NCW meets EP candidates

The National Council of Women invited all European Parliament candidates for a round table discussion on the theme "Your agenda as potential EU parliamentarians with special focus on issues related to women"

The discussion included the areas in which each candidate intended to specialise and issues relating to women with particular reference to the Lisbon Strategy which highlights the need to increase the participation rate of women in employment and decision-making.

Questions on the issue of violence against women, which is an EU-wide problem, were also raised. The recent proposal regarding equality to access to goods and services was also brought up.

Other points raised concerned the consultation process between EU parliamentarians, local government and EESC and regional committee representatives, to ensure that the best interests of Malta are lobbied for from different groups.

The round table discussion was organised by the EU Affairs Committee. Participants included Dr Joanna Drake, Dr Roberta Tedesco Triccas, Dr Ian Spiteri Bailey and Dr Simon Busuttil representing the Nationalist Party and Professor Arnold Cassola, representing Alternattiva Demokratika.

NCW members of the European Affairs Committee were Dr Roselyn Borg, chair, Dr Gabriella Pace, Dr Claudine Zarb and Dr Theresienne Bezzina. Also present were NCW executive members Fleur Vella, Marie Demicoli and Therese Cassola.

NCW president Grace Attard thanked the candidates for attending and sharing their views on various EU matters. She also stated that everyone should be committed to make full and good use of the opportunities provided by EU membership.