When last September I ceded my Parliamentary seat to the Labour Leader Joseph Muscat, to enable him to assume his constitutional role of Leader of the Opposition, Dr Muscat publicly stated that the competences and the skills I had acquired during my political career should be further utilised in the interests of the country.

The leader's sign of utmost confidence in my abilities instilled within me the determination to contest the June 6 European Parliament election.

Those who will vote Labour and choose me, know what they are going to vote for. I have always delivered what I promised. I have always been loyal to the Labour Party and the Labour Party Leadership.

I want to make a difference in the European Parliament. I strongly believe in a Social Europe based on the principles of solidarity and social justice. In this context, Schuman's 1950 declaration elaborates a vision of Europe that I fully subscribe to. I will quote Schuman's words in French because he had originally proposed this vision in French prior to establishing the European Coal and Steel Community:

«L'Europe ne se fera pas d'un coup, ni dans une construction d'ensemble : elle se fera par des réalisations concrètes créant d'abord une solidarité de fait. »

This is a very strong vision and also the raison d'être of my involvement in European politics:

«Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. »

My vision for Europe is the vision established in the Treaty establishing the European Community and The Treaty on the European Union: peace, stability and welfare in Europe with a view to promoting economic progress and social progress. I strongly believe that the principles of liberty, democracy and respect for rights and fundamental freedoms are a sine qua non of the establishment of a progressive society that we, Labourites, so desire.