UPDATED: George Abela to represent MLP on MEUSAC
(Adds Dr Joseph Muscat's visit to the EU Representation in Malta)
George Abela, the former MLP leadership contender, is to represent the party on the reconstituted MEUSAC –the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee – the party announced today.
Dr Abela also sat on MEUSAC, in his personal capacity, in the run-up to EU membership.
The MLP had not participated in the original MEUSAC but the decision to participate in the new body was taken by Labour leader Joseph Muscat.
Labour MP Luciano Busuttil will be substitute member.
Dr Abela said participation in MEUSAC was an example of how the MLP could contribute for the benefit of the country, in this case within the context of EU membership.
Dr Busuttil said the MLP wanted the country to make real success of EU membership.
Dr Muscat said Dr Abela had the experience and the credentials necessary to enable the MLP to contribute in the best possible way to MEUSAC. This, he said, was a crucial role and he was sure Dr Abela would do his duty to the country and the party, supported by Dr Busuttil.
Meanwhile, Dr Muscat this morning made a call on Joanna Drake, head of the EU Representation in Malta.
He reiterated that the MLP was prepared to do whatever was necessary for Malta to make a success of EU membership. Over the coming years, the MLP would take a more proactive role with regard to EU matters.
Dr Muscat expressed his disappointment that in several sectors, such as the environment, Malta is not respecting EU directives. Many had wanted Malta to join the EU because of the environment, he pointed out.
Malta, Dr Muscat said, also needed to respect directives on car registration and the departure tax.
On EU funding, Dr Muscat said that while there had been success in some areas, more space should be allowed for NGOs and private companies.
Dr Drake said she looked forward to closer collaboration between the commission and the MLP. She also congratulated Dr Abela on his appointment to MEUSAC.
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eric saliba
Jul 25th 2008, 16:48
@ j martinelli. yeah yeah am impressed. pity that an ever-growing number of people cannot afford all the goodies you mentioned.
btw you left out the 5 energy saving lamps. the future will look even brighter when (if) we get these.
and if there is such a glaring difference between the parties how come gonzipn only managed to get just 1580 votes more than the cruel, nasty etc labour party??
you see why you make me laugh??
J Martinelli
Jul 25th 2008, 13:33
@ Eric Saliba
Oh am I ever so glad that I am providing you with free entertainment!
So much so, that it seems to me that some of my apologies on behalf of the NP are indeed striking a chord somewhere and reducing you to tears (of laughter?). You react this way because you know very well, although you will never admit it, that had it not been for the NP you would still be living in Colonial conditions or perhaps in a physically divided country ala Cyprus, thanks to the old MLP thugs.
Thanks to the NP we are an independent nation, members of the EU, have a world leading currency, an economy which rose from the ashes of the British handouts period and changed into a free economy, a record number of employed (without hiring some 8000 on the eve of an election), water in out taps, enough power to meet domestic and industrial needs, a one line, one party digital telephone system, great airport soon to be expanded, shelves full of consumer goods of your choice, Mars bars, good toothpaste etc. 200 word limit does not permit me go further.
Enough entertainment for today, Eric Saliba?
Alex Ellul
Jul 25th 2008, 12:43
@ John Attard, Thanks for listing all the MLP's achievements in its 16 year stay in power. It took you just three blogg lines to list these. Not much really. Some of them are very easy to do in fact, just take the money from the hard working section of the population and transfer it to whom you want. Any kid can do that. The fact is that the MLP was never visionary in its policies, but always making-do, (Bazwar ftit l-ghawn u bazwar ftit l-hemm.....) leaving the infrastructure of the two islands in shambles for the PN to build up from scratch. Then the PN went over budget in these projects of course, like any project does wherever in this world it is done. The MLP's projects never went above budget because there were not any projects in the first place. I forgot the the MLP's 2 million liri Bugibba project, it did go awry did it?
eric saliba
Jul 25th 2008, 11:12
@ j martinelli. oh but i do have a sense of humour ! in fact i really laugh at your pathetic efforts to praise everything gonzipn does, even when most of malta thinks otherwise.
and i also distinguish between having fun and making fun of someone. in my opinion you were trying to ridicule another person's writing skills. i repeat, we cannot all be bright sparks like you.
i also realise it is becoming harder for all you gonzipn apologists to keep defending the present administration.
have a good weekend all.
