The visit by our European family

In July, Malta will be hosting the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats' conference, better known as study days. The conference, between July 4 and 6, will serve so that the largest group in the European Parliament will formulate its position on various subjects.

This event is held every two years and Malta was selected to host this edition. All this confirms the good reputation gained by our party (the Nationalist Party) and, of course, by our country in the European Union's political family.

The fact that the news arrived just a couple of days before celebrating the fourth anniversary of the historic signing by Malta of the Treaty of Accession on April 16, 2003, makes the occasion even more significant.

Malta has been chosen for the ability it has shown in adapting so fast within the EU structures. In under three years since becoming members of the EU, we managed not only to voice the Maltese peoples' concerns but also to gain enough respect to be entrusted with the organisation of such an important event. The conference will bring together government officials, 277 MEPs and staff, EU correspondents, particularly those based in Brussels, EU Commissioners affiliated to the EPP-ED group, EU functionaries and other top European officials. A total of between 800 and 1,000 people.

Among the dignitaries expected to attend are European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Communications Commissioner Viviane Reding, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot, and our own Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg.

The last conference, held in Rome on March 29 and 30, 2006, dealt with themes such as the future of the re-unified Europe after the past divisions and ideologies, as well as the challenges of globalisation and demographic change in Europe.

The conference in Rome reaffirmed the EPP's commitment to promote European and Christian values together with the identity.

Thanks to the forthcoming high-profile political conference, Malta will be projected further in the European scene. At the same time, it will reaffirm itself as an ideal place to hold such events.

Since July 1999, the EPP-ED has been the largest political group with 277 MEPs, representing about 37 per cent of the total. EPP-ED is the only political group, from the seven political groups in the European Parliament, that can boast representation from each member state.

The fact that the EPP-ED group choose Malta to host this activity is another important credibility certificate for both Malta and the PN. A certificate that shows the trust and respect our party enjoys within the ranks of our European family, the EPP-ED.

This meeting will be an occasion for the EPP-ED to discuss its core political ideas and perspectives. It will also be the study group before the next European Parliament elections in 2009. With its origins deriving from the European People's Party, it is the first political group at European level. Since its foundation in June 1953 as the Christian Democrat Group, the group has been centrally involved in EU politics at every stage in the history of the European Union.

Once again, perseverance and insistence lead our country to host such a high calibre activity. Simon Busuttil and I worked hard in the European Parliament's corridors and, together with the intervention by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and the help of the PN's assistant general secretary, Angelito Sciberras, we reached our objective.

The next step is to guarantee a wonderful experience to our guests so that they will visit our country again.

This event will consolidate the relations between the participants and it is a great way to get to know colleagues and discuss potential bilateral projects. Let us not forget that these people come from political parties that are very influential in the European Union and its member states.

Following the CHOGM conference, when the heads of state and government of the Commonwealth states, this must surely be the largest political event hosted in our country. These type of events attract the media's attention and market our country across the globe.

This shows the commitment not only of the Maltese government but also of the PN to attract high-profile events to our island. This is because the PN believes in the Maltese workers' capability to produce a highly professional event that will have a positive ripple effect.

With the investment, our government, led by Dr Gonzi, is making in the educational, infrastructural and tourism sectors we are producing human resources that will enable this country to establish itself as a focal spot hosting major conferences.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.

david.casa@europarl.europa.eu, www.davidcasa.eu