Decisive times for Europe

As the shadow of the presidential election in France looms large over the European political debate, the French presidency of the Council of the European Union kicked off on New Year’s Day. The setting makes for a rather short scenario with a slightly political tinge but it may not necessarily be enough to meet the hype in expectations.

After all, the presidency is one of just one of the institutions and lasts six months. What is certain is that the French presidency will fuel necessary decisive discussions about our immediate to long-term future among Europeans, which, hopefully, lead to fruitful outcomes. A presidency built on the key words ‘recovery, strength, belonging’.

Ambitious targets: the French set ambitious targets for the coming six months. Notwithstanding the tumultuous times, the political, policy and legislative milestones envisaged have a clear factor: the consolidation of the EU as a major stakeholder in global affairs, its emancipation as a power broker and the assertion of its role as a leader in climate action. Binding the preceding goals together is one central theme to this presidency – sovereignty or, more practically, what the French are referring-to as ‘self-sufficiency’.

Last year’s anxiety for the importation of medical products and the current stress caused by fuel prices due to higher global demand, among other issues, underline Europe’s necessity to lay out a plan to ensure what the French like to refer to as ‘strategic autonomy’ or, more simply, Europe’s capacity to act, be it in health, industry, energy and other sectors.

There is no common definition or vision of what constitutes ‘strategic autonomy’ among member states. There is, however, a very ambitious vision for more European integration which President Emanuel Marcon set out in his well-known Sorbonne speech. These targets are coupled with more action to strengthen the rule of law in member states.

The future of Europe: historically, it is a major crisis which drives European integration, most recently manifested in the Next Generation Europe which laid out a solid platform for all to recover and instill resilience. At its core is the debt mutualisation that Macron called for in Sorbonne.

Another project called for by Macron is the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is due to conclude during the French presidency. Its impact can only be determined in time.

The Fit For 55 package represents an important step for Europe’s stance on climate as we seek to aggressively reduce emissions in the next eight years.

Notwithstanding the French desire to deliver it, this will not come without its obstacles as it will continue to put pressures on aviation and maritime, both dealt a serious blow by the pandemic.

The Carbon Border Tax, a pillar for the French presidency, will see taxes levied across Europe on the CO2 in certain imports in an attempt to generate monies for the implementation of the Green Deal.

While these ideas may sound good on paper, the devil is in the detail and we need to ensure that European competitiveness in a global market and Europe’s environmental awareness complement each other while leaving no on behind.

The French presidency is also intent on making progress on its desire to introduce a common corporate tax rate. Such policy now finds the comfort of over 100 states willing to discuss in more detail although with differing views on its implementation. Major players in the OECD have toyed with this idea for years and it has finally found fertile soil to grow.

The French presidency is also intent on making progress on its desire to introduce a common corporate tax rate.

Digital transformation: a capacity to act should not be resignation from leading in a world moving towards digital hyperconnectivity and technological transformations. On the contrary, Europe is a technological champion which must leverage its strengths by reinforcing its capacities and addressing its evolving vulnerabilities. Among other things this requires a supportive and future-proof regulatory and financial environment. Progress is foreseen in the French tenure at the helm of the EU when it comes to inducing the

regulation and taking the responsibility of digital platforms operating or giving services in Europe.

The migration challenge: we certainly subscribe to the presidency’s rationale that, in facing the migration challenge, the best response is a European response working hand in hand with countries of origin and transit. Migration cannot be controlled as long as Europe remains a beacon of hope, values and well-being but it can be better managed if the right instruments are in place externally and internally. It starts with giving people reasons not to risk their life and continues by undercutting the business model of smugglers. Once migrants arrive in the EU by land and sea, there must be mechanisms that ensure a balance of responsibility and solidarity that actually work on the ground.

The discussion on a minimum wage in Europe is set to move on to the next stage where both the Council and the European Parliament need to agree on a final text. It will not lead to a common minimum wage but it is intended to drive states which, like us, have a statutory minimum threshold and those which do not have such a threshold, to ensure a decent living and strengthen social dialogue in the industry.

Consolidating Europe’s place in the world also means a tall order in the diplomatic realm and this French presidency will be key in taking forward EU-UK relations, discussions on the Indo-Pacific region as well as with

Australia. An EU-Africa summit is also taking place in February. In terms of the common defense and security policy, the French presidency will also endeavor to contribute towards the endorsement of the European Strategic Compass by the European Council on March 24 and 25.

The high ambitions amid the global context make for a tangy sensation around the French presidency which has just started. As a country, we shall be present while hopeful for delivery of change that matters.

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Ready for 2022 and its challenges

We have entered 2022 with a list of challenges not limited to the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic which is raging throughout the whole of Europe and the rest of the world. Europe is classified by the World Health Organisation as now being the epicentre of the Omicron virus wave and Malta is not being spared this onslaught. It is thanks to a successful vaccination programme that, until now, has kept the number of people needing hospital care low than a year ago, even though numbers of infected people are very high.

The Covid-19 pandemic was just one big challenge that had to be faced by the Robert Abela administration since its inception in January 2020. It was thanks to the strong leadership and determination of Prime Minister Abela and a united government backing him that, despite these challenges, we still managed to achieve positive results and progress while also creating more wealth for Maltese and Gozitan families.

Being responsible for European Funds, we were faced with the challenge of achieving a satisfactory allocation of European Funds planned for 2021-2027. After a series of long and tough negotiations and amid a global pandemic, we succeeded in achieving a record allocation of €2.27bn in European Funds, for Malta. In the nearby future, these funds will be bearing fruit via numerous investments.

