The challenge of the future

The manifesto of the European Popular Party (EPP-ED) reflects much of the political thinking that has guided the Nationalist Party over the last 25 years or so.

This should be of no surprise since the PN is not only a member of the EPP-ED but has also actively participated in the process that led to the drawing up of its manifesto, an exhaustive detailed document that contrasts glaringly with the vague declarations that make up the manifestos of other political groupings such as the Socialists and the Greens

The EU's major challenge for the years to come will be to transform the newly enlarged Union into a world leading competitive economy, at a time when the economic environment is going through radical changes in the framework of globalisation. In spite of the fact that "globalisation" is a much-maligned term, the truth is that globalisation has been sought and created by nations coming together, deciding to open up and jointly addressing common challenges. In fact, within 50 years, globalisation has generated a sixfold increase in gross world product while during the same period the world's population has increased by two-and-a-half times.

But taking up this challenge will not be easy. Europe today is experiencing considerable difficulties because, while changes of the economic environment are fast, political reactions are slow and resistance to change is fierce.

To overcome these obstacles, the EPP wants to combine the powerful forces of private competition, the opportunities of a more flexible society and the positive aspects of social and regional cohesion. Concurrently, there is a need for a more flexible workforce; a system of continuous education that will facilitate job mobility; as well as a reduction of the cost of employment.

In this context both the PN and the EPP feel that the role of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can never be overstated.

Two-thirds of private-sector jobs in the European Union are in small- and medium-sized enterprises and SMEs create virtually all new jobs. Their flexibility and dynamism make them a key factor in the vigour of any country's economy. Consequently, every effort must be made to encourage their creation, their growth, their financing and their transfer.

As in all areas, in its policy on SMEs, the PN also sees the person at the centre. It is the entrepreneur who takes on the risk of starting a company, explores an idea and sees if it works. Compared with what happens in the US, this kind of pioneering entrepreneurs is still scarcer in Europe and we must do everything we can to revitalise this spirit of entrepreneurship on the continent where entrepreneurship was invented. In order to flourish, businesses need an environment that facilitates economic activity and enables it to face competition in the global economy. Excessive administrative requirements kill new company formation and prevent existing ones from concentrating on their activity.

Before voting on June 12 for their representatives in the European Parliament, the Maltese people would do well if they were to compare the way the PN and the EPP-ED look at the future with the declared political stance of other political groups such as the Socialists and the Greens. These two groups are bent on introducing an embarrassment of regulations and taxes with one excuse or another - that of managing social integration in the case of the Socialists and that of safeguarding the environment in the case of the Greens.

The PN and the PPE-ED group stand for a Europe that allows its citizens the freedom of choice and not a Europe that imposes everything by regulation from above. We believe that it is our policies that can help Europe face the challenge of the future successfully.

The message that Malta should send via the European Parliament elections is that it wants a Europe for its citizens and not the other way about. That is what voting for the PN candidates means.

Mr Falzon, a former minister, is a PN candidate for the European Parliament elections.

micfal@maltanet.net