Malta Business Review INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH continuance of Brexit or if there will be a second referendum – although I am personally skeptical about the latter possibility. Therefore, in that context one adds that one must wait and see what the British government is intent on doing with Prime Minister Theresa May at the helm. The one thing that is certain is that MEPs who have been trusted with files related to Brexit must negotiate with the intention to benefit all EU citizens. This is inclusive of those citizens who reside, and work in the United Kingdom, therefore the approach must be well-balanced. Additionally, Brexit will set new corner stones for the European Union and its members, creating grounds of precedent which means that the European Institutions must get closer to the citizen than ever before. The work of the negotiating team will determine the fate of over four million citizens and thus it is necessary that the right balance throughout the discourse is maintained. <strong>MBR</strong>: You have been awared MEP of the Year Award in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) category for her work as lead IMCO Committee Rapporteur on the European Standards of the 21st Century report. How significant was this award for you and for what recognition was this prestigious award bestowed to you? MM: This is the second year running in which I was nominated for the MEP of the Year Award (the first time was for my work in the field of animal welfare). I played a leading role in the IMCO committee as key negotiator on several Digital Single Market dossiers. I helped finalizing and drafting European legislation on important issues such as net neutrality and abolishing roaming charges. I also worked on a strategic report on shaping the future of European standards and I was one of the leading MEPs who worked so that phone calls from one EU country to another cost almost the same as a domestic call. It is an honour to win this prestigious MEP of the Year award and to have one’s work acknowledged by independent judges. I was pleased, not only for me, but also for Malta. I am humbled that people have placed their faith and trust in me especially because I have been given this award for my contributions in the area of digital single market. What is particularly satisfying is that my work as an MEP leaves real impact on people’s lives and that the voice of consumers, citizens, and micro and small businesses is heard across the European spectrum and the European Parliament. We need to ensure that the digital world we live in is more fair, just and sustainable, whilst providing equal opportunities for all. This award is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will continue to represent citizens, consumers and businesses across Europe with the utmost devotion and boldness. <strong>MBR</strong>: With the PN party in total disarray, where do you see Labour in a year’s time at the EP elections? MM: The worst thing the Labour Party , the government and the citizens can do is to take pleasure in the troubles of the Nationalist Party. The country needs a strong, serious and responsible opposition. I truly hope that the PN finds the courage to take bold steps and take those decisions which many not be easy – including disassociating itself from people who lack the integrity and the insight to realise the damage they have inflicted on the PN; from people who brought their own party in total disarray; from people who consider themselves bigger than the Party. In the European Parliament I experienced a different way of doing politics, whereas it is more a politics of debate rather than one of continuous confrontation. It is due time to move away from the tribal politics which "I am afraid that many PN MPs and supporters have not yet realised the gravity of the situation their party is in. unfortunately exist in our country. Still, I am afraid that many PN MPs and supporters have not yet realised the gravity of the situation their party is in, and are still digging a deeper hole and harming the PN even more. On the other hand Labour is determined to keep on working in the interest of all citizens and our country, both on national, international and European level. At the European Parliament elections people will vote for those candidates who really have their country’s interest at heart and not those who try to undermine national interest to gain political points. The electorate is no fool and knows who worked in their interest, and in the interest of our country and who collaborated with foreign MEPs to damage our reputation, hoping to bring down a democratically elected government. I do not like to make predictions, therefore I will not predict! . However, I am sure that citizens will make the right choice since it is crystal clear which party is working for a better future for its people, and which party is just hungry for power, mainly interested in playing dirty games to tarnish Malta’s reputation in Europe. Having said so, what I wish for my beloved country and for the sake of democracy, is a strong Government and a strong constructive Opposition. We have the former, we badly need the latter. <strong>MBR</strong> All rights reserved - Copyright 2018 Marlene Mizzi 16
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