Alfred Sant, Head of Labour Delegation at the European Parliament said that among the objectives that the Maltese presidency has set, that of giving importance to the EU’s Mediterranean dimension should be welcomed by all.

Dr Sant, speaking after Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat addressed the European Parliament on Malta’s priorities for the six-month rotating EU Presidency, said that while the Mediterranean has recently been relegated mostly to references in which it features as a theatre for immigration tragedies, it remains a neighbourhood which the EU shares with states whose medium to long term interests are bound to converge with those of the Union.

“These interests cover economic, political, social, cultural and security matters. Promoting an ongoing cohesive and collaborative approach towards cooperation in such areas should again be given full priority by the EU,” said Dr Sant.

He added, “the fact that our neighbours may be undergoing rapid transformations plus turmoil at present should not deter us from highlighting Mediterranean issues and proposing new ways forwards for cooperation.”

“Even if the Maltese Presidency only succeeds part way in achieving its objective to do so, the effort will have been well worth it,” said the MEP.

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