Gerad Mangion
Jul 25th 2008, 10:43
@ joe galea
As you well said Good Luck to J.M & G.A, they sure need it my friend and how !
As for Dr G Abela, he made it very clear to all the press, That he G.A will not work with jason micallef at any cost ! is he goinig to make a U - Turn if jason will hold his place at the mlp ??
And J.M you wish him Luck too ? heqq it's luck that he needs, When he is in that seat in the parlament, as an oposion leader You should have wished him gut's not luck !
u Mela we are going to the Casino ? cheer's.
Joe Galea
Jul 25th 2008, 08:44
@ A Vassallo: Dear Mr. Vassallo, I recall well a few months ago just before the elections Gonzi has promised us tax bands reforms within the first budget. Now he has already retracted that. He raised the surcharge to 95% so he could compensate us with the bulbs as he said we should save about 200Euros by using them. Come on. This government is tired, worn out and directionless.
Well done Joseph Muscat and good luck George Abela.
Matthew Ellul
Jul 25th 2008, 01:00
Is Joseph Muscat keeping promises.... "I want to make an earthquake in the MLP"...... He said that all the leadership contenders are going to be given something in the party... but he only kept this promise with G.Abela up till now. I think that maltese voters knew who keep promises and do wha they say.... As a matter of fact ... people once again chosen PN- I agree with Mr.A.Vassallo. And if Jason Micallef will be chosen again as a general secretary what is G.Abela going to do? he said that he will absolutely won't work with him.
john attard
Jul 25th 2008, 00:51
@Alex Ellul
Which PN did MLP follow when he introduced Voting for the 18 year old, the minimum wage, children's allowances, - Air Malta. When he brought such factories which still provide work today like Methode, ST (formerly SGS), Pharmamed (Today Actavis); or when he changed the consitution of Malta and make it a Republic? I hope that MLP will NEVER floow the PN in squandering of people's money for example on all government projects which went out of budget by 100%, 300% and occasionally 500%!
J. Martinelli
Jul 24th 2008, 22:29
Denis Catania, what you said is good and I too notice that the MLP, in general, seems to be changing course a little. I have no beef with the MLP having somewhat different approaches to the NP's, otherwise we would have a one party system which is not good.
But I tend to see things in the right perspective and in view of past experiences.
Now, in the case of George Abela being appointed to MEUSAC by Joseph I find that it is a very good idea, George having been on MEUSAC before appointed by none other than Lawrence Gonzi when George was not even on speaking terms with some in the MLP. So. I support appointing someone who knows something about the appointment.
Joseph is doing a lot of healing - why not? In reality Joseph is 'normalizing' relations which were at rock bottom for many years under his predecessors, so while this is good, it does not constitute any heroics and Joseph has yet to prove himself and I sincerely hope that he does just that.
Malta needs maturity on both sides (or more) of the political spectrum. It also needs CONSISTENCY, COURAGE and not OPPORTUNISM.
Denis Catania
Jul 24th 2008, 21:11
@JMartinelli I am an PN supporter and will allways be. But I was born Maltese not PN supporter. I looked at my moms(PN)views and I looked at my dads(MLP)views. At an early age I choose to be an PN supporter, and I'm proud of that. But just because I'm an PN supporter that doen't mean I'm blind. Joseph Muscat is dong alot of healing between the PN and MLP. He got his party to be represented in MEUSAC. He commended De Marco. I never seen this by an MLP leader before. When credit is due, I give it. Even if it is the opposition.If Joseph Muscat keeps this up. A shift in government will happen, and I'm not afraid of a shift in government. Sometimes it's healthy for the country. I think Austin Gatt did a good lob.Gonzi laid back and let the ministers handle it, which is good. I think the Police Commish did a lousy job, letting thugs take over the streets. Out of the good that we(PN) did during the strike. Not using proper force against these thugs hurt our party. Not all those animals were MLP supporters. Maybe that's why there were such few arrests, Idon'tKNOW.
J Martinelli
Jul 24th 2008, 20:43
@ Maria Dolores Fenech
For a few lines I thought your conversion was as great as Saul's but as I read further down I realized that you were having a bit of fun. I like that.
