Former Labour PM calls for ‘safeguard of Malta’s autonomy’ in EP

Former Labour Prime Minister Alfred Sant argued that Members of the European Parliament representing Malta should “safeguard Malta’s autonomy”.

Sant, a Labour candidate for the EP elections, was speakeing during a campaign activity organised at  Cafe’ Riche in Cospicua. He said it was important for the MEPs to stand up for the Maltese government when the latter would be drawing up its budget or when pressures arise to accept the introduction of common taxes on a European basis. “It is Malta’s interests to retain as much flexibility as possible when common European policies are drafted. The likelihood is that such policies would follow one-size fits all approaches,” Sant said.

“In future, it would be wise to foresee how this could happen and to win the support of other EU representatives to prevent it from taking place.”

Interviewed by ONE presenter Alfred Zammit, Sant was asked what challenges Maltese MEPs could face.   

“MEPs would need to analyse faithfully and correctly developments occurring  within the European Union, relate them to Malta’s interests and then take a position that would protect and enhance Malta’s status,” Sant said.

“The ability to work on such a basis would be crucial in areas such as the issue of irregular immigration, the ongoing efforts to ensure that there was a central European control over the budgets of member states and the development of  a European tax structure.”