Watch: Metsola On Abela: ‘Our Commander In Chief Has Thrown Away His Own Army’
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has accused Prime Minister Robert Abela of throwing the Armed Forces of Malta under the bus through his own rhetoric against increasing the EU’s defence budget.
In an interview on Andrew Azzopardi on RTK103, Metsola criticised Abela for trying to portray her as a warmonger after she repeatedly urged the EU to increase its defence budget.
She pointed out how the government last year launched the P71, the largest patrol boat in the AFM’s history, which was co-financed through EU funds. Back then, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri and then Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Chris Bonett said the government can tap into €200 million in EU funds dedicated to defence and protecting its borders.
“The commander in chief has thrown away his own army by saying that I am in favour of war,” Metsola said. “Does anyone seriously believe that I am in favour of war? The EU was built on the foundations of peace.”
“We’re not talking about armies here, but about warships to protect fishermen and save lives at sea, something Robert Abela never did because he let a four year old girl die of thirst in our waters.”
Metsola also pointed out that, despite his rhetoric in Malta, Abela has often voted in favour of increasing the EU’s defence budget during European Council meetings.
“I don’t know how many conclusions of EU Council conclusions I have in front of me,” Metsola told Azzopardi. “Every month Robert Abela comes to the EU and agrees with increasing defence investment. He doesn’t abstain or say no, he says yes.”
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