Foreign Minister Tonio Borg yesterday promised to be as true to his values in Europe as in Malta and defended himself against criticism that he might face a tough grilling due to his conservative politics.
The most important thing in politics is being honest
“I was always careful not to brand people. I have a set of values and, both in Malta and Europe, those values don’t change,” he said.
Asked about some observers’ comments that his political outlook could come under fire in Europe, Dr Borg said he had brought radical changes in several laws, which disproved such criticism.
He mentioned, as examples, the removal of the term “illegitimate” for children born outside wedlock and his backing of the proposed cohabitation Bill.
Asked whether he was confident he would pass the test, he said: “I will go prepared and reply to questions as honestly as possible. The most important thing in politics is being honest. Whatever your views are locally, (as commissioner) you are a European minister where you are not representing your voters.”
He said he would be working hard in the best interests of Europe and this was why he planned to submit his resignation as deputy leader of the Nationalist Party, because the post “went above partisan politics”.
“I see this new role that I was asked to fill as being one in which I can continue giving my contribution and bringing about change. Rather than on a local level, I will be doing this on a European level,” he said.
Dr Borg was speaking shortly after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told a crowd in Mellieħa that it was he who had asked Dr Borg to resign his political party role.
Dr Gonzi said he had asked Dr Borg to make a sacrifice because the position required a level of commitment that went beyond political partisanship.
Dr Borg said he was planning to resign before leaving Malta for Brussels to hold talks with European Commission president José Manuel Barroso today.
He specified that he was retaining his position as Foreign Minister until the European filtering process was concluded.
Asked how long this was expected to take, Dr Borg replied: “The Government wishes the process not to take long but there is a procedure that has to be followed. We will drive the message home that the issue is urgent.”
The EU was at a very delicate phase of discussion on a new budget for the period of 2014 to 2020, Dr Gonzi pointed out, stressing that, for this reason, the nomination of a new commissioner was all the more urgent.
Dr Gonzi said there were disagreements at EU level because some countries wanted to cut the budget but Malta was insisting it needed the funds to continue developing.
“We are making our arguments but our voice needs to be heard at all levels and as strong as we can,” he said.