My Euro Vision

 

It has been a great experience, a privilege in fact to be given the chance to stand as a candidate for the European Parliament. I am encouraged and hopeful for a good result without losing the sense of realism that ought to accompany anybody on this kind of journey. If I am elected , I shall serve with unwavering commitment to both my electorate as well as to the ideas and principles I hold dear.

I believe that truth should be the driver of the political process. In all of our choices, we can be guided by a desire to live within its shade or, instead, to do whatever appears to be most convenient at the time, to take the path of least resistance or greatest popularity. We will be cast and characterised according to where we choose to stand on the great issues of our time. On hunting, I have made my position very clear from the outset. I respect the ongoing legal process in which our government is seeking to protect the preservation of a number of hunters' practices and I will fully support its outcome. My voice however, will always be one that urges curbs on any practice that threatens the sustainability of a species. I will promote the enjoyment of our environment and natural life in its fullest beauty. Some sprang to silence me, some claimed they were both with me as well as against me. Some made no secret of the fact that it was voter considerations that pushed their pen and I make no secret that it is truth considerations that will push mine.

In the parliament, we need people who will continue to defend the particular characteristics of this country even where they go against the current and defy the European model. We should continue to hold the flame for the unborn child. Our agenda should not be simply to prevent the right to procure an abortion in this country but also to act to limit it everywhere else in the Union. Is that charging at windmills ? Perhaps it is, but let there be a nation that refuses to go with the flow on this. On divorce however, we cannot continue to ignore the social realities that are mushrooming all around us. We need to look at truth in the eye and determine whether our society and its members are better off or not with the current legislation. We need to come to terms with the fact there are Maltese persons who are asking to be given the legal tools to break with their past and start afresh within a context of rights and obligations. Today, we are a nation in denial that believes that because we have no divorce we have no broken relationships.

Why would a pregnant woman cross deserts and seas to escape her country? To give a better life to her child is one answer. She wasn’t pregnant when she left is another, but got raped at every border crossing. These are the truths we cannot turn our face away from. Our battle should not be with those at the edge of our shores who ask for refuge and deserve it. Let us continue to engage instead, with the hard-heartedness of those in Europe who would sweep this problem under our carpet. We need, and must strongly claim, more money to provide humane reception to those who are held here and more material expressions of burden sharing. We also need to realize that this is not a temporary problem. Africa is not going to provide for its own overnight, neither is some mysterious God of Geography going to move us out of the way.

When all is said and done, votes counted and winners garlanded, I will look at my campaign expenses. Twenty thousand euros is what each candidate ought to have spent or benefited from regardless of direct payments or donations received. I was struck, in the last general election, by the adamant refusal to compromise on truth taken by some candidates with respect to their expenditure. Some did not present their expense declaration, to avoid taking false oath, and others simply refused to run a campaign in excess of the allowable one thousand three hundred euros. You cannot canvass a district on that, neither can you canvass all the electorate in Malta and Gozo on twenty thousand euros. What you can do is say the truth, always. That is what I plan to do

PRESS RELEASE

The importance of the upcoming European Parliament Elections was stressed by Edward Demicoli during a social meeting he held yesterday.

Edward Demicoli, who is contesting these elections on behalf of the Nationalist Party, said that Malta, like the rest of Europe is at a cross-road. At times there are decisions which one needs to take, in view of circumstances. There are other decisions which are to be taken aware that their impact is extremely important. On June 6^th, the country will be faced with another decision that of choosing who will be representing us in the European Parliament in the coming 5 years.

These elections come at a time when the whole world is at a cross road. Malta is starting to feel the pinch of the recession. The gross domestic product has experienced a drop in real terms in the last quarter of last year. A number of firms are experiencing a drop in sales and consequently a drop in activity. Although the recession is a global one and the solutions that need to be agreed upon by the governments of the leading economies have to be global in nature, Malta still needs to address the issue locally to seek to mitigate the negative impact.

Malta is once again at the cross roads. It needs to decide how best to tackle the recession such that we are fully prepared to exploit the opportunities once the international economy starts to pick up momentum again. We have been at the cross roads before. In 1964 when we gained independence, in 1987 when we were faced with further retrenching of the economy into itself or liberalisation of the economy, in 2003 when we had to decide on EU membership, and in 2008 when we adopted the Euro.

Facts have shown that each time this country was at a cross roads, the Nationalist Party showed us the way. Not the easiest way, maybe and not the most popular way but time and time again the way forward proposed by the Nationalist Party was the best one.

My decision to contest the next European Parliament elections in June is based on a belief that this is the best possible way I can serve Malta in Europe.  For the past 10 years I have, in various ways, worked to facilitate Malta's membership in Europe, and hope that as an MEP I continue this work within the ranks of the Party which always took the best of our country. 

Il-Partit tal-Konvenjenza

Anke jekk fuq livell individwali, għal darb oħra kellna konferma li l-inkonsistenza hija s-sisien tal-politika Ewropeja tal-Partit Laburista. Il-vot li ttieħed u li minnu il-Membri Parlamentari Ewropej Laburisti irnexxielhom jagħmlu ħerba huwa xhieda ta’ kif il-Partit Laburista dejjem ttratta l-Unjoni Ewropeja b’nuqqas ta’ konvinzjoni, sempliċiment b’konvjenza.

