‘It’s A Pity’: The EU Is Celebrating 20 Years Since Malta’s Membership… But Only Three Local MEPs Were Present To Honour It
The European Union just honoured 20 years since its largest enlargement, and this included the historic moment Malta became a member, however, only three out of six Maltese MEPs were present to commemorate that special day.
MEP Cyrus Engerer posted about his disappointed on social media, pointing out that it’s a “pity that only three out of six Maltese MEPs” were in the chamber to commemorate “this important day”.
The members present for the full event were Engerer himself, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, and Nationalist MEP David Casa. Those who arrived later were Labour MEPs Josianne Cutajar and Alfred Sant. According to Cutajar, she arrived around 25 minutes before the end while Engerer stated that Sant walked in just moments before it ended.
Cutajar explained that she wanted to attend the whole session but this was impossible due to other “urgent work duties”.
“I was in plenary earliest possible I could specifically because of this commemoration.”
Meanwhile, Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba did not attend because he had other commitments in Malta, telling Lovin Malta that this was the first plenary that he had to miss from the very start of this legislature.
The newsroom has also reached out to Sant for a comment.
It must be noted that back when Malta joined the EU, Engerer was a part of Moviment Iva Malta f-Ewropa which was formed by the Nationalist Party – Casa was secretary general of the group at the time as well as one of the founders. That same year, Engerer joined the PN.
Meanwhile, the years before Malta’s membership, Sant was the country’s Prime Minister campaigning against the island’s accession.
During this ceremony, occurring a week before the actual anniversary, Metsola recounted the very moment that Malta became a member of the union, describing a colourful scene with thousands of citizens counting down the seconds to the historic day.
The former Prime Ministers of the ten countries that became EU member states on 1st May 2004, including Malta’s very own Lawrence Gonzi, also attended this commemorative event.
This action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament’s grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
What do you think about this?
READ NEXT: Watch: 'I Will Remember It Forever': Roberta Metsola Recounts Moment Malta Became A Member Of The EU
