🇲🇹 🇬🇧 It was a pleasure to welcome UK Ambassador to the EU, Dame Caroline Wilson, to Dar Malta on Monday. 🤝 A fruitful exchange with Ambassador Neil Kerr on strengthening #Malta–#UK ties and the wider #EU–#UK partnership for a more competitive, secure and resilient Europe. 🇪🇺 @CWilson_FCDO @neil_kerr

📢 HAPPENING NOW: 🇪🇺 #EU Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers are meeting today (26 Oct) for the first day of the #AGRIFISH Council in Luxembourg 🇪🇺 🇲🇹 Minister for #Agriculture and #Fisheries Anton Refalo is representing #Malta. On the Agenda: 👩‍🌾 Post-2027 common agricultural policy #CAP 🎣 #BalticSea fish catch limits for 2027 📈 #Trade-related issues @AntonRefalo

🇲🇹🇪🇺 What does it take to represent Malta at the EU negotiating table? And how can you build a career at the heart of Europe? 🎓 🔍 These were just some of the questions explored by a group of students from Savio College, who joined us last Wednesday (14 October) at Dar Malta for a behind-the-scenes look at Malta’s Permanent Representation to the EU. 🤝 Welcomed by our Chef de Cabinet Joe Spiteri and our Spokesperson Nestor Laiviera, the students discovered how the Representation works, how EU decisions are shaped and how Malta’s interests are represented in Brussels. 💼 Our Staffing Attaché Matthew Borg also introduced the students to the many career opportunities available within the EU institutions, offering insights into the different pathways to working in European affairs. 🗣️ The students then had the opportunity to meet our Attachés working on Defence (Rodianne Spiteri), Environment (Duncan Borg) and Financial Services (Tamara Chetcuti), hearing first-hand about their daily work, the issues currently being negotiated and what it takes to represent Malta at EU level. 👏 A big thank you to the students from Savio College for their curiosity, enthusiasm and engaging questions. We hope the visit offered a glimpse into the many opportunities to contribute to Malta’s future in Europe. 🇲🇹🇪🇺

🇲🇹🇪🇺 The EU’s next long-term budget must protect the interests of Maltese and Gozitan citizens, support economic growth and recognise the realities of smaller Member States. 📍 This was a key message delivered by Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela last week (15-16 Oct) at the European Council #EUCO in #Brussels, where EU Leaders discussed the 2028–2034 EU budget #MFF, #competitiveness, energy, Ukraine, the Middle East, migration and enlargement. 💶 On the future EU budget, Prime Minister Abela called for strong #Cohesion Policy funding that allows all Member States to continue advancing, and argued that cohesion policy remains an important #competitiveness tool. He also called for concrete solutions for Malta’s agriculture sector that reflects the sector’s realities , while reiterating Malta’s opposition to new EU taxes. 🤝 Ahead of the Summit, Dr Abela joined representatives of 16 other Member States that consider cohesion policy a priority. During the meeting, Member States agreed to call for an ambitious, balanced and fair budget that protects the interests of #citizens. ⚡ On #Energy, the Prime Minister highlighted Malta’s particular challenges as an island, calling for flexible EU approaches that enable Member States to continue supporting households and businesses – especially small and medium sized businesses - while also pursuing #climate objectives. 🌍 On the #MiddleEast, Malta stressed the importance for the EU to continue working with international partners towards humanitarian access, respect for international law and a two-state solution, alongside stronger regional cooperation to safeguard #maritime routes, supply chains and #food security. 🇺🇦 On #Ukraine, Dr Abela expressed concern over #Russia’s attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, and condemned recent attacks on Maltese-flagged vessels, stressing that commercial shipping and civilian crews must never be targeted. 🛡️ On #Migration, Malta called for effective implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and welcomed the proposed European Emergency Response Framework that takes into account maritime borders challenges, and for stronger action against human smuggling networks, while calling for closer cooperation with third countries to increase effective returns and reduce irregular arrivals. At the beginning of Day 2 of the EUCO, the Prime Minister also participated in a Leaders’ meeting focused on #migration, where closer cooperation on solutions to common challenges was discussed, in the presence of the European Commission. 🇪🇺 On #Enlargement, Malta reaffirmed that progress towards EU membership must remain based on each candidate country's individual merits and achievements. More info: gov.mt/en/Government/DOI/Pre… @RobertAbela_MT

