Making Europe work for us

It’s that odd week of the year, right between Christmas and the New Year when we try to relax and spend time with family and loved ones but also recharge ahead of exciting challenges yet to come.

Many of us will engage in New Year resolutions, perhaps even motivated by the recent excess of the festivities but it is worthy to reflect on the impact of the work we did in the past 12 months. Beyond day-to-day headlines and debates, what truly matters is whether our work has translated into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.

With this in mind, I wish to share some of the highlights from our efforts throughout the year and the concrete results we pursued for Maltese families at a European level.

To begin with, I focused on greater transparency around opportunities for Maltese businesses to secure government and public sector contracts. To this end, I proposed amendments requiring governments and public authorities to give reasons when using direct orders without publication, so that other companies wishing to offer their services are aware of such decisions.

These amendments were strongly supported by fellow MEPs and are expected to be included next year in the new public procurement legislation.

We also held negotiations to ease the burden on businesses relating to reporting and due diligence. Same with taxes linked to the importation of materials including steel, cement, paper and wood products. On all these fronts, I pushed to reduce undue pressures on our traders, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises, which are the veritable spine of the European economy.

Gozo was also at the centre of our efforts in the last year, as I truly believe that the sister island should be in the best position to benefit fully from the European project and not be relegated to an afterthought. For this reason, I requested a detailed report on how Gozo can use European funds for a new, modern and efficient fleet of vessels. The report was published during a conference in Gozo, clearly showing that funds for such a crucial investment exist and can be used for the benefit of Gozo and Gozitans. After having done the legwork, I hope that the government will make use of this information and seize the opportunity.

Staying on Gozo, I also ensured that Gozo and Gozitans remain at the centre of our policy work in Brussels by tabling amendments in the field of agriculture, highlighting the very specific realities, needs and challenges of farming on small islands.

An important promise for me was to open doors of opportunity for young Maltese people in Europe. I am doing this at every chance I get, not only by assisting young people directly but also by launching a study visit programme through which no fewer than 36 students gained first-hand experience of the work of the European Parliament through my Brussels office.

In all my work as an MEP, I have ensured that Europe’s discourse and actions are always adapted to Malta’s needs. I was already aware of the importance of this even before becoming an MEP, through my experience within the EU institutions. Now, as an MEP, I can see just how fundamental this truly is.

Europe will always keep moving and it will not necessarily take Malta’s specific needs into account. That is why we must be the ones to draw attention to the fact that decisions must consider the needs of Malta’s realities. I can now do this with both authority and determination through my work in Brussels.

On abortion, I argued that such a sensitive topic should be discussed and decided at a national level- Peter Agius

We are doing this in defence policy, where we must draw Europe’s attention to the fact that there are neutral countries that do not wish to participate in military initiatives. We are doing this on abortion, where I argued that such a sensitive topic should be discussed and decided at a national level. We are doing this on climate and transport legislation, where we must insist that emission-related tax burdens are shared fairly, in a way that does not penalise islands such as Malta.

I am also raising awareness at the European level in the field of health, by tabling amendments to pharmaceutical legislation, which were successfully included in negotiations and are expected to significantly improve the availability and pricing of medicines in our country.

Ultimately, my efforts have always sought to represent a strong Maltese voice in the places that matter. I do this every week on an array of different issues, from the incinerator project and residents’ concerns to issues related to sewage discharge into the sea. In all these cases, I sought to give residents a voice in the European Parliament, often giving them the opportunity to express themselves directly in this most important European forum. I strongly believe in this form of participatory democracy and I am committed to pushing it forward in every way possible.

Several other Maltese issues were raised in Brussels. These included the protection of the much-loved hobby of classic cars, as we made sure the new VRT rules would not threaten it. I also spoke about energy drinks, the consumption of which by children is worrying many parents. I spoke about and organised two European initiatives on diabetes and disabilities, including learning difficulties such as ADHD and autism.

With your continued support, I am determined to keep working at full pace as an MEP for Malta and Gozo in the year ahead. I am deeply grateful for the trust and encouragement I receive each day and I remain committed to repaying that trust with tangible results.

I wish you the very best for the New Year.

Peter Agius is a Nationalist Party MEP.