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.