Malta’s Minister for Social Policy and the Family, Michael Falzon noted the role of #AI in the development of quality #jobs, but warned that AI will never replace real #human understanding, compassion, or #empathy, all of which are fundamental to our society. The Minister was speaking at the #Employment, #SocialPolicy, #Health and #Consumer Affairs Council #EPSCO on Monday 19 October in #Luxembourg. Together with other EU Ministers, Minister Falzon tackled issues such as quality employment, equal #opportunities and #socialinclusion. 💼 A key topic was the forthcoming #QualityJobsAct, which aims to promote quality employment and a competitive, inclusive labour market, striking a balance among technological change and healthy workplaces. 🤝 Ministers also discussed how to turn opportunities into tangible improvements in people’s daily lives. 🇲🇹 Malta underlined that #equality is not only a social imperative, but also a driver of economic #growth and #competitiveness, ensuring everyone can participate fully in society and the #labour market. 🏠 Ministers also reached agreement on measures to prevent #homelessness and inadequate #housing, with particular attention to vulnerable people and those at risk of social exclusion. 🇲🇹 During the Council, Minister Falzon stressed the importance of ensuring that support reaches those who need it most, underlining that “A competitive Europe must also be a social Europe.” @DrFalzon

🎥WATCH 🇲🇹 #Malta Malta’s Minister for Social Policy and the Family, Michael Falzon ahead of today's Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council #EPSCO in #Luxembourg 🇪🇺 🤝 Minister Falzon highlighted the importance of the upcoming #QualityJobsAct, tackling #homelessness and promoting #SocialInclusion. On the agenda today: 💼 The #QualityJobsAct 🏠 Fighting housing exclusion, including #homelessness ⚖️ #Equality as a driver for economic growth and #competitiveness @DrFalzon

🎙️ WATCH ▶️ Speaking on the sidelines of Day 1 of the European Council #EUCO yesterday, 🇲🇹 #Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted the importance of safeguarding strong EU funding for #Cohesion Policy in the Union's next #MFF long-term budget for 2028–2034 🇪🇺 🤝 The Prime Minister underlined the shared commitment of 17 EU Like-Minded Member States to stand united in ensuring that #Cohesion Policy continues to support all Member States across #Europe, regardless of their size or circumstances. 💶 While supporting efforts to reach an agreement on the next EU #Budget by December 2026, he stressed that this must not come at the expense of Cohesion Policy 🤝 @RobertAbela_MT @MaltaGov

🇲🇹 #Malta stands with other like-minded Member States in calling for stronger safeguards for the EU’s #maritime and #aviation sectors 🤝 📍Earlier this week, #Environment and #Energy Minister Miriam Dalli joined other EU Ministers in calling for the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System #ETS to safeguard Europe's #competitiveness 🇪🇺 🌿 Minister Dalli attended the Environment #ENVI Council on Monday (13 Oct) in #Luxembourg, where Ministers met to discuss the proposed review of the ETS, as well as the upcoming United Nations Climate Change #COP31 Summit, and the #Biodiversity #COP17 Summit. 🏭 During discussions, Minister Dalli expressed Malta's support for the ETS as a strong, effective European system as a key tool to reduce emissions and achieve the European Union's common climate goals. 🌳 However, she stressed that the revised framework must remain predictable while ensuring that all Member States have a practical and realistic pathway towards decarbonisation. ⚓️✈️ #Maritime #transport and #aviation are essential for Malta as a small island state, as they underpin connectivity, the supply of essential goods and the functioning of the economy 🔄 ⚖️ The Minister therefore called for the revised ETS to reflect these realities, warning that climate measures should not undermine the competitiveness of countries that rely heavily on these sectors. 🌐 Minister Dalli also emphasised that tackling #climatechange and safeguarding economic competitiveness must go hand in hand, while European #climate policies should reflect the different circumstances of Member States. More Info gov.mt/en/Government/DOI/Pre… @DrMiriamDalli

