As the European Parliament election approaches, Caroline Muscat asks eligible voters what the European Parliament elections mean to them.

Sandra Mifsud, 35, project manager

I realise the European elections are important but admit I don't know enough about them. I meet and speak to an average of 50 people a day through the different projects I work on, and the EP has never come up in conversation, not even now that the campaign is at its peak.

It's important in the sense that an election is an election; although it has come to mean lots of talk with minimal commitment. This is based on my experience with national elections.

I don't really think the last five MEPs in Brussels made much of a difference. What I would look for in candidates is credibility, intelligence, and in-depth knowledge of how the EU mechanism works and how it can help solve local weaknesses.

The topics I feel are important are environmental protection and animal rights, the strengthening of the Maltese culture and, at the same time, the need to open minds to new cultures and 'skin colour'.

Jackie Laferla, 47, Spanish language instructor

There is no communication between the EP and me except that I pay in euro. I don't even know who our current five MEPs are. Do I have to seek them out? I think they are just part of the big cake called the EU where a few people are sitting in pompous assemblies and benefiting generously by consulting and nodding.

So I don't think the upcoming elections are important. There are so many important unresolved issues. Our cars are still damaged by our ridiculously nasty roads years after they promised to improve them. To me, that is important.

Most people are consumed by the ever-increasing cost of living, super-competitive education and contaminated food. I would like to see candidates be a voice for the natural environment: our sea is overfished and our land is polluted. I think the values MEPs should be reflecting are truthfulness and integrity.

Simone Vella Lenicker, 34, architect

The European elections offer a chance to elect those candidates who I think would look out for Malta's best interests in all fields of legislation and policy. It is also a chance to form part of a larger community.

They are important if taken seriously but what is more important is what happens after: how will the elected candidates keep in touch with what is going on at a European level, and how will they keep in touch with the various sectors of the Maltese population that will be affected by the decisions taken.

I think it is important that they are approachable, ready to keep in touch with the various segments of civil society, knowledgeable of the workings of the EU and that they show they have their personal convictions rather than just following those of their respective parties.

Important issues for me are immigration, climate change and quality of life. The burden-sharing agreement on illegal immigration was probably one of the more important achievements of the Maltese MEPs. Having our voice heard is always important, whatever the final outcome.

Tonio Theuma, 42, bar owner

We just had an election last year. Having another one this year is a bit much. But once we've decided to be part of Europe, we should vote. Still, Europe feels too distant from our everyday lives. I feel we need help from the EU, especially on the issue of illegal immigration. At the end of the day, it was the European nations that conquered Africa; Malta never did. They need to take more responsibility in sharing the burden of illegal immigrants to Europe.

Joseph Vella, 48, clerk

The EP elections are important for the candidates, but not for me. I am not interested in any of the MEP campaigns or the topics they highlight. They should have worked on them in the past five years since we joined the EU so that we could be equal to other member states.

They did not really make any difference to the situation here. For example, our major roads are far from European standards, even if this was promised within two years.

The cost of living has gone up and the list goes on. If you listen to the candidates speak they give the impression that those who are elected are making great sacrifices, but in fact they receive very high salaries and numerous fringe benefits.

I don't intend to vote because I feel let down by all the candidates who simply do not deliver on their promises.

Martin Galea De Giovanni, 31, IT specialist

I think it is quite worrying to see political parties waging partisan campaigns similar to those we experience during national elections. Voters should realise that this is a different ball game. The EP has become a very powerful legislative body.

MEPs have voted on policies which are influencing our quality of life in various ways such as the food we eat, the chemicals we come in contact with and the channelling of funds to the various member states.

I'll be looking out for those candidates who are aligned to the European political blocks that have a track record of voting with a green and social conscience.

The EU should take a strong lead in dealing with climate change. This should lead to a transformation to a green economy that is based on the principles of sustainability. I have faith that the last five MEPs worked hard to lobby for the best deals for our country, though I'm more interested in a position that has European significance.

Paul Debono, 43, general manager

The EP elections are about our voice in Europe. They are very important as this is a way for Malta to communicate with the EU directly. Having our own MEPs should mean that the views of the Maltese citizen will be represented and can influence the decision-making process inside the EU.

The MEP should represent the whole of Maltese society, not one faction or the other as seen in the context of local politics. It is important that the MEP I choose is active in the EP and attends a high percentage of parliamentary sessions.

The environment is an area that requires attention in Malta as it is quite clear we cannot rely on local legislation and enforcement to stop degrading our environment.

Furthermore, the MEPs need to uphold European rights in Malta as the government is, in some cases, slow to implement them.

There is no doubt that some MEPs have made a difference to the situation in Malta. Departure tax has been abolished and car registration tax has been revised.

Amadeo Mifsud, 54, consultant

For me, the European Parliament is nothing more than an opportunity for some individuals to make a quick buck. The themes the candidates need to work on are three: hypocrisy, hypocrisy and hypocrisy.

I don't believe the last five MEPs made any significant difference to the situation in Malta, except that they have helped increase Malta's foreign earnings considerably - through their salaries.