MaltaMedia.com

On the day of entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg, has stated that the citizens of the European Union have acquired a stronger voice and a stronger role in the bloc’s decision making process.

With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1st December 2009, a new right comes into play, the European Citizens’ Initiative, granting the right to one million EU citizens coming from a significant number of Member States to request the European Commission to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where the citizens consider that a legal act is necessary.

Furthermore, additional powers are granted to national parliaments which are for the first time, fully recognized as part of the democratic fabric of the Union. In particular, National Parliaments will act as “watchdogs” of the principle of subsidiarity and will have the power to influence proposals submitted by the Commission at a very early stage. This, the Deputy Prime Minister stated, will increase citizenship participation through their representation by their Members of Parliament. To this end, the Lisbon Treaty will be bringing the EU institutions closer to the citizens and be more relevant on matters which affect their daily lives.

The Lisbon Treaty will also introduce the role of a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy aimed at giving the Union a stronger voice on the international scene and the capability of providing solutions to global challenges. More widely known aspects are the retention of a Maltese Commissioner and an increased Maltese representation within the European Parliament. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that Malta’s European Parliament representation increase is a clear sign that Malta is playing a key role and its influence on the decisions taken are leaving positive results.

At the same time, it is a clear reflection that Malta, notwithstanding its size and human resource limitations, has taken advantage of the opportunities emanating from its membership to the EU and this is clearly reflected by the recent decision for the European Asylum Support Office to be located in Malta.