Former Prime Minister and Maltese MEP Alfred Sant said it is paramount for Malta and Gozo to field one voice in the European Parliament. Maltese MEPs should defend Malta’s sovereignty, defend tax flexibility among EU member states and ensure that the proposed centralisation of the eurozone will not harm Malta’s economy. We must harbour to grasp each opportunity in Malta’s favour whilst opposing proposals detrimental to Maltese and Gozitans.
Alfred Sant, addressing a packed hall in Qawra, said citizens in Europe feel detached from the leaders of the traditional political parties. A case in point was Brexit where the British electorate went against the mood of the traditional political and trade union leaders. This has now led to the uncertainty of future relations between the UK and the EU.
“We must strive for a social Europe. It is imperative that Europe protects the interests of young people, workers and the elderly across the continent.”
The Maltese MEP referred to the proposed federalisation of Europe which will eventually lead to a centralised eurozone.
“This is not in Malta’s interests. We must ensure that Malta sustains its financial growth and structures and distribute the wealth it creates with social justice.”
Alfred Sant emphasised we should safeguard Maltese farmers and livestock producers. EU rules have halved Maltese agriculture. Local farmers and the livestock sector need all the encouragement and protection to modernise their operations and tackle the unfair competition they have been enduring since Malta joined the EU. Maltese agricultural and livestock products deserve government assistance to be promoted and made easily accessible in the local market.
Conference moderator was Emanuel Cuschieri.
Maltese Version – MALTA TEĦTIEĠ VUĊI WAĦDA FL-EWROPA
Irridu niżguraw li Malta jkollha vuċi waħda fil-Parlament Ewropew li tħares is-sovranita` ta’ pajjiżna. L-MEPs Maltin għandhom jiddefendu l-flessibbilita` fil-politika tat-tassazzjoni ta’ kull stat membru tal-UE u jiżguraw li l-proposti għaċ-ċentralizzazzjoni tal-politika taż-żona ewro ma jkunux ta’ detriment għal Malta. Irridu naħdmu biex nisfruttraw kull opportunita` ġdida li tista’ tinqala’ waqt li nkomplu nopponu proposti li ma jkunux fl-interess tal-Maltin u l-Għawdxin.
Dan qalu Alfred Sant f’Konferenza dwar il-futur ta’ Malta fl-Ewropa fil-Qawra li għaliha attendew mijiet ta’ nies.
“Fl-elezzjonijiet Ewropej il-poplu jeħtieġ jagħżel rappreżentanti li jiddefendu l-interess ta’ Malta.”
Sant qal li fl-Ewropa ċ-ċittadini huma maqtugħin minn dak li jaħsbu l-mexxejja tal-partiti tradizzjonali, qed tikber l-iskuntentizza soċjali u qed jikber l-appoġġ lejn il-partiti tal-lemin estrem. Dan deher ċar fir-Renju Unit meta maġġoranza ivvotat favur BREXIT u kontra dak li ħasbu l-mexxejja tal-partiti politiċi u tat-trade unions. Kollox għadu indeċiż dwar ftehim dwar Brexit bejn ir-Renju Unit u l-UE.
“Irridu naħdmu għal Ewropa soċjali li tipproteġi l-interessi taż-żgħażagħ, ħaddiema u l-anzjani.”
Alfred Sant irrefera għll-proposta ta’ Ewropa federali li twassal għal żona ewro ċentralizzata.
“Dan mhux fl-interess ta’ Malta. Malta trid tiżgura li tkompli ssaħħaħ l-istrutturi finanzjarji tagħha u tkompli tqassam il-ġid li toħloq b’ġustizzja soċjali.”
Alfred Sant qal li għandna nipproteġu l-bdiewa u r-raħħala Maltin u Għawdxin li jeħtieġu l-għajnuna biex jimmodernizzaw il-ħidma tagħhom. Bis-sħubija fl-UE il-bdiewa u r-raħħala qed jiffaċċjaw kompetizzjoni inġusta . Il-biedja tagħna naqset bin-nofs minħabba r-regoli tal-UE. Il-bdiewa u r-raħħala jiħtiġilhom l-inkoraġġiment tal-Gvern biex il-prodotti tagħhom ikunu aktar aċċessibbli fis-suq lokali.
Il-Konferenza tmexxiet minn Emanuel Cuschieri
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