However, just to be fair and also to remind you of a few pertinent points you yourself brought up, let me say this.
You were absolutely right to say that it is impossible for anyone, whether his name is Joseph, Lawrence, Tommy or Harry (not Vassallo), to fulfill many promises in the first four months of a legislature. Be they free light bulbs, tax cuts, and so on. But the fact remains that this government has started many initiatives which in the next few months will see many promises delivered. It is a government which, prior to the last election, presented an ambitious programme which will be much easier to accomplish if the opposition cooperates in the light of national interest, light bulbs or not. It worked on this programme during the last five years, being in government and having accomplished much.
Sure beats the MLP's programme which after 20 years in opposition produced a programme filled with errors and blamed their computer!
J Martinelli
Jul 24th 2008, 20:28
@ K Galea, Eric Saliba,
Do you not have any sense of humour at all? There is a difference between having a bit of fun and making fun of someone.
Of course I knew that D Muscat was meant to read Dr. Muscat and I did expect the writer to know the leader's name!
Regarding the writing in Maltese on an English only newspaper, I mentioned it because there are many English only readers who would not have the slightest clue what your (mostly) complaints are all about.
Come on, lighten up a bit. Why are you so much on the defensive most of the time?
Of course you SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOUR PARTY. If you weren't you would not be supporting it would you? But one more thing - you said that 'we always keep our promises, others don't.' I am not so sure about that one. All I know is, that a party in opposition can promise heaven on earth in spite of knowing very well it cannot deliver.
I have never claimed infallibility and I have to be careful wit me spleing somtymes.
Gerard Mangion
Jul 24th 2008, 19:18
J.M can only make decsions for a political party, the one he is the mexxej of Only, that is the mlp in the opossion HEQQ .
I wonder how jason micallef, reaction to this is ??
another slap in the face I geuss., J.m is making promises yea, he is the new leader now, he need's some publictiy at the moment well played cis.
Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi, with his Great par Idejn sodi ,that are getting stroger by the Day, is too much for you, He really have it all, Malta Need's You Dr Gonzi We are always Behind you.
Alex Ellul
Jul 24th 2008, 14:03
Let's get a reality check: The MLP is following in the PN's footsteps. That is why it has more credibility now. The Maltese situation is similar to a strong and experienced mountaineer who is constantly but slowly climbing towards the top, but tied to him with a rope below him is a second climber who is continuously telling the first climber that he is going the wrong way. When the first climber reaches the top, the second climber claims credit.
The MLP has always, reluctantly and late in the day, accepted whatever the PN introduced, be it private enterprise (the old MLP nationalised banks, and created state-owned industries that led to failure), Private TV and radio stations, local-councils, EU membership, etc. Now the MLP has changed its leadership, finally accepting EU, when this same new leader was against it in the first place. However time has ripened the MLP while making it realise that what the PN has worked for is in fact the best way forward. Therefore we can start looking forward for a real progressive-time with a government having the best-vision for the future and the opposition backing it while criticising and prodding whenever necessary.
K Galea
Jul 24th 2008, 13:29
Well done Dr Muscat for keeping your promises. You are showing that you are a great leader. A leader that all LABOUR SUPPORTERS ARE PROUD OF. We always keep our promises, others DON'T
EJJEW HALLI NINGHAQDU FLIMKIEN MAL MEXXJ TAGHNA
@ J Martinelli
Mr Scerri wanted to say DR Muscat and not D Muscat and why you are complaing the Mr Rodnick abdilla wrote in Maltese. Ghandu kull dritt jikteb bil Malti. After all ahna MALTIN. Ghandna nkunu kburin bil lingwa Maltija.
eric saliba
Jul 24th 2008, 11:14
@ j martinelli. why do you always have to make fun of other people's mistakes? your superiority complex is unbelievable man. unfortunately not all of us can be bright sparks like you. maybe the persons you make fun of had the misfortune of getting their education during the last 20 years when your pn was running the country?( see where the EU stats keep placing malta ).
another question....does the labour party ever do anything right? but i know the answer already. from a gonzipn lackey/apologist i don't expect otherwise.
@ joseph muscat. keep delivering on your promises. the more spiteful the comments against you the more i believe you're on the right track.
