Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/698019
2 FORMER Prime Minister Alfred Sant said that a resolution at the European Parliament calling on the UK to withdraw from the EU as soon as possible by triggering Article 50, would play into the hands of forces in Europe who will see in it multiple opportuni- ties to call new referenda in other EU states. Tabling an explanation of vote at the European Parliament, the Maltese MEP said he voted against the resolution submitted jointly by the EPP, the S&D, AL- DE and the Greens because there was no legal or political basis to insist that Article 50 should be activated forthwith. All other Maltese MEPs – Da- vid Casa, Therese Comodini Cachia, Roberta Metsola and Miriam Dalli – voted in favour of the resolution, except for Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi who was not present for the vote. Sant said the UK, which re- mains a very important part of Europe, was in political turmoil and in no position to start nego- tiations on leaving the EU. "Waiting till the situation sta- bilizes before the leave process takes off, will not affect the cur- rent state of uncertainty, and is in the fundamental interests of Eu- ropean, including British, work- ing people," Sant said. The Maltese MEP said the way forward, as presented in the reso- lution, would be incomprehen- sible to most European citizens and their families, and would not appear as a response to their con- cerns and fears. "The resolution does not ask the right questions or provide the right replies – starting a wide dis- cussion on treaty changes, some directed towards increased fed- eralism when no prospect exists to bridge effectively the growing divergences between different re- gions of the EU, is not the right way forward. "This should be consolidation and a total insistence on giving priorities to growth policies in Europe. Moreover the approach defined by the resolution will play into the hands of forces who will see in it multiple opportuni- ties to call new referenda," Sant said. The resolution passed with 395 voting in favour, 200 voting against and 71 abstaining. Metsola: Mitigation is key On her part, Roberta Metsola (PN-EPP) said MEPs had to do what was possible to mitigate the period of uncertainty in the fi- nancial markets and among Mal- tese and other EU citizens living in the UK. "I voted in favour of a resolution that called for the UK to trigger Article 50 'as soon as possible'. This means that we are sending a signal to the UK that, while we are not setting any impossibly tight deadlines, we would like to bring clarity to the situation as soon as possible. That is what people expect from us now. We need to see how best to go about reforming the EU to ensure that it remains ever more relevant to the lives of every citizen and the sooner we start the better." Metsola said that while many may regret the choice of the Brit- ish people, European had to make sure that their will is respected. "We should not drag out this situation longer than necessary. The negotiations will be tough but I want to make clear that contrary to what Nigel Farage may be saying, there is simply no way that any country can have all the benefits of EU membership without the costs or the respon- sibilities." maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 29 JUNE 2016 News Angry exchanges and insults dominate extraordinary EP session MIRIAM DALLI ANGRY exchanges dominated an extraor- dinary session of the European Parliament after Ukip leader and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage resorted to insult MEPs, claim- ing that they've never worked a day in their entire life. "Isn't it funny, when I came here 17 years ago and said I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the EU you all laughed at me," Farage told the extraordinary plenary session. "Well, you're not laughing now." The EP met yesterday morning ahead of the European Council, during which it backed a resolution proposed by the major political groupings which called on the UK to respect the wish of a majority of EU citizens, "entire- ly, fully and as soon as possible, by officially withdrawing from the EU before any new re- lationship arrangements can be made". European Commission President Jean- Claude Juncker even went as far as asking Farage to justify his presence at the plenary: "You were fighting for the exit, the British people voted in favour of the exit. Why are you here?" As MEPs expressed their anger and frustra- tion, Farage accused them of being in denial. "You as a political project are in denial… the euro currency is failing," he said, to more protests. In one breath, Farage called for "a grown up and sensible attitude" to how the UK and the EU will negotiate a different relationship whilst insulting MEPs, telling them they've never worked "a proper job". "None of you has done a proper job in your lives or worked in business or worked in trade or ever created a job," he said. EP President Martin Schulz was forced to intervene and calm down the MEPs. "Ladies and gentlemen, I do understand that you are getting emotional but you are acting like Ukip usually acts, so don't imitate them," he said. Turning to Farage, he added: "The facts that you're claiming that no one has done a decent job in their life, you can't really say that. I'm sorry." Farage even managed to irk MEPs in his attempt to build an argument on why trade between the UK and the EU should not be stopped. "If you were to decide to cut off your noses, and to reject any idea of any sensible trade deal, the consequences would be far worse for you than for us," he said, to more booing. "Even a no deal is better for the UK than the current rotten deal that we've got. Let's be pragmatic and sensible and let's cut a free tariff deal and thereafter recognize that UK will be your friend, that we will trade with you, that we will be your best friends in the world but allow us to pursue our global ambitions." Former Belgian prime minister and lead- er of the liberal group Guy Verhofstadt was equally blunt when replying to Farage's speech. "I am shocked Farage that you are pre- senting yourself as the defender of the lit- tle man when you have an offshore finan- cial construction… But let's be positive: we will finally get rid of the biggest waste of the Union's budget that we have paid for 17 years… your salary." One MEP, Scottish Alyn Smith, made a heartfelt appeal to the EU not to abandon Scotland. The Scottish electorate voted 62% to 38% to remain in the EU. "[We] voted to remain within our family of nations. I demand that status is respect- ed. There are a lot of things to be negoti- ated with cool hats and warm hearts. But please remember that Scotland did not let you down. Please I beg you, do not let Scot- land down now," he said to clapping and a standing ovation. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is today meeting Schulz as Scotland has made it clear it does not want to leave the EU. "I will say 'welcome' and 'nice to meet you' and I will listen to what she has to say. I've never met her before and she was the one to ask for the meeting," Schulz said, as he skirt- ed reporters' questions on whether Scotland will push for an associate membership with the EU. "This is a domestic question of the UK and anything that concerns internal debate has to happen within the framework of rules and laws." Sant: EP resolution plays into sceptics' hands Labour MEP Alfred Sant Old foes: Liberals' chairperson Guy Verhofstadt and UKIP leader and MEP Nigel Farage