Declaration Europe Day 2006

The Executive Committee of the European Movement (Malta), meeting on Thursday at Dar Reggie Miller, UHM, Floriana approved this declaration on the occasion of Europe Day, which is celebrated on Tuesday.

The European Movement (Malta) congratulates the Union Haddiema Maghqudin on the 40th anniversary of the founding of the union. The UHM has been an affiliate member of the European Movement (Malta) for many years, as well as a constant and unfailing supporter of the process of European unity.

The European Movement (Malta) took stock of Malta's experience in the first two years of EU membership. The movement concluded that its positive expectations prior to membership have been or are on the way to being fulfilled.

Malta has only just started to move up the learning curve of EU membership. Not all the effects of membership have had time to mature. While substantive progress has been achieved, important challenges have still to be overcome. All effort must be made by all strata of Maltese society to grasp the opportunities that membership has opened us.

It is up to the Maltese people to realise the full benefits of membership. We are confident that they are capable of this task. This is a time when all citizens should be encouraged to go forward.

Malta has already embarked on the process that would see it adopt the euro in 2008. To prepare for this event, Malta has to reduce its fiscal deficit successfully and drastically, control its public debt and tame inflation.

The movement praises the immense progress that has already been achieved but cautions that a big effort is required to maintain the course.

The achievement of all three targets, and the introduction of the euro, will also make the Maltese economy more resilient to external shock while strengthening the security of all its citizens.

By adopting the euro, Malta's international image and credit ratings will improve, making it more attractive to investment, which will in turn enhance job creation.

The European Movement (Malta) calls for political unity in support of euro entry and all economic measures required to achieve it.

Any serious failure on the road to the introduction of the euro, such as a postponement of the entry date once the country has bravely embarked on this challenge, would tarnish Malta's image and hurt its growth prospects.

It may also lead to job losses. In such an event Malta may also lose its international credibility, which is very difficult to regain.

Aware of the difficult and trying times that many Maltese families are passing through as a result of the ever-increasing international price of petroleum, as a consequence of which local fuel charges have increased sharply, the movement's appeal to the Maltese people is not to make things more difficult than they are for themselves by rendering political and social consensus more difficult to achieve.

The introduction of the euro is not an event like any other. Most of the other new member states, which like Malta are preparing to join the euro, exhibit a sense of national unity that can only be praised for its maturity. The introduction of the euro in Malta should not degenerate into a partisan political issue.

The European Movement (Malta) is pleased that as an EU member state Malta is gradually implementing European standards that are having a positive impact on our lives. The Maltese have acquired new rights as well. Malta has managed to secure substantive direct aid from the EU budget for the period 2007-2013, which will help it accelerate its economic progress.

We call on the EU to implement a new immigration policy, to double its efforts to stem the flows of non-legal migrants from troubled world regions by increasing its aid and strengthening solidarity, and to help those member states such as Malta who are in the forefront of this migratory flow.

Membership has opened up new trade opportunities for Malta not only in the EU's single market but also in the markets of our Mediterranean partners. We are pleased that Malta has lived up to its promise to be the voice of the Mediterranean region within the EU institutions.

The European Movement is mindful that, as an EU member state, Malta is more secure when confronting regional and global challenges and other threats, such as terrorism and natural disasters for it can count on the solidarity of the other EU partners.

The European Movement is aware of the main problems that still have to be overcome. The efforts to tame inflation must continue and we call for the strengthening of the Competition Authority to ensure effective price competition and fairer prices for consumers. Uncontrolled inflation would derail the introduction of the euro.

The tourist sector is passing through a difficult phase and we welcome the recent package announced by the Government though more purposeful action is required by the Government and operators.

Government-induced costs must be reduced while the business environment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) needs improvement.

The movement is convinced that more can be done to curb public spending and increase efficiency in the sector. We call on Government to remove all barriers to the free movement of Maltese citizens to and from other EU states.

There is an urgent need to increase Malta's competitiveness and make substantive progress towards achieving the goals of the Lisbon Strategy.

We appeal to the authorities to listen more attentively to the voice of civil society when it complains of the lack of adequate consultation, when it criticises bureaucratic delays or the lack of responsiveness and sensitivity shown by the regulatory authorities towards safeguarding citizens' rights as provided for by EU law. Concrete efforts are needed to overcome these obstacles.

The EU has brought peace to Europe and is working by peaceful means to secure peace in its neighbourhood. It is a model for other conflict-ridden regions of the world to emulate. It is a community of democratic states bound together by solidarity and keen to spread its democratic values. For this reason as well Malta's membership is significant.