Wistin Schembri
Jul 24th 2008, 10:55
Hats off to George Abela; he is consistent. He has been a member of MEUSAC even when these people (now praising him!) considered him a pariah for being there.
Is Joseph Muscat's position a result of conviction or convenience?
Is it too much to ask Dr Muscat what made him change his mind? In the EU membership referendum he followed Dr Sant's instructions to those who were against memberhip (by not voting).
PS I have been looking around for a recording of the series 'Made in Brussels'. Can someone help me to obtain a copy?
Maria Dolores Fenech
Jul 24th 2008, 08:05
@A Vassallo
Who on earth told you that the lamps promised had to arrive in the first four months of this legislature? Who on earth told you that the income tax bands had to change just after four months of this legislature? - We KNOW that such things would not happen in the first four month, not even years of this legislature..... these things happen during an election campaign, or MAYBE at the last budget before the election!
Both parties have their skeletons in the cupboard, but if we really want to move forward we have to look ahead.
Well done Dr Muscat. At least we can rest assured that Dr Muscat is a man that keeps his promises. Well done Dr Abela, you have what it takes for this position.
Funny, but I can't help thinking that the slogan 'Flimkien kollox possibbi' is only working from the MLP side, GonziPN are as arrogant as ever!
John Zammit
Jul 23rd 2008, 23:03
What we have running our country at the moment is an old tired party, with its supporters and diehards trying stubbornly to justify all what is being done, and to denigrate all the Labour revival movement which is steady and strong! Week afetr week Joseph Muscat is emerging as a solid leader who can run our country out of the present chaotic situation, where the government is running only behind Gonzi's sarcastic smile!
John Attard
Jul 23rd 2008, 22:58
@ A Vassallo
No one told me that the promises of the lamps will arrive in the first 4 months .. what I believe is that they would never arrive .. like the 'Tabib tal-ghazla tieghek' , like the country's financial situation, which is always 'fis-sod' before election day and deteriorated just after, like the Teatru Rjal - could you count how many budgets it was promised in? Yes there were things which came in the first 4 months ... but were never promised .. like the cost of electricity increasing (don't be naive .. the black clouds could have referred to anything and what Gonzi meant at the time was that we need the NP to weather these clouds .. Alfred Sant said EU would not be good for everyone .. and he mentioned a number of factories, most of which closed, while the remaining ones are in their agony .. ask ST employees!
Ethelbert Schembri
Jul 23rd 2008, 22:39
Thanks Dr Muscat and Dr Abela .
That is the way we must act ! Everyone, welcome to the new era of the MLP !!!
Only with both your knowledge and experiences we can be the BEST in the EU and reduce the negative impacts of our membership in the EU !
We still need a lot of information about every aspect of the EU , because we are still thinking that Europe is far away . There are lot of laws , acts and directives that we are not aware of !!
jesmond zammit
Jul 23rd 2008, 21:37
@tony formosa
labour made the necessary apologies but p.n has to apologize for beeing against the vote for women, for being against ALL social services that mlp in government created ,and for being in favour of a tourism law to pass from the parliament in1998 but voted against to destroy alfred sant(not mlp)
D Attard
Jul 23rd 2008, 20:58
@D Schembri
can't help but noticing you're still gloating on pre-election MLP. Thanks to the new leader MLP is showing clear signs of improvement with strengthened credibilty...that is being able to point out positive moves by the Govt, being open to suggestions (you may wish to check their website) and by asking valid questions to the Govt (to which till now no straight and plain answers have been given). It has managed to set a Parliamentary Committee to discuss important issues and has even lured this conservative govt administration into holding a debate on divorce. And please I do hope no one will ever credit the PN with introducing debate on divorce...they were too busy worshipping god and the clergy in fear of losing votes until Joseph Muscat came along
J. Martinelli
Jul 23rd 2008, 20:44
@ M Camilleri - MEUSAC reorganization was announced by the PM much later than Joseph's promise 'to give George Abela an important assignment'. !s this the 'important assignment' ?
@ Mario Scerri - Who's D. Muscat? Your leader's name is Joseph.
@ Saviour Cachia - 'Malta's membership in the EU' - still a sore point, eh? I thought the MLP has changed its mind regarding the EU and is embracing the NP's idea!
