‘We need your advice, we need your strength’ – EP President Jerzey Buzek

This message came during a civil society breakfast held at Dar l-Ewropa where 17 representatives from different spheres of society had the chance to talk with the President of the European Parliament, aimed at highlighting the issues which are currently influencing Malta.

“Yesterday’s speech by both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and today’s discussion give me the impression you are suffering because you are small,” Buzek said. “This is not true”.

Buzek said that Malta’s physical size should not be seen as hindering its place at European level. “Going round the country I have seen you have an incredible cultural heritage, you have history and you have survived battles. Keep strong like you have been for centuries.”

Buzek referred to Malta’s geographical position in the middle of the Mediterranean sea and said it is strategic both for Europe and for improving relations with the Middle East.

“Being at the periphery of Europe should not make you feel you are on the outside. I want to encourage you to feel you can influence us,” Buzek said. He said Malta’s Prime Minister, like all other Prime Ministers, sits on the European Council: “He has the abililty to give his opinion as much as our Prime Minister does.”

Buzek went on to say that everyone at the European level has the same rights.

He also referred to Malta’s multilinguism, which he said showed a close connection to other countries.

Replying to questions raised by MCWO Chairperson Renee Laiviera about the female participation in Maltese politics, Buzek said Malta should change its voting system. “If you could change the alphabetical order listing, you would see an improvement,” he said, adding that his country faced the same situation. “It should also be an obligation to have at least one woman amongst the first three names on the ballot list.”

Media analyst Carmen Sammut also expressed her opinion on the issue. “The vote ultimately is the hands of politicians. No one in Parliament has ever voiced concern with the lack of women like you did yesterday,” she said.

Describing it as a “democratic deficit”, Sammut said the way Maltese Parliament operates does not help to encourage female participation.

“Parliament meets in the evening till late. How can a mother do her daily job during the day and go to Parliament in the evening?” she said, adding that local talks for parliamentary reform have come to a standstill.

Highlighting the issue, Buzek stressed that being able to have children should not interfere with their career and suggested how good an incentive it would be having a childcare centre at the workplace.

“Imagine how easy it would to be at the office working and at the same time be able to check on your child,” he said.

Burzek praised Malta’s Non-Governmantal Organisations (NGOs) and said they are the most active in Eastern Europe. “My country’s NGOs have a lot to learn from yours,” he said, adding that being only 20 years old, Poland’s NGOs have still a long way to go.

Recalling his visit to the immigration centre, Buzek acknowledged “the necessity to have the solidarity of all EU member states and come together for a joint solution.”

Katherine Camilleri, immigrants’ rights advocate at the Jesuit Refugee Service, talked about the asylum situation in Malta, stating that there is reluctance amongst Maltese to accept that asylum seekers need protection.

Buzek acknowledged this and stressed that the EU will be working more to improve the situation.

“In the EU we have an increasing problems with minorities. They feel left out whilst they want to join. Other minorities might not want to join, but we still need to find a solution,” he said.

“Next month, the EU will be focusing on integrating minorities,” he said, adding that the Hungarian Presidency will start its course by addressing the integration of Roma.