Kuntrarju għal-Partit Nazzjonalista, il-vizjoni politika kien dejjem mnebbħa minn vizjoni li Malta għanda tkun membru tal-Unjoni Ewropeja. Il-Partit Laburista, għal konvejnenza ra kif jipprova jdawwar kull issue ta’ importanza nazzjonali fuq livell partiġġjan billi jopponi dak li fl-interess nazzjonali jidher li huwa tajjeb.

Għall-Partit Laburista il-konvejenza dejjem ħadet l-ewwel post. Din it-tip ta’ attitudni għandha tassew tħasseb l-elettorat meta jiġi biex jagħżel il-kandidati tiegħu biex tassew l-interessi ta’ Malta u l-Maltin ma jiġux sagrifkati għal konvenjenza politika tal-laburisti. 

AT THE CROSS ROADS ONCE AGAIN

It is generally agreed that the international economic recession that has gripped the world’s leading economies is very deep. There is disagreement however as to how long this recession will last and as to how best to tackle this recession. This recession is different from that experienced in the past for two main reasons – it is a global recession in that it is hitting the leading economies simultaneously (albeit to a different extent) and it has been brought about by a crisis in business and consumer confidence (because the credit crunch is really nothing more than a lack of confidence by financial institutions in themselves and their customers).

Malta is starting to feel the pinch of the recession. The gross domestic product has experienced a drop in real terms in the last quarter of last year. A number of firms are experiencing a drop in sales and consequently a drop in activity. Although the recession is a global one and the solutions that need to be agreed upon by the governments of the leading economies have to be global in nature, Malta still needs to address the issue locally to seek to mitigate the negative impact.

Malta is once again at the cross roads. It needs to decide how best to tackle the recession such that we are fully prepared to exploit the opportunities once the international economy starts to pick up momentum again. We have been at the cross roads before. In 1964 when we gained independence, in 1987 when we were faced with further retrenching of the economy into itself or liberalisation of the economy, in 2003 when we had to decide on EU membership, and in 2008 when we adopted the Euro.

Facts have shown that each time this country was at a cross roads, the Nationalist Party showed us the way. Not the easiest way, maybe and not the most popular way but time and time again the way forward proposed by the Nationalist Party was the best one. History has proven the Nationalist Party right every time. History on the other hand has not been kind on the Labour Party. On each of these occasions they have consistently offered the worst option. Throughout the history of this young nation, the Labour Party offered protectionism and was proven wrong. Instead of EU Membership, the Labour party offered pie in the sky/Switzerland in the Mediterranean/Partnership. Instead of having the courage to go for early membership into the Eurozone the Labour party offered devaluing the Lira. When leadership was required, when decisiveness was a must, Labour offered neither.

On each of these occasions, the people chose to place their trust in the leaders of the Nationalist Party, in George Borg Olivier, in Eddie Fenech Adami and in Lawrence Gonzi. History has proven that the options these leaders gave were the correct ones. Once again though, we are facing a situation that is comparable to these occasions. It is a situation that requires strong leadership and decisiveness. The wrong decisions now will haunt us for years to come.

In all of this the Labour Party seems oblivious. It is a party that is far more eager to talk about refunding VAT on car registration, and on why we shouldn’t have an underground museum in front of St John’s co-Cathedral than on the economy and how we can create new jobs and safeguard those that we have. The country is at a cross roads but the Labour Party is not even bothering to choose which path to take. Not because they are still working on their policies; but because they have chosen to be absent and this to the detriment of the country. They are choosing the politics of style over substance, of trying to be popular with one and all, choosing the issues that could win some votes rather than choosing the right issues.

We are coming up to the elections for the European Parliament. It may appear to some that the members of the European Parliament would have little say on how to address the international economic recession. This is simply not the case. The European Parliament takes decisions on a number of issues that can and do have an impact on the Maltese economy. Facts have shown that the Labour Party members of the European Parliament have not always voted in the best interests of the country. They have forgotten the old Labour Party Mantra Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox choosing to kowtow to whatever Mr Schultz from the European Socialists tells them to do. They voted against Maltese interests or abstained on issues like migration, detention period, and e-gaming. Issues where Maltese interests are at the core of how they should have voted. They simply cannot be trusted with Malta’s interests.

It is for this reason that the European Parliamentary elections are to be considered as critical. Malta is once again at the cross roads and a vote for the Nationalist Party candidates is a vote for the persons that have the best track record, that have always offered the best solutions, that have got it right time and time again.

 

TEMP MIGNUN

L-ambjent ta’ madwarna qiegħed jinbidel: it-temp qiesu xi kultant ‘jiġġennen’.

Illum il-ġurnata il-bidla fil-klima jew kif nafuha ahjar ‘climate change’ saret frażi familjari ma’ kulhadd. Il-gassijiet u dħaħen li t-teknoloġiji tradizjonali jitfgħu fl-arja tagħna jaf dwarhom kulhadd u nafu fejn ser iwassluna.

Malta, bħala pajjiż żgħir, jipproduċi biss persentaġġ żgħir ħafna minn dawn l-gassijiet, imma xorta nhossu l-effet tad-dħaħen li jipproduċi ħaddieħor.

Fuq livell personali kulħadd għandu jagħti sehemu fil-ġlieda kontra l-bidla fil-klima. Min-naħa tagħna individwalment ukoll nistaw naghtu kontribut, affarijiet żgħar: bħal nitfu bozza meta ma hemmx bżonnha, jew ma naħlux ilma u nużaw bozoz li jaħlu inqas.

Apparti dawn il-passi żgħar, li kulħadd jista jieħu, għandna bżonn nieħdu ukoll passi akbar bhala pajjiz.

