Gonzi’s landmark “double win”
I refrained from commenting on the landmark EU budget deal clinched by Prime Minister Gonzi before reading a technical opinion about it. This was provided in The Sunday Times through an interview with Ms Marlene Bonnici, head of Malta’s EU Permanent Representation in Brussels.
Ms Bonnici is not a politician. She is an able civil servant who was given this job after the a most unholy coalition between the Opposition and renegade MPs from the Government side brought about the axing of Richard Cachia Caruana from that position.
Malta is fortunate that Richard Cachia Caruana is not a petty person. In spite of the aforementioned act of dastardliness he still accepted the invitation of the Prime Minister to coordinate Malta’s team of experts during the tough negotiations that have been going on since, at least, last November. TCachia Caruana’s great expertise in the matter contributed greatly to the success achieved for Malta by Prime Minister Gonzi.
Let me go back to the interview with Ms Bonnici.
She described the deal as a “double win” (a phrase I borrowed for the title of this piece) and explained why she used this description. These are some of the more important points that result from the interview.
- The EU reduced its budget.
- This notwithstanding the budget allotted to Malta was increased.
- Malta lost its Objective 1 status. This is the status of those countries meriting more help than others because their financial situation is not as prosperous as that of others. Malta lost the Objective 1 status because its “GDP has risen while that of several other member states has plummeted”.
- This notwithstanding Malta got more funds than it would have been entitled to had it remained an Objective 1 country.
This is why Ms Bonnici called the achievement of Prime Minister Gonzi - that is a EU budgetary contribution of Euro1,128,000,000 - a “double win”.
One should also remember that Prime Minister Gonzi had negotiated the EU budgetary allocation for Malta for the 2007-2013 budget. According to a report in this Sunday’s Il-Mument, when one factors in the 2007 allocation to Malta, together with additional funds that were given during the years and tops it with the present allocation the figure with be an astonishing €2.18 billion. This figure quite naturally dwarfs any other figure ever negotiated by any other Maltese politician. This is by no stretch of the imagination a mean feat.
It is positive that this “double win” by Prime Minister Gonzi was welcomed by all shades of blue, red and green.
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Jessica Debattista
Feb 15th, 13:14
Some comments below leave me speechless.
I only have words for a powerful prayer:
“Out Father who art in heaven
Halloed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 14th, 21:33
It seems according to Ms Bonnici that we got money which we were not really eligible to have. Obviously when it's something like this there have been political wheeling and dealing which means that there are political strings attached. Perhaps Ms Bonnici can also advise us what these are so that we can make a judgement whether it is in fact a double win situation or otherwise?
W. Cassar
Feb 13th, 13:26
You do know we owe some 6 billion euros... we pay interest on that which eats up the 600million we got from the EU.
Now that is the real landmark that you fail to mention.
joe micallef
Feb 13th, 11:02
Milestones such as the EU funding are regular in our allegiance as europeans
Praise is due when I end up with money in pocket following the lowering of the current energy tariffs
The PN scaremongering tactics know no limits and I for one whatever the blog's message is will vote for change this coming March
Victor Laiviera
Feb 13th, 09:37
In an article like this, it's not just the facts that are important, The way they are put, the language used, the subtle or not so subtle emphasis - those are the things that matter.
And it is crystal clear that this article is not meant to inform, but to serve as a propaganda boost for the PN.
Hard to imagine what this has to do with a priestly mission.
Eric Soames
Feb 13th, 13:48
'Hard to imagine what this has to do with a priestly mission.': Amen.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 14th, 08:36
@ Victor Laiviera & Eric Soames.
Fr J Borg exercises his priestly mission in church, his journalist mission on The Times and his education mission at the University. You only show signs of being acquainted with his journalism. Please try to confine your comments to aspects tenuously within your grasp.
