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Why Europe is a must for Malta

At a young age, Jason Azzopardi is already carving out a name for himself as a criminal lawyer. But what of his political aspirations? RAY ABDILLA finds out…

As a lawyer, human rights is his forte, and it was his interest in this subject that spurred Nationalist backbencher Jason Azzopardi into a career in politics.

"Two issues triggered my interest - the human rights abuses committed by the Labour government of 1981-1987 and the Church school saga of 1985," Dr Azzopardi explains. "Both these factors left an indelible mark on my psyche.

"I used to attend Stella Maris College and the tension created, unnecessarily, by the then Labour government showdown emboldened both students and parents and I still remember my terminally ill mother, together with my father, attending the several public gatherings organised by the FPTA. Such was their resolve to fight the diktat of the Labour regime of that time."

Dr Azzopardi admits that even though he has been active within the party since he was 17, when he was first elected to the Paola PN committee and thereafter to the MZPN executive, it never crossed his mind that he would eventually contest the general elections.

But his enthusiasm was ignited when he was invited by Eddie Fenech Adami to contest the 1996 elections.

"The fact that I felt I had a contribution to make, albeit a small one, the fact that the PN represented the values and ideals I believe in and my belief in the European vision helped me in my decision to contest," he says.

Among the ideals which he holds close is his staunch support for European Union membership.

"As EU members, we’ll benefit from effective solidarity, increased stability in our major trading partner, the right to participate effectively in decisions which affect Malta nonetheless and increased clout in international affairs which means a relevant Malta," he says. "If Malta wants to attract more investment it needs to be trusted and better known. Membership in the richest and most dynamic economic bloc in the world ensures all this. It will be tantamount to a certificate of warranty, ensuring a real future of opportunities."

He describes opting out of EU membership as blowing like the "proverbial candle in the wind".

"There will be less investment - just look at the 1996-1998 period – we will be a Malta which is less credible on the international stage and lacking international relevance," he argues. "Furthermore, in the upgrading of our infrastructure and environment, which we have to carry out irrespective of EU membership, we cannot receive any structural funds or cohesion funds.
"We’ll have to revert to the politics of the 1980’s begging for the crumbs that fall from the head table."

I am interested to know whether all Nationalist MPs are as pro-Europe as Dr Azzopardi.

"As honestly as I can say, I have never heard any Nationalist MP speaking against accession," is his reply. "I am in no one’s heart, but in no discussion, gathering or meeting were such sentiments expressed.

"On the other hand, I personally know several Labour MPs who either in my presence or otherwise have expressed themselves very clearly against the MLP so-called alternative.

"Loyalty precludes me from divulging any names but I can certainly count several Labour MPs who are pro-membership. After all, it was their ex-leader who in the summer of 1998 had declared in Parliament that Dr Sant must not deceive himself into thinking that all the MLP parliamentary group is against EU accession."

And does he feel that the current lack of consensus on EU membership is damaging the country’s credibility?

" I think that this lack of consensus is of a temporary nature since the MLP will, like the Greek and Spanish socialists before their countries joined the EU, become staunch supporters of the EU after Malta’s accession," he answers. "However, it is certainly not aiding and abetting the economic climate. Saying otherwise is simply not being realistic. The MLP’s stance is deliberately intended to harm Malta’s image on the international stage, tarnishing our reputation with potential investors."

I wonder if Dr Azzopardi accepts the criticism that the government is perhaps focusing too strongly on Malta’s EU bid, to the extent of ignoring the country’s other problems, especially unrest with the unions.

His belief is that more problems could be solved through better use of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

"Our difficulties and problems should be pre-empted and not allowed to fester," he says. "Many are avoidable, especially where collective agreements expired, originated in 1997 or 1998 when the MLP was in government and did nothing about them."

He also stresses that the manner in which the Nationalist government is dealing with industrial action is in stark contrast to the way such action was dealt with before.

"The PN government has never adopted a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ approach but has conducted negotiations in an open-minded manner," he says. "This reflects the values that make up the PN, a party that views the human being at the centre of its policies and not a commodity to be played around with in some ‘Cittadin l-Ewwel’ manner."

So he believes the PN is on course for another election victory?

"The PN’s policies have won the people’s approval in four out of the past five elections due to its faithfulness to its electoral promises and capacity to empathise with the needs and desires of the electorate," he answers. "However, with its obsession to follow an obstructionist policy, the MLP likes painting itself into a corner. It has a penchant for self-inflicted wounds.

"Just look at the incessant flow of criticism from foreign personalities that its Swiss fantasy is attracting from the same people and countries that a potential MLP government would have to negotiate with to implement its dream of a ‘special arrangement’.

"The PN means what it says and says what it means; the MLP merely goes after hard headed political short-sightedness.

"The Nationalists have also always professed full faith in the capabilities of the Maltese, whilst the MLP displays a continuous cycle of negativity, of cocoon style, blindfolded politics."

He continues with what he cites as examples of the MLP’s doom and gloom prophecies.

"If the MLP had had its way, we would have had snap general elections 18 months ago and mass unemployment due to the removal of levies when in actual fact such removal resulted in increased employment.

"We would also have experienced failure in the local councils when today they are definitely here to stay, such was their success and we should apparently be in the throes of a recession due to the liberalisation programme when in actual fact it is being well received all round."

Continuing on the theme of the way forward for the economy, Dr Azzopardi stresses that in a modern globalised world economy, privatisation is a must.

"At least, both political parties in Malta agree on its need. Perhaps, what we don’t agree about is the method to achieve it," he says. "We certainly do not agree with Maltacom’s privatisation in 1997 by the Labour government where millions of liri worth of shares ended up in anonymous pockets due to the bearer issue. It was a crass case of lack of transparency by a government which preaches transparency as its mantra."

Since he is still young, I am interested to know whether Dr Azzopardi has aspirations to move to the frontbenches and also if he thinks the government could benefit from a Cabinet reshuffle.

"It would be presumptuous on my part to answer this question. My opinion on my capabilities is besides the point here," he replies. "Even though I am one of the latest arrivals, so to say, in Parliament, I have come to love parliamentary life and I think I have worked extremely hard these last two years. But all MPs should keep in mind that the decision of whom is assigned ministerial duties is a prerogative of the PM."

He does, however, stress that there is no room to take anything for granted in politics, be it a general election or referendum.

"Complacency means signing one’s political death warrant. Nothing in politics is a foregone conclusion and anyone who dares thinks so is treading a dangerous path," he says.

But he believes that with a vigorous, properly planned and executed information campaign, the government will secure a "yes" vote on the EU issue.

"Truth is on our side," he says. "The MLP has too much of a pie in the sky attitude to be convincing.

"I am overwhelmed by the number of families I visit holding on to the Labour party but who are also in favour of Malta’s accession to the EU. They are simply fed up of the antics of the MLP leadership which they view as indulging in masochistic politics."

He adds that the Labour party would portray itself as a more serious opposition if it stopped indulging in mudslinging and making unsubstantiated claims.

"Such insinuations are nothing but an exercise in gimmicks," he says. "After all, it was the leader of the Opposition himself who had stated that mudslinging will result in at least some mud sticking and that he believes in the value of gimmicks in politics.

"There you have it - sordid politics at its worst."