The best piece of news coming from the EU recently referred to the increase in Malta's MEPs by 20 per cent. The additional seat, for the next legislature, enables our representatives to be involved in most committees. Though our five elected representatives work continually against the clock, it is impossible for them to be involved in all committees. However the contribution they currently make in the interest of our country and the EU is impressive, and very much appreciated.
A clear case in point is the nomination of the Nationalist Euro MP David Casa by the EPP-ED European Parliament group, as member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, to be rapporteur on Slovakia's progress or otherwise in the country's bid for euro adoption as from January 2009.
The Eurozone is the second most important economic bloc in the world and one clearly understands Slovakia's determination to adopt the euro.
Slovakia is one of the ten states, including Malta, which joined the EU in 2004. Though Malta succeeded in fulfilling all the Maastricht criteria necessary to adopt the euro by January 2008 with its economy being credible and sustainable, Slovakia's major setback is its inflation rate which until now has been considered as unstable.
It is certainly a personal honour for the Maltese MEP to be chosen to submit a delicate report, and gives the lie to those who, before the referendum, gave the impression that, because of its numbers, our representatives will almost go unnoticed.
The importance is also gauged by the fact that the expansion of the Eurozone is also crucial for Europe's economic development. Slovakia seems to be on the right track to meet the necessary criteria provided the government ensures that there is a much better control on spending, a factor which brought several warnings from the European Central Bank. Mr Casa's report will actually reflect the country's actual position in its endeavour to join.
Mr Casa's report on behalf of the committee which monitors the progress made by countries aspiring to join the Eurozone will be presented to the plenary session so that the European Parliament will have a clear opinion on whether Slovakia is ready to adopt the euro or not. Along with the Commission, Mr Casa has to ensure that the European Parliament is given the necessary time and details to evaluate Slovakia's factual economic position in their aim to realise their aspirations.
As Malta is getting closer to E-day, Mr Casa will use his expertise to report on the actual position of Slovakia, where unemployment dropped mainly because of car manufacturing industry and to ensure that the institutional problems which Malta and Cyprus had faced are successfully tackled.
The report is of extreme importance. It will reflect the reality in Slovakia. It will not be limited to a change of currency, but must be seen in the dimension of expansion of the euro and its effects on the economic development of Europe.