Just a few days prior to the Christmas break, we received the first payment of €41m from a grant of circa €320m as part of the European Recovery and Resilience Fund. This allocation is intended to boost and action our plan, a plan which was agreed upon and I had personally signed together with the respective counterpart, the European Commission.

During the first few weeks of this year, I will be coordinating and working with all relevant ministries on actioning the plan and reforms proposed and agreed upon with the European Commission. Some proposed reforms have already had significant progress while various other investment projects have already been laid out with preparatory work.

Our Recovery Plan focuses significantly on the environment, as reflected in the fact that 54% of all grants will be allocated to environmental projects including rendering public buildings more energy-efficient and introducing more incentives for the purchasing of electric vehicles. We are also investing in the building of more electric vehicles’ charging points and in replacing vehicles used in public service with electric ones with the same being introduced and applied to public transport vehicles. Another 27% of our expenditure from the Recovery and Resilience Fund will be allocated to projects related to digital economy, including strong investment in the digitilisation of our justice system.

In 2022, we also want to start other main projects including the building of a new ITS campus, the building of a new Blood, Tissue and Cell Centre and the creation of a landing facility in Bugibba to encourage more sea transport.

The new year will also bring about the fulfilment of several social measures announced during the Budget in October. This Budget strengthened our social framework even further via sustainable increases in pensions, social benefits, benefits for persons with special needs and with incentives favouring hard-working citizens, through measures such as reduced tax on overtime and more.

In addition, from 1 October, the free public transport measure will come into effect while university students also stand to gain from increased stipends.

We will continue to lead this country with courage and determination in order to safeguard the health of our people during this global pandemic, which has once again reared its ugly head.

While continuing to extend a helping hand to our businesses, we are also protecting our people by offering the booster vaccine, with the goal of achieving normality as soon as possible.

We are ready for 2022’s challenges, including the challenge of asking the people to reconfirm their confidence in our leadership once again. We must keep striving to achieve good results for our country. Our work will remain focused on creating wealth and ensuring that such wealth is accessible to all. We are determined to keep investing in our people and in achieving even more success for our country.

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LESTI GĦALL-ISFIDI TAS-SENA 2022

Fil-bidu ta’ Jannar tal-2020 l-Prim Ministru Robert Abela ħa t-tmun tat-tmexxija ta’ pajjiżna. Kienu żminijiet b’ċirkustanzi diffiċli. Waqt li kien qed jieħu l-ġurament tal-ħatra bdejna nisimgħu aħbarijiet dwar kif il-Coronavirus beda jinfirex fi bliet Ċiniżi u anke waslu l-ewwel każijiet fl-Ewropa u fl-Istati Uniti tal-Amerika. Minn dakinhar, l-istorja jafha kulħadd u d-dinja bdiet tħabbat wiċċha ma’ l-akbar kriżi li qatt kellha mit-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija ‘l hawn.

Kienet id-determinazzjoni u t-tmexxija soda tal-Prim Ministru u ta’ gvern sħiħ magħqud warajh, li minkejja dawn l-isfidi kbar rnexxielna fl-aħħar sentejn inkomplu mmexxu l-pajjiż ‘l quddiem, niksbu riżultati tajbin għall-pajjiżna u noħolqu aktar ġid b’riżq il-familji Maltin u Għawdxin.

Fil-qasam li ħdimt fih jien, dak tal-Fondi Ewropej, kellna l-isfida li niksbu għal pajjiżna mill-Unjoni Ewropea allokazzjoni finanzjarja sodisfaċenti għas-sebgħa snin 2021-2027. Wara negozjati twal u diffiċli u f’nofs pandemija irnexxielna niksbu għal pajjiżna allokazzjoni rekord ta’ €2.27 biljun ta’ Fondi Ewropej. Fix-xhur u s-snin li ġejjin se nibdew naraw il-frott tal-investimenti kbar li se nwettqu b’dawn il-fondi.

Ftit jiem jiem biss qabel il-Milied rċevejna l-ewwel pagament ta’ €41 miljun mill-għotja ta’ kważi €320 miljun mill-Fond Ewropew għal-Irkupru u r-Reżiljenza ħalli nagħtu spinta u nwettqu l-pjan tagħna li ffirmajt il-ftehim dwaru mal-Kummissjoni.

F’dawn l-ewwel ġimgħat tas-sena l-ġdida ħa nkun qed naħdem mal-Ministeri kollha biex nikkordinaw il-ħidma li trid issir biex il-proġetti u r-riformi kollha maqbula mal-Kummissjoni Ewropea nibdew inwettquhom fix-xhur li ġejjin. Hemm riformi li diġa sar ħafna xogħol fuqhom filwaqt li fuq diversi proġetti ta’ investiment sar ukoll xogħol preparatorju għat-twettieq tagħhom.

Il-Pjan ta’ Rkupru tagħna jagħti importanza kbira lill-ambjent u fil-fatt se ninvestu 54% tal-għotja kollha fi proġetti ambjentali fosthom biex binjiet pubbliċi jkunu aktar effiċjenti fl-użu tal-enerġija filwaqt li qed inżidu l-inċentivi għax-xiri ta’ karozzi elettriċi. Qed ninvestu wkoll biex isiru aktar charging points għall-karozzi elettriċi, nibdew nibdlu l-flotta tal-karozzi użati fis-servizz pubbliku għal dawk elettriċi u anke biex nibdew nibdlu l-karozzi tat-trasport pubbliku. Ippjanajna li 27% oħra tan-nefqa mill-għotja mill-Fond tal-Irkupru u Reziljenza tmur għal proġetti konnessi mal-qalba lejn ekonomija diġitali fosthom b’investiment qawwi biex issir diġitiliżazzjoni fis-sistema ġudizzjarja tagħna. Irridu din is-sena naraw ukoll il-bidu ta’ proġetti ewlenin oħra bħal dak tal-bini tal-kampus il-ġdid tal-ITS, il-bini taċ-Ċentru l-ġdid tad-demm u l-bini ta’ moll ġdid fl-inħawi ta’ Buġibba biex ninkoraġixxu aktar it-trasport bil-baħar.

