Welcoming the new Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta

Courtesy visits by Mr Lorenzo Vella as he embarks on his new role

The Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta visits SEM and Europe Direct Valletta

On July 12, the recently appointed Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta, Lorenzo Vella paid a courtesy visit to Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM) and Europe Direct Valletta.

During his visit, Mr Vella had the opportunity to meet with SEM CEO Ms Denise Fiorentino where they discussed the Agency’s work in the past year and how the Agency and the European Commission Representation in Malta will continue to work together, particularly in the run-up to the European Parliament Elections and Malta’s 20-year EU accession anniversary in 2024.

Mr Joe Sciberras, the Head of Communications and Outreach and Europe Direct Manager, presented Mr Vella with a detailed account of the work that has been carried out by Europe Direct Valletta since 2018 to inform citizens about the EU. A set of the books published by Europe Direct Vella and SEM over the past years were presented to the Head of the European Commission Representation who commended the excellent work being undertaken to bring the EU closer to citizens through different methods.

Mr Lorenzo Vella thanked SEM and Europe Direct Valletta for the work they have been undertaking to communicate the EU better to citizens. He also remarked on the good working relationship between the Agency and the European Commission Representation and looks forward to continuing strengthening their efforts in the coming years.

Ms Denise Fiorentino concluded by wishing Mr Vella success in his new role and highlighted the Agency’s commitment to continue working with the European Commission Representation to continue communicating the EU to citizens.

Network of Networks meeting
On July 13, SEM and Europe Direct Valletta brought together EU-related national contact points and information providers in Malta, to welcome the recently appointed Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta.

This was the second Network of Networks meeting of this year, bringing together EU information providers and national contact points to strengthen collaboration in the provision of several different EU related services to EU citizens in Malta.

Mr Lorenzo Vella introduced himself to the network and emphasised the importance of such services through which the EU has a direct impact in the daily lives of citizens. He also remarked on the importance of collaboration in the run-up to next year’s 20th anniversary since Malta’s accession to the EU and in following-up on the Von der Leyen State of the Union speech later this year.

Mr Mario Sammut, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Malta then took the floor to also welcome Mr Vella to the new role. He also remarked on the importance of promotion that needs to be undertaken by the entire network in the run-up to the 2024 European Parliament Elections, while also looking forward to collaborating with the European Commission Representation in Malta and the EU Information providers in this regard and on other fronts.

The meeting then continued with a roundtable introduction of the entities present. Participants hailed from the following entities: Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta, Europe Direct Valletta, Europe Direct CORE Platform, European Parliament Liaison Office in Malta (EPLO), European Commission Representation Malta, Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST), European Documentation Centre at the University of Malta, EU Programmes Agency (EUPA), Strategy & Implementation Division, SOLVIT Malta, European Consumers Centre (ECC Net), Entitlement Unit – Ministry for Health and Creative Europe Desk Malta.

Mr Vella thanked all those present for their work and contribution to reaping the benefits of EU membership in our country, while also acknowledging the importance of such a network for continuous collaboration.