Following the brutal murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese journalist noted for her work on corruption, MEPs debate on the rule of law in Malta, during the EP plenary session (13-16 November 2017) in Strasbourg. Statements by Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, David CASA (EPP, MT), Miriam DALLI (S&D, MT), Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA RUIZ (ALDE, ES) and Eva JOLY (Greens/EFA, FR).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

TIMMERMANS, Frans (NL, EC)

DALLI, Miriam (S&D, MT)

freedom of press and media (T)

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Maite (Renew, ES)

CASA, David (EPP, MT)

JOLY, Eva (Greens/EFA, FR)

EU - Malta (T)

Rule of law in Malta: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Malta needs to show to Europe and indeed the world that its rules and regulations are healthy and robust. This is why it is important that the Maltese government has indicated that the investigation and prosecution (or the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia) should be allowed to run the full cause, regardless of the consequences.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, The Commission encourages Malta to swiftly joining the European Public Prosecutors&rsquo; Office; this would send a strong positive signal of Malta&rsquo;s commitment to act actively together in the area of freedom, security and justice.

SOUNDBITE (Maltese), David CASA (EPP, MT), When the culture of impunity becomes a norm in a country, then everything collapses. Commissioner we are here today united to tell you that the rule of law in Malta needs immediate and urgent intervention by the Commission.

SOUNDBITE (Maltese), David CASA (EPP, MT), (cont.) Refrain from defending the indefensible, I urge you colleagues, keep in mind the values that unite us and make us European, fight corruption and take the side of citizens. This is not a fight against the Maltese people, this is a fight for the Maltese people.

SOUNDBITE (Maltese), Miriam DALLI (S&amp;D, MT), Unfortunately the heist of some members of this Parliament to condemn Malta without even trying to objectively analyse the reality continues to confirm the idea of double standards adopted in relations with the different member states.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Maite PAGAZAURTUND&#218;A RUIZ (ALDE, ES), Mr Timmermans, I think Mr Juncker should suspend temporarily his friendship with Prime Minister Muscat until the situation regarding the rule of law and democracy in Malta has been clarified. In the 21stcentury democracy is challenged by populism, but also by international crime. Our resolution must be translated into acts.

SOUNDBITE (French), Eva JOLY (Greens/EFA, FR), I have three pieces of bad news for the Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat: first of all, a re-election will never replace the work of the judiciary. Suspicions of corruption and money laundering affecting people close to him have limited his political action and damaged his credibility. Second, tax rules in Malta must be changed, they are undermining Europe&rsquo;s integration and far worse the future of the EU.

SOUNDBITE (French), Eva JOLY (Greens/EFA, FR), (cont.) Finally, the Maltese government must know that the investigation work carried by Daphne Caruana Galizia will not be stopped by her assassination; other journalists will pick up what she left up with the support of the people of Europe who are profoundly shocked that such atrocities can take place in the heart of the European continent.