Il-gvern diġa beda jaħseb f’dan r-rigward u grazzi għal-Ministeru għar-Riżorsi u Affirijiet Rurali u l-Uffiċju tal-Prim Ministru diġa ġie ffurmat progett interministerjali biex jaħdem fuq din it-tema. B’mod kawt u kuxxjenzjuz qegħdin niksbu riżultati tajbin anke fuq livell internazzjonali.

Ma’ dan ma nistawx ninsew proposti dwar produzzjoni ta’ enerġija alternattiva bħal dak ta’ l-imtieħen proposti fuq is-Sikka l-Bajda. B’dawn il-Gvern qiegħed jagħti sinjal ċar li l- bidla fil-klima qegħda fuq quddiem fl-aġenda ta’ pajjizna u li qieghed jsir kulma jista’ jsir biex Malta tilħaq livell sodisfaċenti fi zmien qasir.

Hemm bżonn li Malta tkun magħquda f’vuċi waħda ma’ ‘kor’ ta’ pajjiżi ikbar biex b’hekk leħinha jinstema’ wkoll fil-kamp internazzjonali. L-Unjoni Ewropeja qegħda toffrilna din l-opportunita’ fejn Malta qegħda membru fl-iktar blokk li jinsab fuq quddiem fil-ġlieda ghal ambjent aħjar.

Il-pajjiżi tal-unjoni f’Diċembru 2008 ftehmu fuq pakkett ta’ proposti biex isaħħu l-proċess li bih ser jitnaqqsu mill-arja dawn il-gassijiet li qegħdin jheddu l-ħajja tal-ġenerazjonijiet ta’ warajna. F’dan il-pakkett ġie propost u maqbul unanimament mill-pajjiżi tal-Unjoni Ewropeja, li sal-2020 dawn il-gassijiet iridu jitnaqqsu b’għoxrin fil-mija fuq il-livell li kien ikalkulat ghal-1990.

B’hekk l-UE qegħeda tiftaħ t-triq biex l-ulied tal-Ewropa stess, fosthom uliedna l-Maltin, jkunu jistagħu jikbru b’moħħhom mistrieh li ta’ qabilhom ħasbu fl-ambjent li huma ħa jqattgħu l-aqwa ta’ hajjithom fih.

Biex tagħmel dan l-UE qed toħloq fond apposta biex pajjiżi bħal Malta jkunu jistaw jibbenefikaw u jmexxu l-quddiem proġetti li jzidu l-effiċjenza, inaqqsu d-dipendenza fuq iż-żejt u jħajru aktar proġetti ta’ enerġija alternattiva bħal mir-riħ jew x-xemx.

Ir-rappreżentanti ta’ Malta fil-Parlament Ewropew għandhom jkunu dik il-vuċi soda ta’ dan il-pajjiż fi ħdan l-familja Ewropeja, biex inkunu nistaw naraw pajjiżna dejjem mixi l-quddiem, minkejja d-diffikultajiet kollha u ċ-ċirkostanzi partikolari tiegħu.

Respect for the environment, respect for myself

From the Independent on Sunday 19th April 2009

by Edward Demicoli

Respecting the environment is a matter of self-respect. Our size and lack of resources and, frankly, lack of commitment in the 1970 and 1980s has led to the environmental scene in Malta becoming one that threatens our very well-being.

Since the mid-1990s, consciousness has developed and in the current era organisations such as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) and the various interested NGOs have continued to play their part.We all know however, that we still have quite a way to go.Space management has always been an extra challenging task for islands the size of Sicily let alone for virtual micro-states like Malta. It is a matter of history that it has always been the PN in government that sought to regularise development: the excesses of the 1970s and 1980s when anyone could build anything practically anywhere, which was not that long ago, should never be forgotten.

The creation of the Planning Authority, now Mepa, an organisation that is not universally loved, is evidence, if evidence is needed, of a commitment to at least try to impose a structure and procedure in the planning context.Mepa is in the process of restructuring itself under the direct guidance of the Prime Minister. With certain sections of our media being what they are, and certain vested interests having the influence they have, I am under no illusion that criticism of Mepa will continue and the way it will be changed. Nonetheless, those of us who are not blinded by self-interest but are guided by self-respect will willingly give it a chance.

Waste management, a different but closely related subject, was non-existent up to a few years ago. Anything was dumped in the available sites (even in valleys and by the road side!) with no consideration for toxic gases resulting from mixture of waste, damage to water table, and so on.

Now, however, we can finally speak and not just dream about a zero waste society and a waste management strategy that tackles the vast bulk of waste locally without distress to residents. The days of mattresses and fridges by the roadside should be a thing of the past because the amenities are there. What’s next is all of us being responsible enough to use them.

We now have to consolidate and seek avenues for further developing the waste management situation to be able to tackle also those categories of waste that still need to be exported and/or very expensive processing.Ways have to be found to lessen the strain placed on the shoulders of consumers, although these, at the end of the day, are also producers of waste.

Measures taken are rarely popular when they are introduced and, combined with the natural aversion to change many people have, there will always be those who grumble about further burdens and costs. Nevertheless, it is the government that introduced these changes that was re-elected, evidence that people accept that our living space and our environment is our collective responsibility.

In a wider context, we are currently seeing a public consultation on a document that will give Malta safe foundations for climate change control initiatives. We are aiming to reach targets without increasing burdens or pandering to populist notions of how things should be done but which ignore realities or practicalities.

