One may perceive the current European political situation as quite ironic. On the one hand we are witnessing the rise in popularity of Eurosceptic groups while, on the other hand, people in Ukraine have risked their lives, striving for closer ties with the EU.

It is fitting to be reminded of why integration came to be. Europeans now take peace and stability for granted but the 50 years of peaceful cooperation that have prevailed on our continent would not have been predicted by our ancestors.

Although Malta has only been an EU member state for the last 10 years, the general EU experience shows that diversity is an asset that we need to respect and a reality that should be embraced. This is not to say that all is perfect in the EU but integration has offered a setting in which countries are able to learn from each other and where economic transactions are facilitated. For instance, within the EU, member states are always encouraged to share their best practices across different disciplines.

European integration was based on the desire to achieve peace and economic prosperity. From the very start, there existed divergent visions for European integration but the political family of the centre-right, to which the EPP belongs, has been and will continue to act as a pioneer of the European project.

Since its foundation, the EPP has strived for a more transparent and efficient Europe that is closer to its citizens. The party also believes in a free market economy that should be accompanied by social consciousness.

Throughout the years, the EPP group within the European Parliament has ensured the protection of the social dimension. Indeed, this is evident from the group’s slogan for this year’s election: Believe in People.

This slogan accurately reflects the EPP’s line of thought because it highlights the fact that the EPP considers individuals and SMEs as the way forward for economic prosperity in the EU. The EPP group intends to continue striving to create an EU-wide environment which nurtures the growth of SMEs, entrepreneurship, research and development and education.

If one looks at the group’s political manifesto, it is evident that the EPP is continuously pushing for a more innovative, competitive and modern economy within the EU. The EPP believes that, by promoting more research and development, European industries would have the potential to become leading forces in innovation and in the use of low carbon technologies. This will enhance job creation and it will also render the EU less dependent on energy.

The EPP also believes that entrepreneurs and SMEs should be protected by reducing red tape and bureaucracy. In this manner, everyone can continue to benefit from the advantages of the common market. Indeed, the EU´s single market can be regarded as the hub for competitiveness in Europe.

Thus, internally, the EPP is committed to keep on bringing down barriers to trade and to push for a level playing field within the single market, which would lead to economic growth across the EU.

On a global level, the EPP believes that the EU can turn globalisation into a fruitful advan-tage. By avoiding high levels of protectionism and nationalism, the EU can attract more foreign investment. Therefore, the EPP believes in making the EU´s economy more attractive and open to foreign investment. However, this must always be done while safeguarding the EU’s economic interests on a global level.

By believing in people and putting the individual’s needs at the centre, the EPP group would therefore push for measures which reflect the needs of EU citizens.

Through good governance and great leaders, the EU can become a better place for its citizens

Thus, throughout the legislative procedure, the group is committed to promote equal opportunities, lifelong learning and the creation of more jobs. This also means that the EPP is determined to support and protect people who would like to start their own business. This also extends to SMEs, which offer two out of every three jobs in the private sector. Apart from protecting and supporting SMEs, the EPP group also believes in encouraging SMEs to expand and export.

This was just a simple snapshot of the EPP group’s priorities but it shows that it is putting the EU citizen at the heart of every policy. The message which should come across is one of hope.

It is true that the EU is not a perfect construction but it offers an environment for peace and prosperity. We don’t need to look too far to appreciate what we have. While people in Ukraine are waving the European flag, people in Turkey are witnessing a continuing deterioration of their fundamental freedoms.

Through good governance and great leaders, the EU can become a better place for its citizens. This can be achieved mainly by putting the dignity of each citizen at the centre of policy-making and by finding a common approach to the EU’s challenges.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.