Rispett lejn kulħadd f’Soċjetà Inklussiva

 

Malta għamlet passi kbar ‘il quddiem fil-mixja tagħna lejn aktar drittijiet ċivili. Drittijiet li inksibu tul is-snin lejn aktar ugwaljanza bejn is-sessi u anke bejn persuni ta’ orjentazzjonijiet sesswali differenti. Fl-aħħar snin rajna bidliet kbar fil-liġijiet li taw drittijiet li qabel konna narawhom xi ħaġa li diffiċli biex niksbu. Drittijiet li ġabu magħhom bidliet importanti u li taw dinijità  lil min kien ilu jiġi emarġinat fis-soċjetà.

Dawn id-drittijiet jipproteġu persuni li sa ftit tas-snin ilu kienu qajla jesprimu min verament huma. Drittijiet li bidlu dak li kien ilu jseħħ fis-soċjetà tagħna, sitwazzjonijiet li kienu jwasslu biex issir pressjoni kbir fuq persuni fis-soċjetà li kien ikollhom jesprimu imħabbithom fil-moħbi.

L-unika darba li kien hemm bidla radikali fil-liġijiet tagħna fejn jidħlu drittijiet ta’ persuni omosesswali kien fis-snin sebgħin meta l-omosesswalità tneħħiet minn reat kriminali. Izda dik il-bidla kienet ferm ‘l bogħod minn dak li rnexxilna niksbu fl-aħħar snin..

Pajjiżna illum wasal ukoll fil-punt fejn għandna  ugwaljanza sħiħa fiż-żwieġ. Qed nirrikonoxxu forom differenti ta’ familji u ingħataw drittijiet li jipproteġu lil dawk kollha li jiddeċiedu li jgħixu f’dawn il-forom diversi ta’ familji.

Dawn huma passi importanti u meħtiega li jipproteġu d-diversità fis-soċjetà tagħna. Persuna tista’ tesprimi bl-aktar mod miftuħ min verament hi. Meta nħarsu lura minfejn tlaqna għal fejn ninsabu llum, mill-ewwel nintebħu kemm dawn il-bidliet huma radikali. Huma bidliet li pajjiżi oħra għadhom qed jaraw kif jimplimentaw. Mhux ta’ b’xejn li pajjiżna huwa meqjus bħala wieħed minn ta’ quddiemnett fid-drittijiet ċivili.

Għamilna wkoll bidliet li ġabu magħhom aktar ugwaljanza bejn is-sessi bil-għan li tinqata’ kemm huwa possibbli d-diskriminazzjoni bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel f’kull aspett tas-soċjeta. Żidna bil-bosta l-opportunitajiet lin-nisa biex jidħlu fid-dinja tax-xogħol billi pprovdejnilhom iċ-childcare b’xejn għat-tfal tal-familji Maltin u Għawdxin. Komplejna nsaħħu l-liġijiet tagħna kontra l-vjolenza domestika u anke ħadna passi b’tibdil kostituzzjonali biex titjieb ir-rappreżentanza femminili fl-ogħla istituzzjoni tal-pajjiż, il-Parlament. Rajna wkoll bosta nisa jingħataw ħatriet ta’ importanza fosthom fil-ġudikatura u l-istituzzjonijiet tal-pajjiż.

Għaddejna liġi ta’ tqis reat kriminali it-terapija li tipprova tbiddel  l-orjentazzjoni sesswali ta’ persuna u liġi oħra dwar l-identita tal-ġeneru li fost fost affarijiet oħra tagħti protezzjoni lil dawk li jkunu ddeċidew huma min rajhom li jidentifikaw ruħhom ma’ ġeneru sesswali u mhux ma’ ieħor

Imma l-fatt li għamilna dawn il-bidliet fil-liġijiet tagħna ifisser li wasalna jew fadal aktar x’nagħmlu? Nemmen li l-bidliet li wettaqna huma bidliet importanti ferm. Bidliet li kien ilhom mehtiega u li taw bidu ġdid lil bosta persuni fis-soċjetà tagħna. Imma minn dak li nosserva, minn ġrajjiet riċenti u minn kummenti li jiġu espressi b’mod partikolari fil-medja soċjali, huwa evidenti li fadal hafna aktar xi jsir.