All in all, I think I’m allowed to dream that my children are going to live in a cleaner and brighter world than the one in which I grew up.

I also believe that I can help make that dream become a reality if I have your trust in the European Parliament elections come June.

Changing the face of local politics

By Edward Demicoli

The decision by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to nominate George Abela as the next President is one that will leave an indelible mark on the political landscape of this country. It is a bold, unprecedented decision that shows that Lawrence Gonzi belongs to that rare breed of politicians that are capable of putting the national interest before the interest of their own party.
Let’s face it, the boldness of the decision is also reflected in the fact that the majority of the people were genuinely surprised by the news. For most, it was a pleasant surprise. I can also understand that for some people, including people that belong to the Nationalist Party, it is not easy to stomach the fact that a Nationalist Prime Minister has taken the initiative to nominate as President, a significant political figure, someone from the opposite camp. Not any someone, but someone who was the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, a long serving lawyer to the General Workers Union, a consultant to the then Prime Minister Alfred Sant and a person who a few months ago contested the leadership of the Labour Party. In a truly objective leadership contest, George Abela could arguably have been Lawrence Gonzi’s main political opponent today.

There is another equally important side to the Prime Minister’s nomination of George Abela as the next President and that is the fact that Dr Gonzi involved the Leader of the Opposition in the process. Dr Gonzi did not need to do this, he could have nominated anyone without seeking the consensus of Joseph Muscat.

I genuinely believe that George Abela has the right credentials to be an excellent President. He is charismatic, intelligent, astute, experienced and liked. He is a person that can further build on the courageous decision taken by Dr Gonzi to put the national interest first and contribute to a better political climate in the country.

The boldness and vision of Prime Minister Gonzi has been tried and tested. But one cannot reach the same conclusion on Joseph Muscat. It is not a bold move for a Labour leader to accept a proposal by a Nationalist Prime Minister to nominate a former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party for the Presidency. Joseph Muscat’s boldness and vision will be tested if, in the weeks, months and years to come, he will be able to treat national issues in an objective way and stop the tactic, typical of Labour Party leaders, to try and score political goals on national issues and in sensitive cases where Labour shouldn’t be playing games, let alone scoring goals. Joseph Muscat has still to pass this test.

Edward Demicoli is a Nationalist Party candidate for the European Parliament Elections.

Labouring to deceive

Times of Malta
Saturday, 21st March 2009

Edward Demicoli

After five years of consistent hard work by Maltese diplomats in Brussels, the European Commission has agreed to allow Malta to permanently keep a derogation allowing our country not to charge VAT on food and medicines. This was no easy task.

During our negotiations for entry into the European Union, Malta had worked hard to try and get a derogation from this rule and, at the time, managed to obtain a temporary reprieve until 2010.

When compared to Cyprus's attempt to negotiate the same derogation, this was considered a victory, especially since Cyprus had to accept a shorter period of adjustment and today has introduced VAT on food and medicines. Malta did not.

This little island of 400,000 inhabitants, the smallest in the EU, said no. We continued arguing our case post-membership, we took a stand, we made our point, we showed Europe that we import all our food and medicine, that we have increased costs, that economies of scale work against us. We were relentless in pursuit of our right and we could do this because we believe that we can make a difference.

The Labour Party (PL) does not believe this. It is as simple as that. The PL never believed in Europe and never believed that we can make a success of Europe. Even though today they talk the talk on Europe, they cannot walk the walk because they do not know how.

It is ironic that, while the government was relentlessly pursuing Malta's interest, the PL leader was trying to make us believe that Malta was paying more to Europe, that we are contributing to Europe and not benefiting. In a nutshell, what Joseph Muscat is saying, with just a minimal effort of reading between the lines, is that Europe was a bad idea and that himself, Alfred Sant and Sharon Ellul Bonici were right. We should not have joined as we are contributing more. Dr Muscat is trying to say: "I told you so!"

The truth though is different. Labour is once more labouring to deceive on Europe as it did in the years prior to the referendum.

I remember those years well. It was my task to inform the public on Europe. On the issue of VAT on food and medicines, we had told the public that the government was negotiating on this issue. The PL was scaring everyone into believing that the prices of food and medicines are going to explode because of VAT, that the Sicilians will take our jobs, that we will not have an EU Commissioner, that we will lose our overtime, that the Maltese will never be an official EU language that... the list goes on.

The truth is simple. Dr Muscat was and still is wrong. He was wrong six years ago and he was wrong the other day. He was also wrong 18 months ago when he said that we should wait before joining the euro. His party was wrong when it said we should devalue the lira before joining the eurozone. Wrong, wrong and wrong again. Everyone can see that today because the facts have shown that the PL was, and please allow me to repeat myself once again, wrong.

The sad thing is that Dr Muscat does not accept these facts. Instead of admitting that his calculations on the funds Malta received were off the mark by some €200 million, he had Charles Mangion write an article trying to patch things up and not succeeding at all, one might add. Instead of telling everyone that, had we listened to his advice on Europe and on the euro, we would be so much worse off, all Dr Muscat has to say is that we are now members of the EU and there is nothing more to say. Matter closed, says he.

Well, I beg to differ. On all the important decisions this country had to make, the PL was wrong. It can admit it was wrong and start afresh, a real new beginning. It has to tell us so that next time an important decision is to be taken we can look at the PL's track record and compare it to that of the Nationalist Party.

