PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS AND EQUALITY
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The success of the
reform of the Dublin Regulation on Migration is contingent on finding the right
balance between Member States’ responsibilities and solidarity. This should be
part of a comprehensive agreement incorporating all elements of the legislative
package on the asylum system reform.
These were the opening
remarks of Minister for European Affairs and Equality Edward Zammit Lewis while
addressing the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. In this context,
the Minister also reiterated the need for a mandatory relocation mechanism to
avoid the necessity of reaching unsustainable ad hoc solutions for the
relocation of migrants.
The General Affairs
Council also discussed the status of negotiations on the EU’s budget for the
next seven years, along with the strengthening of the rule of law.
Regarding the
Multiannual Financial Framework; which determines the EU’s budget for
2021-2027; Minister Zammit Lewis stressed the importance of reaching a fair
deal which respects the different specificities of member states and which
consolidates Malta’s socio-economic progress.
On the Commission’s
communication on rule of law in the EU, Minister Zammit Lewis said that Malta
welcomes the European Commission’s proposals, particularly the proposed
Periodic-Peer Review Mechanism. The minister held that such a mechanism would
contribute to a sustained rule-of-law culture within the EU. Nevertheless, Dr
Zammit Lewis warned that the effectiveness of such a mechanism hinged upon its
impartiality, objectivity, an evidence-based approach and an equal treatment
amongst all Member States.
In Brussels, Dr Zammit
Lewis also had several informal meetings with his counterparts. Accompanied by
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds and Social Dialogue Aaron Farrugia,
the Minister also met the European Commissioner for the EU Budget and Human
Resources, Gunther Oettinger, wherein all parties agreed on the importance of
respecting MFF deadlines.
The Minister for
European Affairs and Equality later paid a visit to the Permanent
Representation of Malta to the EU, where he urged all employees to continue to
protect Malta’s best interests in a professional and dignified manner. This is
particularly important within the context of the upcoming challenges and the
changes brought about by the new institutional cycle. In this regard, Dr Zammit
Lewis reiterated his pledge to strengthen Malta House by endowing the Permanent
Representation with the right resources to achieve the best results for Malta
while defending our position within the respective EU institutions.