Eric Soames
Feb 14th, 11:51
Francis Saliba M.D.: I say it as I see it. I saw a comment I agreed with and voiced said agreement. So no matter what this Reverend Gentleman's other missions are, it's this aspect [geddit?] that is, and has been, visible to me and because said R G writes so prolifically, I have a more than tenuous [not the word I would use but riffing on your poor choice of phrase] on it.
Eric Soames
Feb 14th, 14:29
PS: Tenuous 'grip', obviously.
B Ellul
Feb 13th, 07:39
Ara vera sewwa jighidu! L'ispizjareh sorry MLP milli jkollu jtik... All these comments are a clear sign of sour grapes
joe micallef
Feb 13th, 09:52
Not yet mate-Malta is made up of intelligent people irrespective the colour they politically follow
Your remark on 'all these comments' places intelligent blue/green/red comments in one sour basket.
If your reference was purely aimed at MLP comments then sour grapes are yours to chew!
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Feb 13th, 00:07
And you are a non-partisan priest? Hilarious!
Emmanuel Cachia
Feb 12th, 19:20
Sur Borg
Inti taf li hemm differenza bejn ammont li tista' taghmel uzu minnu Malta u dak li fil-fatt uzat Malta li fl-ahhar snin ma' kienx jaqbez l-40% ta' dak li kellna dritt ghalik. Irreferejt ghalik bhal Sur ghax qed titkellem fuq affarjjiet mhux religuzi. Jien ghas-sacerdozju ghandi rispett kbir.
joe micallef
Feb 12th, 17:06
Hold on the euphoria Fr Borg!
Whilst I welcome any funds coming Malta way I beg to differ you drawing parallels to past governments achievements!
The scenarios then where of significant importance to Malta and let not belittle political history.
the latest money secured in brussels are to be halved as Malta need to contribute ca 500million to the EU coffers.
A new PL government will spend wisely!
B Ellul
Feb 13th, 07:40
'A new PL government will spend wisely!'
ISTHI! Now and Now you accept that we'll be getting money from the EU for all to spend. I remember well that we'll be getting only 1.5 million... Prosit MLP...
Joe Bonanno
Feb 18th, 00:23
B Ellul
The PL has a track record of wise spending. The PN doesn't. The PL produced surplus budgets and left a king's ransom when they left in 1987. The PN only produced deficit budgets and left a mountain of debt as of December, 2012. Eventually, Malta will be a net EU contributor. Then what? More debt on top of the already onerous debt burden. That's your "Sound Finances" and Money-no-Problem.
B Ellul
Feb 12th, 15:27
P Pace Balzan, relax man! Now YES, we are in the EU and the Net amout is in favour of Malta. Even JM said that.
Just remember also that while Gonzi was in Brussels to get the money, JM was going round the carnival stands.... hehe that's the difference.
P Pace Balzan
Feb 12th, 16:34
Yes B Ellul, we are in the EU. Infact we are like a minnow in a whale's mouth. (Buzullieqa f'halq balena)
.
Unfortunately the minnow is blind due to the darkness of the whale's mouth and just like you, and as you claim JM, it thinks that it has a favourable net financial position - however the claimants have never presented one single report to the people proving their claim.
joe micallef
Feb 12th, 16:56
He He!!
Gonzi will soon have his turn going round the carnival stands following the 9/3/13 election!
What Gonzi achieved in brussels is normal buisiness to any party in Government - the least expected from the PN when availing themselves a euro 500 hike in salary with a pittance of COLA to the rest of the citizens since 2008
And paying dearly for dirty oil-now we wait for the amnesty outcome!
Eddy Privitera
Feb 13th, 09:09
B Ellul: Why hasn't the government ordered a COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS on Malta's EU membership by an independent source ? I tell you the reason why. Because Gonzi knows that the end result will explode the myth of EU funding ! If you wish to have more details check what I wrote in The Times on EU funding in October 2011 !
B Ellul
Feb 13th, 15:46
Eddy, Analysis by YOU. hu dahhakx...ma tarax ha nahli il-hin naqra il-hmerijiet!