Is-sena l-ġdida qegħda ġġib magħha wkoll it-twettieq ta’ bosta mill-miżuri soċjali li tħabbru fil-Budget ta’ Novembru li għadda. Dan kien budget li kompla jsaħħaħ il-qafas soċjali ta’ pajjiżna b’żidiet sostanzjali fil-pensjonijiet, fil-benefiċċji għar-romol u dawk bi bżonnijiet speċjali u aktar inċentivi favur in-nies bieżla, fosthom bi tnaqqis fit-taxxa fuq l-overtime u inċentivi oħra.

Din is-sena wkoll se naraw titwettaq il-miżura tat-trasport pubbliku b’xejn mill-1 ta’ Ottubru li ġej u anke żidiet fl-istipendji għall-istudenti universitarji.

Ħa nkomplu mmexxu l-pajjiżna bl-akbar kuraġġ u determinazzjoni biex nipproteġu s-saħħa tal-poplu tagħna mill-pandemija dinjija li reġgħet refgħet rasha fl-aħħar ġimgħat. Fl-istess waqt li qed inkomplu nestendu l-għajnuna lin-negozji milquta qegħdin ukoll noffru protezzjoni lill-poplu kollu billi nagħtuh l-opportunita jitlaqqam bil-boosters ħalli nkunu nistgħu ngħixu ħajja li tkun qrib in-normalita kemm jista’ jkun.

Ninsabu lesti għall-isfidi li qed toffrilna s-sena l-ġdida, l-2022, xejn inqas minnhom l-isfida li mmorru quddiem il-poplu tagħna u nerġgħu nitolbuh il-fiduċju ħalli nkomplu mmexxu l-pajjiż fiż-żmien li ġej. Irridu nibqgħu naħdmu b’saħħitna kollha biex inkomplu nagħmlu l-ġid lill-poplu tagħna. Ħidmitna se tibqa’ maħsuba biex f’pajjiżna jinħoloq il-ġid u dak il-ġid jasal għand kulħadd. Determinati li b’ħidmitna nibqgħu ninvestu fin-nies u nibqgħu niksbu suċċess għal pajjiżna.

 

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EU Funds for Resilience and Sustainability

The year could barely end on a better note as in the last days we have signed the agreement that enabled Malta receive the the first tranche of funds under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This first payment of €41 million which arrived on Friday, will enable our country to set in motion the plan that will consolidate our movement to a green and circular economy, accelerate our process of digitalisation, and enhance the social welfare we thrive on in the new year.

It is only a small part of a €320 million grant component resulting from long negotiations the Government of Malta had with the European Commission which dealt with our objectives and the necessary reforms to attain them. There were meaningful negotiations which ultimately meant the Maltese plan was readily approved.

It was hardly surprising that the European Commission described our national Recovery and Resilience Plan as environmentally ambitious. 54% of the investment emanating from our RRP are addressed towards environmental change. First and foremost directed towards the decarbonisation of road transport and wideranging initiatives of retrofitting in both public and private buildings.

The Recovery and Resilience Facility represents the greatest act of solidarity displayed among European Member States. It is the tool we have concertedly picked, to not only to fight adversity, but attempt to emerge stronger, both socially and economically, out of the largest shock ever experienced in peace time.

European funds are the most effective manner by which the Union is felt tangibly in every corner of the union. This year was no exception for our society as European funds assisted the local healthcare system when at times it was tested to its limit by an unprecedented public health crisis. For the near future, emphasis is laid onto quality primary healthcare in the community and a €33 million worth of European funds will shortly result into a regional hospital in the heart of Paola, endowing the southside of the island with fully-fletched medical services, including dentistry and mental healthcare.

Considering that after the replacement of heavy fuel oil in the generation of electric power, road transport remained the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Malta, determinate intervention was required in the country’s physical infrastructure to address congestion. European funds underpin the largest investment ever made in the Maltese road network in the form of the Marsa Junction, together with the Santa Lucia underpass, which in conjunction, facilitated traffic flow from and towards the south of the island. European funds also made possible the delivery of the Central Link project earlier this year, which is releasing the urban core of the island from stifling bottlenecks.

Sustainability is not equal exclusively to a better road network. Although a long road lies ahead to embed sustainability into the ordinary order of things, an initiative like Wied Fulija offers more than just a glimmer of good prospect. From a wasteland hosting no less than two billion kilograms of waste, diligent employment of European funds resulted in the site being converted into a beautiful family park, a green space rich in biodiversity.

Sustainability is very much related to self-sufficiency. The long spans of drought we experience and the shortage of freshwater are by now common knowledge. The risks this brings to our sustainability cannot be overstated. European funds lied behind this year’s inauguration of the new reverse osmosis in Gozo which

means that we are capitalising even more from our natural surroundings and turning geographical limitations into opportunities. It also means that the sister island is no longer dependent for its own water production.

Important consultations are underway to maximise the funds available for the local operators of our natural resources – farmers, producers and fishermen – the people whom indeed ensure our sustainability.

This year brought its own challenges but a mixture of sturdy negotiations, wide consultation and diligent administration, meant that European funds have helped to yield a healthier society looking towards a more sustainable future for the new year.

Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes for this festive season and the new year for all.

