Edward Scicluna

Call me Bond

author_pc — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:11:44 +0000

Matul is-seduta plenarja tal-Parlament Ewropew fi Strasburgu iktar kmieni l-ġimgħa l-oħra, ġiet approvata riżoluzzjoni dwar l-hekk imsejħa Stability jew Eurobonds – skema ta’ bejgħ ta’ bonds mill-pajjiżi Ewropej fuq skala Ewropea minflok dik ta’ bħalissa, fejn kull membru jbigħ il-bonds individwalment.
M’hemm ebda dubju, sew għall-grupp tagħna tal-Alleanza Soċjalista u Demokratika, però anke għall-Parlament, dan hu pass kbir ’il quddiem. Dan għar-raġuni li, waqt li l-kriżi fiż-Żona Ewro sejra mill-ħażin għall-agħar, ir-rimedji li approvajna s’issa aktar kienu intiżi biex ibegħduna minn kriżi oħra milli biex joħorġuna minn dik li qegħdin fiha. Qiegħed l-iżjed nirreferi għal pakkett ta’ regolamenti li għaddejna mill-Parlament magħrufa bħala “Six Pack”. Dawn kienu bbażati fuq programmi t’awsterità fiskali u sanzjonijiet għal min ma jirrispettahomx. Xejn dwar tkattir ekonomiku u tibdil fil-qafas difettuż li fuqha mibnija ż-Żona Ewro. Mhux ta’ b’xejn aħna s-Soċjalisti konna vvotajna kontra ħafna minn dawn ir-regolamenti.
F’wieħed minn dawk is-sitt rapporti konna azzardajna ndaħħlu referenza għal Eurobonds. F’isem il-grupp tiegħi bħala Shadow Rapporteur fuq dan ir-rapport tal-Liberali Sylie Goulard, kont tajt l-appoġġ kollu biex nikkonvinċu l-Konservattivi jħalluha hemm, kif fil-fatt sar. Dan għax il-Ġermanja kienet u għadha sal-lum kontrihom. Dak iż-żmien il-Kummissjoni wkoll kienet beżgħana li ssemmihom. Waqt it-Troika għamilniha kundizzjoni li l-Kummissjoni tistudjahom bis-serjetà. Il-Green Paper li ħarġet il-Kummissjoni f’nofs Diċembru hu riżultat ta’ dan. Bħala suġġett kontroversjali wieħed irid ikollu strateġija li timbotta kemm tista’. Għalhekk ma qgħadniex nistennew u qabel il-Milied ftehemna li ngħaddu riżoluzzjoni biex nagħmlu speċi ta’ Statement of Intent. Dan issa ġie approvat fil-plenarja kif semmejna.
Fl-intervent tiegħi fil-Plenarja għedt li qed jidher li sfortunatament li l-mistura tal-pajjiżi Nordiċi, inkluża l-Ġermanja, mhux qiegħda tkun effikaċi. Ir-rispons tagħhom għal dan kien, mhux li jibdlu l-mediċina iżda, li jżidu d-doża. Dan nafu x’jista’ jfisser għall-pajjiżi bħall-Greċja u pajjiżi simili, fejn qed jinqala’ inkwiet kbir għax il-poplu ma jiflaħx isofri aktar għall-programmi daqshekk ħorox. S’intendi d-dejn irid jinqata’, però għandu jkun hemm sistemi aħjar u bis-sens. Jekk il-bankieri għarfu jħaddmu moħħhom, għaliex il-gvernijiet m’għandhomx jagħmlu l-istess.
Biex taraw kemm dan huwa minnu, ngħid li fost is-summits li s’issa rajna fuq it-televiżjoni u bit-teatrini li kellna magħhom, l-iktar miżura effikaċi li salvat is-sitwazzjoni kienet il-mossa ta’ Mario Draghi, President tal-Bank Ċentrali Ewropew, li b’daqqa ta’ pinna fl-aħħar tas-sena l-oħra għen lil mijiet ta’ banek mifruxin mal-Ewropa jissellfu miljuni kbar biex jiskansaw minn falliment. Is-somma laħqet mal-€500 biljun. Ħafna qegħdin iqisu li minħabba fiha, l-Ewropa se tiskansa li tidħol f’riċessjoni fonda jew fit-tul.
Teknikament u ’l bogħod mill-politika Ewropea, nafu li jekk ikollna bank jew fond Ewropew b’sistema ta’ ħruġ ta’ Ewrobonds jew Stability bonds, bil-Bank Ċentrali jagħmel tajjeb għalih, il-kriżi nsibulha tarfha. Dan filfatt hekk isir meta l-kriżi tkun f’pajjiż wieħed. Iż-Żona trid bilfors tagħmel l-istess biex issalva. Din is-sistema tal-eurobonds tgħin biex l-istruttura jew l-arkitettura tal-Ewro titjieb. Maż-żmien anke l-Ġermanja jkollha taċċetta dan il-fatt.
S’intendi għadna qegħdin niddiskutu. Dan il-ballun qegħdin nixxuttjawh ’il quddiem biex inkomplu nsaħħu din il-proposta. Ma konniex żguri sal-aħħar li se nsibu maġġoranza. Dan minħabba li sibna oppożizzjoni mill-elementi konservattivi li, bħal Ġermanja li ma jixtiqux li din il-proposta timxi ’l quddiem. Fl-aħħar ġurnata l-grupp tal-EPP talbu li jsiru emendi u ‘split votes’ biex jipprovaw idgħajfuha.
S’intendi aħna bżajna saħansitra li jekk dawn jgħaddu kien ikollna naslu biex nivvotaw kontra r-rapport li tant xtaqna jgħaddi.
Billi l-vot baqa’ inċert, jien, bħala ‘shadow’, u l-kordinatriċi l-ġdida tagħna Eliza Ferreira, kellna bħal Neru fil-Kolusew nuru b’subgħajna lil sħabna kif jivvotaw. Skont dak li rriżulta mill-emendi żammejna subgħajna ’l fuq biex jivvotaw favur.
Għall-ewwel darba waqt din il-kriżi, is-Soċjalisti fil-Parlament Ewropew setgħu jgħidu li vvotaw għal rapport li kien pożittiv dwar ir-rimedji. Dan biex inkomplu nsaħħu ż-Żona Ewro u jkun hemm tkabbir ekonomiku u jkun hemm ukoll it-tkattir tax-xogħol, u mhux inħallu l-opinjoni tan-Nordiċi bl-emfasi biss fuq programmi ta’ awsterità.
S’intendi, il-fatt li qegħdin ngħidu li hija pożittiva ma jfissirx li hu r-rimedju kollu u totali li se jsolvi l-problema fil-pront. Mhux talli hekk. Dan se tieħu mhux biss ġimgħat jew xhur imma forsi anke sena sentejn biex titwettaq. Irridu nbidlu l-liġijiet, irridu nibdlu t-Trattat biex dawn iseħħu u min jaf kemm għad irridu negozjati biex ikun hemm ftehim li, fuq prinċipji dwar kif il-pajjiżi dgħajfin, ma jirkbux fuq dan u jerġgħu jaqgħu lura. Mhux se noqgħod nidħol fihom illum u forsi nittrattahom darba oħra, dwar il-fatt biex il-pajjiżi jkunu kuntenti, ħalli din il-proposta ssir realtà. Mela allura x’impatt se jkollha fuq il-kriżi llum?
Ikollha għaliex permezz ta’ din ir-riżoluzzjoni, li ġiet approvatat mill-Parlament, qiegħed jingħata l-messaġġ ċar fejn nixtiequ ż-Żona Ewro għandha timxi. ‘Statement of intent’.
Fuq din il-proposta s-swieq finanzjarji jieħdu l-messaġġ li barra l-programmi ta’ awsterità hemm pjan biex tinbidel l-arkitettura taż-Żona Ewro. Qafas fejn flimkien nagħmlu jagħmel tajjeb għall-problemi u għall-iżbilanċi li hemm fiż-Żona li, meta tagħmilhom flimkien, issib li mhumiex daqshekk relattivament kbar.

