Domanda Parlamentari lill-Viċi President tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea Stephane Sejourne dwar il-building codes (eurocodes) fil-qasam tal-Kostruzzjoni u mandat speċjali lil JRC biex jgħin fl-introduzzjoni tal-building codes f’Malta

Għażiż Kummissarju Sejourne,

F’Malta l-bini qed joqtol in-nies. Skont l-ESO qed imutu tlett darbiet aktar f’inċidenti mill-medja fl-Ewropa.
Irridu naġixxu biex nipproteġu l-ħajjiet u s-saħħa ta’ dawk li jaħdmu fil-kostruzzjoni, bħal ma kien Jean Paul Sofia, li ħalla ħajtu traġikament f’binja li waqgħet fuqu u fuq 6 oħra minn sħabu.
Hemm bżonn nipproteġu s-serħan il-moħħ tar-residenti biex qatt aktar ma jerġa jiġri li ġara lil Miriam Pace li kienet qed tgawdi l-mistrieħ ta’ dara meta din waqgħet fuqa għax ta’ ħdeja kien qed iħammel il-plot bla superviżjoni b’ħaddiem bla ebda kwalifika.
L-adozzjoni tal-Building Codes Ewropej kif emendati reċentement hija intenzjonata li żżid is-sigurta’ u tgħolli l-istandards fil-pajjiżi membri. Iżda minkejja r-rakkomandazzjonijiet Ewropej u minkejja l-40 rakkomandazzjoni għal riformi li saru f’inkjesta pubblika Sofia, f’Malta l-building codes baqgħu ma daħlux. Jidher li dawn għadhom fil-‘pipeline’ u kont stqarrijiet pubbliċi, jidher li kienu lesti tlett snin ilu iżda baqgħu ma ġewx approvati fil-livell politiku.
Nitlob lill-Kummissjoni telabora x’sar sa issa fuq livell Ewropew fuq dawn il-building codes.
Għaliex hemm numru ta’ pajjiżi fosthom Malta fejn għadhom ma ġewx adottati bi sħiħ u partikolarment fuq Malta fejn dawn baqgħu ma daħlux?
X’inhi l-analiżi tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea fuq l-istat tal-affarijiet preżenti f’Malta u kif din tirrakkomanda li dawn jiġu indirizzati?
Nafu li l-Joint Research Centre għandu l-missjoni li jappoġġja l-pajjiżi b’taħriġ, gwida u l-implimentazzjoni tal-building codes. Tista’ l-Kummissjoni Ewropea tagħti mandat speċifiku lil JRC biex jeżamina aktar mill-qrib is-sitwazzjoni f’Malta, u jislet rakkomandazzjoni minn din l-analiżi?
Napprezza l-attenzjoni mill-qrib tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea dwar dan.
Peter AGIUS
MEP għal Malta u Għawdex

ghaljeanpaul_pq_kummissjoni_ewropea_building_codes_final[1] (2) (1)

When Charles Dickens wrote his masterpiece “A Tale of Two Cities” he tackled complex societal themes as those of duality, revolution and resurrection. No doubt the proverbial quote “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” has remained indelible in the minds of many as truly symbolic of an era that gave rise to economic and political change worldwide; and in this day and age, particularly in Malta, it would reflect the best of times for the crooks and the worst of times for the victims of corruption. 

One would certainly ask what lies in common between Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” and the two salient inquiries that have taken Malta and its media by storm? And what are the common factors linking the tragic fates that hit Daphne Caruana Galizia and Jean Paul Sofia? The reply to the latter is evident, whereby in both cases the authorities have been adamant to hold a public inquiry; no real responsibility was shouldered by Government and moreover two women emerged as heroines from the debris of the two tragic sagas.

Nevertheless, the moral of these calamitous events goes even beyond these common factors and points towards the reply to the first question. Remarkably in both cases there was a duality of purpose which manifests insatiable greed (which President Myriam Spiteri Debono referred to as a disease which harms society in her inaugural speech) at the cost of innocent lives and moreover an institutionalised code of silence and consequent inaction that shrouds the felony that reigns supreme often under cover of intricate grafts and widespread allurement.

It has taken years of forbearance; crowds to the street in various protests led by civil society; and an unwavering resilient pressure from the Opposition on the authorities to finally respond after a pathetic series of U-turns that unveiled the deceptive guise of the incumbent government.

