About: Maltese Presidency
EU closer to ‘genuine Energy Union’ as MEPs support gas supply solidarity
European lawmakers approved on Tuesday (12 September) a new security of gas regulation, which includes a solidarity principle in case of supply disruptions and will make it more difficult for other countries to 'blackmail' the EU's members.
Estonian ambassador: Trump is right, Europe should pay for own defence
Estonian Ambassador to Poland Harri Tiido explained the priorities of his country’s EU Presidency and talked about the current challenges facing Europe, in an interview with EURACTIV.pl.
Juncker regrets calling MEPs ‘ridiculous’
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker "regretted his choice of words" in calling MEPs "ridiculous" in the European Parliament this week, a spokesman said on Wednesday (5 July).
Maltese presidency gets mixed review
MEPs gave mixed reviews of Malta’s rotating presidency of the EU on Tuesday (4 July) in Strasbourg.
The Presidency debate: Maritime policy
As Malta hands over the Presidency of the European Union to Estonia, Europe has charted a new route to a New World and Europe’s maritime policy is heading towards the bright horizon of the Blue Economy.
The Presidency report: The Blue Horizon
“Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World,” said Christopher Columbus. With Malta at the helm, Europe’s trade winds have caught the sails of a new generation.
Commission laments member states’ lack of ambition on energy saving laws
The EU's 28 energy ministers on Monday (26 June) agreed on a general approach to the revisions of two key energy efficiency directives. But the European Commission lamented a “significant reduction” in ambition compared with its original proposals.
Malta’s EU presidency ending in exceptional health
As Malta’s time at the helm of the EU’s rotating presidency comes to an end, Health Minister Chris Fearne reflects on the successes of the last six months.
‘Traffic light’ food labels gain momentum across Europe
A UK scheme that labels pre-packed food in red, amber or green according to their level of healthiness was rejected by Mediterranean countries at EU level but is slowly gaining momentum across Europe.
Macron’s proposals wreak havoc on posted worker negotiations
Tough French proposals have derailed talks on controversial EU labour mobility rules and dashed Malta's hopes of brokering a compromise deal by the of this month.
Mobile roaming fees disappear, but MEPs want more EU rules
European mobile phone contracts are required to charge domestic rates for calls, SMS and data use when users travel in the EU starting today (15 June), capping off a ten-year fight to get rid of roaming fees.
Twenty EU countries sign off on new anti-fraud prosecutor
The European Commission welcomed on Thursday (June 8) a decision by 20 member states, including heavyweights Germany and France, to set up an independent EU public prosecutor's office which will combat cross-border tax evasion and fraud in the bloc.
Malta votes for more of the same with Muscat as Prime Minister
Malta Prime Minister Joseph Muscat swept back into power Sunday (4 June) after voters shrugged off corruption allegations against a Labour Party government which has presided over a booming economy. With counting almost completed after Saturday’s early vote, Muscat, 43,...
EU reaches deal to revitalise securitisation market
MEPs reached an agreement with national governments and the European Commission on Tuesday (30 May) to revive the continent’s securitisation market, paving the way towards the creation of a Capital Markets Union
MEPs: Building renovation ‘isn’t sexy but it’s bloody important!’
Renovating Europe's building stock isn't just critical for meeting EU climate and energy savings targets – it will dramatically improve living conditions and health while boosting the overall economy, according to the three MEPs leading the European Parliament's work on the Energy performance of buildings directive.
Council backs 30% European content threshold for audiovisual platforms
EU ministers agreed on Tuesday (23 May) to stricter requirements for online media platforms. Under the proposed rules, at least 30% of the content offered by companies such as Netflix, Google Play and iTunes will have to be produced in Europe. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Deal for orderly Brexit a must, says EU lead negotiator
Failure to strike a deal that ushers Britain out of the European Union in an orderly way is not an option Brussels wants to consider, its chief negotiator said yesterday (22 June) as the EU gave a final green light for him to launch talks next month.
Member states want to change investment rules in telecoms overhaul
EU countries have changed measures on network investment in a major telecoms bill and are kicking negotiations into the second half of this year.
EU ministers extend talks with Poland over rule of law fears
EU ministers agreed yesterday (16 May) to continue long drawn-out talks with Poland in a bid to stop its alleged breaches of the rule of law, backing away for now from threatening sanctions.
Southern EU states present unified front in drug talks
Six southern member states have signed a common declaration, aiming to enhance their cooperation and jointly negotiate with the pharmaceutical industry on drug pricing.
Emissions trading and the sound of silence
MEP Ian Duncan was looking forward to a well-earned rest after earning the European Parliament's endorsement of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme reform. The European Council looked like it would take its time to agree with it but just two weeks after, as if by magic, it was game on!
Mogherini: EU defence cooperation speeding up
EU defence integration is advancing faster than in other areas and could see key decisions made this year to boost cooperation, foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said on Thursday (27 April).
Austria won’t increase contribution to EU budget after Brexit
European Union negotiators displayed unity as they met today (27 April) to discuss guidelines for divorce talks with Britain, seeking to forestall differences that could emerge at a later stage of talks.