On Tuesday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs, Louis Grech, led Malta’s delegation at a meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels. The meeting was held to discuss both the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020 and to prepare for the European Council summit taking place tomorrow.

During discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework, the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union informed Ministers on the state of play in the discussions with the European Parliament.

The Irish Presidency has started trilogue discussions (involving the European Council, European Parliament and European Commission as the three main EU Institutions) in order to finalize the deal with the European Parliament (EP). The goal is to reach an agreement by the end of June.

Deputy Prime Minister Grech spoke about the importance of a timely agreement with the European Parliament. He also highlighted Malta’s opinion on the main issues being discussed between the Council and Parliament, the EP proposal for a mid-term compulsory review, and the concept of flexibility.

In this regard, he explained that Malta agrees to flexibility within the procedures for funds to be carried-over from one year to another. However, it was stressed that Malta is not in agreement with a compulsory review clause. “Malta is against more rules that hamper EU funds absorption.”

The Deputy Prime Minister argued that “this would create uncertainty to beneficiaries and businesses, particularly in the current climate and will severely hamper the implementation of programmes both financially and administratively whilst having a negative impact on public finances.”

The General Affairs Council also discussed energy and taxation issues in preparation for the upcoming European Council summit. On energy, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised the need to take into account the specificities of certain Member States, particularly those which are islands, in order to ensure security of supply and that no Member State remains isolated.

On taxation, the Deputy Prime Master highlighted the fact that tax fraud and tax evasion are also global in nature and therefore require global solutions.

The European Council will take place tomorrow and will be attended by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

On energy, the summit will assess progress in completing the internal energy market and developing interconnections so as to put an end to the energy isolation of Member States such as Malta.

Heads of State or Government will also focus on the need for investments and the diversification of Europe’s energy supply, as well as what can be done to reduce energy prices for consumers – a priority for the Maltese Government.

On taxation, the summit will build upon the Economic and Financial Affairs Council discussion of May 14th and focus on effective steps to combat tax fraud and evasion.

The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by Malta’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, Ambassador Marlene Bonnici, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for European Affairs Mr Paul Zahra.

Permalink: “Malta against more rules that hamper EU funds absorption”