Over the past months we have seen a clear difference between Europe’s standards and Malta’s government inaction. In fact, Daphne’s law was adopted to protect the media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) across the EU. The EU has also set CE marking (confirming conformity with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards) for construction materials, something which is lacking in Malta and which I raised this with the board on inquiry into the death of Jean Paul Sofia. I do hope that in both cases the EU law and standards are implemented in Malta. So far, we have seen a government dragging its feet to implement the recommendations of the two enquiries in full.

The consequences of evil, however, do not always exclude a redeeming view, all the more so in the presence of a precious opportunity looming ahead that could signal the reversal of this dismal state of affairs and restore the rule of law whilst eradicating abuse of power of the political elite. Fundamentally, this is an opportunity that each and every citizen of good will must not fail to seize in the exercise of that civic duty which is the right to vote. Only our vote in the forthcoming 8th June elections can convey a clear unequivocal message that we want EU standards to prevail in order to safeguard our security and that of future generations; that corruption must be fought tooth and nail; and that justice will once again be the fulcrum of the well-being of our society.

This I consider my vocation and my creed; my mission to accomplish a firm commitment which I have set myself; to serve my country in the European Parliament; it is my pledge to ensure that EU standards and laws are effectively put into practice and not remain merely on paper. Moreover, I avow to actively pursue the fight against corruption and to push towards stepping up measures which so far may not have been fully exploited through technical means and the provisions of EU legislation on public procurement, as well as a closer collaboration with OLAF and EPPO. These I maintain are achievable goals; a possibility for an eventual resurrection of values and transformation on a societal level. I earnestly believe, as stated by Dickens, that moral duty is a product of reason and that ultimately reason will prevail with the undecided voters and also with those who blinded with indifference and inertia do not yet realise the importance of their vote and that each and every vote can make a difference.  

Peter Agius is PN MEP Candidate

In the tranquil neighbourhood of Hal Farrug, nestled between two colossal tanks brimming with aviation fuel, residents find themselves caught in a tangle of broken promises with their safety compromised. Their concerns, borne out of legitimate fears for their security and well-being, have been met with bureaucratic indifference and broken pledges.

It is a story of a community forced to live on the edge, quite literally, as the looming threat of potential disaster hangs perilously close to their homes. This is no exaggeration. Some residents have had their request for an insurance policy refused.

At the heart of the issue lies the European Seveso Directive, a cornerstone of safety regulations designed to prevent and mitigate the impact of industrial accidents involving hazardous substances.

This directive, born out of the tragedy of the Seveso disaster in 1976, mandates that facilities with the potential for serious incidents maintain a safe distance of at least 500m from residential areas. Yet, in Hal Farrug, this crucial buffer zone has been reduced to a mere 110m, blatantly flouting the very regulations meant to safeguard the lives of citizens.

I received a call from the residents of Hal-Farrug and I responded to their summons. To start off, I reached out to Enemed and the Ministry for Energy several times to address this issue to no avail.

When confronted with this egregious violation, the response from authorities has been woefully inadequate. Despite assurances from local officials and promises of protective measures, including the installation of solar panels and financial compensation for residents, little has been done to address the genuine concerns of the local community. Instead, they are left to grapple with the constant spectre of danger.

Sometimes we are asked why people are losing trust in politicians. Well, the situation at Hal Farrug is a text book case of dishonesty which harms our society and leads to loss of trust.

The local community has been deceived by Labour politicians, including minister Silvio Schembri and disgraced minister Konrad Mizzi, Luqa mayor John Schembri, and even then, prime minister Joseph Muscat who visited several homes close to the plant.

This led them not to object to such infrastructure.

It is a travesty that in a country bound to respect EU laws, the rights and safety of its citizens can be so callously disregarded. The residents of Hal Farrug deserve better – they deserve to feel secure in their own homes. It is incumbent upon the authorities to uphold the principles enshrined in the Seveso Directive and take immediate action to rectify this egregious breach.

We must ensure that EU standards are translated into rights in practice for the Maltese and not remain on paper. If elected to the European Parliament, I will leverage my 20 years of experience to ensure that EU legislation is effectively implemented for the benefit and safety of Maltese citizens.

In the meantime, this situation can’t wait. This is why I have personally taken up the mantle on behalf of the residents of Hal Farrug, advocating for their rights and demanding accountability from those responsible for ensuring their safety.