L-Orizzont, it-Tnejn, 20 ta’ Frar, 2012

Stability Bonds – L-MEP u INT – Prog 103

author_pc — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:55:59 +0000

Matul is-seduta Plenarja tal-Parlament Ewropew fi Strasburgu giet
approvata rizuluzzjoni dwar l-hekk imsejha Stability Bonds.Din hija
skema ta’ bejgh ta’ bonds mill-pajjizi Ewropej fuq skala Ewropea.
L-Ewro Parlamentari Laburista l-Professur Edward Scicluna kien
is-shadow Rapporteur ta’ dan ir-Rapport f’isem l-Allejanza Socjalista
u Demokratika.

Aktar dwar dan fil-Programm 103 mis-sensiela MEP u INT

—

Common Eurbonds have moved one step closer towards their realisation
when the European Parliament in this week’s Plenary
session adopted its first formal resolution on the feasability of
stability bonds with a large majority. Labour Member of parliament
Professor Edward scicluna who was the Shadow rapporteur representing
the Social and Democratic group expressed his
satisfaction at the result.

More on this issue in MEP U INT programme 103

- 17 Feburary, 2012

Labour MEP welcomes move forward on Eurobonds

author_pc — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:29:31 +0000

Labour MEP welcomes adoption of first form resolution on the feasibility of stability bonds by the European Parliament saying it was an important step toward budgetary discipline.

Labour MEP Edward Scicluna says well-designed stability bonds could improve liquidity in the bond market, but also bind in rules on budgetary discipline.

Labour MEP and Socialist and Democrat group spokesman on Eurobonds Edward Scicluna said that common Eurobonds were close to becoming a reality after the European Parliament adopted its first formal resolution on the feasibility of stability bonds.

“This resolution on stability bonds is one important plea for sanity to change the current defective Eurozone architecture. It is an opportunity for the Eurozone to show it is not offering just knee-jerk solutions to the latest downgrade but clear-headed thinking. Well-designed Stability Bonds could improve liquidity in the bond market, but also bind in rules on budgetary discipline,” Scicluna said.

The resolution was intended as an answer to the Green Paper by the European Commission on the same subject, and will be followed by a detailed report by the Parliament’s Economic committee.

Scicluna had negotiated both the first inclusion of reference to stability bonds in the economic governance ‘six pack’ as well as the current report with Liberal MEP Sylvie Goulard.

“We know that stability bonds jointly issued by member states will not be introduced in a matter of weeks or months. Not only do we need to decisively address the questions of conditionality and moral hazard, but also the legal requirements including possibly a treaty change. This resolution is about issuing a credible statement of intent to the financial world and to set in motion a chain of legal events to bring about the needed changes,” Scicluna said.

