Watch: ‘They’re Ignoring Our Neutrality’ – Alex Agius Saliba Explains Ukraine Resolution Vote
Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba explained why the Labour delegate voted against a resolution in favour of arming Ukraine that the vast majority of members of the Socialists and Democrats Group voted in favour of.
Agius Saliba stated that the resolution seeks to use European arms and soldiers directly on Russian targets and he labelled this as unacceptable.
“It completely ignores Malta’s constitutional neutrality and principle of non-alignment,” Agius Saliba told Lovin Malta while in Strasbourg for the first plenary session of this new term.
Agius Saliba stated that all three Labour MEPs voted against this resolution, however ultimately it passed with 495 votes in favour.
The main points of the non-binding resolution that deterred Agius Saliba from voting in favour include the call for all EU member states and NATO allies to use at least 0.25% of their annual GDP to support Ukraine and for the removal of restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against military targets on Russian territory.
He stated that this goes against international norms as well as Malta’s constitution. However, the newsroom then asked how Malta’s neutrality actually applies in the real world considering its membership in the Western union as well as its Chairpersonship at the OSCE which is focusing on Russian aggression in Ukraine.
There, Agius Saliba explained that the restriction on competencies within the EU protects Malta from having to engage in allegiances during times of war and reiterated Borg’s as well as the OSCE’s commitment to dialogue.
Do you want to see this resolution materialise?
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
READ NEXT: Teachers Should Be Detached From Civil Service, PN MP Justin Schembri Proposes
