Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/844884
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 5 JULY 2017 News 6 CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 He commended "huge efforts" in Mali and other third coun- tries, especially in commu- nities that "earn a living by smuggling people". Several MEPs described their satisfaction at the progress made by Malta, in closing a number of important dossiers. However, there was also con- siderable criticism by those claiming that the presidency had failed in effectively deal- ing with migration. Cypriot MEP Neoklis said that despite efforts on migra- tion by the Maltese presidency, cooperation in the Mediterra- nean was at a dead-end. This was echoed by Patri- zia Toia of the S&D who in- sisted that Italy should not be "left alone" on migration, and Georgios Epitideios who accused Europe of failing to show solidarity with Greece and Cyprus as migrants con- tinued to flow into Europe. Despite the criticism, several others pointed out that the Maltese presidency could not be blamed. Sven Giegold from the Eu- ropean Greens said it was a "shame" that the presidency was being accused of not solv- ing the migration problem, adding that other member states had been refusing to cooperate on migration policy for years. During his intervention, Muscat said the presidency had "achieved" a lot in terms of making a difference to people's lives – such as the elimination of roaming charges across the EU, the signing of the Istanbul Convention on domestic vio- lence as well as legislation to combat money laundering. He said that not many would have thought that "such a small country" would have been able to chair so many meetings, and work on so many issues that would affect the lives of European citizens. Alfred Sant, leader of the La- bour Party's delegation to the European Parliament, said the presidency had been a success despite "efforts made to deni- grate Malta, by implying the rule of law was not being fol- lowed". He also noted that despite progress on a number of fronts, there was still no consensus on migration and tax policy. Money laundering legislation Several MEPs spoke about the presidency's track-record on money laundering legisla- tion. Pagazaurtundua Ruiz, from the Alliance of Liberal Demo- crats praised Malta for push- ing forward "highly ambi- tious" legislation on money laundering. However, Gilles Lebre- ton from the Europe of Na- tions and Freedom Group, accused Malta of being "a tax haven" and had failed in fighting money laundering. Similarly, Green MEP Jean Lambert criticised Malta for its "silence" on taxation mat- ters as well as for its inaction on the revelations from the Panama Papers leaks. Sven Giegold said that while the Maltese presidency had failed in implementing successful money laundering legislation, it was not Malta's fault since every member state was de- termined to protect its own "dirty money". In response, Muscat said he appreciated there were many "misgivings" on tax policy while reiterating his belief that the matter fell within the remit of individual member states. Muscat defends Maltese Presidency's achievements Hotel proposed in Mellieha main square Superintendence objects to demolition of old house JAMES DEBONO A property overlooking Misrah il-Parrocca is being earmarked for demolition to make way for a new hotel. A planning application pre- sented in February foresees the construction of a four-star hotel with pool, and restaurant with outside catering area in Misrah il-Parocca. The development involves the creation of a new storey rising above the existing streetscape. Objectors have pointed out that this will create four blank party walls, as well as two blank back walls. The property is described as being of high cultural heritage value, "having architectural, historical and social historical value" by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage. According to the Superintend- ence this property warrants protection and preservation and should not be demolished. The Superintendence has called on the PA to object to the applica- tion. Din l-Art Helwa has also ob- jected to the proposed demo- lition of the property located within Mellieha's Urban Con- servation Area, calling for a more sensitive approach to the elevation on Misrah il-Parocca. The façade, at the very least should be retained, DLH said in its objection. A bell-shaped well is reportedly found in the vicin- ity of the new development. The hotel is being proposed by 3Elev- en Ltd, a company owned by Garrett and Stephanie Zerafa. V18 new executive director appointed CATHERINE Tabone has been appointed as the V18 Founda- tion's new executive director, replacing Karsten Xuereb with immediate effect. Xuereb will be taking up a new post at the Superintend- ence of Cultural Heritage whilst Margerita Pulé, formerly pro- gramme coordinator, has been offered a role in an unnamed government entity related to the cultural sector. Pulé will be re- placed by Joanna Attard Mallia, who used to be Pulé's assistant. The appointments follow a week of rumours targeting the V18 Foundation and the changes that took place just six months before the start of the events marking Valletta as the European Capital of Culture in 2018. The rumours and deci- sions taken prompted a reaction by the European Commission's panel monitoring Valletta 2018, which has written to the gov- ernment requesting clarifica- tion on the high-profile chang- es. The committee had expressed concern over the "unexpected yet critical changes in the team and structure of Valletta 2018". "The sudden departures of the executive director [Karsten Xuereb] and an important part of the artistic team… are very risky steps at this stage," panel chairman Ulrich Fuchs wrote, in a letter seen by the Times of Malta. "It seems decisions that led to these changes have been taken without the usual legal require- ments, due transparency and communication, notably among all members of the board of the foundation," the panel said. "Such profound structural changes in Valletta 2018 team only a few months before the opening compromises seriously the prestige and success of the European Capitals of Culture initiative in 2018 in Malta." In a statement issued through the Department of Information, the Ministry for Culture said Tabone had graduated from the University of Malta and the University of Cambridge, with specialisation in cultural his- tory. For the past 13 years, Tabone held various managerial posi- tions in the public administra- tion, as well as curator of the Inquisitor's Palace in Birgu. In 2013, she was appointed as cultural director and was also responsible for discussions held related to the cultural sector and audio-visual during Malta's presidency of the Council of the EU. Tabone was also responsible for leading the ratification pro- cess of the UNESCO conven- tion on safeguarding intangi- ble heritage. She also handled the Vatican Nativity, organised in collaboration between the government, the Curia and the Holy See. The Culture Ministry insisted that, contrary to reports, the Foundation did not sack any persons, nor did it fire Maren Richter – the curator of the main Visual Arts exhibition in the V18 cultural programme. It also said that V18 Founda- tion chairman Jason Micallef kept the board of governors abreast during the whole pro- cess, and decisions were agreed to unanimously. Catherine Tabone is the V18 Foundation's new executive director