2016 will be a crucial year for the future of the European Union as Member States enter into negotiations following the request by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for a number of reforms in the EU.

A few days ago, the Italian and British foreign ministers, Paolo Gentiloni and Philip Hammond, wrote a joint op-ed in the British newspaper 'The Telegraph' arguing that "only by accommodating both federalists and free-traders will Europe be fit for the future."

"Italy and the UK agree on the need for a deep reform of the EU, simplifying its functioning, its procedures and its rules," they wrote. Such reforms would prepare the EU for "new international challenges," the op-ed states.

Within this context, MEUSAC, the Ministry for European Affairs and the European Commission Representation in Malta, will be organising a conference entitled 'From Rome to Lisbon and Beyond – The Old Continent, Young People and the future of the European Project.'

The keynote speaker will be Sandro Gozi, State Secretary for European Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister of Italy. Other speakers include the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs, Louis Grech.

This conference will be held on Tuesday, the 12th of January, 2016 at 6pm at the Auberge d'Aragon, Independence Square, Valletta.

Registrations will be accepted on info.meusac@gov.mt, by not later than Monday, the 11th of January 2016.

The Conference Programme is as below:

6.00pm – Opening address by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs, Louis Grech

6.10pm – Introductory remarks by the Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, Helena Dalli

6.20pm – Keynote speech by the State Secretary for European Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister of Italy, Sandro Gozi

6.50pm – Panel discussion

Luciano Busuttil, Chairperson of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Maltese House of Representatives

Clyde Caruana, Chairperson of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC)

Sandro Gozi, State Secretary for European Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister of Italy

Elena Grech, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta

Roberta Metsola, Member of the European Parliament and Shadow Minister for Foreign and European Affairs

Liva Vikmane, Member of the Executive Committee of the European Students Union (ESU)

Vanni Xuereb, Head MEUSAC – Moderator

7.50pm – Closing address by the Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Council Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, Ian Borg

8.00pm – Reception.

Permalink: From Rome to Lisbon and Beyond: The Future of the European Project