S. Vella
Feb 15th, 08:10
I read Eddy's analysis. It only contained the usual CNI negative propoganda with no understanding of basic economics and some outrageous statements. The indirect effects on our GDP from EU and Euro membership were for example completely omitted.
You can't expect much from a Mintoffjan.
P Sciberras
Feb 12th, 14:50
@ A poor Mr Ellul, people like who have no idea how to respond to a comment, is not worth answering you.
Malcolm Seychell
Feb 12th, 14:48
Do you know how much money we pay back the EU??? and we will never take all this money as this is the maximum
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 12th, 12:25
Joe Borg: I suppose we should say thank you to Dr Gonzi for obtaining such a large amount because now Muscat will have lots to spend when in government and use that money as part of his power of incumbency. And it will all be thanks to Gonzi. Bye Bye Gonzi.
Philip Micallef
Feb 12th, 12:16
All people of whatever political belief should be happy with this news which will contribute to Malta's continual development and competitivity. Mind boggling how some people fail to realise the importance for Malta of these funds and would be happier had these funds not been given to Malta!
P Pace Balzan
Feb 12th, 14:23
The Maltese would be happy once they know, both in monetary terms and in project terms, the true absorptive capacity of the amount allocated to Malta by the EU.
.
As things stand Malta is directly contributing to the EU budget app Eur60m pa. The amount in question equates to max of Eur162m pa.
.
I do hope that Malta has the knowledge,capability and capacity to actually utilise the full amount .
.
P Pace Balzan
Feb 12th, 11:53
Examples:
2-Conversion of diesel buses to electric buses - EU funding Eur100m Malta funding Eur100m
3-bridge from Malta to Gozo - Eu funding Eur100m malta funding Eur100m
.
Can you Fr Joe Borg present this form of report?
P Pace Balzan
Feb 12th, 11:51
Fr Joe Borg; for Malta to have a single win, the Maltese have to see a list of projects directly linked to the amount of Eur1,128,000,000 showing us, the Maltese, the exact amount granted by the EU and the amount to be forked out by the Maltese taxpayer.
.
Maltese would like to see the actual scope of all projects; examples as follows:
1-Gas Power Station - Eu funding Eur100m Malta funding Eur100m
P Pace Balzan
Feb 12th, 09:49
Big numbers blind certain people and most certainly Eur1,128,000,000 is a big number.
What if the EU gave Malta Eur999999999999999999999; would Malta be in a position to even utilise a fraction of the whole amount?
The answer is NO.
.
The answer is NO because in effect these are grants and Malta would only be given a percentage (in monetary terms) of approved projects.
.
Victor Laiviera
Feb 12th, 00:21
It seems that, with the election looming closer, "Fr" Joe Borg has abandoned even the semblance of objectivity and fairness and gone into full-blown hard-line PN propaganda mode.
And some people wonder why the Church is losing the respect and authority it used to have in Malta.
Joseph Camilleri
Feb 12th, 08:56
With an election looming closer, and with PL set to win, I would have expected you to light a candle of thanks since none in the PL rank have the credentials to get this sort of deal.
Also, saying it how it is, is not propaganda. Propaganda is making it seem it is. You may be in a better position to verify this.
Austin Vella
Feb 12th, 09:57
Just because Fr. Borg happens to be a priest does not exclude him from commenting on very relevant issues without keeping the "Church's respect and Authority" out of the agenda. Mr. Laiviera, you may disagree with Fr. Borg's comments vis-a-vis the "double win" but please support your case with some intelligent arguments and not this outdated anti-clericalism.
B Ellul
Feb 12th, 11:47
Victor
What's wrong with Fr Borg praising what has been achieved.... eh wait... Joseph and Louis would have done better.... anzi wait.... if for them we would have got NOTHING simple because we won't be part of the EU!
Victor Laiviera
Feb 12th, 13:01
Just one "small" example. Nowhere does "Fr" Joe Borg tell his readers that the €1.128 billion is the GROSS amount and, after deducting Malta's various contributions, the NET amount will be about €627 million spread over 7 years.