My efforts have included not only reaching out to relevant authorities, but now also submitting a formal complaint to the European Commission, and leveraging every available means to draw attention to this pressing issue. The safety and well-being of our citizens must always be paramount.

These residents do not expect the fuel tanks to be closed down, but at least for their rights to be respected and for the promises made to them to be adhered to without further delay.

They especially want the necessary protection measures, including the erection of shielding walls to protect them in case of accidents, financial compensation and guarantees by means of adequate insurance coverage of their homes, to be implemented.

Over the past months, I have exposed several cases where the government is disregarding EU standards and laws. Hal Farrug is not an exception. Sewage being discharged in the sea is just one other example.

On 8 June, we have the chance to either elect to the European Parliament Labour MEPs who want to cover up for their government or to send competent people to defend the rights of Maltese citizens.

I am committed to be your voice in Europe, to deliver concrete results to our families and to strengthen scrutiny on a government that has no clue on what is right and wrong.

https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/comment/blogs/128625/the_disregard_for_eu_law_and_safety_in_hal_farrug

Gozo needs good connectivity. So say the over 1,650 Gozitan students attending tertiary edu­cation institutions in Malta. So say the over 3,500 Gozo residents employed on a full-time basis in Malta. So say the Gozitan patients who must visit the hospital in Malta for services that are not yet available at the Gozo General Hospital.

As part of my effort to understand the needs on the ground, I regularly travel to Gozo, and this is what most families speak to me about: the imperative of a reliable connection between Gozo and Malta.

Notwithstanding the increase in demand for the service (6.5 million passengers crossed the channel in 2023), the government dragged its feet to introduce a fourth ferry for the Gozo Channel fleet.

While the fourth ferry can be considered as a positive step, comfort, its reduced capacity and accessibility leaves much to be desired.

On several occasions, however, the impact of a fourth ferry is lost and passengers are offered a reduced service due to repairs. In January, the MV Malita was out of service and, more recently, the MV Nikolaos underwent maintenance for over a month.

Keep in mind that Gozo Channel is paying over €10,000 a day to lease the 37-year-old ferry (excluding fuel costs); hence, the government has already forked out over €20 million. That is enough money to invest in a state-of-the-art ferry that does not rely on fossil fuels.

There are several cases of islands that have followed this route. Take the success story of the EU-funded E-ferry project that has led to the development of a 100 per cent electrically powered, emission-free ferry for passengers and cars, trucks and cargo for island communities in Denmark.

The Danish authorities are also using national funds to build further electric ferries or to retrofit existing diesel ferries into battery-driven ones.

This is what I want to do for Gozo as an MEP. We need to grasp EU opportunities and apply them with concrete benefits to the Gozitans.

Gozo has been chosen to participate in the EU Mission ‘100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030’. But, beyond the headlines and fake propaganda on social media, the government has done close to nothing to make this a reality. Upgrading the Gozo Channel fleet would be a good starting point to move from empty promises to tangible actions. But this government has wrong priorities.

Robert Abela and his clique at Castille would rather invest EU funds in boutique hotels and yoga-meditation hotels owned by its ministers instead of better connectivity. In 10 years, not only did the government not upgrade the fleet adequately but also failed to invest in the ports.

Mġarr Harbour has become far too small to handle the sheer number of cars and trucks that cross daily. It needs investment to house more berths and operate with more ships. It’s a big project but it is needed because traffic will increase even more in the future.

Gozo also needs good connectivity to cater for the over 400,000 inbound tourists who visit the island, half of whom are domestic tourists. Tourism remains an important economic sector for the island and its community.

At the same time, the link is also vital for the thousands of Maltese who visit Gozo to escape from urban and over-populated areas in Malta to enjoy the countryside that Gozo still has to offer.

Gozo also needs good connectivity for its business sector. This government will go down in history for removing a cargo service between Gozo and Malta. Just a few days ago, the Malta Maritime Forum reiterated an appeal already made several times by consecutive Opposition spokespersons to introduce a roll-on/roll-off service to transport cargo between Malta Freeport and the Grand Harbour to Mġarr, in Gozo. This will also help Gozitan businesses in their operation and logistics.

Furthermore, Gozo Channel needs new management, one that is not controlled by the government. The company has issued a €750,000 tender to carry out work on a leased office that is not being used. Isn’t that a textbook case of mismanagement? Above all, Gozo Channel needs an ambitious management, one that seeks to invest more in the service and make it more feasible to reduce reliance on State aid rather than one that deters its customers from using the service on a Sunday between 5pm and 8pm.

