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CAMPAING FOR NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE

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and against Malta's membership of the European Union

WE SWEAR TO FREE MALTA FROM THE SLAVERY, COLONIALISM AND DICTATORIAL ILLEGAL EUROPEAN UNION RULE

Press Conference by Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici

Chairman Campaign for National Independence CNI

CNI calls for a new referendum on EU membership

During a press conference held today Monday 23 April, 2007 at the CNI premises, Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonniċi, Chairman of the Campaign for National Independence CNI, said that the CNI is calling for a new referendum on membership in the European Union.

The former Labour Prime Minister and leader of the Campaign for National Independence CNI against membership in the EU Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici said the Maltese should be given a chance to say whether they want the country to pull out of the European Union.

Only 47% voted in favour of membership

Dr Mifsud Bonici argued that only 47% had voted in favour of membership of the European Union. 

At least 53% had rejected membership. Those who had voted against and those who had abstained from voting in the referendum.

He stated that the leaders of the three political parties who are now in favour of membership are ignoring the wishes of the majority who were against membership.  

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that there was growing local resentment towards the EU. 

The chairman of the Campaign for National Independence CNI - who had opposed Malta's accession to the EU - said that close to the third anniversary since Malta became a member of the EU, opposition towards membership was growing as different sections of the population felt "disillusioned and deceived".

Dr Mifsud Bonnici stated that the government would soon have no choice but to call a referendum in which people would vote for Malta to pull out of the EU.

In a previous press conference Dr Mifsud Bonnici as CNI leader had condemned the "pawning of public investments" during the Sea Malta liquidation in December 2005, arguing that this came about due to EU pressure on governments to liberalize services.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici continued to state that the opposition expressed by hunters and trappers as well as farmers reflected the resentment present across different sections of the population.

Since membership, the national airline and the shipyards were on the brink of closure while people were feeling the pinch of inflation and the burden of the EU's directives.  

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that membership did not even suit Malta financially. 

Although he had asked the government to give a full account of all the costs involved since Malta became a member of the EU, his request was refused.

However, according to the financial estimates published by the government, Malta was forking out Lm22 million plus each year. 

The situation would worsen when certain derogations expired and Malta would have to adopt other EU laws.

He indicated further costs which membership is imposing on Maltese citizens, such as the training of 40 police officers to fulfil Malta’s obligations arising from the Schengen Treaty.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici insisted that Malta's accession to the euro would not be an obstacle to pulling out of the EU since the Maltese could still continue trading in euros.