1 + 1 = 3

One cannot tackle the challenges awaiting us in the European parliament in isolation. Malta and Gozo will have only five seats in this institution. Finally, we seem to have understood that in the European parliament we must work in unison when dealing with the country's best interests. Nevertheless, we should not and cannot afford to think that that alone will do the trick.

Those who will be elected on June 12 must network and lobby within their political family and with members of other groups in order to garner support for issues that are of special interest to Maltese and Gozitan young people and families. Many times the success or failure of such exercises depends on the capability and contacts that a person has.

We have started networking within the Party of European Socialists quite some time ago. George Vella is doing a terrific job and is respected by one and all, not only inside our political family. Furthermore, the work being done by Evarist Bartolo, Leo Brincat and Joe Mifsud is reaping its fruits.

On a personal level I have continued strengthening the contacts I had from my involvement in the European Young Socialists and also other friends I made throughout the years. One of them is Mark Watts, a Labour MEP for South-East England who also acted as vice-chairman of the Malta-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Mr Watts and I have been working together for the past months on a number of issues which are of particular interest to Maltese families. In a wonderful display of Socialist solidarity, he was always open to voice the concerns and suggestions we put forward in various fora.

As British Labour's main spokesman for transport in the European parliament and as an active member in the parliament's transport committee, he was instrumental in halting the Self-Handling Directive, which would have dealt a serious blow also to Maltese workers.

Another concrete example of the work we did together was that regarding the temporary landfills the government wants to open next to the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim temples. Hopefully, the national and international pressure will lead the government to drop these plans.

Mr Watts was once again in Malta on a private visit last week and together we visited a number of institutions to which we explained how effective synergy between members of the European parliament coming from different member states can be of benefit to everyone.

Indeed, it is all about synergy, that is the combined effort of a number of players that ends up even more effective than the sum of the individual efforts. In other words, a teamwork whereby 1 + 1 = 3.

This is the only way in which we can make the best of the challenges ahead.

www.josephmuscat.com