- maltatoday, 16 February, 2012

Diskussjoni Pubblika – EJJA U STAQSI – 8 ta’ Frar, 2012 – Melita Gardens, Balzan

author_pc — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:12:13 +0000

Is-sitwazzjoni Politika prezenti f’Malta, ir-Rapport dwar l-Istatistika Ewropea , l-edukazzjoni , l-ambjent u suggetti ohra gew trattati mill-Ewro Parlamentari Laburista l-Professur Edward Scicluna
f’Laqgha Pubblika ohra ‘Ejja u Saqsi’ li saret nhar l-erbgha 8 ta’ Frar f’Melita Gardens, Balzan.
Il-Professur Scicluna waqt li tkellem dwar il-konsegwenzi tas-sitwazzjoni poltika prezenti f’Malta esprima s-sodisfazzjon tieghu ghall-approvazzjoni b’maggoranza kbira mill-Kumitat ghall- Affarijiet Ekonomici u Monetarji tar-rapport li huwa ghamel dwar l-Istatistika Ewropea. Huwa qal li dan ir-Rapport ma setax wasal fi zmien iktar opportun fid-dawl tar-rwol kritiku li t-Trattat Fiskali l-gdid ta lil numru ta’ benchmarks.

Il-Professur Scicluna kif jaghmel dejjem f’dawn il-laqghat wiegeb numru ta’ mistoqsijiet li sarulu mill-membri tal-udjenza numeruza li attendiet.

- Gallery -

European Statistics Report – L-MEP u Int – Prog 102

author_pc — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:18:00 +0000

The L-MEP u Int aired on Friday February 10th 2012

____________________________________

Ix-xibka ta’ ħażen u l-istipendji

author_pc — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:12:55 +0000

Li l-politika hija magħrufa bħala “maħmuġa” minn parti kbira tal-Maltin u l-Għawdxin hija sfortuna kbira għall-politika Maltija. Ir-realtà hi li ħafna nies ta’ ħila, li jistgħu jagħtu kontribut lil pajjiżna, jibqgħu lura minħabba l-biża’ ta’ dan l-aspett negattiv. Jibżgħu, jew għal ġildhom, jew għall-familja tagħhom. Jaraw dan bħala nkwiet bla bżonn u għalhekk jippreferu jieħdu xi xogħol ieħor. Din hija ħasra. Għax ħa ngħiduha kif inhi, għall-kuntrarju wieħed għandu jkun kburi li jidħol għal xogħol, li barra li jirrappreżenta lill-kostitwenti tiegħu fil-Parlament, jaħdem u jistinka biex jara lil pajjiżu jmur ’il quddiem.
X’aħna naraw illum aktar mill-passat? L-użu tat-teknoloġija, speċjalment l-użu tal-kompjuters u ż-żamma ta’ informazzjoni personali matul ħajja sħiħa ta’ bniedem, u l-opinjonijiet tal-massa fuq ċertu kwistjonijiet jew nies, tgħin biex min irid jista’ jarma f’partit magna tal-ħażen b’ċertu effiċjenza. Bl-Ingliż nirreferu għal dan ix-xogħol bħal id-“dirty tricks department”. Xogħlu hu biss li jħammeġ. Kollox negattiv. Xejn pożittiv. L-oġġettivi mhumiex il-‘policies’ tal-Gvern, iżda l-personalitajiet tal-avversarji.
Illum iżjed minn qabel hu magħruf li l-Partit Nazzjonalista jispeċjalizza sew f’dan ir-rigward. Mhux hekk biss imma għandu netwerk jew “xibka ta’ ħażen” fis-sens li dawn id-‘dirty tricks’ huma milgħubin bħal ballun li jitqassam minn persuna għall-oħra, sew mill-Parlamentari u minn esponenti tal-midja, li ħafna minnhom jilgħabuha tal-indipendenti. Dan ġie deskritt fid-dettall min-nies bħall-eks-ministru, illum Kummissarju Ewropew John Dalli u numru ta’ ‘backbenchers’ Nazzjonalisti, fosthom l-Avukat Franco Debono.
Dan kollu reġa’ għadda minn quddiem għajnejja meta ftit tax-xhur ilu lqajt l-istedina tal-Mexxej Laburista Dr Joseph Muscat biex nifforma parti mit-tim tiegħu u nikkontesta l-elezzjonijiet ġenerali li ġejjin. Meta sema’ bl-aħbar eks-Ministru ħabib kbir tiegħi u li nirrispetta ħafna, kitibli “God be with you”. Kien jaf x’qed jgħid.
Lejn l-aħħar ġimgħat tas-sena li għaddiet kont mistieden tas-Sur Norman Hamilton fuq il-programm televiżiv tiegħu “Bla Agenda” u allura deherli li din kellha tkun okkażjoni tajba biex ngħid dan uffiċjalment. Filfatt kont anke informajt lill-midja x’se nagħmel.
Kif tafu, il-programm jittella’ s-Sibt u allura l-aħbar tad-deċiżjoni tiegħi għal skop ta’ midja stampata kellha tidher l-għada, il-Ħadd. U hekk sar…bid-differenza li l-ġurnal tal-Partit Nazzjonalista Il-Mument ħareġ b’titlu grass jgħajjat li “Edward Scicluna Favur l-Abort”.
Gidba sfaċċata li, għalkemm ma ħarġitx dakinhar b’xi koinċidenza, ixxokkjat lili u l-familja tiegħi kollha. Mossa riċiklata bbażata fuq il-fatt li bħala membru tad-Delegazzjoni Ewroparlamentari Laburista, filwaqt li stqarrejna għal darba darbtnejn li aħna lkoll kontra l-abort u dejjem se nivvotaw kontra kull amenda li direttament jew indirettament tirreferi għal dan, ma naslux biex nivvotaw kontra rapporti li l-għan tagħhom hu li jibgħat fondi biex jitnaqqas il-faqar u l-mard fil-pajjiżi tal-Afrika u oħrajn. Qatt ma konna u qatt mhu se nkunu daqshekk Fariżej.
Kienet bużżieqa li kienu diġà pprovaw jonfħuha qabel, imma li kienet infaqgħet f’wiċċhom. Imma xorta pprovaw jerġgħu jonfħuha sakemm raw li ma setgħux jeħilbuha aktar u finalment telquha.
Malli falla dan l-attentat, ix-xibka dawret ħarsitha fuq suġġett ieħor bil-għan li joskurani. Qegħdin jipprovaw ibeżżgħu bl-istipendji tal-istudenti. Fittxew b’kull lenti f’dak li kont għidt jien dwar dan is-suġġett f’tentattiv li jsibu xi kelma li biha jistgħu joħolqu dubji. Anke jekk joħorġuha barra mill-kuntest li fih tkun intqalet jew inkitbet.
Xogħol l-ekonomista hu li jevalwa kull ‘policy’ tal-Gvern, inkluż kull spiża tiegħu u għalhekk m’hemm xejn barra minn hawn li tgħid li billi kull spiża hi ġejja mill-but tal-ħaddiem, permezz tat-taxxi, m’għandhiex titqies bħala xi baqra sagra li ma tiġix evalwata. Ċertament li naqblu li l-edukazzjoni, inkluż l-istipendji jinkwadraw fl-ispiża tal-Gvern.

Dwar l-istipendji kont għidt li din l-ispiża għandha tiġi evalwata minn żmien għal żmien biex ikun żgurat li tibqa’ sostenibbli. Dan ifisser li ma twiegħedx li tagħti iktar milli l-pajjiż jiflaħ għax jekk jiġri hekk tkun qed titfa’ l-piż tad-dejn fuq uliedek. Dan għidtu u għadni ngħidu fir-rigward ukoll tas-servizz pubbliku u kull funzjoni oħra fin-nefqa tal-Gvern. Kont għidt ukoll li n-nefqa fuq l-edukazzjoni hija baxxa ħafna meta mqabbla ma’ pajjiżi oħrajn. Ir-riżultati juru dan kollu. Li niġu l-aħħar fost l-istati membri kollha tal-Unjoni Ewropea għall-fatt li t-tfal tagħna joħorġu mill-iskola qabel ma jispiċċaw il-kors (rata ta’ 36.9%) għandha tixxokkjana għax l-effetti fuq it-tkabbir ekonomiku hu devastanti. L-istess għall-edukazzjoni terzjarja, fejn hawn ukoll in-numru li jattenduha bħala perċentwal ta’ 20% huwa biss in-nofs tal-medja Ewropea. Dan ifisser li wliedna qegħdin jiġu żvantaġġjati meta pparagunati ma’ sħabhom fil-bqija tal-Ewropa.
Żgur li qatt ma għidt li l-istipendji għandhom jitwaqqfu jew jitqaċċtu. Li jiġu evalwati iva. Meta ma kinux evalwati u ma sarux programmi serji ta’ investiment, is-sussidji servew ta’ paravendu biex l-azjenda titħalla mitluqa fil-kwiet sakemm tikkollassa b’dannu kbir għall-ħaddiema li suppost ibbenefikaw minnhom. Eżempju klassiku huma l-ħaddiema tat-Tarzna, tal-Air Malta, tas-Sea Malta u oħrajn. Imma agħar minn hekk l-istipendji mhumiex jilħqu lil min veru għandu bżonn. Għiduli per eżempju kemm hemm studenti mill-Kottonera fl-Università ta’ Malta? Jekk hemm l-istipendji, għaliex din il-problema ma ssolvitx? Ta’ min ukoll nirrimarka u nfakkar li kien hemm persuni f’karigi għoljin, kollha appuntati minn dan il-Gvern, fosthom ir-Rettur tal-Università il-Professur Juanito Camilleri, l-eks-Gvernatur tal-Bank Centrali Michael Bonello, iċ-Ċermen tal-Bank of Valletta Roderick Chalmers, in-National Commission for Higher Education innifisha, li kollha ġew ikkwotati jgħidu ferm u ferm iżjed minn dak li għidt jien dwar il-bżonn li ssir evalwazzjoni u x’kienu qegħdin jissuġġerixxu. Saħansitra fis-7 ta’ Frar tas-sena l-oħra kienet il-Ministru tal-Edukazzjoni Dolores Cristina f’risposta li tat għall-Interpellanza ta’ Owen Bonnici li stqarret li “għandha tiġi riveduta tul din is-sena. Jista’ jkun li f’din ir-reviżjoni wieħed iħares lejn mudelli differenti”.
U allura jekk iż-żewġ partiti qegħdin jiggarantixxu li dan ma jfissirx li l-istudenti jieħdu inqas minn dak li qegħdin jieħdu llum, għal-liema raġuni il-partit fil-Gvern qed jaqla’ dan l-inkwiet, dan il-gideb u din il-biża’ kollha fost l-istudenti. Kemm se nkomplu nużaw il-votant żagħżugħ minflok nirrispettawlu l-intelliġenza tiegħu jew tagħha.
Ħidmet in-netwerk ma tieqafx hawn. Nhar il-Ħadd, 5 ta’ Frar, fil-ġurnal Nazzjonalista Il-Mument tkompliet din l-istrateġija biex ibeżżgħu dwar l-istipendji. Kwotaw minn Sottomissjoni tal-Federazzjoni tal-Industriji (FOI) tas-sena 2005 li skont il-ġurnal Nazzjonalista kien inkiteb minni, fis-sens li kont responsabbli minn dak li ngħata fir-rapport. Gidba oħra sfaċċata.
Fis-sena 2005 l-FOI inkarigawni biex inkun ir-‘rapporteur’ tal-opinjonijiet meħudin minn membri tal-FOI, opinjonijiet miġburin waqt laqgħat tagħhom. Għaddewhom lili biex nikkompilahom f’rapport u permezz tagħhom talbu li jsiru emendi għad-dokument preżentat mill-Gvern.
Ma kinux opinjonijiet tiegħi. Kienu opinjonijiet tal-uffiċjali għoljin tal-FOI. Fil-faċċata ta’ dan ir-rapport dan jingħad ċar. Il-kliem “on behalf of the Federation of Industry” ifissru bil-Malti “f’isem il-Federazzjoni tal-Industija”. Mhux f’ismi. L-opinijonijiet kienu tagħhom hekk kif ġew ippreżentati lill-Gvern dakinhar.
Huwa tal-mistħija li l-Prim Ministru jiġi mogħti dan il-gideb u ingann u jgħidu qisu vanġelu. U l-Membri tal-Parlament u l-esponenti tagħhom inklużi sħabi l-Ewroparlamentari Nazzjonalisti jirrepetu dawn il-ħrejjef.
Taħsbu li se jaqtagħli qalbi? Fil-bidu tal-kampanja kont ħadt parir minn bniedem għaref fil-politika iktar minni dwar dan. Qalli “Tiftakar kemm fil-kampanja għall-Parlament Ewropej kemm għamlulek fuq is-Saħħa, lejl u nhar fuq it-televiżjoni jigdbu gidba wara l-oħra. X’kien ir-riżultat? Kellek suċċess kbir, ġibt eluf ta’ voti u sirt Ewroparlamentari.” Ir-risposta tiġi waħedha. Huwa, l-elettorat Malti u Għawdxi fis-segretezza tal-vot tiegħu li jiddeċiedi jurix fiduċja fik. S’issa din il-fiduċja fija wrejtha bil-kbir u nħossni kburi bis-sehem tiegħi f’isem pajjiżna fil-Parlament Ewropew.

L-Orizzont, it-Tnejn, 13 ta’ Frar, 2012

Economic Committee adopts Edward Scicluna’s report on European statistics

author_pc — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:52 +0000

Labour MEP Edward Scicluna’s Report on the Quality Management of European Statistics was approved with an overwhelming majority by the European Parliament´s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

The report focused on improving the quality of European Statistics by improving the independence of statistical agencies and the quality of upstream data collected especially from government sources.

Scicluna, who is Vice-Chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee said:

“This report could not have come at a more opportune time in view of the critical role given by the new Fiscal Treaty to a number of benchmarks. The ‘six pack’ legislation together with the scoreboards being set up for both Eurozone and EU Member States require accurate and reliable statistics for their effective implementation.”

The report is seeking improved structures and better governance in each Member State, stronger internal and external audits and a greater commitment by governments with respect to the accuracy of public finance data.

The report also recommends a higher contribution of expertise from Eurostat to small countries with limited resources to ensure a better compliance rate.

- maltatoday, 7 February, 2012

–

Labour MEP Edward Scicluna´s report on the Quality Management of European Statistics was approved with an overwhelming majority by the European Parliament´s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

The report focused on improving the quality of European Statistics by improving the independence of statistical agencies and the quality of upstream data collected especially from government sources.

Prof. Scicluna who is Vice-Chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee said:

“This report could not have come at a more opportune time in view of the critical role given by the new Fiscal Treaty to a number of benchmarks. The ‘six pack’ legislation together with the scoreboards being set up for both Eurozone and EU member states require accurate and reliable statistics for their effective implementation.”

The report is seeking improved structures and better governance in each member state, stronger internal and external audits and a greater commitment by governments with respect to the accuracy of public finance data.

The Report also recommends a higher contribution of expertise from Eurostat to small countries with limited resources to ensure a better compliance rate.

- themaltaindependent, 9 February, 2012

Acta debate taken to University

author_pc — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:00:34 +0000

Acta, the anti-counterfeiting trade agreement was the subject of a well-attended KSU debate at the University.

Dr Busuttil said he was positively inclined to Acta because it aimed to strengthen enforcement in the fight against counterfeit and piracy. EU countries including Malta already have strong legislation on these two issues but this agreement sought to focus on the enforcement aspect.

“In principle I cannot object to it because I am in favour of the fight against counterfeit and piracy because itius illegal and because there are thousands of people in Malta who are working for Maltese companies producing goods or software who could be victims of false products. Their job is at risk everyday because of counterfeit and pirate products.

People were looking at Acta in a negative way because of the impression they got that it will restrict internet use and freedoms. But the downloading of films or music is already illegal. He noted that the EP has not yet voted on the matter but will vote on it probably in June.

In the meantime there was space for debate.

Photo: Jason Borg

“Although in principle I am not against it I am open to what people have to say about it. If the negatives outweigh the positives I am willing to vote against,” Dr Busuttil said.

Edward Scicluna appealed to students not to try and understand the details of Acta but rather to see who the players behind it are.

“Crime prevention and policing comes at a cost because it interferes with our freedoms. I am not in favour of economic crime but one has to balance the cost of interference with civil liberties.

The European Socialist Party was suspicious of this agreement from the outset and there was a healthy dose of scepticism.

Prof. Scicluna said he was against Acta because he did not want people to rummage through his luggage to see if he had any counterfeit products. This was one of the provisions of Acta.

But lawyer Antonio Ghio, who specialises in intellectual property rights, said the clause regarding travellers personal luggage was preceded by the word may not should because crossing a border with a counterfeit bag was different to crossing a border with a container of counterfeit bags. This strengthened the fact that personal privacy would not be violated

He said Acta was trying to achieve a level of harmonisation with respect to enforcement of intellectual property rights and tried to reach a consensus of how these rights could be protected.

“The myth that it will restrict freedom of expression or that Acta will turn internet users into criminals and ISPs into policemen is all rubbish,” he said adding that most of the provisions of Acta were already part of Maltese laws.

The big question that should be answered, he said, was why Malta and other countries were signing the agreement if it was already covered in their laws.

He drew a parallel to the Convention of Human Rights and said that similarly Malta had subscribed to convention even though its contents were already enshrined in its laws.

Asked about the lack of transparency behind the agreement, Dr Busuttil admitted that it was not completely transparent because negotiations had been underway since 2008 or earlier.

These were always held behind closed doors but this does not mean that the whole process was not transparent. There was a draft agreement in 2008 and another draft agreement in 2010. This has been in the public domain since 2010 but it did not hit the media so people did not know about it. He said there was an element of secrecy about Acta but it was now before MPs who had the final say. If they said no, Acta would be dead. He also said that it was not clear yet whether this had to be approved by all EU countries for it to come into effect.

Prof. Scicluna said people had to beware of big industries who were pushing for this agreement. He mentioned as an example the tobacco industry and the impact this had on civil society and the pharmaceutical industry.

Big industries were going to protect their properties but this should not be done at the cost of interfering with civil liberties. He also said that downloading a film illegally did not mean that the police would come knocking at one’s door to arrest him but the agreement would target people providing this service for economic gain.

Prof. Scicluna will be attending the protest against Acta on Saturday.

- thetimesofmalta, February 8, 2012

–

At a debate organised by the University Student Council (KSU) this afternoon, IT Expert, Lawyer and Lecturer at the University of Malta, Antonio Ghio and Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil aligned themselves with the pro-ACTA camp and Labour MEP Edward Scicluna took a more sceptic approach and declared he would be marching alongside the public protest organised by the Malta Anti-ACTA Group this Saturday in Valletta.

During the debate which was attended by around 100 students, Simon Busuttil rebutted claims by the anti-ACTA camp that the process which led to the drafting of the act was not transparent and democratic. Whilst admitting that the process could have been more open, Busuttil said “There is no secrecy at all and the text is available for all to read and discuss. Today’s debate is a sign of transparency and I am ready to listen to civil society about this matter.”

Busuttil added that if the anti-ACTA campaigners convince him that he should vote against the act he will have no qualms to do so. However he said that “I will vote for the protection of hundreds of jobs which are currently threatened by counterfeit products.” Busuttil added that he “does not owe anything to big businesses but he will vote to ensure that jobs are protected”. The MEP said that if the European Parliament will vote against ACTA, the act will be “dead”.

On the other hand Labour MEP Edward Scicluna said agreements “should never be signed behind closed doors” and added that it is not yet clear what affect the act will have on the acquis communautaire. Scicluna said that people “should not accept agreements that are the result of underhand dealings of big corporations”. He said citizens have ecery right to be suspicious and sceptical and that is why he will join the anti-ACTA protest on Saturday.

Scicluna said big businesses were right in affirming their rights and profits however this should not come “at the expense of interfering with civil liberties.” He added that at present national law already covers illegal counterfeit products which infiltrate the market. Scicluna said that he will “never vote for something which intrudes on personal liberties”.

Antonio Ghio, who came under fire from anti-ACTA students present at the debate, spent most of the debate defending the act and explaining that ACTA “does not change any existing national laws on piracy and counterfeit products”. He argued that many people are confusing ACTA with another legislation, SOPA, which has now been put on the backburner by the US Congress after a huge public outcry against this legislation.

Ghio explained that with ACTA the citizens’ online experience will not be altered in any way. “Whoever downloads a file is already infringing national law and ACTA will not change it. It will not turn infringers into criminals but it will strengthen legislation against commercial counterfeit products”. Ghio said anti-ACTA campaigns on Facebook and other social networks are misinformed as they were “probably confusing ACTA with SOPA or referring to the original version of ACTA which has been softened and amended by the European Commission”.

Other points of contention at the University debate were the language used in the act’s text which anti-ACTA activists said was “vague” and the role of the ACTA committee which activists claim will have powers to amend the act, bypassing democratic processes. Busuttil and Ghio refuted these accusations and said that the ACTA committee, which will be comprise all signatory countries, will have no power at all to amend the act.

- maltatoday, February 8, 2012

— video —

ACTA – L-MEP u Int – Prog 101

author_pc — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:37:18 +0000

Several countries, including Malta, signed the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, commonly referred to as ACTA. Its provisions are considered very contentious and have stirred up controversy especially among youths. In this programme MEP u Int Prof. Edward Scicluna MEP speaks about the objectives of ACTA and the role of the European and Maltese Parliaments in its ratification.

Diversi pajjizi, inkluz Malta, iffirmat l-ACTA li huwa ftehim internazzjonali biex jipprova jwaqqaf is-serq ta’ proprjeta intellettwali. Il-provvedimenti ta’ dan il-ftehim huma meqjusa kontenzjuzi u qajjmu kontroversja specjalment fost iz-zghazagh. F’dan il-programm l-MEP u Int l-Ewroparlamentari Laburista il-Prof Edward Scicluna jitkellem dwar l-ghanijiet tal-ACTA kif ukoll dwar ir-rwol tal-Parlament Malti kif ukoll dak Ewropew fir-ratifika tieghu.

L-MEP u Int, Smash Television – 03/02/2012

ACTA

author_pc — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:19:38 +0000

Fil-jiem li għaddew il-Gvern Malti ffirma l-ftehim magħruf bħala ACTA. Kontra dak li jsir is-soltu, il-Gvern ma ħareġ l-ebda stqarrija biex iħabbar li ffirma dan it-trattat. Sirna nafu għaliex qamet kontroversja sħiħa kemm f’Malta kif ukoll barra minn Malta, wara li għaqdiet taz-żgħażagħ qamu jipprotestaw għax qegħdin iqisu dan il-ftehim bħala li jmur kontra ċerti drittijiet tal-individwu, b’mod speċjali fejn jidħol l-użu tal-Internet.

ACTA hija fil-qosor għal Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, jiġifieri ftehim internazzjonali biex jipprova jwaqqaf is-serq ta’ proprjetà intellettwali. Is-serq ta’ ideat li ħaddieħor ikun nefaq ħafna flus u investa bil-kbir biex jasal għalihom hu mill-iktar faċli. Tista’ tkun, pereżempju, riċetta ta’ pillola li trid is-snin u investiment ta’ mijiet ta’ ewro biex tiġi vvintata. Naturalment, jekk tkun taf ir-riċetta, il-pillola tista’ tagħmilha malajr mingħajr ma tonfoq ħafna flus. L-istess għas-‘software’.
Huwa għalhekk li l-awtoritajiet jiddefendu l-proprjetà intellettwali u jaslu li anke f’xi każi bħal mediċina jagħtu monopolju għal numru ta’ snin definit lil dawk il-kumpaniji li jkunu investew miljuni ta’ ewro kbar biex skoprew il-pillola, ħalli jbigħuha anke bi prezz għoli, biex ikunu jistgħu jirkupraw l-ispejjeż kbar li jkunu nefqu fir-riċerka u b’hekk jinkoraġġuhom joħorġu b’ideat oħrajn.
Jekk ma jkunx hekk, ħadd ma jidħol biex jagħmel ir-riċerka. Pereżempju, jekk wieħed jikteb kanzunetta u ħaddieħor jikkopjahielu mingħajr ftehim, inkluż qbil dwar kumpens, nispiċċaw li ħadd ma jkun irid jivvinta xejn jew jagħmel riċerka biex imbagħad jisraqhielu ħaddieħor. Kawża ta’ hekk il-pajjiż jaqa’ lura. Niftakru li d-dinja marret ’il quddiem grazzi għall-invenzjonijiet u ideat kbar oħrajn li ssarrfu f’investiment u li żiedu mal-progress li minnu jgawdi kulħadd. Żgur li ħadd ma jrid li dan jieqaf jew jiġi skoraġġit. Fil-fatt liġijiet li jipproteġu dan it-tip ta’ proprjetà jeżistu f’kull pajjiż tad-dinja.

Mela allura x’qed jiġri?
Bħall-ġlieda kontra t-terroriżmu, it-traffikar tad-droga, in-negozju tal-annimali eżotiċi, in-negozju tal-armi, f’dan il-każ in-negozju fi prodotti u servizzi kkopjati, kull ftehim internazzjonali bejn il-pajjiżi jgħin li jitrażżan b’mod iktar effikaċi.
U allura m’hemm xejn ħażin li jsir ftehim bejn il-pajjiżi biex is-serq intellettwali u produzzjoni ta’ prodotti kkopjati jiġi mrażżan.
Iżda hawn nidħlu fi problemi kbar. Bħal fil-ġlieda kontra l-kriminalità. Għalkemm kulħadd jixtieq li l-Pulizija tuża l-mezzi kollha tagħha ħadd ma jaċċetta li dawn il-mezzi jibdel ixekklu l-libertajiet tal-individwu onest, jekk kull darba li toħroġ filgħaxija l-pulizija joqogħdu jwaqqfuk f’‘road block’, jew li jwaqqfuk fit-triq biex jitolbuk biex jaraw l-ID card, li jfittxulek f’darek biex jeżaminaw jekk il-prodotti li xtrajt setgħux kienu kkopjati, inti tgħajjat waħda u tgħid: “daqshekk!”
Hemm limitu għal kollox.
Fil-fatt kull soċjetà ċivilizzata m’għandhiex ‘zero tolerence’ kontra l-kriminalità għax taf li biex isir dan, jixxekklu l-libertajiet u b’hekk is-soċjetà ssofri danni iktar mil-kriminalità nnifisha.
Fuq skala internazzjonali għandna l-istess problema. Riżultat tal-11 ta’ Settembru fi New York, il-ġlieda tal-Amerika kontra t-terroriżmu wasslet biex qegħdin jintalbu jitnaqqsu libertajiet kbar. Kulħadd jaqbel li għandna niġġieldu t-terroriżmu iżda fl-istess ħin, għandu jkun hemm limitu ta’ kemm għandu jsir bdil ta’ informazzjoni personali bejn pajjiż u ieħor bl-iskuża tal-ġlieda kontra t-terroriżmu.
M’iniex ngħid għat-tfittxija qabel ma titla’ ajruplan: tneħħi ċ-ċintorin u l-arloġġ, toħroġ il-flus mill-but, tinża’ l-ġlekk u l-kowt, kultant iż-żarbun, toħroġ il-borża tal-istoċċijiet tat-‘toiletries’, il-laptop mill-‘briefcase’, u forsi ssir tfittxija wkoll fuq il-persuna u l-bagaliji. Fil-każ tiegħi darbtejn fil-ġimgħa. Għal dan aħna l-passiġġieri ma ngħidu xejn.
Imma meta taf li fid-‘databank’ u l-kompjuters Amerikani għandhom l-informazzjoni kollha tal-credit cards, ta’ kull meta vvjaġġajt u fejn matul ħajtek kollha, u affarijiet personali oħrajn, wieħed jibda jinkwieta. L-istess għat-‘tapping’ u rrekordjar tat-telefonati. Big Brother ta’ George Orwell qiegħed magħna.
U għalhekk f’dan il-kuntest li ż-żgħażagħ qamu għalenija kontra l-ACTA. U għandhom raġun ikunu inkwetati, u aħna daqshom. Dan speċjalment fuq indħil min-naħa tal-Internet Service Provider (ISP) li jrid jiċċekkja biex jara jekk ikunx qed jitniżżel materjal ikkoppjat jew le.
Aħna fil-Parlament Ewropew domna ħafna biex qbilna mal-Istati Uniti u għadna sal-lum m’aħniex kuntenti bil-ftehim li sar biex tingħata l-informazzjoni kollha tal-passiġġieri, inklużi dettalji tal-passaport, karti ta’ kreditu u informazzjoni personali oħra lill-Amerika, biex iżżomm ‘database’ fuq kulħadd. Japplika l-istess għal bdil ta’ informazzjoni dwar tranżazzjonijiet finanzjarji internazzjonali bħalma hija SWIFT. Il-Parlament Ewropew dam is-snin iżomm lura sakemm qabel wasal fi ftehim mal-Istati Uniti.
Issa qed jiġri l-istess fil-każ ta’ dan l-ftehim imsemmi ACTA. Hemm ħafna dubji dwar il-mod kif sar dan il-ftehim sar. Hemm min jgħid li ma kienx hemm trasparenza. Ir-Rapporteur Kader Arif li hu mill-grupp tagħna s-Soċjalisti fil-Parlament, irriżenja minn rapporteur għax ħass li l-affarijiet ma sarux sew u allura mhux ta’ b’xejn li ż-żgħażagħ qegħdin jinkwetaw u jipprotestaw.
Fir-riżoluzzjoni li l-grupp tagħna tas-Soċjalisti kien ippreżenta fuq l-ACTA f’Novembru tal-2010, konna tlabna għal iktar bilanċ u rwol iktar importanti għall-Parlament Ewropew. Konna tlabna biex il-‘patents’ tal-mediċini ġeneriċi jiġu esklużi speċifikatament minn dan il-ftehim. Tlabna wkoll li jkun hemm iktar garanziji f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam dak li jista’ jingħata mill-ISP lill-awtoritajiet. Din ir-riżoluzzjoni li kienet appoġġjata wkoll mill-Ħodor u mil-Liberali, iżda sfortunatament kienet imwaqqfa mill-EPP li magħhom jappartjenu l-parlamentari Nazzjonalisti u li pproponew riżoluzzjoni minn tagħhom li kienet però ħafna inqas restrittiva fuq il-Kummissjoni.
Huwa veru li l-pajjiżi tal-UE u pajjiżi oħrajn iffirmaw dan it-trattat. Però, bħalma jiġri kull meta jiġi ffirmat ftehim ta’ din in-natura, ikun irid jiġi ratifikat mill-parlamenti tal-pajjiżi kkonċernati. Billi dan il-ftehim jirrigwardja l-pajjiżi tal-UE, l-ewwel post fejn se jiġi diskuss hu fil-Parlament Ewropew fejn irridu naraw jekk għandux jiġi rratifikat mill-UE biex imbagħad tgħaddih lill-istati membri biex jigi diskuss fil-parlamenti nazzjonali.
Għalhekk wieħed għandu jieħu interess f’dak li qed jiġri għax ftehim li jaffettwa ċ-ċittadin m’għandux isir minn wara dahru.

l-orizzont, it-Tnejn, 6 ta’ Frar, 2012