Ten per cent of the overall EU funds allocated for the Maltese islands are dedicated to Gozo but Gozitans are not involved in setting the priorities and in the implementation of projects. We can’t just call Gozo an island region for the sake of it. We need to truly make Gozo an island region by giving it autonomy in its decisions on the use of EU funds, for instance to improve its connectivity.

Gozitans cannot be treated as second-class citizens. Hence, my commitment to put Gozo at the centre of my work if elected to the European Parliament and to keep an eye on Gozo not only in terms of funding opportunities to improve its connectivity but also by following every legislative development in European Parliament committees (beyond the Committee for Regional Policy), such as the committees for transport and EU budget, which have an impact on the island’s connectivity.

I am determined to work on all these fronts if elected to the European Parliament. This is why I have opened an office in Gozo to have a permanent base from where I can understand Gozitans’ concerns and aspirations.

It’s time to use your vote to send a clear message to the government that there is another way of doing politics.

Peter Agius is a PN MEP candidate.

https://timesofmalta.com/article/a-new-electric-gozo-channel.1090535

As the summer season approaches, many are making plans for their holidays, with flight prices being a crucial factor, particularly for families. Similarly, European visitors considering a trip to Malta are also weighing their options. Malta’s tourism industry has seen substantial growth, reaching 3 million visitors, thanks to decades of investment and promotion efforts. This growth shouldn’t be taken for granted. Our competitiveness remains of critical importance.

The European Green Deal will see the gradual replacement of traditional fuel with synthetic aviation fuel in EU flights as from next year. The fuel blend is expected to cost higher than the current jet fuel used by operators in Malta due to the price of the fuel itself coupled with difficulties of supply and infrastructural investment. According to a study conducted by the Royal Dutch Aeronautical Institute, projections indicate that flight costs could escalate by up to Euro 60 each way.

Malta will end up competing with tourist destinations which are exempt from the new rules. In fact, the new Directive will exempt smaller airports, airports in the so-called outermost regions like Madeira and the Canaries and airports outside the EU like Morocco, Turkey and Tunisia. The European Green Deal, particularly its proposed revisions concerning air transport, could therefore lead to an increase in prices of flights to Malta.

Recently I participated in a debate on TVM. Former Labour MEP and now MEP candidate Claudette Abela Baldacchino said that “What happens in Brussels does not stay in Brussels.” I agree perfectly with what Claudette said but maybe we need to go a little bit further and illustrate how Labour Ministers have repeatedly failed to negotiate EU laws to take into account the realities of the Maltese Islands.

Malta has a compelling case to make given that it is almost entirely dependent on air transport for tourism, the biggest industrial sector of our economy. 98% of tourists arrive to Malta by air in contrast to 50-60% averages for most of the other EU Member States which enjoy efficient road and rail networks. It is tragic that the Maltese government does not manage to make Malta’s case in Brussels on such a crucial development. We must ensure that European laws, including those within the framework of the European Green Deal, are aligned with the specific needs of our country; otherwise, they risk negatively impacting the competitiveness of our vital tourism sector. This is simply unacceptable, given the sector’s significant contribution to our economy, providing sustenance for numerous Maltese families and businesses

One should keep in mind that the upcoming European Commission would need to garner support across various political factions including the Greens and hence the European Green Deal is likely to remain on top of the EU’s agenda. We need to adapt laws to suit Malta’s unique circumstances. European Commission initiatives should not impose disproportionate burdens on the country. This concern is also echoed in a manifesto issued by Malta Business Bureau on behalf of The Malta Chamber of Commerce and MHRA, underscoring its significance.

If elected as MEP I want to make use of provisions in the European People’s Party’s electoral manifesto, which advocates for assessing the territorial impact of European measures and laws before implementation—a principle I actively advocated for over the last three years and which I intend to uphold for Malta’s benefit. We must emphasize the unique challenges faced by Malta as an island nation, and highlight the added cost of insularity during negotiations.

We must have the courage to say no thank you when needed, as the Germans did recently in blocking EU moves for an end to the combustion engine and as the French did recently in blocking environmental rules with impact on French farmers.