🇲🇹 #Malta Foreign and European Affairs Minister Chris Fearne raised warnings of the impact of the escalation of the conflict in the #MiddleEast on #Mediterranean #shipping and #trade 🛳️ 📍Minister Fearne was speaking on Monday (12 Oct) in Luxembroug, where he represented Malta during the Foreign Affairs Council #FAC 🇪🇺 📝 During the Council, Ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East, #enlargement, and #Russia’s war of aggression against #Ukraine. 🚢 Speaking to EU counterparts, Minister stressed that disruptions to shipping in the Strait of #Hormuz, together with threats to commercial shipping routes through the #RedSea and the #SuezCanal, are a serious concern for southern European countries. ⚠️ “Any disruption to these #shipping routes could have a direct impact on trade and our economy. It is therefore in Malta’s interest to ensure that these routes remain open and secure.”- Minister Fearne. ⚓ Malta also supported calls to strengthen naval protection for commercial vessels in the Red Sea. 🛡️ The Minister stressed that Malta’s neutrality does not prevent it from safeguarding its maritime and economic interests, while continuing to support diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region. 🇵🇸 On Palestine, Minister Fearne reiterated support for a Two-State solution, and expressed concern over settler violence, the expansion of West Bank settlements, and the lack of progress on the Gaza Peace Plan. 🗳️ The Minister also urged Palestinian Authority to bring forward elections, and avoid delays that would affect democratic renewal and the representation of the Palestinian people. 🇺🇦 During an exchange of views on Ukraine, Minister Fearne also welcomed discussions on a possible ceasefire, particularly as winter approaches 🕊️ More Info 👉 gov.mt/en/Government/DOI/Pre… @chrisfearne

🇲🇹 Malta called for stronger #EU financial markets built on fair rules, effective oversight and a meaningful role for national authorities💶 🔐 This was a key priority underlined by #Malta's Finance Minister Clyde Caruana during the recent #Eurogroup and Economic and Financial Council #ECOFIN meetings held in #Luxembourg last week (8-9 October). 🇪🇺 💶 During the Eurogroup, Ministers discussed how to make it easier for Europeans to save and invest their money through the Savings and Investments Union #SIU, such as by making investing more accessible and helping people plan for #retirement. 🤝EU Ministers stressed that EU and national efforts should work together, and that progress should be measured by how much new #investment they generate. ⚡ Ministers also discussed energy markets and measures to protect vulnerable households and businesses from rising costs, and agreed on the importance of temporary, targeted, and tailored support, alongside more longer-term efforts into Europe’s energy security and autonomy. 📈 The following day at #ECOFIN, Ministers agreed on a common approach to make European financial markets work better, making it easier for businesses to access investment and helping the EU remain competitive. 🇲🇹 Malta supported the agreement reached, and argued that stronger European cooperation must go hand in hand with fair rules, effective supervision and a meaningful role for national authorities. 🤝 Malta also called for clear and predictable funding for the European Securities and Markets Authority #ESMA, the EU authority overseeing financial markets, and urged Ministers to preserve these safeguards in upcoming negotiations.

🎥WATCH 🇲🇹 #Malta #Energy and #Environment Minister Miriam Dalli ahead of today's Environment Affairs Council #ENVI in #Luxembourg 🇪🇺 🤝 Minister Dalli called for a revised #ETS that reflects the realities of all Member States while balancing #climate ambition with #competitiveness. On the agenda this morning: 🏭debate on the #ETS Review package 🌍 Council conclusions on #climate change ahead of #COP31 in #Antalya 🇹🇷 #COP31 @DrMiriamDalli