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JASAL MALTA L-EWWEL PAGAMENT TA’ €41 MILJUN MILL-FOND EWROPEW GĦALL-IRKUPRU U R-REŻILJENZA

Fl-aħħar jiem iffirmajt f’isem il-Gvern Malti il-ftehim finanzjarju li bih Malta ser tirċievi għotja ta’ ftit inqas minn €320 miljun mill-Fond Ewropew għall-Irkupru u r-Reżiljenza magħruf bħala Next Generation EU. Għan-naħa tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea iffirma l-Kummissarju għall-Ekonomija Paolo Gentiloni. Propju ftit jiem biss wara dan l-iffirmar, wasal Malta l-ewwel pagament ta’ €41 miljun minn dan il-fond bil-għan li pajjiżna jingħata dik l-ispinta meħtieġa biex jibda minnufih jimplimenta investimenti importanti u riformi li kien intlaħaq ftehim dwarhom bejn Malta u l-Kummissjoni Ewropea fix-xhur li għaddew.

Il-Pjan ta’ Malta għall-investimenti minn dan il-fond jinkludi nefqa ta’ madwar 54% mill-allokazzjoni ta’ Malta, f’inizjattivi ambjentali b’appoġġ għat-tranżizzjoni lejn l-ekonomija l-ħadra u ċirkulari u madwar 27% oħra tan-nefqa favur investimenti u riformi għat-tranżizzjoni diġitali. Investimenti u riformi oħra se jsiru skont il-Country Specific Recommendations għal Malta li saru mill-Kummissjoni Ewropea.

Mill-Pjan kollu għall-Irkupru u r-Reżiljenza, €189 miljun se jintefqu biex jindirizzaw inizjattivi favur enerġija nadifa, b’investimenti fir-rinnovar ta’ bini pubbliku u bini kummerċjali tal-privat biex jużaw inqas enerġija. Se jsiru aktar skemi biex il-karozzi tas-servizz pubbliku, il-karozzi tal-privat u anke l-karozzi tat-trasport pubbliku ikunu jaħdmu bl-elettriku biex jonqsu l-emmissjonijiet.

Nefqa ta’ €55 miljun sejra għall-qasam diġitali favur ekonomija diġitali, intelliġenti u reżiljenti. Qed tiġi ppjanata nefqa oħra ta’ €50 miljun biex is-sistema tas-saħħa tkun aktar reżiljenti u nefqa ta’ €41 miljun biex jinbena kampus ġdid għall-ITS u b’hekk inkunu qed inkomplu nsaħħu l-edukazzjoni vokazzjonali fil-pajjiż. Qegħda tiġi allokata nefqa ta’ €10 miljuni biex issir id-diġitiliżazzjoni tal-Qrati filwaqt li ħa jkomplu jingħataw spinta ‘l quddiem ir-riformi meħtieġa biex tissaħħaħ il-governanza fil-pajjiż.

Bil-wasla ta’ dan il-pagament imxejna pass iehor importanti lejn l-implimentazzjoni ta’ dan il-pjan għaliex issa se jiskattaw il-proċessi kollha marbuta mal-implimentazzjoni kemm tal-inizjattivi kif ukoll tar-riformi kollha li ntlaħaq ftehim dwarhom mal-Kummissjoni Ewropea.

Qed inħares il-quddiem biex flimkien mal-ministeri kollha involuti fit-twettieq ta’ dan il-pjan, jittieħdu dawk l-azzjonijiet kollha meħtieġa u jkollna investimenti u inizjattivi li se jkunu żgur ta’ gid ghall-poplu Malti. Dan il-pjan se jwassal biex ikollna bidla lejn ekonomija aktar hadra, ekonomija aktar diġitali, investiment fil-qasam tal-edukazzjoni, fis-saħħa u f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam ma’ governanza. Dan huwa x-xogħol importanti li jrid isir  mhux biss għall-irkupru tal-ekonomija ta’ pajjiżna iżda wkoll biex jintlaħqu miri importanti li jridu jitwettqu fiz-zmien li ġej.

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Baġit li jilħaq il-miri nazzjonali u Ewropej tagħna

“B’dawn il-fondi, se nkunu qed ninvestu fl-ikbar riżorsa tagħna: il-bniedem.”

Ftit kienu dawk li ma nnutawx li l-baġit li ppreżentajna iktar kmieni dil-ġimgħa kien wieħed soċjalment, ambjentalment, u ekonomikament ġust. Dan il-baġit, ispirat mill-prinċipji tagħna, jindika bl-iktar mod ċar fejn irridu mmorru fis-snin li ġejjin, u allura, dak il-pajjiż li rridu nħallu lil uliedna.

Baġit ta’ dan it-tip ma jsirx kif ġieb u laħaq: huwa l-frott ta’ xhur ta’ ħidma u konsultazzjoni. Fuq livell Ewropew, nista’ nikkonferma li ħdimna qatigħ biex akkwistajna l-fondi neċessarji biex l-għanijiet tagħna nkunu nistgħu nilħquhom. In-negozjati tagħna ġewwa Brussell taw il-frott, b’allokazzjoni rekord ta’ €2.27 biljun, li se jiġu maqsuma fuq is-sitt snin li ġejjin.

Minn dawn il-fondi, ghadna kemm ksibna l-approvazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea u tal-Kunsill tal-Ministri għall-Affarijiet Ekonomiċi u Finanzjarji biex ninvestu għotja ta’ madwar €320 miljun ta’ Fondi Ewropej fil-Pjan tagħna għall-Irkupru u r-Reżiljenza. Waqt laqgħa tal-ECOFIN li għaliha kont preżenti fil-Lussemburgu kont sodisfatt bir-reazzjoni ta’ Ministri Ewropej għall-fatt li l-pjan tagħna huwa wieħed mill-aktar b’inizjattivi ambjentali minn fost dawk kollha li tressqu mill-Istati Membri. Dan kien konfermat ukoll mill-istess President tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea, Ursula Von Der Leyen li ftit ġimgħat ilu kienet ukoll fostna.

