In exclusive comments to The Maltese Herald, Labour Party Member of the European Parliament Alex Agius Saliba stated that he is not opposed to increased investment in the Armed Forces of Malta.
When pressed on why he is still against the ReArm Europe scheme, he said that he is against “turning Europe into a military project” and he is against enforcing budget minimum requirements for defence spending. However, the ReArm Europe project makes no such obligations. Obligations on defence spending are only set to members of the NATO alliance. Alex Agius Saliba voted against ReArm Europe.
When asked on whether he thinks that Europe should have defences and military to defend itself from Russia he did not reply.
Alex Agius Saliba also pointed that he had condemned the attack on the humanitarian vessel, “Conscience”. However his comments were made exclusively to Times of Malta. We confirm that he never posted anything on his social media pages about the incident.
The Labour Party is holding internal discussions on neutrality and defence following Israel’s attack on “Conscience” just a few kilometres outside the Maltese coast.
Alex Agius Saliba can’t logically explain hsi vote against ReArm Europe if he is also in favour of “icnreased investment” in the Armed Forces of Malta.
This is the first time that Alex Agius Saliba is taking a public position in favour of increased defence spending following a political campaign accusing his political opponents and the President of the European Parliament of being “warmongers”.
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