News • 19 January 2003

Green Party launches EU campaign

SLIEMA - Alternattiva Demokratika formally launched its pro-EU membership campaign yesterday at its new headquarters in Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema.

Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo urged people to vote ‘yes’ in the upcoming referendum and to vote AD in the upcoming general and local elections if they wanted the best for Malta.

"As a progressive party that wants the best for Malta, AD supports EU membership, something we have been doing actively through our participation in the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee and through the European Greens," Dr Vassallo said.

"We confirm our disappointment with the anti-EU membership stance adopted by the Malta Labour Party, especially with regard to the fact that Labour, with all its pro-citizen speak, will not trust the sovereign vote of Maltese and Gozitans in the upcoming referendum and is also exerting unfair pressure on pro-EU membership Labourites who want to exert their democratic right to vote in the referendum."

Pro-EU Labourites

Dr Harry Vassallo said AD would be stepping up its efforts to explain its pro-EU stance, through the media, home visits, debates and public activities.

"We will also be confirming that through us not only Greens but also Labourites that support EU membership can use their vote for the best for Malta. A ‘yes’ and Alternattiva vote will help ensure a better quality of life, protection of the environment, a more sustainable economy and more social and civil rights in all areas under the responsibility of European, Maltese and local institutions.

"EU membership will help Malta become a modern nation while enhancing its neutral status. Our country will form part of an economy of almost 500 million persons, enhancing exports and attracting investment through a more credible economy characterised by EU standards. Workers will stand to gain from more rights such as occupational health and safety. Maltese and Gozitans will also gain through a better environment.

"AD disagrees with certain outcomes of the negotiations, such as the deals reached on hunting and trapping and on plastic bottles, but the benefits definitely outweigh the disadvantages, which AD will keep striving to overcome."