Malta should not be blamed for bad reputation in Europe due to bad government decisions, said Maltese MEP Therese Comodini Cachia.
She said that when the Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Konrad Mizzi will appear in front of the committee of the European Parliament, specifically set up to investigate the scandal Panama papers, "will have to explain why he chose to open a secret company in Panama."
She said that, he will also explain how he happened to be the only Minister of a European Union country involved in the scandal, adding "it beats me how the office of Mossack Fonseca was raided but the Police in Malta say there is no scope for investigation."
Therese Comodini Cachia was replying to questions during a conference on the occasion of the second year work in the European Parliament.
Comodini Cachia said that had the Prime Minister opted to fire Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri he would have sent a clear message to the European Union that Malta is adamantly against these kind of scandals.
She explained the intention of the European Parliamentary committee on the Panama papers in investigating whether the European Commission adequately supervised adherence to EU directives and regulations by the Member States towards effective implementation.
About Barts investment in Gozo, she said that her worries are a differentiation among patients, that is, those who will pay and the Maltese who are entitled to free healthcare. She referred to a letter sent to doctors encouraging them to teach in the school or participate in the school board, adding that, remuneration will not be paid by Barts but through another source.
Replying to a query on Leo Brincat's nomination to the ECA, Comodini Therese Cachia explained that PN MEPs are ready to help him, however, it will be up to him ultimately to convince that he is the best candidate for the post.
"It is unfortunate that whenever a candidate selected by our Prime Minister fails the grilling, there are negative repercussions on Malta's reputation."
She stressed that Malta cannot afford having another nominee for a post in a European institution sent home. She cautioned that Leo Brincat needs to explain why he voted in favour of Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri after the scandal of the Panama papers.
Comodini Cachia remarked that the Labour government is not making a distinction between good and bad investments. She referred to the American Institute which was initially hyped as a university which will not bring added value to education in Malta.
With regards to the possibility that the UK would leave the European Union, Comodini Cachia said that the British must understand it is not possible to solve international problems such as terrorism and climate change alone.
She said that these problems could only be addressed effectively through mutual cooperation among member states, meaning that while it is not just in the interest of other countries including Malta to have the United Kingdom as EU member, but also within its own self-interest.
On the current state of affairs concerning immigration, Comodini Cachia explained how the six Maltese members of the European Parliament work together to counteract another immigration crisis in Malta in full respect towards human rights.
She stressed that the European Union should help third countries to cope with a large influx of immigrants they receive on a daily basis at source.
"We need to remember that countries like Jordan and Turkey welcome millions of immigrants. We have the duty to ensure that their conditions are good otherwise it is unavoidable to spread further such crisis towards Europe."
Comodini Cachia emphasised that although Turkey has a fundamental role in this, it is unacceptable to trade accession to the European Union, especially when much remains to be done in adhering to the criteria required especially in protecting human rights.