And therein lies the difference between the two parties. Whenever our Prime Minister was convinced that an alternative course of action was more viable he changed course.
It is the mark of a true leader to recognise one's mistakes and to have the maturity to change tack. In persisting in the error of his and his predecessor's ways, Dr Muscat is showing us he has a long way to go to be considered in the same league.

Mr Demicoli is a Nationalist Party candidate for the European Parliament elections.

Il-ħarsien tal-annimali

Kif il-bniedem iġib ruħu ma' kelb jew qattus hija riflessjoni tas-soċjetà li ngħixu fiha. Kif persuna tħares lejn annimal, kif persuna tittratta annimal, huwa mera ċara tar-ruħ ta' dak il-persuna.

Din il-ġimgħa għadna kemm rajna episodju ieħor li spiċċa fil-media tagħna, episodju li juri biċ-ċar il-mod li ċerti persuni jħossuhom komdi jittrattaw klieb b’mod tal-mistħija. Jien dan l-aġir iqabbadni rabja kbira. Ma nistax nifhem kif hawn nies kapaċi jagħmlu hekk lil annimal daqshekk fidil u leali bħall-kelb. Però sfortunatament dawn in-nies jeżistu.La jeżistu rridu naraw li s-sistema legali tagħna tkun waħda li verament tikkastiga lil dawn in-nies u li verament isservi ta’ deterrent ħalli dawn l-affarijiet ma jsirux aktar. Il-politiċi, il-pulizija u l-qrati għandhom ilkoll ikunu katina waħda sabiex verament nipproteġu annimali li jisfaw vittmi ta' nies bla kuxjenza.

L-Ewropa wkoll għanda x’titgħallem f’dan il-qasam. L-Unjoni Ewropea għandha liġijiet li jipproteġu lill-annimali, imma dawn ġeneralment huma indirizzati lejn annimali tal-irziezet jew annimali li huma wirt komuni Ewropew bħall-għasafar tal-passa. F’dawn l-aħħar għaxar snin kemm ili involut fil-qasam Ewropew kienu ħafna li staqsewni, u bir-raġun, għaliex l-Unjoni Ewropea ma titkellimx fuq il-mod krudili li jinqatel it-toru fi Spanja? Għaliex qatt ma tkellmet fuq il-mod li jitqatta' biċċiet il-volpi meta jkun ikkaċċjat bil-klieb fil-kampanja Ingliża? Ir-raġuni għal dan hija li kull pajjiż għandu l-liġijiet tiegħu però naħseb li wasal iż-żmien li nibdew naħsbu ftit f’qafas ta' liġijiet komuni.Fil-Parlament Ewropew jeżisti digà grupp ta' membri parlamentari minn partiti politiċi differenti li qegħdin jaħdmu għal dan il-għan. Il-European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals ilu mwaqqaf sa mill-1983. Minħabba n-numru limitat tad-Deputati Maltin fil-Parlament Ewropew, sal-aħħar laqgħa f’Novembru tas-sena l-oħra, ma kien attenda l-ebda Malti f’dan il-grupp. Jien tkun prijorità għalija li nagħti kontribut f’dan il-grupp għax sinċerament nemmen li l-issue tad-drittijiet tal-annimali għandha tingħata ferm aktar importanza.

F’dan il-qasam għad hemm ħafna x’irid isir. L-ewrogrupp għall-annimali huwa l-vuċi għall-għaqdiet li jaħdmu fil-qasam tad-drittijiet tal-annimali. Fil-proposti tagħhom għall-partiti li qegħdin jikkontestaw għall-Parlament Ewropew, dawn qegħdin jagħmlu ħames proposti. Li l-annimali fl-irziezet ikunu miżmuma aħjar, li jonqsu l-esperimenti fuq l-annimali, li tiżdied il-protezzjoni tal-annimali domestiċi u l-pets, li jiġu kkonservati u rrispettati l-fawna u l-flora u li jiġu infurzati l-liġijiet li jeżistu. Dawn il-ħames proposti huma lkoll validi u importanti. Illum il-ġurnata żdied it-traffikar tal-annimali u minkejja li hemm trattati li jħarsu dan, xorta waħda qed issir moħqrija lill-annimali minħabba dan il-kummerċ. Il-mod li qegħdin jiġu mrobbija l-ġriewi tal-klieb għall-bejgħ ukoll għandu jiġi mħares. Irridu naraw li jkun hemm sostenn qawwi ħalli aktar annimali jiġu msewwija. Il-lista ma tispicca qatt!

Irrid nagħlaq billli nfaħħar lil dawk kollha li jagħmlu ħidma voluntarja fl-għaqdiet non-governattivi li jaħdmu fil-qasam tal-ħarsien tal-annimali. Ilkoll kemm aħna għandna obbligu lejn dawn in-nies. Dawn ilhom jaħdmu snin twal sabiex f’pajjiżna l-annimali jiġu trattati aħjar. Wasal iż-żmien li dawn in-nies jiġu megħjuna ħalli l-annimali f’pajjiżna jiġu verament imħarsa kif jixirqilhom. Bdejt dan l-artiklu billi għedt li l-mod kif inħarsu l-annimali tagħna huwa riflessjoni tas-soċjetà. Ejjew inkunu kburin b'dak li naraw f’din ir-riflessjoni.


