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Nationalist MP Peter Agius has written to Věra Jourová, the European Commission’s vice-president for values and transparency, saying the Maltese government has failed to cooperate with the Maltese judiciary’s investigation into the Vitals PPP scandal.
Right now he Calls on the Commission to take ‘concrete action’ So that it can “send a clear message and stand on the side of the Maltese people”.
“It is time for Europe to get tough with the Maltese government and realize that soft diplomacy will not bring us anywhere. The Maltese people see Europe as a shield for rights, but we often realize that this shield is not enough for the benefit of citizens,” Agius said.
“I therefore ask the European Commission to make its position clear and to stand by the Maltese people. The EU must defend the judiciary with facts from its member states, especially when national authorities do not cooperate.”
Agius said Malta needed to take more effective measures to ensure the judiciary was supported by public authorities in gathering evidence for corruption investigations. “This is in the interests of the Maltese and Gozo people who have been deceived by corrupt politicians at the expense of the sick and vulnerable,” Agius told Jourova.
The European Commission’s 2024 rule of law report is expected to be published in a few weeks. “He is convinced that the Maltese government is hiding the true situation in Malta, despite the fact that the government has submitted its opinion on this report,” he said.
Agius cited the Vitals investigative report which confirmed that Maltese government authorities were not cooperating with the Maltese judiciary.
“On the contrary, they are doing everything to obstruct the work of justice. Agius cited page 1004 of the investigation report, which noted how government authorities refused to give judges access to documents in corruption, fraud, bribery and money laundering cases involving politicians,” Agius said.
“This clearly demonstrates that political and legislative action is needed at the European level to stimulate a different attitude in Malta so that the rule of law can truly prevail and ensure that the taxes paid by citizens are spent properly.”
The European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law Report recommends that the Maltese government strengthen measures to address challenges related to the lengthy investigation times of high-level corruption cases.
Agius noted that the government has failed to implement this recommendation because it has hindered the work of the judiciary through its agencies, departments and officials in positions of trust. “This is unacceptable in a democratic country that is a member of the European Union.”
Agius listed fighting corruption as one of his six top priorities as a candidate for the European Parliament.
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