@ Rodnick Abdilla - Glad to see that your English vocabulary has progressed to two whole words - "Well done"- (Dr. Muscat). You switch to Maltese in an English only newspaper. Maybe next time you get two more English words edgewise?
@ A Borg - Dr. Gonzi baffled shallow minds for not playing to the gallery like Joseph does at MLP clubs. Watch Dr. Gonzi over the next four years.
@ Martin Portelli - right on!
@ mario Camilleri - we should also mention the National Bank of Malta and Bank of Bical?
@ Joe Grima - Joseph and George may be the men for tomorrow, but why weigh them down with men from the past?
@ John Attard - still waiting to see the light?
J. Martinelli
Jul 23rd 2008, 20:06
Denis Catania, you are falling into the same trap as you did five months ago - counting chickens before they hatched. As it turned out two less chickens hatched and there you are, back where the MLP started five years ago - in opposition.
Joseph Muscat did not 'command' anything to Dr. de Marco, perhaps commended was the word you intended to use? Dr. de Marco was, in fact, doing damage control since incalculable damage was inflicted by the thugs we sometimes call 'bus drivers'. Are you by chance related to one of them?
Joseph is not participating in MEUSAC - he is sending George Abela who democratically - MLP style - lost his bid for leadership. Just like handing a little kid candy to dry up the tears!
My heart bleeds for your 4 days of despair but the arrests and court proceedings, for you, are typically police inaction. Perhaps the 'tip of the barrel' you quoted means the fence sitting by Joseph. Or maybe he is sitting on the tip of an iceberg?
TONY FORMOSA
Jul 23rd 2008, 17:19
* Thankfully the MLP is all for Europe NOW. They have no remorse for encouraging their faithful to vote 'NO'or to abstain or ruin the vote when the referendum was held.
No one mentioned or told us why Sant had frozen the application in 1996 which meant that we lost precious time.
Naturally we should all rejoice that as far the EU is concerned the MLP leader(and therefore all the MLP followers)are in synergy with the PN. but unfortunately without regrets.for their previous attitude.
That's all Babs! That's their style,period.
TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA
A. Vassallo
Jul 23rd 2008, 16:27
@ John Attard
Who on earth told you that the lamps promised had to arrive in the first four months of this legislature? Who on earth told you that the income tax bands had to change just after four months of this legislature? Regarding the increase in the cost of electricity, do you remember Dr. Lawrence Gonzi telling us before the election that bad weather is over the horizon and people like you did not believe him but believed AS and his 50% cut in the electricity surcharge? Have you ever heard of the increases in oil and cereal prices worldwide?
And what are the thousand and one other things promised to us by Dr. Gonzi and in the first four months of the legislature have not arrived yet?
The MLP lost the last elections because of its inconsistency and because the people fear that we might go back to the 70's and 80\s under the Socialist rule.
Denis Catania
Jul 23rd 2008, 16:25
Mr Austin Gatt you might as well start working with opposition on this reform. Since 99% Joseph Muscat is going to be PM by then. I would start wtih making sure that any driver that has a bad conduct, must have his license taken away. That would be a big step, and this could be done within 6 months. The rest work with MR Muscat.
Joseph Muscat commanded Minister DeMarco for his damage control. The minister didn't call it damage control, because there was no damage done.
Joseph Muscat is now participating in MEUSAC, this is another step in the right directions. The true voters of this little Nation is the floaters. He has the floaters support all ready.
We had a good run, but I think this party(PN) is tired and winded. After letting our Nation run in despair for 4 days. With criminal laws not enacted, this was the tip of the barrel.
Dave Spiteri
Jul 23rd 2008, 16:20
@ Tony Formosa
Why do you always have to mention the past when it comes for Labour? Why you all PN apologists NEVER congratulate Labour wherever the good for the country is done? If so you mentioned the past, let me remember you the anti-Integration campaign back 40 - years ago your party had. If we had integrate those times with England, we could be in a more better situation nowadays, but that's past, other decisions have been taking and let history be history. Let us all Maltese look FORWARD for a brighter european future in every aspect! Il-passat mhux mera tal-futur Tony!!
@John Attard - good comment!
