Presidency – e PN

Party and its then leader, Alfred Sant, did not concede defeat after the referendum and rejected the people’s verdict. Labour insisted that what they termed as “the Partnership” had won. Therefore, when the referendum results were known, Labour Party supporters were on the roads celebrating. This strengthened the PN’s determination for a confirmation at an immediate election to safeguard democracy in Malta and to guarantee EU membership on 1 May 2004.

In the April election, the Maltese confirmed their referendum verdict and mandated the newly elected PN government to sign the Accession Treaty in Athens four days later. I am proud and honoured to have been present in Athens to witness this historic achievement. According to Labour, had Labour won the election, Labour would not have signed the Treaty. It was through the PN’s political vision that Malta joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and took its rightful place to achieve a better future for our nation. The PN, as always, was on the right side of history.

PL on the wrong side of history

Before the referendum, Labour made disparaging remarks about high EU officials and there were incidents where EU flags were burnt. Labour put up billboards all over Malta trying to ridicule Prime Minister Fenech Adami and the PN. Joseph Muscat now pompously heads the EU Presidency, not thanks to him. Way He had militated strongly in the PL insisting for a vote against membership. With Alfred Sant, Muscat vociferously campaigned voters to shoulder responsibility during the referendum and directed them to vote “NO”, abstain or invalidate their vote. Muscat repeated that the referendum would not bind. Hence the PN’s courageous decision for an immediate election.

Labour was on a scaremongering campaign falsely predicting, among other things, that a vote for EU membership would mean heavy dismissals of Maltese workers, EU workers would take the place of Maltese ones and tourism would take a downward turn. Labour maintained that should Malta join the EU, only about Lm1.2 million in EU funds would be received. For Labour, Malta being a small Nation could never assume the EU Presidency. Happenings prove how wrong the Labour of Sant and Muscat was!

“Membership, the best decision” Muscat

Since membership, almost 13 years ago, Labour has thrown out its false pre-EU membership policy and accepts PN’s visionary one that membership is fruitful. That membership brings sacking and that tourism will take a downturn is now history for Labour. Labour boasts and prides itself on having almost full employment. Also recently, Malta International Airport forecast 5.2 million passengers for 2017. The Maltese are witnessing billions of euro funds flowing into Malta as against the approximately Lm1.2 million mentioned by Labour. Furthermore, during the first six months of 2017 Malta is holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU – something Labour erroneously predicted could never happen.

Since membership, even Joseph Muscat (now Prime Minister and leading the EU Presidency) appears to have changed his anti-EU position. In 2009, Muscat, who was one of the masterminds against membership, declared: “I believe in Europe with all my strength.” After Brexit, Muscat insisted that Malta’s decision to join the EU had been the best one and that “this government will never hold a referendum on EU membership. I will not allow my country to commit suicide. If anything of the sort happens and Malta exits the EU, it is tantamount to suicide.” What a contradiction to Muscat’s pre2003 scaremongering! Hopefully, Muscat means what he says.

Proud of the EU Presidency

Were it not for the determination and forward-looking political vision of the PN which was always on the right side of history, Malta would not be holding this EU Presidency. As a nation, we should pride ourselves and should not leave a stone unturned to exhibit the progress and achievements made since membership. We are on an equal footing with European giants enjoying equal rights and voting powers.

Regretfully, during this major historic event, with the eyes of Europe focused on us, our country’s name is tarnished with the Panama Papers scandal and the involvement of Minister Konrad Mizzi (the only EU member state Minister mentioned) and Joseph Muscat’s Chief of Staff. Topping this, a mystery still shrouds the ownership of a third secret company, Egrant Inc. opened together with one for Mizzi and another for Muscat’s Chief of Staff.

The government’s credibility is at stake especially with our European partners. After Muscat removed Konrad Mizzi from Energy Minister in the wake of the Panama Papers revelations, he has now nominated him to lead the Energy Ministers’ meetings during this Presidency. Conveniently and for reasons known to him, Muscat – like two of the three mystic apes – apparently hears no evil and sees no evil in this.