Half-truths are worse than lies.
B Ellul
Feb 12th, 15:24
.. and ALWAYS remember that if it was for your JM and LG.... that would be ZERO. ZERO EUROS. That is the truth and only thruth, and not the BS of your leader with the EU flag behind him and his blue ties and blue background
Mr Joe Borg
Feb 12th, 15:46
Dr Joseph Muscat and also Dr Toni Abela and other Labour spokepersons showed that they are happy that the deal was reached and described it as something positive for Malta. They added no its and buts. Victor Laiviera, on the other hand, seems not to be happy. He has a different position from Dr Muscat and is coming up (Laiviera not Muscat) with all sorts of excuses.
Andy Farrugia
Feb 12th, 18:05
@ V Laiviera
"And some people wonder why the Church is losing the respect and authority it used to have in Malta."
What sheer idiocy, Laiviera! And what has the Church got to do with what any individual writes or says. Is Borg representing the Church? Definitely not? Do his views reflect the official positions/pronouncements of the Church? No evidence of that! Yours is latent anti-clericalism.
Emmanuel Cachia
Feb 11th, 20:09
Sadattant, skont tweġiba mogħtija fil-Parlament Ewropew lid-deputat Edward Scicluna, attwalment tħallsu lil Malta fondi mill-Unjoni Ewropea bejn l-2007 u Ottubru 2012, li jammontaw għal €278 miljun. Dawn jinkludu €80 miljun li baqgħu ma ntefqux u jekk ma jintużawx malajr, jintilfu.
David Farrugia
Feb 11th, 19:31
Fr. joe, please explain the expected NET sum which will be allocated for Malta.
Also, please tell us the NET sum from the previous EU budget allocated for Malta and the total we used up.
Thanks.
Claudia Spiteri
Feb 12th, 18:13
It is still the amount at our disposal to spend on various things. The money we pay to EU is not deducted from this sum but taken from VAT etc..
David Farrugia
Feb 12th, 20:41
Claudia, you're wrong on both!
P Sciberras
Feb 11th, 19:20
Do not try to divert from my cardinal question. This is a simple minus,and you do not need a calculator unless the answer not music for your ears.
B Ellul
Feb 13th, 07:37
Maybe you should ask Alfred Sant for his calculator!
P Sciberras
Feb 11th, 17:36
Fr Joe, after all this bragging can you please inform us how much is Malta forking out paying for keeping Malta's delegation in Brussels,and,how much Malta will be passing back to Brussels as VAT. Then subtract from those millions you mentioned and tells whats left.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 11th, 18:02
@P Sciberras
Common sense should tell you that actually increasing the EU allocation for Malta in the face of an over all reduction elsewhere proves that Malta's investment in our delegation in Brussels is a wise investment. You may just as well switch off your calculator.
Franco Farrugia
Feb 11th, 18:24
'For keeping Malta's delegation in Brussels'. Why? Is Labour going to take us out of the EU? Because only something like that can happen for the Delegation to leave Brussels.
Question of sour grapes, methinks.
John Grima
Feb 11th, 19:21
Even if Malta was to leave the EU, we would still have to have an embassy in the EU so not much savings there then.
Carmel Camilleri
Feb 11th, 20:08
Malta's delegation will stay in Brussels whatever happens, because it is in Malta's interest to stay there. So if Malta got nothing from the EU it still has to pay for its presence.
B Ellul
Feb 12th, 11:44
P Sciberras
Another very poor comment....
J Martinelli
Feb 11th, 16:22
Yes, but..."but Louis Grech would have done just as much or better...been there, done that..." - Joseph. Been where? Done what?
Why can't Joseph tell us what he's done as an MEP, other than claiming to have written a 15 yr plan for Malta & which never saw the light of day?
Joseph, RCC still made a huge contribution in this latest coup by Malta in spite of you & the LP. What would YOU have got?
Please choose the reason of your report below: