“This year is the European year dedicated to global development, I fully believe that there is a need that we Europeans understand and act as quickly as possible so that the African continent and its people is given the necessary support and dignity it deserves.”
This was said by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Anglu Farrugia when addressing more than eighty people from San Lawrenz Gozo, Colle Umberto in Italy and La Ballme de Sillangy in France, during a visit to Parliament.
This event was organised by the San Lawrenz Local Council, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the twinning agreement between Colle Umberto and San Lawrenz.
The three communities are also working together on a project financed by the European Union on the role of Europe in the Mediterranean, on which a conference was held earlier in the week.
In his speech, the Speaker of the House remarked that these meetings can be instrumental in strengthening cooperation between citizens of European countries to better understand the problems of each area.
“Here it has highlighted the critical issue of irregular immigration which is making the Mediterranean Sea a cemetery.”
Dr Farrugia also referred to how important it is that every European state recognises the importance of this situation and give its contribution towards a solution, in order to make the difference to citizens of the Member States in the European continent and those of some of the countries in the African continent, in terms of dignity.
The Speaker concluded his speech by saying that development within African countries should give a better future to these people, but more than that, it should be the solution to the problems facing not only Europe, but the whole world.
Photograph: DOI/Pierre Sammut