Ma kienx faċli li niksbu dan l-appoġġ għall-pjani tagħna, iżda kkonvinċejna, għaliex ippreżentajna pjan ta’ modernizzazzjoni u diġitalizzazzjoni li hu sostenibbli, u li se jwassal għat-titjib tal-kwalità tal-ħajja tagħna fil-prattika.

B’dawn il-fondi, se nkunu qed ninvestu fl-ikbar riżorsa tagħna: il-bniedem. Ser inniedu inizjattivi biex innaqqsu n-numru ta’ żgħażagħ li jagħżlu li ma jkomplux bl-edukazzjoni tagħhom, kif ukoll biex noffru opportunitajiet ta’ taħriġ u ta’ titjib tal-ħiliet tal-ħaddiema tagħna.

Qed ninvestu wkoll f’saħħet il-bniedem, billi niddedikaw fondi Ewropej għat-tlestija ta’ sptar ġdid speċjalizzat fuq il-mard mentali akut, u l-bini ta’ ċentru ġdid tad-demm, ċelloli, u tessuti, li se jkomplu jelevaw is-servizz ta’ saħħa li nagħtu lil kulħadd bi dritt.

Bħala Gvern, qed niffukaw fuq element kruċjali: dak li noħolqu pajjiż li tieħu gost tgħix fih. Dan qed nagħmluh b’investiment fi spazji ħodor ġodda, b’mod speċjali fiż-żoni urbani tagħna, flimkien ma’ diversi proġetti biex innaqqsu t-tniġġis ta’ madwarna. L-iskola primarja tal-Imsida, ser tkun xempju tal-aqwa prattiċi f’dan il-qasam, għaliex se tkun binjaħielsa mill-emmissjonijiet tal-karbonju b’mod kważi assolut. Se ninvestu fondi Ewropej biex jinxtraw aktar karozzi elettriċi u biex jinbnew charging pillars mal-pajjiż kollu. Se jinbena moll ġdid għall-irmiġġ f’San Pawl il-Baħar biex inħeġġu aktar l-użu ta’ trasport alternattiv.

Qed inħeġġu lill-intrapriżi lokali biex jibdu l-mudelli ekonomiċi tagħhom għal mudelli iktar diġitali u ambjentalment sostenibbli, għaliex nafu l-impatt tal-emissjonijiet ta’ korporazzjonijiet u negozji. B’għajnuna ta’ diversi fondi Ewropej, se nkunu qed ngħinu lil dawn in-negozji mhux biss jikbru, iżda jikbru mingħajr ma jagħmlu ħsara lill-bqija tas-soċjetà.

Fuq livell nazzjonali, l-Gvern ukoll qed jinvesti konsiderevolment biex jibdel u jimmodernizza l-istrutturi interni tiegħu u l-infrastruttura nazzjonali. Il-fondi Ewropej se jkunu qed jassistu d-diġitalizzazzjoni tar-reġistru marittimu, settur li pajjiżna jaħdem qatigħ fih. Se nkunu qed nimplimentaw il-proġett tax-shore-to-ship, li diġà qed jitwettaq fil-Port il-Kbir, ġewwa l-Port il-Ħieles ukoll, u b’hekk inkomplu nsaħħu l-ambjent ta’ Birżebbuġa u l-madwar. Dawn huma proġetti massiċċi li se nibqgħu ngawdu l-benefiċċji tagħhom tul is-snin li ġejjin.

Dak hu s-sabiħ ta’ baġit imfassal għas-soċjetà sħiħa: se nkunu qed nimplimentaw viżjoni fit-tul, li ser televa u tgħin lil kulħadd, mingħajr distinzjoni.

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FONDI EWROPEJ GĦAS-SOSTENN TA’ BUDGET AMBJENTALI U SOĊJALI

Ftit tal-ġimgħat ilu lqajna fostna lill-President tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea Ursulu Von der Leyen u dakinhar kienet iddeskriviet il-Pjan ta’ Rkupru u Reżiljenza li ressqet Malta bħala l-aktar pjan ambjentali minn fost il-pjani tal-Istati Membri kollha tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Il-Budget għas-sena d-dieħla li ressaq nhar it-Tnejn li għadda l-Ministru tal-Finanzi Clyde Caruana jkompli jikkonferma l-impenn tal-Gvern Laburista favur l-ambjent. Huwa ħabbar għadd kbir ta’ inizjattivi ambjentali kollha mmirati biex nilħqu l-miri tagħna u tal-Unjoni Ewropea għat-tnaqqis fl-emmissjonijiet minħabba t-tibdil fil-klima u anke biex il-poplu tagħna jgħix f’ambjent aħjar u sostenibbli.

“Is-sena li għaddiet irnexxielna niksbu l-allokazzjoni rekord ta’ €2.27 biljun mill-Unjoni Ewropea għas-snin 2021-2027.”

Is-sena li għaddiet irnexxielna niksbu l-allokazzjoni rekord ta’ €2.27 biljun mill-Unjoni Ewropea għas-snin 2021-2027. Minnhom għandna €320 miljun f’għotja diretta, iddedikati għall-Pjan tagħna għall-Irkupru u r-Reżiljenza li ftit tal-jiem ilu ingħata l-aħħar approvazzjoni uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea waqt laqgħa tal-Kunsill tal-Ministri għall-Affarijiet Ekonomiċi u Finanzjarji, li għaliha kont preżenti fil-Lussemburgu. Fi ftit ġimgħat oħra għandu jasal pajjiżna l-ewwel pagament ta’ €41 miljun minn dawn il-Fondi biex nibdew nimplimentaw il-pjan tagħna li 54% tiegħu huma iddedikati għall-ambjent.

Huwa bis-saħħa ta’ dawn il-fondi flimkien ma’ fondi programmi oħra tal-Unjoni Ewropea u fondi maħruġa mill-gvern li se nkunu qed inwettqu il-parti l-kbira tal-inizjattivi ambjentali li tħabbru nhar it-Tnejn fil-budget għas-sena d-dieħla.

Fost dawn il-proġetti insibu l-isforzi tal-gvern biex innaqqsu kemm jista’ jkun it-tniġġiż ikkaġunat mit-trasport.  Il-miżura li żżid is-sussidju fuq ix-xiri tal-karozzi elettriċi sa massimu ta’ €12,000 hija intiża biex aktar nies jitħajjru jibdlu l-karozzi tagħhom għal dawk elettriċi jew plug-in hybrid. Hemm diversi inċentivi dwar il-karozzi elettriċi marbutin mal-ħelsien mil-ħlasijiet tat-taxxa tar-reġistrazzjoni ta’ dawn il-karozzi. Fondi Ewropej se jkunu qed jgħinu wkoll fl-istallazzjoni ta’ 1,200 charging pillar madwar il-pajjiż kollu biex ikun aktar faċli għas-sidien tal-vetturi elettriċi biex jiċċarġjawhom.

Anke l-miżura biex it-trasport pubbliku jsir b’xejn għall-Maltin u l-Għawdxin b’seħħ mill-1 ta’ Ottubru tas-sena d-dieħla għandha titqies bħala inizjattiva oħra ambjentali għaliex dan jista’ jwassal għal tnaqqis fl-użu tal-karozzi privati. B’żieda ma’ dan, se jkomplu l-isforzi tal-Gvern biex jintużaw mezzi alternattivi ta’ trasport, fosthom dak bil-baħar u għal dan il-għan se jinbena moll ġdid fl-inħawi ta’ San Pawl il-Baħar li permezz tiegħu jkun jista’ jibda servizz ġdid ta’ trasport bejn din il-lokalita u postijiet oħra.

Issemma wkoll fid-diskors tal-budget xogħlijiet li se jsiru f’diversi skejjel. Insemmi hawn bħala eżempju l-bini mill-ġdid tal-Iskola Primarja tal-Imsida li permezz ta’ Fondi Ewropej se tkun kampjun ta’ skola li tkun kważi ħielsa għal kollox mill-emmissjonijiet tal-karbonju. Xogħlijiet fi skejjel oħra se jsiru bil-għan li dawn jaħdmu b’aktar effiċjenza fl-użu tal-enerġija.

Mhux fil-qasam ambjentali biss il-Fondi Ewropej se jkunu ta’ sostenn għall-budget tas-sena d-dieħla. Issemma ħafna l-emfasi li jeħtieġ isir fuq it-tagħlim u t-taħriġ għaż-żgħażagħ tagħna biex ikomplu jitgħallmu jew jitħarrġu wara li jagħlqu s-sittax-il sena. Hemm imbagħad diversi inizjattivi biex pajjiżna jkompli miexi fid-direzzjoni lejn il-qalba diġitali bi proġetti bħal dak tad-diġitaliżazzjoni tar-Reġistru Marittimu. Fil-qasam tas-saħħa Fondi Ewropej se jkunu iddedikati għall-bini ta’ Sptar għall-mard mentali akut u għall-bini ta’ Ċentru ġdid tad-Demm, Ċelluli u Tissues li jkun wieħed ta’ l-ogħla livell.

Il-Budget għas-sena d-dieħla huwa wieħed b’viżjoni ċara ta’ kif dan il-gvern irid imexxi lil pajjiżna ‘l quddiem. Qed jurina t-triq kif se ngħollu l-livell tal-għajxien tal-poplu tagħna, kif ikollna pajjiż li jirrispetta u jtejjeb l-ambjent li qed ngħixu fih. Ressaqna viżjoni li tieħu ħsieb lil dawk li ħadmu qabilna, lill-pensjonanti tagħna, li jgħin lid-dgħajjef iqum fuq saqajh. Huwa budget li tfassal min-nies, għan-nies li wera tassew x’inhu l-pajjiż li rridu nħallu lil uliedna.

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Funding long-term change

“A happy, healthy society requires a pleasant environment. We know that the greening of our environment – and economy – can only occur through a collaborative effort with all players, public or private.”

Last Monday, with the presentation in Parliament of Budget 2022,  we revealed our goals and ambitions for a modern, sustainable, and socially just Malta. We promised a budget that would shape the sort of country we want to create for our children, an

d that is what we delivered.

As Parliamentary Secretary for European funds, it was particularly satisfying to finally share this comprehensive vision, which will in so many aspects be supported by European Union funding, achieved through careful planning and intense negotiations in Brussels.

In fact, presentation of this budget came just seven days after Malta’s Recovery and Resilience Plan received it’s final approval from the European Union Council of Ministers for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) for which I was prese

nt in Luxembourg. This ambitious plan, which includes 17 investment projects and 30 reforms will be financed through a grant of about €320 million of European Union Funds. A substantial number of projects included in our Recovery and Resilience Plan feature in last week’s Budget speech.

The coming seven years will enjoy the largest allocation in our history as EU Member States – 2.27 billion Euro

– which will be put to good use in a myriad sectors, and which will reach and impact the lives of thousands, as indicated during this week’s budget speech.

I was particularly pleased to observe the feedback on the allocation of EU funding towards the well-being of our soc

iety. The completion of a new hospital for acute psychiatric care will provide specialised, quality care to those in need, and shows our commitment towards mental health. A new Blood Bank, which will not only collect donations, but also process and store stem cells and tissues, will also serve to elevate our health services.

A happy, healthy society requires a pleasant environment. We know that the greening of our environment – and economy – can only occur through a collaborative effort with all players, public or private. We are providing businesses with strong incentives to go green, and to prosper sustainably. The budget is also nudging individuals to transition to cleaner modes of transport and energy, with considerable grants for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and heavy investment in their infrastructure, including the installation of charging points across the islands.  It is also envisaged that a new landing facility will be built in St. Paul’s Bay to encourage alternative use of transport. A new nearly-carbon neutral school will also be built in Msida.

Government will also play its part in the necessary transition to a green and digital way of life. EU funding will also be assisting in the digitising of our maritime registry, which will be increasing our efficiency, and boosting our reputation in this international sector. The shore-to-ship project, currently underway at Grand Harbour, will now be extended to the Freeport, which will result in a literal breath of fresh air to Birżebbuġa’s residents and neighbouring towns.

European Union funds will also be directed towards our education system with the aim of reaching today’s young generation and encourage them to continue in their education pathway or else be trained in the new skills that a green and digital econo

my will require in the very near future.  The importance of training, up-skilling and re-skilling of our workforce was in fact a major theme in this year’s budget speech.

 

Despite the challenges of the past year, Government has delivered a comprehensive, social budget, which will sustain our communities for years to come. That is the mark of a truly social-democrat and progressive administration.

 

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Budget b’ruħ soċjali u ambjentali b’sostenn ta’ Fondi Ewropej

Il-budget li tressaq ġimgħa ilu fil-Parlament mill-Ministru tal-Finanzi u x-Xogħol Clyde Caruana huwa wieħed li juri tassew il-kuxjenza soċjali tal-Gvern Laburista u faċilment nistgħu insejħulu bħala l-aktar budget soċjalment ġust li tressaq għall-approvazzjoni tal-Parlament. Mal-aspett soċjali tal-budget ta’ din is-sena żdiedet ukoll id-dimensjoni ambjentali li ingħatat ukoll importanza kbira għaliex mingħajr l-ebda dubju, l-ambjent li ngħixu fih huwa kontributur ewlieni lejn l-aqwa kwalita tal-ħajja li rridu li jkollu l-poplu tagħna.

Id-diskors tal-budget kien miżgħud b’inizjattivi u proġetti li se jgħinu bil-bosta lill-aktar setturi vulnerabbli tas-soċjeta li qed ngħixu fiha u fl-istess waqt jagħti spinta kbira ‘l quddiem lejn l-isforzi ta’ pajjiżna biex jilħaq miri ambjentali importanti li aħna kommessi li nilħqu, jiġifieri dak li nnaqqsu drastikament l-emmissjonijiet tal-karbonju. Dan ukoll huwa importanti ħafna għal pajjiżna biex mhux biss inkunu fid-direzzjoni ta’ dak li qed titlob l-Unjoni Ewropea, jiġifieri li l-Ewropa tkun ħielsa mill-emmissjonijiet sas-sena 2050 iżda wkoll għaliex nemmnu fil-ħtieġa li żgħar kemm aħna żgħar, pajjiżna wkoll irid jagħti sehmu biex jitreġġa’ lura il-fenomenu tat-tibdil fil-klima li wara kollox, jista’ wkoll ikun ta’ theddida għall-pajjiżna u l-poplu tagħna.

F’dak li huwa l-qasam soċjali, mingħajr dubju l-pensjonanti qegħdin ikomplu jiġu mgħejjuna. Għas-seba’ sena konsekuttiva ingħataw żieda fil-pensjoni tagħhom li hija ferm aktar minn dik mogħtija lil kulħadd. Barra minn hekk ser titnaqqas ukoll it-taxxa għal dawk il-pensjoni li jiddeċiedu li jibqgħu jagħtu sehmhom fid-dinja tax-xogħol. Fost aktar miżuri soċjali mħabbra fid-diskors tal-budget insibu ż-żieda fl-għajnuna supplimentari lill-pensjonanti u aġġustament ieħor fil-pensjoni tar-romol. Dawk l-anzjani li ma jikkwalifikawx għall-pensjoni kontributorja se jaraw ukoll żieda sostanzjali fil-pensjoni tagħhom. L-anzjani li huma intitolati għall-għajnuna supplimentari u li għandhom ‘l fuq minn 80 sena se jkunu intitolati għall-mediċini b’xejn mingħajr il-ħtieġa tat-test tal-mezzi.

Anke għal dawk l-anzjani li jibqgħu jgħixu fil-kommunita bl-għajnuna tal-carer, l-allowance għalihom se tkun qed tiżdied b’€1,000 oħra fis-sena. Hemm ukoll żieda sostanzjali fl-allowance għat-tfal b’diżabilita u minn din il-miżura biss se jgawdu mal-1,700 familja.

Il-Fondi Ewropej se jkunu ta’ sostenn importanti għall-budget ta’ din is-sena. Diversi inizjattivi ambjentali mħabbra jistgħu ikunu ffinanzjati mill-Pjan għall-Irkupru u r-Reżiljenza li jinkludi investimenti u riformi li se jlaħħqu it-€345 miljun. Dawn jinkludu l-inċentivi fiskali li tħabbru biex in-nies ikunu mħajjra jixtru karozzi elettriċi jew hybrid filwaqt li fondi Ewropej se jintużaw ukoll biex jinbnew charging pillars mal-pajjiż kollu. Thabbar ukoll ir-rinovar f’binjiet pubbliċi biex dawn jibdew jaħdmu b’aktar effiċjenza fl-użu tal-enerġija filwaqt qed ikun ippjanat il-bini ta’ skola ġdida fl-Imsida li se sservi bħala mudell ta’ kif jistgħu jibnew l-iskejjel li jkunu kważi ħielsa għal kollox mill-emmissjonijiet.

Se nkomplu ninkoraġġixxu wkoll l-użu ta’ mezzi alternattivi ta’ trasport, u Fondi Ewropej se jintużaw biex jinbena post ġdid ta’ irmiġġ f’San Pawl il-Baħar. Biex inkomplu nnaqqsu l-inkonvenjent għan-nies ta’ Birżebbuġa se jinbeda wkoll il-proġett Shore-to-Ship fil-Freeport biex il-bastimenti li jitrakkaw hemmhekk jieħdu l-provista tal-elettriku tagħhom mill-grid nazzjonali u b’hekk ikunu jistgħu jitfu l-magni u jonqsu l-emmissjonijiet.

Se nkunu nistgħu nagħmlu użu mill-Fondi Ewropej anke biex inħarrġu aktar liż-żgħażagħ tagħna fil-ħiliet ġodda meħtieġa għall-bidla lejn ekonomija diġitali li pajjiżna jrid ikompli jgħaddi minnha fix-xhur u s-snin li ġejjin. Irridu li ferm aktar żgħażagħ ikomplu jistudjaw jew jitħarrġu wara li jagħlqu s-16-il sena. Anke fil-qasam tas-saħħa se ngħinu b’Fondi Ewropej biex jinbena l-isptar ġdid għall-mard mentali akut u anke l-Blood, Tissue and Cell Centre, ċentru tad-demm bl-aqwa teknoloġija li se jkun ukoll ċentru ta’ riċerka f’dan il-qasam.

Meta wieħed jifli sewwa l-miżuri u proġetti mħabbra fil-budget għas-sena d-dieħla ma jistax ma jkunx konvint li dan kien tassew eżerċizzju qawwi ta’ ġustizzja soċjali u kuxjenza ambjentali li Gvern soċjali demokratiku u progressiv biss jista’ joffri lill-poplu tagħna. Kburi li għal dan il-pjan ta’ miżuri u investimenti, se nkunu qed nikkontribwixxu wkoll b’Fondi Ewropej biex ikollna Malta li aħna rridu għal uliedna.

 

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The State of the Union

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi – Parliamentary Secretary for Euroepan Funds at the Office of the Prime Minister

On many levels the State of the Union address delivered by the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, was invigorating. First because on a European level she conveyed a sense of optimism for the future which wasn’t only symbolic. Secondly because Von der Leyen took the time to explicitly praise the reforms delivered in Malta’s justice system and which raised the democratic credentials and the stature of the Rule of Law in Malta.

The latter is no small feat in a European context whereby democratic values and the Rule of Law, as expounded in the State of the Union address, do play and will play an increasingly central role in the operation of the Union as it looks to tie them closely to the roll out of Cohesion and the rest of the European Funds – a development which the vast majority of the Maltese would welcome as shown by a recent poll.

It is stimulating therefore, to note that the efforts employed by the State of Malta are acknowledged on the international spectrum as they earn us a good repute.

It is equally stimulating to note that notwithstanding its size, with 90% of our population fully vaccinated our country contributed to a successful European roll out of the vaccine to fight the health crisis, which means that 72% of European population is now vaccinated. Moreoever, with hundreds of millions of doses in hand, Europe will prove its global leadership role in practice and ensure that vaccines reach every corner of the world.

In this light the Commission President underlined unity and collegiality as the cornerstones of Europe’s response. The message was clear: “When we act together we get better results in less time.” This chimes with the Maltese continued emphasis in European institutions on concerted efforts over unilateral action.

The Next Generation EU is a fundamental instrument that will fuel this sense of optimism for the future. It will be the driving force behind the necessary reforms in many a member state and it will enable the acceleration of a green economy and industry and the digital transformation. Such transitions are so crucial to our subsistence, sustainability and competitiveness. In a digital world they are also becoming deeply connected to our ability to generate decent employment opportunities for those who form part  of the present workforce and those who will join it shortly. We are bound to make sure we will bring about opportunities which guarantee acceptable income, but also a positive, sustainable and a good quality of life.

Better general economic and social conditions cannot be kept entirely distinct from a discussion on migration which emerged as an important theme in the Commission President’s address. Legal migration pathways to able, skilled or unskilled workers, are essential to sustain the the needs and the goals of an ageing European population, Malta included.

Von der Leyen pronounced the EU’s alarm on Climate Change and how the Union led the globe in turning Climate aims into legal commitments. Malta is in step in this climate action as we are actively pursuing our aim of becoming a climate neutral State, following the ideal by planning to channel the lion’s share of resources emanating from the Recovery and Resilience Facility to decarbonise and electrify transport, promoting alternative modes of transport, retrofitting private and public buildings, supporting clean energy initiatives and accelerating our development of a circular economy. Our plan was this week, not only approved by the European Commission but also lauded as one of the greenest of all European plans, by Von der Leyen herself, during her first official visit to Malta.

The State of the Union address by the President of the European Commission was a timely reminder that the Union as a bloc has what it takes to withstand adversity and not only survive but adopt a decisive global leadership role. It was also a timely sign for our country that the course we are onto is positive and our efforts are promising and convincing.

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