Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/777084
2 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2017 News Online petition calls for unbiased sex education in state schools CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 When asked why the school invited the leader of a lobby group to deliver the lecture on abortion, instead of for example a scientist, George Micallef said that it was perfectly normal for NGOs to deliver talks on their field of expertise. "Would you have had a problem if we had invited BirdLife to de- liver a lecture on birds?" he chal- lenged. "Isn't Miriam Sciberras the leader of a pro-life NGO? So what's wrong if she speaks to stu- dents about pro-life issues?" Education minister Evarist Bar- tolo said in a statement that the education authorities will analyze the material that was presented in the PSD lesson. "The ministry and education di- rectorates have always instructed state schools to teach sensitive subjects like abortion in an objec- tive and age-appropriate manner," he said. "We will lend an ear to the debate [that the lesson stirred up], while continuing to respect the professionalism and judgement of educators." MaltaToday is informed that a number of parents have filed com- plaints at the education ministry against the graphic nature of the abortion video. An online petition has also been set up, urging edu- cation minister Evarist Bartolo to ensure that students receive objective and unbiased sex educa- tion. "By allowing an anti-abortion group to present an inherently one-sided view of sex, reproduc- tion and human life, scholars are prevented from obtaining suffi- cient and accurate evidence to de- velop and reach an informed and objective opinion on these issues," the petition – which has been signed by almost 250 people at the time of writing – reads. tdiacono@mediatoday.com.mt IN the article entitled 'Mal- ta's 'Libya deal ' to push EU border south ', published in MaltaToday's print edition last Sunday, a comment by Chris Catrambone was car- ried in two separate para- graphs; the full comment should have read: "The PM discussed the "Essence" of the EU/Turkey deal in his address at the EU Parlia- ment. He specifically de- fined "essence" as a) fight- ing human traffickers b) enacting Humanitarian Corridors. I agree with both of these actions and look forward to hearing more details of the government's plan. I do not see a solution where vulnerable individu- als with a right to apply for asylum are sent back to a country which currently lacks a government author- ity with full control and sov- ereignty over all the coun- try's territory." The error is regretted. Correction Pragmatic Brexit needed for best possible deal for EU27 YANNICK PACE EUROPE will be adopting a prag- matic approach to Brexit, rather than a hard approach, according to deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech. Asked whether a hard approach to Brexit would push the UK further towards becoming a tax haven, in the absence of access to the Euro- pean single market, Grech said that the Commission would be looking to take a fair approach, the issue must be "addressed within the pre- sent remit of the European Union." This was echoed by the Commis- sion Vice-President Frans Timmer- mans who said that the European Union will strive to "get the best possible deal for the remaining 27 member states," while "trying to do as little harm as possible to both parties." "It's not the European Union that has asked the UK to leave, it's the United Kingdom that has decided, through a referendum, to leave the European Union. I'm saddened by that but it's a sovereign decision by the UK," said Timmermans, adding that the terms upon which the UK is to leave the union must ultimate- ly be stipulated by the country itself on the basis of Article 50. The two were addressing a press briefing following yesterday's infor- mal meeting of ministers and sec- retaries of state for EU affairs where it was emphasised that the Maltese presidency will be giving significant importance to its priority of social inclusion across Europe. The meeting was divided into two sessions, said the deputy Prime Minister, with the first session fo- cusing on security, migration and neighbourhood policy as well as maritime affairs and social inclu- sion. In the second session, the future of Europe was discussed, specifically "the sustainability of Europe and the restoration of trust in the European project." Grech said that with that Europe is passing through challenging times, it would be a "mistake not to galva- nise all efforts towards reunion," and to "add value to citizens' lives" through the European project. On his part, Frans Timmermans, the First Vice-President of the Commission said that all member states were in agreement with, and strongly support the priorities set out by the presidency. He too emphasised that "there is a sense of urgency, to give focus and direction to the EU and to solve some of the most thorny issues," adding that the day's meeting was cause for optimism. "This gives Malta an excellent opportunity to steer Europe in the right direction and to show the leadership that Eu- rope craves." Questioned about the EU's plan for dealing with migration from Libya, especially given the cur- rent situation in the country, Tim- mermans said that it is true that the situation in Libya is a complex one, but added that the EU has very capable people that are able to deal with complicated situations. "The European Commission is at the disposal of the member states to try and find a solution to this," adding that while the problem will probably not be solved overnight, progress will surely be made in the coming months. EU ministers warn treaties must be respected European laws must be respect- ed until the United Kingdom is officially out of the European Un- ion, EU affairs ministers have told MaltaToday. Chief among them were Luxem- bourg's minister Jean Asselborn and Italy's under-secretary for EU affairs, Sandro Gozi, who told MaltaToday that "the rules are clear" and treaties must be re- spected. European Commissioner Frans Timmermans added that no trade agreements can be signed. Ministers for EU affairs are meeting in Malta for an infor- mal meeting of the General Af- fairs Council, where MaltaToday sought to elicit from the ministers how they plan on ensuring that the UK does not negotiate any trade deals with third parties like Australia and the United States. British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected in Washington on Friday where she will hold talks over a US-UK trade deal. "We have rules and that is clear: The UK will remain a member until we have a solution on the grounds of Article 50," said Jean Asselborn. "We have rules; nobody can avoid people coming together and speaking but officially it's not pos- sible and the Brits know it." This was echoed by Sandro Gozi who said that "as long as the UK remains a member of the Euro- pean Union, it must respect Euro- pean law." First Vice-President of the Com- mission Frans Timmermans ac- knowledged that it is not possible to prevent the UK from speaking to other countries, however add- ing: "Everybody can talk to every- one but you can only sign a trade agreement with another country once you've left the European Un- ion." On his part, Didier Reynders, the Belgian minister for European af- fairs stressed that so far, the UK has not triggered Article 50 and that any discussion on matters pertaining to Brexit can only start once the process has officially started. "First of all, we are waiting for the beginning of the process. We are waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court and maybe later a vote on the bill in parliament, and if it's possible, to receive a letter from Prime Minister Theresa May before the end of March… before that we don't have any reason to start anything." The Supreme Court in the UK yesterday ruled that the UK gov- ernment does not have the power to trigger Article 50 without par- liament's consent. Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech and Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans Miriam Sciberras