Busuttil urges MEPs to speak to the people

The Nationalist Party's member of the European Parliament, Simon Busuttil has urged the European People's Party (EPP) to take the lead to bridge the gap between Europe and its citizens.

The EPP, which includes two Maltese members from the PN, was holding a study group meeting ahead of the inauguration of the new session of the European Parliament on July 20.

Dr Busuttil said that the recent European Parliament elections sent a clear message of disenchantment and disinterest by the people in the "European project."

One could only combat indifference or even scepticism by communicating Europe in an effective manner. And one could only combat the fear of the unknown by making things known, Dr Busuttil said.

He called upon Euro parliamentarians to "get out of your seats and talk to the people".

People, he said, did not feel that Europe made a difference in their lives - most probably because they were not aware that it did make a difference. This is why they did not bother to turn out to vote.

"But the new EU constitution now gives us a new opportunity to bridge the gap with the citizens. If we explain the new constitution people will understand it. And if they understand it, they are much more likely to accept it than to reject it," he said.

Dr Busuttil referred to the election results in Malta saying these were not good for the party in government which lost the third seat to the opposition Labour Party, which was ironic since the MLP had campaigned very strongly against EU membership. However, it showed that electoral support was volatile and could never be taken for granted.

On the positive side, he said, this experience now put a greater responsibility on Labour MEPs to embrace EU membership fully and irreversibly and to engage in the European Parliament's work constructively.

The Maltese delegation included outgoing observer MEP Mario de Marco and newly elected MEP David Casa.