Malta is insisting that negotiations for the 2020 European Union budget are concluded at the next EU summit being held on February 7 and 8, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
“I understand that lately some countries have had different positions. But our position is that at the next summit the package has to be closed. We need to know where we stand,” said Dr Gonzi.
While briefing the press about the PN proposals on farmers, breeders and fishermen on a visit to St Philip’s farm in Żebbuġ, he pointed out that negotiating a financial package for agriculture would be no easy task.
Farm owner Mario Abela – whose has applied for and successfully obtained EU funds to upgrade his stead – said his main worry was the price of animal fodder, which was rising in Spain, the source country. A good EU package, said Dr Gonzi, would ensure that such obstacles could be overcome.
Referring to the PN electoral proposals, Dr Gonzi said that a new government aimed to “marry” the agriculture industry with that of tourism.
Under a proposed scheme, tourists would be able to visit industries and experience the agricultural process and sample tastings. Dr Gonzi pointed out that farmsteads would also benefit from the proposed night tariffs on utility services.
When asked about other issues in the electoral programme, Dr Gonzi said that the PN had not backtracked on single minimum wage earners – who in the proposed Budget were going to be taxed. “I wouldn’t call it an oversight. We are saying that from now on, automatically the minimum wage will never be taxable.”
On the issue of tablet computers, Dr Gonzi said students would get to keep the devices when they left school after fifth form.
Meanwhile at a PN Taħt it-Tinda meeting in Qormi last night, a father-of-two thanked Dr Gonzi for pledging to give a tablet computer – containing a soft copy of the curriculum text books – to each school child.
“Some people are saying that primary kids won’t know how to use but I can tell you – technology is kids’ world,” he said, adding that his son had asked him for one for Christmas.
Dr Gonzi, who was being quizzed by TV presenter Peter Carbonaro, said a meeting with a single parent had convinced him on the need to include the proposal that working parents would be able to use their sick leave when their children are sick.
“This will be no burden on the employer,” he insisted.
However, the most popular electoral proposal with those braving the biting cold last night was the pension account to be opened for every child born – “€1,000 deposited in this account for the child,” he said to a sudden burst of raucous applause and cries of “Gonzi’ Gonzi”.