The EU is a space for close collaboration with our European Partners but we must have the assertiveness to defend our red lines. This is not being done by government today maybe because it is too distracted defending itself from daily scandals at home. We deserve better in Europe. We deserve competent MEPs who can represent us with renewed vigour. Only like that we can ensure that the next 20 years of EU membership will be at least as successful as the first 20 years. I will give my utmost in that direction. I am ready to use all my skills garnered over 21 years of experience in negotiating rooms in Brussels, to adapt Europe to Maltese needs. This I can do only with your support on the 8th of June.

Peter Agius, MEP Candidate 

https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2024-04-06/newspaper-opinions/Green-Deal-has-to-be-a-deal-for-Malta-too-6736260012

We joined the EU to improve our standard of living and adopt higher standards on consumer protection, the environment and safety. In fact, the EU has the highest standards in the world in all these areas.

So, we should have the highest water quality standards, right? Not really. The people of Xgħajra don’t benefit from EU standards. They have to contend with sewage bubbling out a few hundred metres out at sea as will those who get skin rashes and infections while swimming in the area.

Being in the EU, we should have the safest building regulations, right? Not really for Jean Paul Sofia and Miriam Pace who lost their lives due to negligence on all fronts, including on the part of the authorities who failed to implement the EU CE marking rules for bricks and other construction products.

I worked in the EU for the last 21 years. Europe is a fascinating force for the good of our citizens. But it’s useless having a mountain of laws in theory when you don’t find them protecting you in practice.

The EU encompasses more than just opportunities and funds; it also upholds rights and standards that ensure a high quality of life for all citizens. During encounters on the streets, home visits, or market visits, people often express their concerns to me about the EU’s tolerance of the government’s wrongdoing. The reality is that in several cases shared with me, the EU has established standards and enacted laws to safeguard its citizens, yet these are not consistently enforced in Malta by the government and its authorities.

A prime example is the application of CE marking. When a product bears a CE mark, it signifies compliance with health, safety, and environmental protection requirements necessary for sale within the European Economic Area (EEA). Many bricks and concrete products manufactured in Malta fail to meet EU safety standards because the government has neglected to enforce CE marking regulations in the construction industry. This issue prompted me to provide information to the board of the public inquiry investigating the death of Jean Paul Sofia. I welcome the inquiry’s recommendation for the consumer authority to take proactive measures to ensure that construction materials placed on the market adhere to CE markings. But it is now the government’s responsibility to ensure that national authorities (led by its appointees) fulfil their duties.

Another example pertains to the government’s failure to adhere to EU standards regarding sewage treatment. In recent months, there have been numerous reports of sewage discharge into the sea. In 2022, the European Commission initiated legal action against Malta for dumping sewage into the sea. Last summer, several beaches, including Qui Si Sana, Fond Għadir, Tigne, Balluta, St George’s Bay, Buġibba, and Birżebbuġa, were closed due to contamination. Just last week, I shared footage on my Facebook page showing sewage observed off the coast of Xagħra. Despite the government’s statements that most of Malta’s bathing waters are ‘excellent’, the situation on the ground indicates a rise in beaches with poor water quality. According to EU law, Malta is bound to treat all urban and rural drainage before discharge. We are evidently breaking EU rules daily. This is why I asked the Auditor General to investigate the matter and conduct a performance audit. It is unacceptable for Malta to have invested €60 million of EU funds in sewage treatment in recent years but raw human waste continues to end up at sea!

A third example in a long list of paper tigers, concerns the independence of public media. On several occasions, PBS has been found to be partial, with Television Malta censoring significant news items that are damning on the government or views that criticise the government. An analysis revealed that for every comment from the Opposition Nationalist Party (PN), PBS broadcast 13 comments from the governing Labour Party (PL). This goes against the public interest and the right to be informed. Under the European Media Freedom Protection Act, the head and the governing board of TVM should be appointed in a transparent, open, and non-discriminatory manner. TVM should also provide a plurality of information and opinions, in an impartial manner. What sense does it make to have Minister Owen Bonnici going to Brussels to welcome the European Media Freedom Act but in Malta his own government does exactly the opposite!

We joined Europe to secure higher standards in governance, democracy and quality of life. Instead, due to incompetence and lack of political will, government is breaching most of these standards, effectively depriving us of the benefits of EU membership. As part of my MEP campaign, I am outlining my vision and priorities if elected to the European Parliament. Ensuring the implementation of EU laws and standards will be among my foremost objectives. Labour MEPs cannot do that. They are too busy adoring ‘Robert Muscat’ and closing ranks on the daily scandals.

