Solidarity is not a-la-carte and discussion on solidarity within the EU should go beyond talk on migration, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in Rome this afternoon.
This fundamental principle of the EU was not solely applicable to migration, but also economic and social issues, among others, Dr Muscat said.
The Prime Minister was addressing a Citizens' Dialogue event with the European Commission’s vice-president Federica Mogherini.
During the event, held on the eve of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Treaty of Rome, Ms Mogherini and Dr Muscat discussed the EU and the challenges it faces.
They exchanged views with some 250 European citizens, including a group of Erasmus students, on the European integration process and the scenarios presented by the Commission's President Jean-Claude Juncker in a White Paper earlier this month.
Answering questions about migration, Dr Muscat said that together with Italy, Malta had been one of the first countries faced with migration issues more than a decade ago, and no one had helped the country out back then.
When member states were recently asked whether they would be willing to receive migrants from Italy and Greece, some people in Malta had felt that the island had already done its part and had not found European solidarity.
But Malta still took on some migrants from Italy and Greece, sending a signal that solidarity was not a-la-carte, he said. Solidarity was not something that one asked for when in need and then not reciprocate when others were in need, Dr Muscat added.
Earlier, Dr Muscat referred to Wednesday’s attack in London, which left five dead and several injured. He noted that the European reaction to the incident proved that there was no Brexit when it came to solidarity. There was an indissoluble bond of unity that linked European citizens, Dr Muscat added.
The 60th anniversary was an opportunity to not just reflect on the success of Europe, but to also redefine the union as an ambitious project. One of the main challenges for the coming years would be ensuring that the European project brought everyone together, the Prime Minister said.
Ms Mogherini meanwhile noted that the work carried out by the Maltese Presidency of the European Council to relaunch the EU and its unity was what European citizens needed.
Speaking at the debate, moderated by RaiNews director Antonio Di Bella, she referred to the Brexit referendum, which took place nine months ago, recalling comments that the result was the beginning of the end.
People had feared the rapid end of the EU through a domino effect. However, European citizens were now more cautious, something that had been witnessed in the recent Netherlands elections among others, she said.
“I hope we do realise what the EU has been able to achieve over the past 60 years and what we might risk losing,” she added.
Five scenarios proposed by the European Commission
1: Carrying on - The EU27 sticks to its course, focusing on implementing and upgrading its current reform agenda.
2: Nothing but the single market - As the member states are not able to find common ground on an increasing number of policy areas, the EU27 gradually re-centres on the single market.3: Those who want more do more - The EU27 proceeds as today but allows willing states to do more together in specific areas such as defence, internal security and social matters.
3: Those who want more do more - The EU27 proceeds as today but allows willing states to do more together in specific areas such as defence, internal security and social matters.4: Doing less more efficiently - Attention and limited resources are focused on select policy areas.
4: Doing less more efficiently - Attention and limited resources are focused on select policy areas.5: Doing much more together - Member States decide to share more power, resources and
5: Doing much more together - Member States decide to share more power, resources and decision-making across the board.