Abortion Travel Access ‘Deeply Concerning’ Says Life Network Malta

Yesterday, the European Commission said that member states may use existing EU funds to support access to safe abortion services.

This follows a citizen’s initiative that gathered more than 1.1 million signatures.

In response, Life Network Malta said that these developments are ‘deeply concerning.’

‘It demonstrates that there is no unified agreement that the EU should formally and explicitly support cross-border abortion’, a statement reads.

‘Such a move would effectively reshape the purpose of EU financial instruments without proper democratic consensus.’

Life Network Malta said that the European Social Fund was established to ‘promote employment, social inclusion and support for people in vulnerable situations. It was not created to subsidise abortion services or cross-border abortion travel.’

‘Rather than allocating public funds to facilitate abortion across borders, European institutions and national governments could invest in comprehensive support for pregnant women in difficult circumstances including improved maternity care, financial assistance, counselling, and practical support that ensures no woman feels that abortion is her only option.’

In its response to the campaign, the EU Commission did not propose a new funding mechanism, saying that health policy remains a national competence.

#MaltaDaily