Malta continued to deliver a strong voice on various themes particularly those affecting the Mediterranean after the MED9 Summit, at the Meeting of the European Political Community and the Informal Meeting of European Leaders in Granada in Spain.
During Thursday and Friday, Prime Minister Robert Abela attended these meetings where at the European Political Community Meeting, the Prime Minister took part in a discussion related to energy, the environmental core and climate change.
While pointing out what has recently affected countries on the North African side, as well as the extreme temperatures and floods that have gripped the heart of the Mediterranean this summer, the Prime Minister noted what was discussed a week ago he has been in our country at the MED9 Summit and hinted at effective actions and adaptation to climate change. Regarding energy, the Prime Minister emphasized that countries should continue to explore the possibility of interconnections, especially in renewable energy projects between countries on the North African side and the EU.
He also reiterated the importance of investments in technologies, such as renewables from the wind at sea, and hinted at what was agreed in Malta, that the Mediterranean will be transformed into a center of clean energy. He continued that this leads to security of energy supply for the European continent, as well as contributing to de-carbonization efforts. “In our collective work, we need to find a balance between the environmental goals, the geographical circumstances and the realities we are facing, as we continue the journey towards the environmental core and adaptation to climate change “, said Prime Minister Robert Abela.
During the Informal Meeting of the Leaders of the Member States, the Prime Minister took part in discussions on the priorities for the coming years in preparation for the next strategic agenda of the European Union. The leaders continued to discuss migration and the enlargement of the European Union, among other topics.
During the discussion in preparation for the European Union Strategy, the Prime Minister mentioned some of the priorities that should be included in the new strategy, among which he mentioned how the work should continue in what concerns the Market Uniqueness and competitiveness, including when it comes to access to medicines and transport where there are still circumstances where certain countries such as Malta remain disadvantaged.
He also mentioned that during the MED9 meeting there was agreement that the dialogue with the countries of the Southern Neighborhood should be increased and he reiterated that there are many benefits that can be obtained from collaborations with these countries.
Regarding migration, the Prime Minister emphasized that the current situation is not sustainable and that the European Union must be more proactive. He made reference to the discussion on this subject during the MED9 meeting where the Leaders present discussed the common challenges they face due to irregular immigration and agreed that the Union should adopt the new Pact on Migration and the Asylum. The leaders also agreed to continue on the steps taken recently by the European Commission and continue the talks with third countries, in the same way they worked with Tunisia as a concrete example of the model they should follow.
“As we also agreed during the MED9 meeting, there is a need to rebuild our relationship with the southern Mediterranean. We want to help strengthen the capacities of our partners in order to increase surveillance at the borders and increase joint efforts to dismantle networks that facilitate the irregular entry of immigrants”, pointed out Prime Minister Abela, while he insisted on an asylum system that is fair and works, and that addresses the needs of all Member States that are under pressure.
