Tonio Borg’s approved nomination would be ‘victory for common sense’

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil expressed his disappointment at how the European Parliament acted with commissioner-designate Tonio Borg, insisting that what was witnessed during the hearing was "an attack against diversity".

Addressing a bureau meeting of the European People's Party in Malta, Busuttil said that what was witnessed during Borg's grilling was "opposite to that which the European Union stands for".

"The EU is built on a clear principle: the unity in diversity. But what we saw this week was an attack against diversity. Being united in diversity doesn't mean that we are all the same, but that we respect each other's differences. The moment we hinder diversity is the moment we ruin this unity, and Europe," Busuttil said.

The MEP said he had expected Borg to face difficult questions on every subjects, even those which weren't necessarily relation to his portfolio.

"I expected him to face difficult question on ethical and moral issues from those who hold different opinions from his," Busuttil said, adding that Borg not only did exceptionally well, but also "gave one of the best performances we ever saw during such hearings".

Busuttil went on to add that it was unacceptable for anyone to refute Tonio Borg's nomination simply because one does not agree with him.

"It is not acceptable for anyone to refute him because one doesn't share his same beliefs or because one is not ready to tolerate his values. Because at the end of the day, Tonio's values are the same as mine and yours," he said.

Busuttil went on to laud Borg for the way he answered the questions made to him before the joint committee meetings of ENVI, IMCO and AGRI.

"He showed he is fit for the job; he answered all the difficult questions and gave a clear reassurance of his commitment to our Charter of Fundamental Rights. He showed he is not going to Europe to impose his values... but nor he is going there to abandon them."

Referring to the vote to be taken next Wednesday to determine whether Borg will be made Commissioner, Busuttil said: "So next week we cannot let intolerance prevail over tolerance. We cannot let extremism prevail over reason. And we cannot let prejudice prevail over fairness."

He added that a victory for Borg would not only be a victory for the EPP but also "a victory for common sense".