On Monday 21 November, Maltese Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech, unveiled the country’s main priorities and the logo for its presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 January to 30 June 2017.
Grech provided details about each of the six priorities announced on Tuesday 15 November 2016 by Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat (see EUROPE 11669). When it comes to migration, the main objective will be rapid implementation of measures already decided upon at EU level. A fair sharing of the burden of migration among member states will be of prime importance.
For the Single Market, the Maltese Presidency wants to focus mostly on digital issues including the ending of roaming charges within the EU. In terms of security, Grech said the key issue would be fighting terrorism, particularly after the horrible attacks over the past twelve months. Better control of non-EU passport holders entering and leaving the EU would need to be carried out at the EU’s external borders.
On the question of social inclusion, the main challenges will be protecting minorities, fighting sexist violence and improving access to the labour market for women. Stabilisation of the conflicts in Libya and Syria and the peace process talks between Israel and the Palestinians will be the priorities for neighbourhood policy. The Maltese Presidency’s maritime priorities will focus on sustainability and development.
New-look Maltese cross as Presidency logo
For the Maltese Presidency’s logo, Louis Grech announced that of the 29 proposals submitted by the Maltese Institute of Art and Design (MCAST), a Maltese cross design by Alexia Muscat was selected. this cross was originally a Christian symbol whose eight white points represented truth, faith, repentance, humility, justice, mercy, sincerity and endurance, against a red background. Alexia Muscat has made a multicoloured version of the cross pointing in all directions, symbolising Malta’s position vis-à-vis the rest of the world, explained the Maltese deputy prime minister. (Original version in French by Thomas Régnier)