I am dedicated entirely to ensuring that the rights we gained upon joining the EU are upheld in practice, including by empowering organisations and citizens advocating for their rights. I will continue to take concrete actions to counteract the government’s laissez-faire approach. Unfortunately, Labour MEPs seem more preoccupied with shielding the government than ensuring the effective implementation of EU laws for the benefit of all EU citizens. On 8 June, I urge you to use your vote to ensure EU standards and laws do not remain a paper tiger.

https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/comment/blogs/128344/highest_eu_standards_only_on_paper

Seeing the vice-president of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič touring Delimara with the then (disgraced) energy minister Konrad Mizzi, heaping praise on the Electrogas monument-to-corruption tanker made my blood boil, like it did to many other Maltese of goodwill. That image will be stamped in the hall of infamy in Malta’s ups and downs of 20 years of EU membership.

Yes, that was 2015 but, already then, you could smell the rot in a project which was the likely motive for the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Wasn’t membership of the EU also supposed to mean better oversight over the excesses of our own governments? Shouldn’t the commission serve as the guardian of the treaty which includes the rule of law?

This is the question several people ask me during town hall meetings and when knocking on doors. They feel that the EU is turning a blind eye to bad governance and corruption.

Fighting corruption and mismanagement

In the past few years, the European Commission has recognised that better safeguards are needed to protect both the EU’s and national interests when it comes to the rule of law and the clean use of public money. A series of EU laws were proposed to ensure this. Some examples include the setting up of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to investigate financial crimes, a directive for more competitive tendering and the more recent anti-SLAPP law (Daphne’s Law) to fight attempts to muzzle the free press.

But while Malta votes in favour of these laws in Brussels, probably for no other reason than not to look bad,  implementation, as Alfred Sant once called it, amounts to little more than “tbażwir”. The launch of EPPO was delayed, with the whole of the EU kept waiting while Malta took its sweet time to finalise the three nominations it was supposed to make.

Competitive tendering in public procurement? One State entity alone, Project Green, led by Labour MEP candidate Steve Ellul, had already made 600 direct orders in the first six months of its existence.

Ah, yes, and then there was the investigation into why Malta was taking so long to transpose the EU’s anti-money laundering directive into national legislation. It takes some imagination to explain if this is all by accident or a premeditated approach.

Ensuring the government plays by the EU rules in Malta

Labour’s four MEPs are simply incapable of ensuring their party in government applies EU law properly or safeguards the rule of law.

They’re way too busy, conflating party and country, and denouncing critics for “shaming Malta”.

Now we have better tools to ensure to stamp out corruption and abuse of power in Malta, at least with regard to those aspects which fall within the EU remit. What is needed now is that these tools are effectively deployed and not lost en route from Brussels to Malta.

A third MEP for the opposition forces would go a long way to allow further scrutiny on the government. I am committed to stand up to the government that abuses our rights as EU citizens. I am committed to use such new EU tools to the benefit of all of us in Malta and Gozo.

Use of OLAF can be such new tool

It turns out that Kurt Buhagiar, the developer behind the Corradino site where Jean Paul Sofia lost his life, has had no less than three applications for EU funds accepted and granted the maximum allowable limit by the Maltese managing authority of the European Agricultural Fund.

There are hundreds of applicants who never managed to benefit from any EU funding over years while Buhagiar hits the jackpot every time he decides to play.

The €360,000 in taxpayer money was ostensibly for a goat farm. Local media had rung the bell on this development already in September last year. The Sofia public inquiry also mentioned this project as smelling of fraud of EU funds. Did the police commissioner investigate? No.

The Sofia case should have led the Maltese authorities to look more closely at other projects of the people involved. Of course, they didn’t. I had to take the initiative myself and report the matter to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for it to investigate the case.

Local authorities cannot be relied on and we must, therefore, also consider new ways of fighting corruption through other venues.

Several people got in touch with me on the matter, expressing support that, finally, someone stood up to rampant abuse. We must give hope to people and show in a tangible way that, indeed, Europe is a tool to protect us. Like so many other opportunities the EU offers us, Malta stands to gain if we are on the ball, if we grasp opportunities and use the right tools to come to concrete results.

I am committed to use my 21-year-long experience within European institutions to fight corruption not only on the political level but also at the technical level. We need to use all tools including existing legislation and European bodies to do the necessary checks and balances on the government. This is one of my main priorities, which I want to work on if elected to the European Parliament.

