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22 Opinion maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 DECEMBER 2013 Marlene Mizzi Beyond the tinsel and the baubles I must admit that the Christmas period is one of my favourite times of the year. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I am a 'Christmas baby', having been born just hours before Christmas day! Although in Malta we lack the really cold weather and the snow associated with this season, the Christmas spirit is something that can be really felt. The country can attest to this fact with all the streets and houses lit up, and all those Santas climbing up balconies. But apart from the tinsel, the baubles and the lights, the Christmas season gives us, both as individuals and as a community, the chance to look back at the year that passed and reflect on it. Personally, this year was certainly one to remember. My election as a Member of the European Parliament in May of this year made it a much more hectic but certainly a more interesting one. It has been a wonderful journey. The role of an MEP is many a-time perceived as being just a ride on a gravy train. The reality is that although there are benefits that come with the job, a good and effective MEP requires a lot of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, long hours at the office and endless travelling. In my short time there, I can put hand on heart and honestly say that I have given it my best. Being in office for just a year of the legislature is very challenging. Fortunately, it took me very little to settle into the system – a huge bureaucratic wheel of never-ending rules and regulations. Looking back, I can look at this year with pride at the work accomplished and with optimism for the future. On a national level, this year was dominated without any doubt by the general election of last March. The clear result of the election gave closure to a political saga that had unfortunately been going on for the better part of this year and last year. Such a massive change after such a long time will inevitably lead to some growing pains. After more than nine months however, one can see that the current government is finding its feet and is working towards the implementing of its agenda and electoral promises. I am very sure that the atmosphere which is being experienced by the citizens this Christmas, after the government's benevolent budget, contrasts sharply with last year's Christmas time will present us with an opportunity to forget about politics and other differences and reunite as a nation Christmas, which saw a country having a government with no majority and an imminent but date-less election date. I am sure that this year, the business community and everyone else (well almost!) is thankful for this change of atmosphere. Christmas is a wonderful opportunity for reunification. Christmas time will present us with an opportunity to forget about politics and other differences and reunite as a nation. Activities like the traditional L-Istrina fundraising marathon are in this way a Godsend, as they manage to unite the country together behind the goal of helping those who are in need. We must all make an effort to remember that we are all, first and foremost, Maltese, that having different political or religious opinions should not YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt serve to divide us but to remind us that tolerance of divergence is a proof of democracy. The last point is particularly pertinent. The call for taking care of those less fortunate in society during the festive period is done every year. Indeed to some, it may now sound like the traditional cliché. We must all remember that those who need help, not only do so in Christmas time, but throughout the whole year. However, the truth is that in holiday times, society must make a bigger effort in order to give to everyone the opportunity to have, even if for a short time, some joy and happiness remembering that loneliness, grief and sadness are all felt so much more during this time. Looking forward, 2014 is shaping up into another important year. The elections of the European Parliament in May 2014 will provide all us with a few months' worth of headlines and political debates. At the end of it all, we will perhaps have a better picture of what road the European Union will take for the future. However, my hope is that we can extend the so-called Christmas spirit of unity beyond the Christmas period and carry it out throughout the year. This is my last article for this year. I would like to take the opportunity to wish the editor, staff, readers and their families, a serene and prosperous, but above all healthy, new 2014. Marlene Mizzi is a member of the European Parliament info@mizzimarlene.com CALL FOR TENDERS FOR THE DESIGN AND PRINTING OF WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ADVERTS (PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AND DECIDED) (Ref: T13/2013) Season's Greetings The Employment and Training Corporation would like to inform its customers that the Corporation's The Chairman and Board of Directors, the Management and staff extend their Christmas and New Year's greetings to A participation fee of Euro25.00 needs to be paid in order to submit an offer. Late or This project issubmissions will by the EU Life+ Funding Programme the incomplete 50% co-financed not be considered. Diversion from specification will render the offer null and void. www.mepa.org.mt