EU membership strengthens the common good and the security of the individual

The chairman of the European Movement (Malta), Dr Roderick Pace, recently addressed a press conference on Malta's EU membership to draw the attention to many other aspects of membership whose value may even surpass the financial gains.

The financial package secured by Malta will strengthen the rate of economic growth. In addition to the natural growth of the economy, the injection of EU funds will stimulate additional growth with a multiplier effect that will benefit all sectors of the economy.

The European Movement (Malta) said it was not true that the benefits which will accrue to Malta from this financial package could be had, let alone improved, in a non-membership scenario.

None of these funds would flow in Malta's direction unless it joins the Union. Since the EU does not give blank cheques but these funds are tied to projects and support for key economic sectors, one can envisage that economic growth in Malta will be strongly stimulated by this package to the benefit of all the people and in particular those who earn their living from trading in the domestic market such as retailers and small businesses, Dr Pace said.

But besides these advantages we need to focus on the aims, principles and values of the EU which, in the eyes of the European Movement (Malta), are equally if not more important than these benefits. Up to now the rights of the Maltese people were safeguarded by the Maltese Constitution and the Council of Europe's Human Rights Convention which was signed in 1950, Dr Pace said.

It took the Maltese people 37 years to gain the right to individual petition to the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The European Movement (Malta) had petitioned strongly in the Seventies and Eighties in favour of this right.

Now the rights and security of the individual will be further strengthened by EU membership because of new principles which Malta will have to adhere to as a result of membership.

Apart from being based on fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and respect of minorities, the EU is incorporating what have often been described as second- and third-generation rights.

These new rights can be seen in the social field such as health and safety of workers, workers' consultation, retraining of workers and the EU's pledge to provide employment, Dr Pace said.

Sustainable development and the rights of future generations also receives strong emphasis in EU policies. The EU is taking action at European and world level on agreements to combat green house gases.

The EU member states have outlawed the death penalty. They have developed animal rights. One of the main aims of the EU as inscribed in the treaties to encourage solidarity between the peoples of the member states while respecting their history, cultures and traditions, Dr Pace said.

In the environment field the EU seeks to achieve cleaner air, cleaner drinking and bathing water, to control pesticides and fertilisers and prevent them from entering the food chain, ultimately to increase the security of the individual in this field as well.

To protect its citizens the EU takes the precaution of controlling the use of genetically-modified organisms until their effect on humans can be known.

A body of consumer legislation in the EU protects the consumer more than ever before while the single market ensures a broad choice of products and price competition which keeps inflation tamed.

In its external policy the EU does not believe that war is an instrument for settling international conflicts. It encourages dialogue and the respect of human rights and democratic principles. Its main aim is to strengthen peace, security and progress in Europe itself and in the rest of the world, Dr Pace said.

The EU is also the world's biggest aid donor, he added. When all these values are considered along with the advantages they bring, it is clear that EU membership serves the common good of all Maltese citizens and strengthens the security of each individual. These advantages cannot be given a monetary value.

The Maltese people should, in the face of all this, seek to evaluate the membership question objectively, from the standpoint of the common good and the national interest. That is how their patriotism can better be served, Dr Pace said.

Also present at the press conference were the Movement's vice chairman Stefano Mallia, secretary-general Hubert Dalli and former president and executive committee member Peter Cassar Torreggiani.