Fadal ħtiega li nahdmu aktar biex mhux biss il-bidla fil-ligijiet u l-introduzzjoni ta’ drittijiet isseħħ fir-realtà, imma rridu nwasslu l-messaġġ ta’ bidla fil-mentalità. Bidla li twassal biex nirrispettaw aktar lil xulxin. Nistgħu nargumentaw kemm hemm bżonn fuq temi li forsi ma nkunux naqblu dwarhom imma għandu jkollna  r-rispett lejn kull persuna hi min hi, irrispettivament mill-orjentazzjoni sesswali tagħha u minn kull ħaġa ohra li tista’ tiddistingwi persuna minn oħra. Jeħtieġ li nkomplu naħdmu flimkien biex negħlbu preġudizzji li għad għandhom l-egħruq fis-soċjetà tagħna.

Nemmen li s-sena 2022 għandna niddedikawha biex inwasslu aktar il-messaġġ favur ir-rispett lejn xulxin. Dan ir-rispett lejn xulxin se jkollna bżonnu fix-xhur li ġejjin meta l-pajjiż se jgħaddi minn kampanja elettorali li trid tagħti l-opportunita lill-poplu tagħna jagħżel b’serenità lill-Gvern li jrid imexxih. Jeħtieġ li nwasslu dan il-messaġġ ta’ rispett lejn xulxin f’kull rokna tal-pajjiż biex ma nħallux tikber iż-żerriegħa tal-mibgħeda li tħalli konsegwenzi koroh fuq is-soċjetà kollha.

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Infasslu l-futur

It-tmexxija ta’ Robert Abela imbarkat fuq programm b’saħħtu ta’ riformi f’pajjiżna.

Is-sentejn ta’ tmexxija ta’ Robert Abela kienu karatterizzati minn deċiżjonijiet u ħidma bla waqfien. Tmexxija li kellħa tiffaċċja diversi sfidi kbar li kienu jeħtieġu għażliet diffiċli u ta’ responsabbilità kbira. Għażliet li riedu jiżguraw li filwaqt li nieħdu ħsieb is-saħħa tan-nies ridna wkoll naraw li l-ekonomija ta’ pajjiżna ma tieqafx għal kollox.

L-għażliet li riedu jittieħdu riedu jilħqu bilanċ xejn faċli iżda important li jinżamm. Filwaqt li kien meħtieġ li jittieħdu miżuri biex nipproteġu s-saħħa tan-nies, ridna nassiguraw li l-ħaddiema ma jitilfux il-post tax-xogħol. Ridna niżguraw li minkejja l-miżuri meħtieġa naraw li nagħtu sostenn sħiħ li dawk kollħa li jipprovdu x-xogħol lill-ħaddiema.

Flimkien ma’ dawn l-għażliet importanti, it-tmexxija ta’ Robert Abela imbarkat fuq programm b’saħħtu ta’ riformi f’pajjiżna. Riformi meħtiega biex jissaħħu l-istituzzjonijiet li jħarsu s-saltna tad-dritt. Saru bidliet kbar fil-mod kif tinħatar il-ġudikatura, il-mod kif jinħatar il-President u dawn flimkien ma’ bidla fl-għażla tal-kummissajru tal-puliżija. Dawn huma wħud mir-riformi li seħħew li anke kisbu t-tifħir tal-Kummissjoni Ewropeja.

