The Nationalist Party will continue to work for the preservation of the rule of law, democracy and freedom of expression in the Maltese islands, party leader Adrian Delia told the Congress of the European Popular Party in Helsinki on Wednesday. 

He said that the PN was proud to have been the party which led Malta into the European Union. 

But Malta was now facing challenges that stemmed from concerns about the government’s ability to implement the values which made its people Maltese and Europeans.

"Partit Nazzjonalista will not relent from working to protect the rule of law, democracy and freedom of expression in the Maltese islands.

"My colleagues, I call on you to work with us to strengthen the cause of European values in Malta.

"Let us work together to stand as witnesses for the legacy of a European Malta that cannot be merely measured in terms of our GDP growth. For as President Antonio Tajani loves to say, we agree that the European Union is much more than a currency, the European Union is indeed for us a family of values," Dr Delia said.

He said that many Maltese feel that Europe needs to be more present in matters which make a real difference in people's lives. 

Management of migration flows was among the topmost concerns.

Many Maltese could not understand how Italy and Malta ended up alone, arguing between them about where migrants fleeing persecution should go.

"This is not what solidarity should be about. We believe in a Europe that can concretely tackle the issue of migration in a collective and coordinated manner."

"We support the EPP position for stronger investment in Africa, we share the resolve that a longer-term solution needs to address the root-causes of migration. Protecting our borders, however, remains paramount."

He said that younger Maltese people also want a Europe in sync with the rapid evolution of the world. Its political response to the internet, robotics, blockchain and Artificial intelligence needed to be at the top of the agenda.  

The biggest challenge was to ensure that people did not feel they had become irrelevant as this, in turn, would lead to the scourge of populism. 

"It is ultimately about extending recognition to each and every individual. It is about really believing that every individual matters, that every individual has human dignity, that we are a caring society."

The upcoming European election campaign, therefore, needed to be driven by political debate that aimed at addressing people’s concerns and achieving their aspirations.

Metsola: Protection is a right, migration is not

Earlier, Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola addressed a discussion on migration, held as part of the congress.

She appealed to leaders to re-affirm the EPP values when faced with decisions on the economy, migration and social change.

“Migration remains truly one of the greatest challenges of our generation. And the answers to the questions facing our citizens are not found in the cheap populism peddled by some, nor are they found in the imaginary world of the far-right or the open borders of the far left. It is within our values that the answers lie. It is the principles that the EPP embodies – our European value system –that we must, double-down upon” she said.

“People have genuine fears and it is only by reinforcing our external borders will these fears be allayed. It must be us, in the EPP, that fight to strengthen our borders – which is why we are currently discussing adding some 10 billion euros to the EU budget and thousands of new EU border and Coast Guards.”

“Our principles mean that those who need protection must be granted it, but also that it is essential to draw differences between those in need of protection and those looking for work. Because we understand that Member States must be able to control their labour markets and we know while people fleeing war, famine and persecution have a right to protection, which we must do more to respect, it is also true that this does not equate to an inalienable right to migration for all without any conditions. Protection is a right. Migration is not” she insisted.

“For those people who need protection, we must have a system that does not leave nations in the Mediterranean on their own. Responsibility must be shared, people’s lives must be saved and their rights must be respected.”

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