Joe Grima
Jul 23rd 2008, 16:17
Valid politicians make promises and then keep them. As one more promise kept, George Abela's appointment augres well for the time when Joseph's fortunes come up for consideration by the entire nation. What difference does yesterday make when it is obvious that people like Joseph Muscat and George Abela are Malta's men for tomorrow'?
D Schembri
Jul 23rd 2008, 15:43
@John Attard
Are you serious? Did you honestly expect all the PN election programme to be implemented within the first 4 months of Government?
As for "The trouble with MLP is they always showed their opinion before elections .. and they paid by losing the election for it. " - What exactly were the MLP's 'promises'? Let me remind you - repeater class, halving of surcharge regardless of oil price, closing already closed down incinerator, an attempt to re-open EU negotiations and overtime at single time. They paid for having a totally invalid programme.
I thought John Dalli was part of cabinet. But perhaps like the MLP you think that you should be governing because you came oh so close.
Mario Camilleri
Jul 23rd 2008, 15:34
@ tony formosa. i think the PN should also apologise for voting against the right to vote when we are 18 yrs of age, for voting against the creation of B.O.V and mid-med bank, they were against airmalta or " ghasafar tac-comb" like they used to call them, for using the church for their personal gains. the PN was against everything.
john attard
Jul 23rd 2008, 14:57
@ TONY FORMOSA
Even the NP have to apologise for all the false promises they made before the elections and others they never spoke about. For the lamps they promised which never arrived, for the income tax bands which they said they will raise, for the increase in the cost of electricity, for the uncontrolled way prices are going up, for depriving the country of the best financial wizard in the country, John Dalli and for a thousand and one other things behind the smile of Gonzi ... Politicians you see change their opinion so much. The trouble with MLP is they always showed their opinion before elections .. and they paid by losing the election for it. PN always happen to realise things which go wrong, like the finances of the country, or the rising cost of fuel .. just after the elections.
martin portelli
Jul 23rd 2008, 14:44
I don't think Dr. Abela 's viewpoint on Europe was ever in question . What I would expect from the new MLP leadership is a more visible role for Dr. Abela, not the simple formality of putting the MLP stamp on a role he had previously fulfilled in his personal capacity anyway.
Reuben Charlie Vella
Jul 23rd 2008, 14:41
Good luck Dr. Abela and well done Joseph . Keep it up!
A.Borg
Jul 23rd 2008, 14:39
@ Tony Formosa
Let bygones be bygones. We have to look forward. The Nationalist Party used to ridicule past Labour Govts for having close ties with Arab countries in the Middle East. Now we flirt with Abdullah and praise him for taking over Maltacom and SmartCity. Same goes with EU. Politics is in constant change everywhere, so policies change and adapt likewise. I think Joseph Muscat is doing a great job and he deserves our support. So far he's more convincing than Lawrence Gonzi who's inexistence over the past two months has baffled many.
TONY FORMOSA
Jul 23rd 2008, 13:53
They are all become strong europhiles now;however they have still to apologise for their totally negative attitude prior to the referendum, which also saw Joseph Muscat and Alfred Sant abstaining.
Sixteen months ago they had objected to Toto Cutugno singing 'Insieme'...
It''s amazingly clear that the opposition's objections and hassle were totally unnecessary,as you always said Babs!
TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA
Rodnick Abdilla
Jul 23rd 2008, 13:33
Well done Dr.Muscat B'hekk qed torina kemm veru ser ikolna partit mghaqud.
iktar qed nisahhu iktar ma jghaddu granet.
saviour cachia
Jul 23rd 2008, 13:30
Well done both to Joseph and George. it is a wise decision. George returns to his home, MEUSAC, as always for the best benefit of our country. This will enhance the credibilty of the MLP in the eyes of the electorate. Also my congratulations to my friend Luciano Busuttil..in George Abela you will have a great mentor.
Let us all look forward together in a reconstituted MEUSAC to ripe the best benefits of the UE membership and allievate as much as possible some big burdens unavoidably resulting from Malta's membership in the Europen Union. Together we stand, divided we fall. VIVA MALTA.
mario scerri
Jul 23rd 2008, 13:08
Good luck Dr Abela and keep it up D Muscat
M. Camilleri
Jul 23rd 2008, 12:25
Great news! What I wanted to hear. Dr George Abela is a very valid politician. Thanks joseph Muscat for keeping your promises.