..." Article 45 of the Constitution, which protects against discrimination based on race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed and sex would now include sexual orientation in the article. During their interventions, MPs from both sides of the House said that while the Bill would strengthen the fight against discrimination, yet the ultimate result could only be achieved if society at large were to stop discriminating. National surveys have shown that LGBTI persons in Malta suffer discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity – discrimination which is faced not only at work or at school but also in places such as entertainment establishments. More worrisome is that many victims of discrimination would not even feel the need to report such discrimination because they believe it would be "useless". "As politicians we have the responsibility to take concrete measures, whether legislative or not, to improve their life. It's this belief that has guided the Opposition in putting forward an amendment which defends an individual's fundamental right," PN MP Paula Mifsud Bonnici said. Mifsud Bonnici said that while citizens were displaying "more mature" attitudes towards this subject, the politicians' role remained one of educating society to be more aware of what discrimination translate to and to be more inclusive. "This Bill is not for one party or another to take merit or score political points. It is about placing every individual on an equal footing. Diversity must never be perceived as a threat to society, but a tool by which we fight prejudices," she said. But like any other law which tackles individuals, no legislative change would be a success if it's not coupled with a change in mentality. Backbencher Deborah Schembri insisted that "a change in culture" was required. "At the end of the day, members of the LGBTI community are not asking to be treated specially but for rights which are already enjoyed by heterosexual persons," she said. Schembri also suggested that babies born with an intersex condition should not face an operation when they are still newborns, but should be allowed to take the decision for themselves when they grow up. She argued that medical professionals usually opted to give the newborn a female identity because the operation "would be less tedious". Further interventions were made by MPs Charlo Bonnici, Censu Galea and government whip Carmelo Abela. Concluding the debate, Buttigieg said that she felt proud that both sides had endorsed the Bill, whose strength laid in the amendments to the Constitution. "The real work however starts now. Because after the amendments and the laws comes the work to move forward. And there is the will from both sides to do so," she said. sector development and $3.7 billion for energy sector projects. Another loan worth $3 billion aimed for restoration of irrigation systems is currently being eyed by Ukraine. Experts, however, question the possibility of closing the deal these days. MPs pass national honours' changes in committee PROPOSED amendments to the Gieh ir-Repubblika Act, which regulates Malta's national honours, will soon come into law following their approval at committee stage. The permanent committee for the consideration of bills met yesterday evening to discuss and approve the amendments following discussions held within the House of Representative. The bill will be presented for the third reading in parliament tomorrow, before it becomes law. The amendments are set to allow a greater number of persons to be honoured. The Gieh ir-Repubblika is a society of honour with membership and honorary membership restricted to those who demonstrate "exceptional merit in the service of Malta or of humanity". The motto of the honours is 'For the benefit of the Maltese'. Maltese citizens may be appointed members of the Xirka. Distinguished citizens of countries other than Malta may be appointed as honorary members. Apart from honorary members, the number of new members may not exceed three every two years, and the total membership is limited to twenty. While agreeing with the proposal to honour persons posthumously, the Opposition has cast doubts on the wisdom of remov- ing the capping, arguing that this will strip off the title of its exclusivity. Nationalist MPs have also questioned whether the amendments formed part of "some preelectoral promises" to garner more votes. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has already nominated 11-year-old Gaia Cauchi and her team for the honour, after winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest last week – a first for the island. The decision has received mixed reactions on the social media, with some questioning whether simply winning a song contest should be deemed as reason enough to be honoured with the title.