Dalli wants Europeans to live 'longer and healthier'

John Dalli, Malta's next European Commissioner, will be seeking to develop effective and efficient health care systems in all EU member states when he takes up his new job next year.

This should lead to longer and healthier lives, Mr Dalli, who will be the next European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, said in written replies to questions submitted by the European Parliament.

"I will seek to secure an increase in Healthy Life Years - the number of years which citizens can, on average, expect to live in good health. My emphasis would also be firmly on measures to prevent disease, as well as make affordable, safe and efficacious medicines available to patients across the EU," he said.

Mr Dalli, whose current portfolio as Social Policy Minister includes health, stressed the importance of building strong links across the European Commission and focusing on where synergies with areas like education and environment could be developed.

"I very much hope to be able to count on Parliament's support towards this ambitious objective," he said in a six-page document.

Mr Dalli said his first priority would be to push for better regulation for the market for animals, plants, seeds, food and feed, to boost the European agro-industry and stimulate innovation while respecting the health and interests of consumers and the environment.

"In this area the overarching principle remains 'safety first'. This, however, does not mean zero risk, or that we should not take action to enhance growth and innovation."

Other priorities will be in the area of consumer policy to keep the consumer at the heart of the internal market, giving consumers more information to make informed choices and ensure their rights are not compromised in online transactions.

Mr Dalli mentioned his role in the Maltese Cabinet for almost 20 years as one of the reasons why he qualified for the job as commissioner.

"My experience as a minister in a smaller country gives me two strengths. First, I am more accustomed to very broad responsibilities. Second, I have learned how to compromise and co-operate with a range of interlocutors. My motivation has always been, and will continue to be, the need to ensure a better life for our citizens. People must remain the focus of our policy formation and execution," he said.

He also said his present role as Social Policy Minister, which included health, enabled him to understand in more depth the problems citizens faced as well as their aspirations for a healthier life.

He also pledged to respect the obligations in the EU Treaty and "will not accept instructions from any government or any other body".

He would refrain from any action incompatible with his duties as commissioner and would not engage in any other occupation during his term of office.

Mr Dalli will be questioned by EP committees on January 14.