Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant told the European Parliament that the priority of the Netherlands Presidency of the European Union should be to promote political cohesion, starting with immigration. Dr. Sant made this statement while the European Parliament debated the programme of activities of the Netherlands Council Presidency starting this January. Dr. Sant said that without being make or break for the European Union, the first six months of 2016 could be make and break for current major European policies. Overall, the main challenge is to maintain political coherence. This should be a priority for the Netherlands Presidency, said Dr. Sant. The Netherlands presidency work programme will focus on four key areas: migration and international security, sound finances and a robust eurozone, Europe as an innovator and job creator and forward-looking climate and energy policy.
The Maltese MEP said the rift between the north and south of the Union can be seen by all. It has been honed by the eurozone’s governance rules, confirmed by the results of the recent national elections in the south and highlighted by the ongoing spat between the Italian government and the European Commission.
A rift between the west and the east has now also become palpable, said Dr. Sant. It has been spurred by the immigration crisis but is driven too by a growing disparity in economic structures and different approaches to political methods. These have hitherto been masked by the perceived need to counter Russian “expansionism”.
Dr. Sant said the possibility of a major EU player leaving the Union is further compounding uncertainties. By putting a priority on promoting political cohesion, starting with immigration, the Netherlands presidency could help to lay the basis for an effective consolidation of EU decision making. At present, institutionally, it is probably in the best position to do so, remarked Dr. Sant.
Various MEPs debated the priorities of the Netherlands Council Preisdency with Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker who also participated in the debate.
Maltese Version – IL-PRESIDENZA OLANDIŻA GĦANDHA TIPPROMWOVI L-KOEŻJONI POLITIKA BEJN L-ISTATI MEMBRI TAL-UE
Alfred Sant qal lill-Parlament Ewropew li l-prijorita` tal-Presidenza Olandiża tal-Unjoni Ewropea għandha tkun dik li tippromwovi l-koeżjoni politika fost l-istati membri tal-Unjoni, l-aktar dwar il-immigrazzjoni. Dr Sant qal dan waqt id-dibattitu tal-programm ta’ attivitajiet tal-Presidenza Olandiża fil-Kunsill tal-UE li bdiet dan ix-xahar. Il-Presidenza Olandiża se tiffoka fuq erba’ oqsma: l-immigrazzjoni u s-sigurta` internazzjonali; finanzi sodi u żona tal-Ewro robusta; il-ħolqien tal-impjiegi fl-Ewropa; u politika tal-enerġija u l-klima. Dr Sant qal li l-ewwel sitt xhur tal-2016 jistgħu jsaħħu u jkissru l-politika attwali ewlenija tal-Ewropa. L-ikbar sfida hija dik li tinżamm l-għaqda politika. ‘Il-prijorita` tal-Presidenza Olandiża għandha tkun li ssaħħaħ it-teħid tad-deċiżjonijiet tal-UE. Preżentement l-Olanda hija fl-aqwa pożizzjoni biex tagħmel dan’, sostna Dr. Sant.
Il-Kap tad-delegazzjoni Maltija tal-S&D qal li l-qasma bejn in-Nord u s-Sud tal-Unjoni jista’ jaraha kulħadd. ‘Dil-qasma hija kkonfermata mir-regoli tal-governanza taż-żona ewro, kif ukoll mir-riżultati tal-elezzjonijiet nazzjonali riċenti fis-sud. Ikkonfermata wkoll mill-battibek kontinwu bejn il-Gvern Taljan u l-Kummissjoni Ewropea. Il-qasma bejn il-Punent u l-Lvant kompliet tiżdied bil-kriżi tal-immigrazzjoni, bid-diverġenzi ekonomiċi li dejjem qed jikbru u bil-metodi politiċi differenti tal-pajjiżi tal-UE. Flok qegħdin niffukaw fuq dawn il-problemi reali, qegħdin nitkellmu fuq il-‘bżonn’ li niħduha kontra l-‘espansjoniżmu’ Russu. Il-possibilta` li pajjiż ewlieni joħroġ mill-UE qed tkompli żżid l-inċertezza fl-Unjoni’, qal Dr. Sant.
Fid-dibattitu dwar il-Presidenza Olandiża ħadu sehem bosta MEPs li għamlu interventi lill-Prim Ministru Olandiż Mark Rutte u Jean-Claude Juncker, il-President tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea.
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