For all these reasons, we must ensure that we choose the best people to represent us in the European Parliament come June 8.

Soon, we will celebrate 20 years of EU membership. So far, our EU experience has been a success story on many fronts. Corruption and bad governance in Malta and the EU’s complacency about it risks ruining our EU experience. I will not let that happen. Join me in this path. Together we can be the change we need for our country.

Peter Agius is a Nationalist Party MEP candidate.

https://timesofmalta.com/article/fighting-corruption-using-new-methods.1090047

When our country participates in the Olympics taking place in Paris this summer, we will be sending the best and most prepared athletes. Europe is also a competition of sorts. All member states are geared to achieve what is best for their people and for their country. We must hence make sure to send our best ‘athletes’ to represent us in the European Parliament. We must strive to choose those among us who are best equipped to bring results for Maltese citizens.

We need to adapt Europe to our needs as an island state and as an archipelago. We are repetitively seeing that several EU laws being adopted are not fit for the reality on the ground in the Maltese islands. There is no one within EU institutions who has in mind of giving Malta and its citizens a hard time. It is up to us to shape EU policies to the needs of Malta. EU laws which affect us negatively are the outcome of lack of effective work to make the necessary changes in EU law at the right time.

One classic example is the Emission Trading Scheme directive which in principle is a noble cause to safeguard the environment but which negatively impacts jobs at the Freeport and Maltese consumers.  The Freeport alone is set to lose €140 million in revenues yearly. The cost of transporting shipping containers between Malta and four Italian ports has risen by up to €90 per container from January. We got to know all of this six months after the directive was adopted. That is not acceptable. We need to anticipate changes before EU legislation is shaped. We need to act earlier and carefully; study how European laws will affect us because once proposals become law it will be too late.

The same applies to EU laws on sustainable aviation fuel which will see fares for air passengers as well as cargo increase. Fighting climate change is in our interest, but it cannot come at a disproportionate cost for islands where air travel is crucial.

My commitments and vision

This is why in the Conference on the Future of Europe I called for the introduction of territorial impact assessments to take into account the realities on islands before the European Commission proposes legislation. I am glad that this proposal has also been included in the manifesto of the EPP adopted during the congress in Bucharest. This is an important commitment and I pledge to ensure its implementation in the next five years.

Furthermore, if elected as MEP I will contribute in terms of capacity building for us as a nation to better understand what Europe is doing and to be able to adapt it to our needs. I will organise national conferences with stakeholders to exchange views and set national priorities. This will help feed into the priorities of the European Commission.

Currently, we have MEPs representing Malta in nine of the 20 committees and several EU legislations are not being adapted by the parliament to our needs.  I will therefore table amendments in all legislative committees of the European Parliament on legislation which leaves an impact on Malta by working closely with members of the largest political group – the EPP. The same applies to EU legislation which is of interest to Gozo – which goes beyond the committee responsible for regional policy.

Above all I want to scrutinise the work of the Maltese government in Brussels. It can’t be that the government says one thing in Malta but votes in another way in Brussels. The government can’t continue to treat people as fools. This is what happened with the EU Urban Wastewater Directive. An EU requirement for pharmaceutical producers to pay for wastewater treatment will lead to higher prices of medicines for end consumers. Minister Miriam Dalli went on record to note that Malta was worried that the requirement made on pharmaceutical producers could impact patients. Yet Malta voted in favour of the directive, despite those concerns and without including any safeguard for price increases on medicines.

We need to change the way we do Maltese politics in Europe and I am now ready to use my 20 years of experience in the EU machinery to make this happen.

On 8 June use your vote to make this a reality.

https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/comment/blogs/128289/shaping_the_eu_to_maltese_needs

Come June 8, my name will appear on the ballot sheet for the election of members to the European Parliament from Malta. The journey getting here was long: from the first deliberations with my family, sounding people in the know, getting to know the PN from the inside and hitting the campaign trail visiting and meeting people from all walks of life.

We’re now at the point where voters should have a clear idea where the candidates stand on.

Malta’s interests

My priority, as you’d expect, would be to fight for Malta’s interests. There are two ways to do this. One option is the Labour way, involving little more than pandering to the gallery, making empty statements that make for catchy TV soundbites and viral Facebook posts. What it doesn’t do is to move other politicians to support your cause or Eurocrats to include your point of view into their proposals.

Promoting your country’s interest is a long, hard slog.

