Now that Tonio Borg has been confirmed as a European Commissioner my thoughts go on the values that MEPs abide by. No person is neutral as each one of us has his/her own convictions but we should never impose our convictions on others.  While following Dr Borg’s grilling on television I noticed that a few MEPs were more interested in making the Commissioner-designate agree to their agenda rather than sticking to European principles.

The European Union is what it is and is treasured and respected by many of us because of its values and unity in diversity. In his testimony Dr Borg repeatedly affirmed that he was not a Maltese Commissioner representing Malta but a European Commissioner representing Europe.  As Lino Spiteri remarked (The Sunday Times, November 18), “He (Tonio Borg) elicited admiration by remaining true to himself, while asserting that he would fulfil his obligations as Commissioner and would not let his personal views get in the way of his decisions”.

Because on this occasion the Labour party was able to rise above partisan politics and back Dr Borg, we were able to offer a common front. It is also due to a good number of MEPs who voted for the common good that Tonio Borg was able to surpass his final hurdle and be approved as a Commissioner. Reason and not prejudice guided such people.

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