Reference is made to the Malta Gay Rights Movement statement (The Sunday Times, June 1) regarding our abstention on the recent report on equal opportunities and non-discrimination in the European Union.

Contrary to the impression given by the MGRM, this vote was not on gay rights but on the principle of non-discrimination in general.

In this regard, our group, the EPP-ED, agrees that there is a real gap in EU law between Article 13 of the EC Treaty (on combating discrimination) and the EU Directives which actually exist. However, the group's position is that it is not the right solution to fill this gap by a single comprehensive law which would end up being less effective than a sectoral approach and more difficult to implement properly.

The group also feels that the most compelling challenge on discrimination is to first combat the discrimination of disabled people living in the EU by a European law to ensure equal rights for them throughout the Union. For this reason, our group's position was to vote against this report.

Whereas we appreciate our group's position, we considered that it would not be appropriate for us to follow our group line by voting against the report. This is why we opted to abstain.

We did so bearing also in mind the likely concerns of the MGRM even if, regrettably, we were not approached by the MGRM before the vote. Unfortunately, our abstention was misinterpreted by the MGRM for the wrong reasons.

Once again we would like to reiterate that we oppose discrimination based on sexual orientation. Our vote on this report in no way changes this position.

We welcome any views that the MGRM might have on reports being voted in the European Parliament. Ideally ahead of the vote, not after.

There is more point in exchanging views on a matter prior to a vote rather than arguing about it after it has been cast.