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Two years ago people overwhelmingly endorsed the European project. Euphoria was running high. Many people believed in Europe as the panacea for the country’s economic ills. Some remained highly suspicious others reserved judgment. With the passage of time people started to draw a more realistic picture. Many have come to realise that Europe is a tool rather than an end in itself. In all fairness, the project was politically sold as a long-term benefit with future dividends to be enjoyed by today’s youth. In today’s political climate following the mismanagement of people’s expectations and the rhetoric uttered, there is a serious danger that euro-scepticism will spread locally.
This danger must be avoided at all costs. This newspaper is still totally committed to the European dream. We still believe that in the long term our quality of life will improve. We have however serious misgivings on how the project is being administered. We recognise the successes and have no hesitation in highlighting them.
Europe has served as a catalyst for the public finances problem to be tackled. The reduction of the deficit is a direct consequence of all pressures emanating from Europe. Making the reduction of the deficit a government priority is good economic sense and management of the economy. Any company in trouble first addresses its debt problem and focuses on stopping the haemorrhage.
Membership of the European Union also places Malta in a better position to attract foreign investment. SmartCity@Malta is just one example of benefits following our European membership. Many local companies are also benefiting from EU funds, which place their companies in a better position to compete.
The EU funds, if invested wisely, are also a means of modernising our country. The EU directives serving as guidelines and standard setting criterion are also of immense benefit to the long-term modernisation ambitions of this country. All level headed people recognise these benefits. We are also conscious however of the difficulties being encountered.
We have serious misgivings on the way government agencies are operating. These authorities are fundamental in European culture. They serve as the protectors of the interests of the consumers and they are a bulwark against bad business practises, which only serve to protect closed shops and unfair trading. Europe is committed to having a level playing field in place. Regrettably locally the authorities are far too silent and absent. The culture of ministerial dominance still rules. Decisions where consumer interests are at stake are being taken in government ministries and not at the offices of the authorities. This is a negation of the European culture. Suffice it to state how the surcharge issue is being handled. The consumer simply feels that no authority is defending his vital interests. We were assured that Europe would impose free trade and total liberalisation of the markets. Yet two years down the line a junior minister refers to the possibility of price orders being introduced. A throwback to the nasty eighties!
We are assured that Europe is listening; yet we remain with little support from Europe in overcoming the illegal immigration problem. As the most densely populated country in Europe we felt that accepting Malta as a transit state would be a foregone conclusion. How wrong we were. This problem risks creating massive social problems in our country. Europe must stand up and be counted, if we are still to believe in solidarity as the guiding light of the Union. We still await concrete European action.
Europe was also sold as the great protector of civil liberties. Many independent minded citizens voted in favour of European membership to see their rights widened. They remain disillusioned. They still anxiously await the enactment of a freedom of information act, the legalisation of cohabitation, an enlightened electoral reform act, which entrenches the principle that all votes are represented in parliament. It would appear that the calling off of the electoral reform talks is yet another reminder that our political class cannot raise to the occasion. Narrow vested party interests still call the shots.
We dreamt of a better environment, a natural environment that would be conserved, wildlife preserved, hunting seriously curbed, trapping abolished, tipping eliminated, pollution reduced, landscape embellished. If there is an improvement, Joe Bloggs has yet to have a taste of this.
We believed that membership would inculcate a culture in favour nurturing our national institutions. We looked forward to witnessing appointees to positions of high office acting in the national not the party interest. Regrettably il senso dello stato is often absent.
Government is well advised to explain to people the tangible acquisitions of membership, which are not few. It should be equally committed to widen civil liberties and giving space to civil society, the hallmark of a liberal society.
Local European enthusiasts hope the necessary reforms to modernising our society economically politically and socially are fast tracked. Is government prepared to take up this challenge?
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