Public Dialogue on the Programme and Priorities of the French Presidency of the EU Council

Hosted by SEM and the Embassy of the Republic of France to Malta

The Ambassador of the Republic of France to Malta, Agnès von der Mühll presented the programme and priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU at an online public discussion hosted by Servizzi Ewropej F’Malta and the Embassy of the Republic of France to Malta.

CEO of SEM Mandy Falzon hosted the discussion with Ambassador von der Mühll, the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Evarist Bartolo, and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Carmelo Abela. Attending this discussion virtually were representatives of diplomatic missions in Malta and abroad, civil society representatives, government officials and members of the public.

During the discussion, the main topics discussed were the European Union in a globalised world and championing a citizen-centred Europe, within the context of the EU’s goals to combating climate change and its recovery plan from the effects of the pandemic.

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo, stated that in view of the current political climate within the European region and beyond, the EU can no longer be a by-stander and it should be an active participant in regional and global affairs. The Minister highlighted that this also a priority for the Presidency and commended French President Emmanuel Macron for representing the EU’s interests in talks with Russia and the Ukraine, respectively, during a time of heightened tensions.

On the role of the European Union in a globalised world, Minister Bartolo expressed that while the EU should be ambitious and push for its values, it must also be sensitive to the realities of the neighbourhoods and regions that it is dealing with. This is necessary for the EU to be able to tackle massive issues such as the climate crisis on a global scale. In addressing one of the priorities of the European Green Deal, that of an Energy Transition from a fossil fuel to renewable energy, the Minister cautioned that in regions where the socio-economic structure is based on fossil fuels, the EU must manage this transition with the greatest care.

Separate from its ambitions for the EU as a global player, one of the main priorities of the French Presidency is to achieve a humane Europe that is citizen centred. When presenting the programme of the presidency, the French Ambassador emphasised that the priority of the French presidency is to actively engage with and listen to its citizens. The Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela added that this the right time for the French Presidency to achieve this ambition through the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Minister Abela remarked that May 9 will be an opportunity for the French Presidency to present a report of the suggestions and outcomes of the Conference and put forward a declaration to continue these citizen-led discussions on the future of Europe beyond May. Having said this, the Minister also raised his concerns on how the EU and its institutions will proceed with the recommendations and suggestions drawn up from the Conference. Minister Abela hopes that the from these discussions the EU will be able to take on a balanced approach and put forward concrete conclusions that are built on the value of solidarity.

Ministers Bartolo and Abela expressed their hopes that the EU will continue to place the interests and concerns of its citizens as a priority when moving forward. This has been the EU’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and should be the way forward by placing the welfare of its citizens and by championing solidarity between Member States above regulatory requirements.

In her concluding remarks, the French Ambassador Agnès von der Mühll stated that the EU must continue to defend its interests and values of solidarity and unity in Europe and beyond, while also striving to make the EU as a model that is not only economically competitive but also socially just and environmentally conscious.