From the narrow concerns of Gozo, his home base, to the wider issues relating to the role of the European Union on the international stage, Nationalist MEP candidate Anton Tabone has his say The price hike in the Gozo Channel fares has naturally raised the ire of Gozitans, who consider the sea link to Malta as a vital route for survival, but for Nationalist Party MEP candidate Anton Tabone the biggest problem posed by the price increases is that they come at a time when the Gozitan economy is at a low ebb.
“I can understand that the Gozo Channel prices were revised because the company has big debts and it has to be viable. Gozitans were not irked because of the price hikes per se but because they went up at a time when the Gozitan economy is not doing well. In current circumstances when the dependence on Malta is higher the price hikes have had a bigger impact,” Tabone says.
He also aligns himself to the position taken by the Gozo Forum – an organisation that brings together the sister island’s non-governmental associations, local councils, constituted bodies and the church – which has criticised the price hikes and has also suggested a free ferry service for Gozitans.
Tabone explains that for Gozitans the ship is a lifeline. “The ferry service is like a road and in no part of the island do we pay to use roads even though sometimes they cost thousands to construct. Gozitans depend on the ship and that is why the call for a free service has been made. Nonetheless we are ready to pay a nominal fee.”
He hastens to add that the introduction of special discount schemes for frequent users has mitigated the problem.
I suggest to Tabone that Gozitans are too self-centred when it comes to discussing national issues. He smiles at my comment and adds that there is not enough sensitivity in the country at large towards the needs and difficulties of the island. “We are not petty and self-interested, but we try to attract the attention of central government because the particular problems the island faces require focus and energy.”
Tabone insists that the transport link between the two islands is only one of the problems Gozitans constantly face. “Gozo has a GDP that is 75 per cent of Malta’s average. In addition it is difficult to attract investment of any sort whether manufacturing, tourism or services to the island. Tourism faces an added problem of balancing development with safeguarding the environment, which may prevent larger projects from taking off the ground. There is also the problem of emigration even though this phenomenon is far less widespread than it was in the past. Almost every Gozitan family has relatives that live abroad.”
Tabone considers it an advantage that he is practically the only MEP candidate from Gozo but insists his agenda is not solely Gozo.
“In the past the PN showed its commitment towards Gozo by making sure that the island’s interests are represented at Cabinet level. The fact that the Nationalist Party decided to field a Gozitan candidate for the European Parliament election is a continuation of that commitment. However, I am also appealing to the rest of Malta. My candidature should be no different from that of others hailing from other areas of the island.”
From narrow Gozitan concerns the discussion turns to the ever developing role of the European Union on the international stage. I ask Tabone whether it is possible for the EU to have a common foreign and security policy after the failure to speak with one voice on the Iraq war.
“The common foreign and security policy as well as the creation of a new post for foreign minister is a big challenge for the EU. A foreign minister would help the EU to talk with one voice on the international stage and help avoid a repeat of the Iraq saga where Europe appeared divided and weak.
“It is not an easy obstacle to overcome, but in the past there were other insurmountable issues like the creation of a single market and the introduction of the euro. When these were proposed initially they seemed utopia but eventually they became reality.
“As things are developing worldwide it is important for the EU to have influence outside its borders. It cannot become a fortress Europe. The EU already enjoys a measure of high respect in the international community and the ability to speak with one voice will only help to enhance that image.
“No country alone can exert as much influence as a union of countries speaking together and I believe it is important for the EU to take the lead internationally, especially in such turbulent times.”
I suggest that a common foreign and security policy is sure to clash with Malta’s neutrality, but Tabone disagrees. “As things stand neutrality does not conflict with the EU’s efforts to act as a broker of peace utilising the weapons of diplomacy and persuasion. We will not be part of a military bloc and in any case our constitutional neutrality prevents us from forming part of a military bloc.”
I insist that the deeper the EU integrates its foreign and security policy the more likely it is that such issues will be decided by qualified majority voting rather than by veto as things currently stand. If that becomes the case, Malta could find itself tagging along with decisions that can potentially conflict with neutrality.
“As time goes by I think it is only a natural consequence that with the development of the role of the EU’s foreign minister the veto on foreign and security issues is removed. But it is too early a stage to speak of these hypothetical situations,” Tabone argues.
For the Gozitan one thing is definitely not hypothetical and that is Malta’s role as a broker of trust in the Mediterranean.
“Malta has the responsibility to act as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world because of its cultural identity. From my experience at the United Nations, Malta is regarded with respect by both the Europeans and the Maghreb countries. Both blocs trust us. Let’s face it we have Arabic roots, but sport a European mentality and that puts us in the ideal position to be able to understand the different standpoints.
“During my years at the UN it was not the first time that when a UN resolution on the Middle East was proposed, Malta managed to broker a compromise solution between the forceful language requested by the North African countries and the more diplomatic language preferred by the Europeans.”
Tabone insists that as an MEP he would strive to put the Mediterranean on the top of the European Parliament’s agenda. “Malta has to strive hard to act as a catalyst for the Euromed process. Furthermore, I believe it is important for Malta to try and attract the recently created Euromed parliamentary assembly and have it based here. We are ideal for a diplomatic centre and this could also create an economic spin off affect.”
Tabone sees no conflict between the interest of Maltese citizens and that of European citizens and insists MEPs are there to legislate for a better standard of living.
“I tend to dislike the distinction between Maltese and Europeans because their interests are not contrary to each other. Work is a priority for the Popular Party in Europe as much as it is for Malta. The same holds water for solidarity and economic growth. There is no conflict between seeking the best interest of Maltese citizens and European citizens. The mentality should not be us and them because we are now together.”
Coming from a ‘political’ family – Tabone’s father is Speaker of the House – it was only natural for this Gozitan to take the plunge and contest the election on behalf of the Nationalist Party. “I am a lawyer and local councillor and these experiences make me sensitive to people’s concerns. Above all, I feel I can put to good use my experience at the UN as a government representative,” Tabone, concludes.
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