Edward Demicoli...biex inkompli nservik fl-Ewropa
www.edwarddemicoli.eu

L-MEPs Laburisti ħadmu kontra u mhux favur l-interessi ta' pajjiżna

Għal darb'oħra l-Membri Parlamentari Ewropew (MEPs) tal-MLP użaw il-preżenza tagħhom fil-Parlament Ewropew biex ħadmu kontra u mhux favur l-interessi ta' pajjiżna. Il-Kandidat tal-PN għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew Edward Demicoli qal dan fi stqarrija b'referenza għal vot fil-Parlament Ewropew mill-MEPs Laburisti biex pajjiżna u l-pajjiżi l-oħra tal-Unjoni Ewropea jaċċettaw terroristi mill-Ħabs ta' Guantanamo Bay wara li dan jingħalaq. Dan sar mingħajr l-ebda konsultazzjoni mal-poplu Malti.

Edward Demicoli fakkar kif anke dak li llum hu l-Mexxej Laburista Joseph Muscat kien ipprova juża' l-pożizzjoni tiegħu fil-Parlament Ewropew ħalli Malta ma tingħatax fondi mill-UE u b'hekk tgħin ħalli l-problema tal-iskart tissolva. Demicoli qal li l-għeluq tal-Ħabs ta' Guantanamo Bay hu pass ta' min ifaħħru. Madankollu, kwistjonijiet marbutin mad-detenzjoni ta' dawk suspettati b'terroriżmu huma ta' interess nazzjonali u m'għandhomx ikunu trattati fuq livell Ewropew.

'Bait' for liberals?

He comes straight out of the PN’s ‘broad church’. But is the party stretching itself beyond its limits by fielding anti-Spring hunting and pro-divorce Edward Demicoli?

It was a Nationalist government which applied for a derogation from the Birds Directive, the EU’s law against Spring hunting, under the terms of Article 9. This right was specified in the Accession Treaty on Malta’s insistence in 2003.

Now that the European Commission has started infringement procedures against Malta, for its breach of the Birds Directive by derogating from the ban on spring hunting without having justified it in the first place, the same Nationalist government has vowed to defend the derogation permitting hunting for quail and turtle dove in Spring, at the European Court of Justice.

But Edward Demicoli, a former officer for the Malta EU-Information Centre, and now assistant to Joanna Drake, former PN candidate for the European Parliament and today the head of representation for the European Commission, will not use his seat in the European Parliament to defend the government’s and his party’s stance on Spring hunting.Indeed, if a resolution is tabled in the European Parliament calling for the abolition of Spring hunting in Malta, he will “certainly vote in favour”.

Demicoli insists his call to abolish spring hunting is a personal opinion and has nothing to do with the government’s case in the European Court of Justice. “This is my personal opinion. I do not believe Spring hunting is sustainable.”Why didn’t he express this opinion before?

“I did so on the first occasion I had to express my personal opinion. I was not a politician before I announced my candidature.”

Demicoli’s stance on hunting has not only earned him the rebuke of the Hunters’ Federation, whose secretary Lino Farrugia has ordered a boycott against him; but also that of Nationalist MP Philip Mifsud, who reminded Demicoli that the promise made to hunters “should be honoured, till the end, and by everyone within the party... even by newcomers like Mr Demicoli.”

But Demicoli insists that he remains free to express his views within the party. “I am proud of contesting with the PN because they don’t put a gag on your mouth by putting a €15,000 fine on your head,” a snide remark at the PL’s decision to fine any MEP candidates that don’t abide by party directives.

Demicoli was deputy head of the MIC for the four years prior to the EU referendum, having consistently offered the derogation from the Birds Directive as a lifeline for hunters. But had the MIC been too economical with the truth when it told hunters that Spring hunting will remain if Malta joins the EU?

“Not at all… we were correct. On Spring hunting we were simply there to tell the people what was negotiated. That is exactly what was negotiated. We could not foretell that three years later there would be a reinterpretation because of the Finnish court case in 2005.”

Even on divorce, yet another untouchable issue for Nationalists, his position deviates from that of the party’s establishment. Demicoli states he will “surely vote in favour” in a referendum on divorce, even if he prefers divorce to be introduced through a free vote in parliament. “This is not a matter which should be decided through a referendum. A serious analysis of the situation should be made and on the basis of this, the necessary measures taken by parliament.”

He also qualifies his support for divorce by advocating measures aimed at strengthening families. “There is no single solution to the problem of marital breakdown. But I believe that divorce is one of the solutions. But apart from introducing divorce we have to take measures which strengthen the family. For example people, who opt for a civil marriage should also be offered marriage preparation courses.”

Although the European parliament has presently no jurisdiction on moral matters like divorce and gay marriages, it often votes on resolutions urging member states to introduce gay marriages. And both PN MEPs David Casa and Simon Busuttil have voted against these resolutions.

While favouring the recognition of same sex partnerships, Demicoli opposes gay marriage. “Discrimination based on sexual orientation is unacceptable in all cases. But the definition of marriage as a union of a man and a woman should remain. On the other hand all couples who live together including same sex couples should enjoy the same civil rights.”Despite all the rhetoric we hear on balancing work and family duties, Maltese MEPs have been united in defending Malta’s opt-out from the working time directive which limits working time to an average of 48 hours during a 12 month period. Demicoli says he will not break ranks with this ‘united front’, even if he recognises that the directive is not as draconian as many in Malta make it out to be.
Demicoli points out that the directive does not limit any extra number of hours of part-time work. And workers can work more than eight hours of overtime in particular months, if they work overtime in other months. “Practically one can work all the overtime hours allowed by the law in the summer months. It leaves leeway.”

