Happy Europe Day 2015: Europe Day, which takes place every May 9, is designed to commemorate what many consider the real start of the European project. That is, the pooling of the French and German coal and steel industries in 1950.
That decision, forged from still scalding memories of World War II, has given us benefits that even the most optimistic would not have thought possible 65 years ago. Those benefits, available to Malta for the last 11 years, have increased our prosperity, im-proved our security and have pushed our shared European excellence onto the global stage.
Yet, as those benefits accrue, so too do those memories of war cool and fade. The historical imperative of the European Union is difficult to frame in present day.
This is simply fact and it is perhaps unfair to expect someone in his or her early 20s to make an emotional connection to the EU in the way people of my generation would.
So, to mark this year’s Europe Day, I want to outline how this European Commission, under the leadership of Jean-Claude Juncker, is trying to reach that new generation of young adults. Perhaps you are one of that generation? More likely, you are the parents, aunts or uncles, or even grandparents. One thing we all share is a real concern that those young people close to us will have a real chance to build a successful future. This Commission shares that concern.
Let me say, for the record, how proud I am to be part of Mr Juncker’s team. In the six months we have been together as a ‘college’, I have experienced only passionate commitment to addressing Europe’s problems.
On this Europe Day, I think we can celebrate a strong start. But I promise you what we have started will not be stopped until that next generation feels that their future has been secured
The launch of the European Investment Plan, in the very first weeks of the mandate, was the best possible signal that the concerns in every European home, from Valetta to Vilnius, are shared in Brussels.
The year 2007 was the start of the global financial crisis. A 21-year-old, just leaving university, would be almost 30 now. That person has spent that time walking through an economic valley that must have seemed endless.
During those eight years, investment levels in the EU dropped by about €430 billion: a single figure that is practically impossible to comprehend. But break that down into the daily, weekly and monthly shrinking of opportunities for that 21-year-old and it suddenly becomes all too real.
Hence, the absolute prioritisation of the investment plan. This plan has the potential to add €330 to €410 billion to the EU’s GDP and create 1 to 1.3 million new jobs in the coming three years. It is that latter figure that matters the most.
In Malta’s case, new sources of investment funding will be immediately put to good use. Already, in our use of EU funds, we are now among the best member states. Our absorption of those funds in 2014 was 78 per cent, up from 30 per cent in March 2013.
Over the past two years, Malta has availed itself of €372 million in EU structural funds – proportionally among the highest. During my visit for Europe Day I will see projects that are now in the pipeline thanks to this improved access.
This Commission has also launched extremely well thought out plans on securing our energy needs and on building our digital capacity. This strategic vision will help grow opportunities for young innovators and entrepreneurs to exercise their talents. This will secure European excellence for another generation.
This Commission has also shown itself to be able to stand tall in a crisis. The maritime tragedies in the Mediterranean struck hard.
The immediate work of the Commission president and that of High Representative Federica Mogherini and Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopolous showed the best of the EU. That nearly 4,000 innocent people were rescued last weekend is testimony to the power of working together.
From the perspective of my own portfolio – environment, maritime affairs and fisheries – I think we have a huge role to play in securing the best future for this generation.
Creating jobs and providing economic opportunities for the million who want and need it is, of course, the priority. The six months in charge of my portfolio have taught me a valuable lesson. It is essential that the progress we make is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
If we think of that new generation, and how we can best benefit them, we must first remember that our continent is rich in skills and talent but poor in resources. A more circular economy must be our approach. More reuse on land means less plastic waste in our oceans. Innovative ways to reuse our scare material can be a path to more jobs and new markets.
On this Europe Day, I think we can celebrate a strong start. But I promise you what we have started will not be stopped until that next generation feels that their future has been secured.
Karmenu Vella is European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries