The Prime Minister Robert Abela emphasized the importance of economic resilience and connectivity in favor of member states such as Malta during an informal meeting of heads of State or Government in Budapest and which primarily dealt with the new pact on competitiveness for Europe.
The new pact that was discussed is based on the reports of Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta. While Prime Minister Abela pointed out his satisfaction that this pact is at the forefront of the European agenda, he also brought up a number of important themes in relation to the subject. Primarily, Dr Abela supported the importance of connectivity in favor of a more competitive Europe and how this is essential for small countries like Malta to access the global economy.
“As an island state that imports 70% of its needs, safe and efficient connectivity both by air and by sea is not only crucial but is even our lifeline. Therefore preserving the aviation and maritime sectors is essential,” said Dr Abela. The Prime Minister also reiterated how Covid-19 and the recent conflicts are crucial lessons for Europe and thus the importance of ensuring economic resilience. Dr. Abela asserted, “Strong resilience can be successfully achieved if we work together. The Draghi report marks a number of areas where the European Union can consider the joint procurement procedure. We saw during the pandemic how much this type of procedure facilitates logistics.”
Meanwhile, during the meeting the discussion on the situation in the Middle East continued. Here the Maltese Prime Minister, while reasserting that there should be a cease-fire and that peace should be reached by a solution between two states, reiterated that the European Union has a crucial role. “The Middle East demands all our attention. Together, we have the responsibility to stop suffering, advocate for stability and to work for a future where peace is not just an aspiration, but a reality.”
Photos: OPM
Send feedback