It involves reading the signs early, adjusting your sails accordingly, putting forth arguments that are solidly backed with evidence and seeing them through until the finish line. This is why the Maltese government stumbled on many occasions.

On many important files, it failed to be actively present from the beginning and, when belatedly it made its case, it was in a way that wasn’t solid enough to withstand counter-arguments.

Even though I’m not an MEP, I have done my best to be proactive. I have helped hundreds of young people seize the many opportunities available for them at the European level, petitioned the European Commission over grain imports and supported local councils in tapping funding to offer free WiFi. I have proposed measures to support Maltese products with a helping hand to farmers and fishermen. I have campaigned for retention of free-to-air broadcasting.

New ways to fight corruption

Over the past years, I visited over 900 households over the islands in home visits. A drop in the ocean compared to the whole population but nonetheless a good sample. A huge chunk of families I visited feel let down by the EU in the way it turned a blind eye to what was going on in Malta.

People who had looked at the EU to curb domestic excesses and ensure good behaviour from our politicians were shocked to see it was business as usual in Brussels. Joseph Muscat, despite a very dark cloud hanging over his head, would show up to European Council meetings to be welcomed with wide smiles and lots of slapping on the back.

Like anywhere else, European politicians come in all forms. The EU has its fair share of opportunists and unprincipled. What it also has are functioning institutional mechanisms. And, over the last few years, the EU has been putting together its ‘toolbox’ to combat corruption and ensure fairness and the rule of law. From anti-SLAPP legislation to legislation to ensure the independence of public broadcasting, there has been a lot of good work going on.

It is now time to put those tools to work.

The next step is to make use of those tools and ensure that national authorities respect the European laws they voted for. As an MEP, I will make sure that the European Commission sees that the implementation of these laws in the member states is correct and effective. With senior officials like the commissioner of police and the state advocate turning a blind eye to the machinations of the government, there are now other opportunities to ensure that our politics stays clean and authentic.

I will also be fighting the corruption battle at the technical level, using the skills from my 20-year-long experience at the policy table, using the fine print of the EU acquis, from anti-fraud rules to public procurement directives and anti-money-laundering rules.

Special attention to Gozo and young people

Every politician has his favourite topics. I do too.

The first is Gozo. I’m very attached to the place, and it pains me to see that not only is the island left alone to overcome its geographical disadvantages but there are so many EU opportunities which are not being tapped. There are many remote communities in the EU and EU policies exist to ensure that they also benefit from the measures that naturally favour more central communities.

For example, as part of its climate policies, the EU supports clean transport. Imagine if we were to present a serious proposal for a new fleet for Gozo Channel, 100 per cent electric and EU-funded! Stop imagining, it can be done with existing tools and several other member states are already doing it.

For Gozo to succeed, Gozitans must be in the driving seat when it comes to EU-funded projects with a view to creating jobs in Gozo.

As an MEP, I will make sure that Gozo’s voice is heard in the European Parliament committees and that the island’s particular circumstances are taken account of in EU laws and policies.

The EU offers a lot of opportunities to young people. Promoting existing schemes covering youth exchanges, traineeships, studies and work and improving and adapting them will be my aim as an MEP.

Proper implementation

After Malta joined the EU, Alfred Sant went on record saying that, at the helm of the government, his application of EU law would be a case of “tbażwir” – “winging it” doesn’t quite capture the sloppiness implied in the Maltese word. Sant never made it back as prime minister but his Labour successors made the application of EU law a matter of doing nothing really or just enough to keep the European Commission distracted.

For example, the EU law requiring tendering, which the Maltese government ignores and then issues direct orders, and the EU’s Cross Border Healthcare Directive, which says you have the right to be reimbursed healthcare abroad until your government decides that it really doesn’t feel like it should reimburse you. Laws are laws and nobody is above them, certainly not a member state that has voted for them in Brussels and then decides it doesn’t care in Malta.

That, in a nutshell, is where I stand. If you feel that we’re on the same wavelength, get in touch (kellimni@peteragius.eu) or hit my website or Facebook where you find details on upcoming events. And, even better, consider voting for me on June 8.

The EU is an effective means to make improvements to our lives, our communities and our environment. What we need to do is to transform its potential into actual, tangible benefits. With your help, we can do just that.

Peter Agius is a Nationalist Party MEP candidate.

https://timesofmalta.com/article/how-i-help-mep.1089239