He also recognises that the law was introduced to protect workers. “One cannot disagree with the intention behind it. But one has to look at the local context where a large number of people depend on overtime… the opt-out for our country is the best solution. Even the trade unions want the opt-out to remain. Ultimately it is a good thing that workers determine how much overtime they make.”

Demicoli does not stray too far from public opinion on the sensitive issue of illegal immigration, opposing any reduction of the 18 months’ detention period while calling for more “burden sharing” between member states.“I agree with 18-month detention periods. Our country’s problems are what they are. Of course they should be treated humanely but we should not make it easy for those coming here. A deterrent is necessary.”

Yet he does not mince his words describing those proposing that immigrants should not set foot in Malta as crazy. “Whoever says these things does not know what he is saying. Such statements are crazy.”

So what is the solution advocated by Demicoli?
“While immigrants who have no right to stay should be repatriated to their country of origin Malta should only take a percentage of those granted protection or refugee status, while the rest are shared with the other member states.”

Demicoli defends the agreement reached between member states, which foresees the voluntary relocation of migrants to those countries who are willing to do so. “Don’t tell me that we can in any way go to the United Kingdom forcing them to take 50 immigrants. But if a country starts taking migrants on a voluntary basis others will be encouraged to do so.”He lambastes Azzjoni Nazzjonali and the Labour Party for making a fuss about this issue. “The truth is that neither Joseph Muscat nor Josie Muscat can force anyone to take migrants from Malta.”

And he is also aware that there is no way in persuading some European countries to share Malta’s burden. “Some countries simply do not care about Malta. Countries like Denmark insist that they have their own problems and will never take immigrants from Malta.”

Most opposition to burden sharing comes from the right-wing parties, some of which are represented in the European People’s Party. Does he see this as a problem? “Not really. The main obstacles to burden sharing are not raised in the European Parliament but in the European Council by member states.”

Nor does Demicoli have any qualms in singling out Libya as a major cause of Malta’s immigration problems. “The real problem is Libya. We have a neighbour which refuses to abide by international law. Spain does not have the same problems with countries like Senegal.”

The Maltese also can do their part by not employing illegal migrants illegally. “This only serves to attract more irregular migrants attracted by the prospect of employment in Malta as immigrants do not distinguish between legal and illegal employment.”

On the other hand Demicoli believes that those who have a right to stay should be offered legal employment to avoid the exploitation of cheap labour. “In reality we did not experience any surge in unemployment since immigrants started coming over to Malta. Our unemployment remained low.”

Demicoli sees his candidature for the EU parliament as a continuation of his EU-related career, which now has spanned a decade. He served four years as Simon Busuttil’s deputy in the Malta EU Information Centre. “They were four very difficult years in which we were explaining to the general public all the issues at a time when many were scared and apprehensive.”

Demicoli’s relationship with MEP Simon Busuttil goes a long way, to the time when they worked together in Radio 101. “We are now certainly competitors but we are still good friends. It is a friendly rivalry.”

In the past four years, Demicoli occupied the post of press and political officer at the European Commission’s representation in Malta. His work consists in informing the general public on what Brussels is doing and giving feedback to Brussels on what the general public is actually feeling.
Is there a big gap between EU institutions and the citizenry? “Certainly there is a gap which has to be bridged. Sometimes Brussels does not understand the reality of a small island. Most of my work in the past four years centred on making sure that they understand the specific realities of this island. All EU laws are basically good as nobody makes laws to harm people. But one cannot apply these laws in Germany, and in the same manner in Malta.”

The European Parliament is often criticised for being a very expensive gravy train with very little effective powers. Demicoli acknowledges that most power lies in the hands of the European Council, where member states are represented. But he sees a great role for MEPs both as legislators and also a peg between NGOs, small businesses and European institution. “MEPs have an important role in networking,” says Demicoli.

Demicoli is not deaf to criticism levelled against the so-called “travelling circus” between Brussels and Strasburg, which sees some 5,000 people, as well as 20 tonnes of documents make the monthly trek between the two parliaments. Estimates suggest the set-up costs around €200 million a year. “The amount of money and carbon emissions being wasted is crazy. This is something which no MEP likes. Unfortunately it was in the treaty when France wanted one of the institutions, and even today although there is a big movement against it, it still insists on retaining the Strasburg parliament.”

Demicoli has no doubts that Brussels should serve as the sole location of the European parliament. “It is the place where all the networking takes place. One cannot have a place in the middle of nowhere like Strasbourg. Pressure has to be applied on France to give up this blessed place they have.”

Will people be voting for the party or for the person in next June’s election? “Surely most people will vote for the party they support. But this election gives a greater leeway for people to vote for the person they like.”

Edward’s father Charles Demicoli is also directly involved in the Nationalist Party strategy core. Recently his name was revealed in the recipients of an email sent by party secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier to party insiders, which accidentally found itself in the Labour general secretary’s inbox.

Is this an advantage for the younger Demicoli?

“My father has been involved in the party for a very long time and this is something which I am not ashamed of,” he says, saying he is proud of his father’s role as leader of the PN’s frontline activists back in the turbulent 1980s, the so called ‘Tal-Gakketta Blu’.

“I cannot say that my surname does not help. Many ask me ‘are you Charles Demicoli’s son’? It’s a good icebreaker, especially with those who worked with my father before 1987 when the country suffered its worst times.”