Il-gvern immexxi minn Robert Abela għamel għażliet ekonomiċi importanti ferm. Għażliet li permezz tagħhom ingħata sostenn lis-setturi varji tal-ekonomija Maltija. Fost l-isfidi li ġabet magħha l-pandemija, rajna s-settur tat-turiżmu għal xi żmien jieqaf kważi għal kollox. Kien għalhekk meħtieġ li flimkien ma’ setturi oħrajn, il-gvern jagħti sostenn biex dawn is-setturi ma jgħotrux. Illum, meta nħarsu lura u naraw r-riżultati li nkisbu, wieħed jinnota kemm għandna riżultati pożittivi u kemm l-għażliet li saru kienu għażliet tajba.

Filwaqt li nħarsu lura lejn il-kisbiet u r-riżultati li ksibna minkejja d-diffikultajiet tal-aħħar sentejn, irridu nżommu ħarsitna lejn il-ġejjieni u kif se nkomplu nħejju lil pajjiżna għall-futur. Futur li jrid jitfassal fid-dawl ta’ dak li seħħ fil-passat riċenti iżda fl-istess waqt irid jitfassal biex iwieġeb għall-isfidi l-ġodda.

Imbarkajna fuq diversi iniżjattivi li permezz tagħħom qed inwettqu programm ta’ rkupru ekonomiku. Inżjattivi mifruxa fuq diversi oqsma inkluż il-Pjan ta’ Rkupru u Reżiljenża li huwa ffinanżjat minn Fondi tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Huwa pjan ta’ rkupru li mhux biss jagħti dak li huwa meħtieġ fit-triq lejn aktar tkabbir ekonomiku iżda huwa rkupru marbut wkoll ma’ trasformazzjoni tal-ekonomija tagħna.

Illum qed ninvestu biex filwaqt li l-ekonomija tkompli tikber, issir ekonomija aktar ħadra. Ekonomija li taħdem bl-inqas emmissjonijiet u li tagħmel inqas impatt ambjentali. Għandna miri ċari li rridu nilħqu sas-sena 2030 u sas-sena 2050. Dawn il-miri jeħtieġu iniżjattivi kbar u investiment qawwi imma li jridu jitwettqu b’mod li kulħadd jimxi ‘l quddiem u ħadd ma jitħalla lura.

Bl-istess mod, l-ekonomija tagħna trid tingħata l-ispinta meħtieġa biex timxi ‘l quddiem iżda ssir ekonomija aktar diġitali. Il-futur jinsab f’ekonomija aktar diġitali u pajjiżna ma jistax jibqa’ lura milli jimxi b’pass imgħaġġel f’din it-trasformazzjoni. Din il-bidla iġġib magħha opportunitajiet ġodda iżda wkoll tippreżentana bi sfidi ġodda wkoll.

Irridu nkunu imħejjia biex inwettqu dawn it-trasformazzjonijiet fl-ekonomija tagħna permezz ta’ investiment b’saħħtu u bidliet radikali li tant ħuma meħtieġa. Dan iżda, jista’ jseħħ biss jekk ninvestu aktar fil-ħiliet taż-żgħażagħ u tal-ħaddiema. Dawn il-bidliet jeħtiegu ħiliet godda, ħiliet differenti. Bidliet li se jħallu impatt fuq il-qasam tax-xogħol. Filwaqt li sseħħ din il-bidla importanti, ma nistgħux nibqgħu naġixxu daqs li kieku dawn il-bidliet mhux qed iseħħu.

Nemmen bis-sħiħ li biex niksbu l-akbar suċċess f’dan il-pjan ta’ rkupru ekonomiku u ta’ trasformazzjoni ekonomika irridu ninvestu ferm aktar fin-nies. Irridu nfissru aktar lin-nies x’hemm lest għalina fil-futur u dak li se jkun qed iġib miegħu iż-żmien li gej. Il-poplu Malti huwa poplu ħawtiel u li dejjem għaraf kif jitħejja bi sħiħ għall-futur. Flimkien nistgħu niksbu ferm aktar suċċess. Irridu nkomplu nagħmlu l-għażliet it-tajba iżda fuq kollox irridu nagħmlu l-għażliet li jkattru l-opportunitajiet għal kulħadd. Għażliet li biħom nassiguraw li ħadd ma jitħalla lura.

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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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