Tag: European Union
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The Labour Party twice lied about the EU’s Fiscal Forecast
The Labour Party has lied twice this week about the EU’s fiscal forecast on Malta. As explained here, the forecast is based on the Labour government’s pre-election fiscal estimates. The EU fiscal forecast does not include the newly pledged €0.5 billion expenditure in subsidies for next year. When the press asked Finance Minister Clyde Caruana…
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What does the fiscal forecast actually say? It says that the Labour government has changed its forecast
Yesterday, the Labour Party and Nationalist Party Leaders Robert Abela and Alex Borg held their first public debate on the public broadcaster. It was hosted by the Prime Minister’s own propagandist Saviour Balzan and there is no recording of it online. There are snippets and press reports about it and one of the most noteworthy…
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President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Maia Sandou conferred with European Order of Merit
During a European Parliament session in Strasbourg, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Moldovan President Maia Sandu were conferred with the newly established European Order of Merit, one of the European Union’s highest civilian distinctions recognising contributions to European integration and European values. Former Polish President and Solidarity leader Lech WaÅ‚Ä™sa, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel…
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EU removes sanctions on Syria’s Ministry of Defence: External aid to align with strategic priorities
Earlier today, the European Foreign Council held its meeting in Brussels and discussed the a series of topics including foreign development and humanitarian aid, Iran, Syria and the EU Global Gateway. The EU is set to redraw its external aid programmes along with its strategic priorities. High Representative Kaja Kallas highlighted that the EU is…
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Maltese officers leave Lebanon as UNIFIL mission comes to an end: EU wants to extend it
Armed Forces of Malta officers participating in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have travelled to Ireland ahead of their return to Malta as the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon comes to an end in December this year. The Maltese officers had been serving as part of the Irish-led…
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Mario Draghi bestowed with Charlemagne Prize
Former European Central Bank President and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi was awarded the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize earlier today in Aachen, Germany, one of Europe’s highest political honours recognising contributions to European unity and integration. During his acceptance speech, Draghi delivered what has increasingly become his characteristic pro-European message: a warning that Europe…
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First disbursement of EU loan to Ukraine in June: EU considering contributing mission to UNIFIL
Earlier today, EU Defence Ministers meeting at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels discussed the possibility of sending an EU mission with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate expires at the end of 2026. EU ministers expressed support for extending UNIFIL’s mandate while also discussing the possibility of the EU contributing…
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EU approves new sanctions against the Iranian regime and Israeli settlers
During an EU Foreign and Defence Council meeting earlier today, Ministers agreed on new sanctions against the Iranian regime and Israeli settlers. Sanctions against the Iranian regime relate to its entities and individuals currently impeding safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as the EU reiterated for the full opening of the strait and for…
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European Parliament President pushes back against Ilham Aliyev’s rant: “The European Parliament is elected democratically” – Roberta Metsola
Earlier today at the European Political Community Summit, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola delivered a pointed defence of the European Parliament’s democratic legitimacy against comments by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. President Metsola underscored that the European Parliament is composed of directly elected representatives from across the European Union, stressing that its members are accountable to…
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EU Commission releases statement marking World Press Freedom Day despite lack of enforcement with EU Media Freedom Directive
The EU Commission has released a statement commemorating World Press Freedom Day World Press Freedom Day, stating its commitment to protect journalists and independent media, even as enforcement of the European Media Freedom Act remains non-existent and mostly untested in member states such as Malta. In a statement issued by the High Representative on behalf…
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European Parliament to have greater legislative role: Parliament pushes for European taxes and bigger budget
Under a new agreement signed yesterday by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, the European Parliament is set to to have a more active and important role in the European legislative process. Among the new changes that will be implemented the European Parliament will received international treaties before…
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European Union lays down legislative plan for up to 2027: One Europe, One Market
Earlier today at the informal EU Council meeting in Cyprus, the European Commission and the European Parliament agreed on the proposed legislative agenda that will be implemented up until 2027. The legislative plan is one of the most ambitious plans in EU history marking a major push towards global trade, major innovation and investments in…
