The first citizens' consultation meeting on the future of Europe was held yesterday at Auberge d'Aragon, residence of the Ministry of European Affairs and Equality.
The event was organised in the form of a panel of invited speakers, and moderated by the head of MEUSAC, Vanni Xuereb. Panellists present were MEPs Alfred Sant and Francis Zammit Dimech, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds and Social Dialogue Aaron Farrugia, and Head of EC Representation in Malta Elena Grech. Minister for EU Affairs and Equality Helena Dalli and her French counterpart, Nathalie Loiseau, were also present, and gave introductory and closing speeches for the event.
In her opening address, Dalli spoke of the plans for similar events to take place with the common themes revolving around innovation, immigration, and other such issues which impact society at large. She also welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to discuss with citizens the Europe they want to see.
"Consultations should not take form of the same people saying the same things, but hearing new ideas and listening to those who feel excluded from EU or don't agree with it."
French Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau spoke via live conference, emphasising the importance of the project with the aim of shrinking the disconnect between the EU and its citizens.
"Europe is facing new challenges. If we want to humanise globalisation, deal with migration or build our defence and security together we know that we have to act at a European level. We want citizens to take the floor and say what they like or dislike about the EU, and what more they'd like to see Europe do."
When asked what on his view of what the future of the EU had in store, Farrugia made clear that the future is crucial.
"Today's Europe is a Europe made up of 27 member states that have different needs and views than they had years before." Further adding that we need to be less romantic about the EU and be more pragmatic.
Stating that the 4 basic freedoms set out in the Treaty of Rome are of utmost importance, and should be treated as "a given". These 4 basic freedoms being the free movement of food, services, capital, and persons within the EU.
The discussion then moved to MEPs Sant and Zammit Dimech, where they spoke on the issue of getting the member states to come to terms with their political differences and properly debate the correct way to move forward as a Union.
Following questions from the attendees, Dalli gave her closing address in which she encouraged citizens to participate in the upcoming EU elections. She called for the understanding of differing cultures across member states – expressing that from a sociological perspective, conflict is necessary for a society to function, making reference to French sociologist Emile Durkheim, and revolutionary socialist Karl Marx.
The next MEUSAC meeting will be taking place in September.
from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2M4qzAT
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment