On this 71 anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the European Movement Malta and JEF-Malta have approved this joint statement. European unity has served the cause of world peace and strengthened Europe economically, socially and politically. It has permitted Europeans to enjoy unprecedented political freedoms and welfare standards. United and determined the EU member states will overcome the difficulties posed by COVID-19 and the challenges of the global post-pandemic revival.
As the EU launches its Future of Europe conference we look forward to a broad debate and appeal to EU leaders to listen to the grass roots. It is urgent to halt the slide in democratic standards everywhere, to fight racism and xenophobia, extremism and anti-Semitism. The biggest economic challenge is to improve the prospects for our young people.
Whilst the European Union has made great strides in its collaborative measures both in internal and external affairs, JEF Malta stresses that further unity would be of great benefit, providing a concentration of responsibilities and services whilst still respecting the principle of subsidiarity.
Both organizations support the EU’s effort on climate change, the Green Deal, ultimately the goal to ensure that there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and economic growth is decoupled from resource use.
The EU must strive to achieve strategic autonomy to better protect its democratic institutions and democratic culture.