The Minister for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto, Louis Grech, said today that the 60th anniversary of the European Union, which will coincide with Malta's Presidency, will provide the Member States with an opportunity to reconnect the Union to its citizens.
He made this statement in welcoming an EU delegation headed by Mr Alexander Italianer, Secretary General of the European Commission, and Mr Martin Selmayr, Head of President Juncker's Cabinet, which is visiting Malta to coordinate the work between the Commission and the Maltese Government leading to Malta's Presidency in 2017.
The Commission delegation agreed that, after the multiple crises that the Union has had to face in recent years, Malta's Presidency will offer an opportunity to re-launch the European project with the citizens at its core and a social dimension to complement the work done on economic policies. "The 60th Anniversary will add a symbolic dimension," added Mr Selmayr.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the Union's economic dimension should be complemented by a strong social vision. Malta wants to focus on the problems of poverty and social inequality. In the next two years, the Maltese Government will announce major initiatives on this. Mr Italianer agreed that the social dimension should feature prominently, so much so that a public consultation on the pillar of social rights is taking place right now.
In reply to remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister regarding the need that the Union regains credibility with its citizens, both Mr Italianer and Mr Selmayr stated that by concentrating on a number of specific objectives, the Juncker Commission has been able to keep the Union's programme on track in spite of the crises and avoid an implementation deficit.
Mr Grech highlighted the continuing migration crises and asserted that this is a European issue that goes beyond solidarity. Mr. Italianer agreed and said it is determined to approach the renewed wave of migration in the central Mediterranean by a more active and coordinated programme of action, part of which will be presented next week. Mr Selmayr added that President Juncker, like Malta, is strongly pushing for the full implementation of the Action Plan agreed in the Valletta Summit in November 2015.
The Deputy Prime Minister and the EU delegation exchanged views about the further development of the Economic and Monetary Union. Mr Grech and the Commission touched upon a number of other priorities for the Malta Presidency including the Multi Financial Framework, the launch of the discussion on the Union's Own Resources, the Single Market, the Digital Single Market, and the Energy Union.
Parliamentary Secretary Dr Ian Borg said that Malta is very much aware of the challenges of the Presidency but is convinced that Malta can meet its challenges and contribute to the Union's future. Dr Borg briefed the Commission delegation about Malta's preparations in various areas.
The two sides exchanged views on the question of the UK's membership of the European Union, in particular Malta's role in implementing the package agreed between the Union and the U.K. last February to preserve the U.K.'s membership, or in addressing the various issues arising from Brexit.
The prospect of a settlement of the long-standing issue of Cypriot re-unification was also a topic of discussion. The improved prospects for this were discussed, and Malta will work closely with the Commission in trying to conclude the process.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/1XolcQ3
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