On 1 January 2017, Malta took over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, marking the first time Malta has held the Presidency since they joined the EU in 2004. In 2009, the Lisbon Treaty established a system whereby a trio of Member States consecutively hold the Presidency, working together on long-term goals and agreeing on a common agenda over the course of 18 months, with each country preparing its own detailed six-month programme. The Maltese Presidency is the final phase of the current trio, having been preceded by the Netherlands and Slovakia.

Maltese Presidency Briefing

On Wednesday, 25 January 2017, European Movement Ireland held its 11th Presidency Briefing. Malta’s Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Norman Hamilton, and the Minister for European Affairs, Data Protection and the EU Digital Single Market, Dara Murphy TD, were in attendance to provide an overview and discuss Malta’s priorities for the Presidency as well as Ireland’s current relations with the EU.

Ambassador Hamilton acknowledged that Malta has taken over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU at a time of “make or break” for the Union. The Ambassador said that Malta hopes to make a meaningful contribution to the EU over the course of their Presidency and that in order to face the many current challenges, Europe must be smart, more dynamic and more inclusive.

Minister Murphy praised Malta’s excellent programme of work that addresses the crises facing the EU. He said he was particularly pleased to endorse Malta’s focus on completing the European Single Market, in particular the Digital Single Market and he assured Ambassador Hamilton of Ireland’s support in this area.

Presidency Priorities

Malta has stated that their ultimate goal while holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU is to bring the EU closer to the people. In his address to European Movement Ireland, Ambassador Hamilton said that there is no room for complacency, and that the Maltese Presidency hopes to encourage vigorous debate on the issues that challenge the very existence of the Union and to help citizens see the value of the EU.

Malta has set out six priorities that they hope to address over the course of the six-month Presidency as follows:

Migration

Malta intends to push for the “swift implementation” of measures already agreed on migration and will support the establishment of a fully-fledged EU asylum agency “as a means of sharing the burden more fairly”. Reform of the Dublin Regulation, which determines which EU Member State is responsible for assessing asylum applications, will also be undertaken. Malta intends to focus on the so-called compacts-agreements with African countries that aim to improve the management of migration to Europe by addressing the root causes of irregular migration.

Security

Malta plans to drive better management of the EU’s external borders, a new system of travel information and better cooperation between Member States on criminal justice. The Maltese Presidency hopes to address regional and global challenges while upholding the values that underpin the very existence of the Union.

Single Market

One of Malta’s highest priorities will be the deepening of the European Single Market. This will include pushing for more EU legislation to address the challenges faced by SMEs and consumers, and the end of roaming charges. At European Movement Ireland’s Presidency Briefing, Ambassador Hamilton said that developing the Digital Single Market and the Energy Union in particular would provide tangible benefits to the economy, businesses and families across Europe.

Social Dimension

Malta hopes to extend the EU’s social dimension with efforts towards gender equality and non-discrimination of minorities. Malta sees fostering a progressive approach to social inclusion in the labour market as an issue of great importance.

Neighbourhood Policy

In terms of EU neighbourhood policy, Malta intends to focus on countries to the south of the EU, and more specifically on efforts to stabilise Libya and the further democratisation of Tunisia. Malta also believes that the EU should try to cooperate with Russia on regional and global challenges, as well as with Turkey in order to manage migration, while also staying firm on EU values.

Maritime Sector

Given Europe’s increasing dependence on the sea and that Malta is an island nation heavily dependent on the maritime sector, greater importance will be given to the Blue Growth strategy. This strategy refers to economic growth in the maritime sector, driven by innovative research and commercial activities developed into opportunities for work.

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