'Hunters' boycott strengthens me'

Edward Demicoli, a PN candidate for the European Parliament elections, said today that a call by the hunters' federation for its members not to vote for him, made him proud.

The call was made by the federation this morning after Mr Demicoli came out against Spring hunting when he launched his electoral campaign.

"I am against Spring hunting as I believe that this is not sustainable. Nothing that FKNK can or will do will make me change that view. It can only serve to strengthen it," Mr Demicoli told timesofmalta.com.

He added that had the FKNK exercised more control on its rogue members the hunting situation in Malta would not have become what it is today.

Earlier, the FKNK said it had issued its directive against Mr Demicoli at the launch of an MEPs Election Campaign.

The campaign has the slogan “FKNK – For Your Rights in Europe”.
"Ironically and without shame Mr. Demicoli, the Malta/EU Information Centre (MIC) Deputy-Head for the past 10 years chose to attack the Maltese socio-cultural tradition of spring hunting during the launch of his campaign as a member of the European Parliament, conveniently forgetting and totally contradicting the information that MIC had enlightened hunters and trappers with prior to the EU Referendum vote," the federation said.

The federation said any single hunter’s YES vote for Europe was based on gross misinformation of material facts and consequently that EU membership was based on a hoax. It quoted from statements from a MIC Fact Sheet entitled “Hunting and Trapping Enthusiasts”, (http://www.huntinginmalta.org.mt/uploads/24/508/Hunting__Trapping_Entusiasts_MIC _Fact_Sheet.pdf )which said, among other things that: : “…Malta argued that hunting in Malta is mostly practised in Spring because it depends on migratory birds. The EU acknowledged these arguments and Malta will be able to retain hunting in Spring and Autumn even after membership.” and “…hunting in Spring can continue in Malta for turtledoves and quail. As a result, therefore, after membership Maltese hunters will continue to be able to hunt in Spring.”

Edward Demicoli launches campaign

Edward Demicoli launched his campaign as a member of the European Parliament this morning on the slogan “To continue serving you in Europe”.

His programme will be based on safeguarding the people’s quality of life, the environment and making the best use of the EU’s regional funds.

Mr Demicoli told a news conference that for the past 10 years he had been directly involved in sectors linked to the European Union gaining a fantastic opportunity and experience which helped him understand the aspirations of the Maltese.

As the deputy head of the Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC), his work was focused on providing objective information on Malta’s membership in the EU at a time when this was being systematically attacked by the Labour Party.

Following the referendum and the 2003 election, he was appointed official within the European Commission and in the past years focused his work on informing the people what was taking place in the EU and how the Maltese could make the most out of membership.

Mr Demicoli said that following his work in the MIC and the European Commission, contesting the EP election was, for him, a natural step.

“This election will give me an opportunity to continue serving my country in Europe,” he said.
The Nationalist Party, he said, had always believed in the people’s abilities and values and in the past 20 years it had always promoted a policy which placed the people and the Maltese family at the centre.

This was the crux of the principle of solidarity which should guide policies being drawn up in the EU. It was this main value which led to the creation of the Union. It was also the principle he wanted to put in practice so that people would be able to reach their aims.

He said that as a parent, the focus of his work was to safeguard children’s rights. Children had a right to live healthily, receive an education and get an opportunity to succeed. “I believe the EU can do more and I will see that this subject is placed on the forefront of its agenda,” he said.

He expressed his frustration that many non-governmental organisations, small businesses and the self-employed did not know how they could benefit from EU funds. His staff in the EP would include a person dedicated to facilitating, informing and guiding sectors needing assistance. He would also work for Malta to use its funds in the best possible manner.

Mr Demicoli said that the environment was very important for him and he would work to ensure that no new development was carried out in outside development zones and against hunting in spring.

Air quality and beaches had to be monitored in line with EU directives. He said he believed that a lot more needed to be done for the country to be transparent and consistent when it came to decisions by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Environmental NGOs and those working with animals should be heard more.

Mr Demicoli said he would be launching his website in the coming weeks. He would also be taking several initiatives as part of his campaign.

Welcome Message

The reason why I am contesting the next European Parliament elections in June is based on a belief that that is the best possible way I can serve Malta in Europe. I have for the last 10 years worked to facilitate Malta's membership in Europe. In my time as deputy head of the Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC), I formed part of a team, together with Simon Busuttil, that informed the general public on what being a member of the European Union was all about. Those were trying times for all involved. The public was being deceptively scared into believing that Europe was not a good choice for Malta. Luckily common sense prevailed.

For the past four years I worked as an official of the European Commission in Malta where I continued my work in serving the general public, explaining what Europe is all about.
I am now seeking your trust and support so that as one of your representatives in the European Parliament I can continue serving you in Europe.

On my website you will find what I stand for, what I believe in. I have given importance to four aspects which I believe should be paramount in my work as MEP. The first aspect is our security, in its widest sense, whether it is our jobs, our way of life, our peace of mind. Solidarity is another issue which I would be giving importance to, bringing Europe's social agenda to Malta, strengthening our children's rights. The third issue I will devote my energies as an MEP would be the issues of funding. NGOs, organisations, small businesses should be made aware of the opportunities EU funding may provide and helped in accessing these funds. The last issue is environment an issue which should be tackled by roping in the expertise found amongst our NGOs to ensure that the environment is truly placed at the centre of every policy, or every decision.

I trust that you will find this website informative and useful. I thank you for visiting and I look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks so that I can listen first hand to your experiences and be in a position to further explain my policies.

Sincerely

Edward