A new EU era

Every respectable organisation must have a strong foundation to assist it in its growth rather than hinder it. It is important that common grounds be found so that future challenges may be faced and transformed into success stories. If this does not occur, the organisation may find itself stuck and would lack the necessary tools to move forward.

In simple words, this is what occurred in Lisbon last week. The leaders of the 27 member states found common grounds, in the form of the new reformed treaty, to face new challenges that the European Union and its member states will be facing.

With the agreement, on the new reform treaty, between the leaders of the 27 member states, the door is now open for a more democratic, more efficient and better operating Europe.

The text of the EU reform treaty was finalised last week after months of intensive work. This instrument is very important because it enables the European Union to implement useful policies able to face 21st century challenges.

In an ever-changing world, nobody will wait for us: the European Union and all 27 member states must be able to decide efficiently and democratically on issues that are important to the citizens and this new treaty contains all the reforms needed. This new treaty will allow us to meet those challenges.

It allows the Union to take new initiatives and deal with issues such as climate change, energy policy, international terrorism, international crime and possible enlargements. The charter of fundamental rights will be legally binding and, for the first time, the public will have the right to request that the Union proposes legislation on a specific area. The roles of national parliaments and the European Parliament will be strengthened.

The new treaty will give a new impetus to the European Union to move forward towards further economic and social growth. The agreement reached last week gives us an opportunity to guarantee a better future for the European Union and for European citizens.

The same agreement went beyond the national interest; it was an agreement reached in the interest of the European population: families, workers and countries that, thanks to this new reformed treaty, will have a stronger voice representing them in world politics. At the same time, this agreement will guarantee more transparency and more efficiency within the European Union.

I am very pleased that, thanks to the new European Parliament seat distribution, Malta will strengthen its voice by having another MEP, thus making our electorate's voice and influence stronger.

Another colleague at the European Parliament will mean better lobbying and a stronger voice representing Maltese citizens when discussing issues regarding not only national issues but also international themes such as climate change, illegal migration and better workers rights.

Unfortunately, such news was given little or no coverage at all by the Labour media. This continues to prove that some elements within our local politics have not accepted our entry into the European Union.

What we witnessed last week is a historic milestone not only for the European Union but also for Malta itself.

Malta as a member of the European Union and the Maltese as European citizens will be reaping the fruits of the agreement. This will further strengthen our country's vision to gain more success not only within the European Union but also as a nation.

Moreover, the new treaty means more rights for all European citizens and more solidarity between member states. Solidarity that is so badly needed to strengthen competitiveness in a globalised world. The agreement guarantees Europeans a single area of "freedom, security and justice".

I quote from a speech made by Javier Solana, back in 1999: "The European Union is already a global player on the world stage. Europe is crucial in the formulation of the major trade policies, financial trends and monetary decisions. It is high time for Europe to become a more active and influential global power. We have to work for a stronger Europe better prepared to prevent instabilities, with a robust sense of solidarity. A Europe determined to play all its potential in the world".

These words describe what the new reform treaty will give to the European Union and its 27 member states. It will strengthen all aspects of political, economic and social life for the European citizens while, at the same time, give the European Union a more active and influential role in global politics.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.

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