Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/388498
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2014 Opinion 27 I taly, a founder member of the EU, plays a leading role in the setting of priorities for the Commission during the current EU-Presidency. Italy is considered a close ally of Malta, not just geographically, but also politically, and it shares a number of similarities and concerns. Like Malta, Italy, also considers tour- ism as a pillar of its economy and the fact that the Commission's Italian Vice President, Antonio Tajani, was the architect behind the launch of the EU tourism policy framework, augurs well for the sector. The Italian Presidency, in coop- eration with the European Com- mission, will be hosting the 13th European Tourism Forum in Naples next month. I will be attending this upcoming forum where the Italian Presidency and the Italian Ministry in charge of Tourism are finalising the draft programme for the Europe- an Tourism Forum, which we will be discussing among others on syner- gies between culture and tourism. It will seek to promote the exchange of best practices in the sector and push for strategic direction to reinforce Europe's brand positioning as the world's number one destination for cultural and sustainable tourism. The EU Commission's tourism policy framework underlines the need to promote and develop its image in global markets and promote cooperation with China, Russia, India, Brazil, Japan and the United States, among other markets. The Fo- rum should support the EU's efforts to further expand tourism in Europe. As a member of Schengen, Malta is bound by the rules when it comes to the issuing of visas, and we are encouraged to note that the Italian presidency is committed to continue working on measures to further simplify existing visa procedures and facilitate the movement of non-EU citizens in Europe. This is important for Malta if we are to be successful in attracting visitors from BRICS coun- tries and other emerging economies. The professional development of human resources is a key success factor for tourism, as this is a main resource that establishes the qualita- tive level of our visitors' experience. The foundations for quality are comprehensive training and an improvement of the workers' profes- sional skills. The Presidency is closely examin- ing the issue of employment in the tourism sector and is looking at ways to invest in specialised advanced training and also at the creation of a network of European best prac- tices in the academic field. It aims at training a generation of tourism professionals through advanced and innovative management models and the creation of synergies, involving the private sector. If implemented, this is an initiative which will be particularly beneficial to tourism in Malta as it will help fill the void in certain sectors of our industry, when it comes to the supply of manage- ment professionals. The other areas of interest to our islands include: The harmonization of national research programmes on cultural heritage, involving stakeholders and researchers in cultural heritage. The goal is to develop a European integrated data and service platform in cultural heritage, which allows interaction between the different countries, and to further develop digital cultural heritage; Further support cultural and environmental heritage through improved access to sites of cultural value and preservation of natural beauty, which support the govern- ment in the development of the cultural heritage market segment in Malta, a very important market that has the potential to increase and improve our seasonality spread; Maritime and blue innovation, important competitiveness pillars: the Presidency intends to organise specific events and work with the Commission and Member States to define a Blue Growth initiative for the Mediterranean, which Malta stands to gain from. Clearly the Italian presidency priorities for Europe are focused on growth and competitiveness. Our tourism sector is set to gain from this Presidency and we will surely be giving our full and active contribution in this respect within our stated objectives and targets for this sector. This is obviously an ongoing and very 'live' process but we are determined to fully exploit the Italian presidency term to maintain the positive momentum going and achieve a better return for our econo- my from this key sector. Edward Zammit-Lewis is minister for tourism J ust a few hours after the dust settled over the grand celebrations of the 50th anniversary of our Independence, The Times revealed that Lands Commissioner Joe Bugeja had tendered his resignation from office at the Government Property Department. The Opposition has been following at close distance a series of strange decisions being taken within the department. Relevant people have been sidelined since the last general election. Eman Schembri, former Director General of the Department, had requested an extension when his contract came up for renewal, only to be refused. Since then, the Lands Department has been embroiled in two scandals – Australia Hall and the Café Premier. In my news conference to the media last Tuesday, the reasons behind the Lands Commissioner's resignation were revealed. In spite of being legally responsible at law for the decisions taken by the department, the Lands Commissioner was repeatedly kept in the dark and made to accept decisions taken by politicians and communicated to him by his colleagues. Some months back, the Lands Commissioner indicated this during the public accounts committee, when asked about his involvement in the decision taken by the Labour Government to withdraw a court case against the Labour Party on Australia Hall. The Labour Party had acted against the conditions as laid down in the emphyteusis by accumulating ground rent arrears and left a Grade 1 historical building in total abandonment. Joe Bugeja stated that he was never involved in the case, in any way. Therefore, it is now crystal clear that the decision to withdraw the court case against the Labour Party was purposely taken behind everyone's back. In fact, the person responsible for affairs related to the use of public property was kept in total darkness. This, in itself, stinks of bad governance and partisan sidekicks. How would you feel if you occupied this position and ended up sidelined on such a crucial decision? The Café Premier scandal involved yet another crucial decision in which the Lands Commissioner was intentionally kept in the dark. He had to accept an "agreement" (bail out) to the tune of €4.2 million reached by an outsider to the department – a consultant to the Prime Minister. The Labour Government is carving up the public service into two – the selected few, and the rest. No matter how qualified you may be, how experienced you are or what skills you have gained – if you are not part of the team, bad luck! This resignation represents an unacceptable level of political interference in the duties of high- level civil servants. Joe Bugeja's resignation, a highly qualified public servant, is the culmination of bad governance. The result is such that the Lands Department is in a crisis. Ultimately, this reflects badly on the leadership style of Joseph Muscat. The Prime Minister has repeatedly stated, in his usual pompous self, that hard working and proactive civil servants will be rewarded. When confronted with Joe Bugeja's resignation, all these words meant nothing. They were, and still are, a mere slogan, no more. The Lands Commissioner is a victim, like many others before him, of the ugly style of politics propagated by the Labour Government. I have been receiving reports of public property abuse for some time now. Why is it that my constituents (not only for that matter) have to come to me to report such cases? It transpires that the helpline 1157, where one could report abuse without revealing one's identity, has been put down. No wonder reports of illegalities have been flooding through at the Nationalist Party's headquarters. This is what happens when a country is run by a Government that permits the outright and flagrant abuse of public property. Lest you be fooled, this is not carelessness, but an outright neglect. We've shared a unique moment of unity last weekend. With hindsight, it really was merely a moment. That moment is now history, and reality has struck again. Colourful words of national unity and dreams of united future generations don't matter much to someone like the Lands Commissioner. They also don't mean much to those who have given their best but have nonetheless ended up sidelined. They surely mean nothing to that diplomat who faced attempts to force her to transfer to the dockyard workers' company, with the attempt stopped by the courts through a permanent warrant of prohibitory injunction. This style of divisive politics is undermining the integrity and performance of the public service. It demotivates civil servants and goes against the Prime Minister's own pledge of rewarding proactiveness. We may be "an independent state" – only to have a public service undermined by political interference. Ryan Callus is Opposition spokesperson for planning and simplification Ryan Callus Walk your talk, Mr PM The Labour Government is carving up the public service into two – the selected few, and the rest Italy's EU presidency buoys Maltese strategy Edward Zammit Lewis We are determined to fully exploit the Italian presidency term to maintain the positive momentum and achieve a better return for our economy