“Malta is no walkover," says John Dalli

“Our negotiators are doing a very good job, they are no walkover, and they are doing their best to retain zero rate VAT on essential products.”

This was stated by Finance minister John Dalli, during a forum organised by IVA Malta fl-Ewropa. He added, that Malta will know exactly the fiscal value of the structural funds by the end of the year and before the referendum.

He emphasised that Malta’s future was in Europe. But he corrected the perception that everything would be organised for us by the European Union.

He argued the case that we must always remember, that if once a sector gained another sector would have to suffer.

"If we provide subsidies for the dockyard, we can only do so with the taxes of other workers.

"If we impose levies on potatoes, we do this at the expense of the consumer.

"When you only campaign for votes, you do not see the two sides of the coin," he said.

Also speaking at the forum held at the Halland Hotel, were Shadow minister Leo Brincat and Mr Saviour Balzan for Moviment IVA ghal-Ewropa.