Robert Abela calls for more flexibility in use of EU funds in meeting with European Commissioner for Budget

Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the European Commissioner responsible for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, at Auberge de Castille on Monday (today).

They discussed preparations for a mid-term evaluation of the EU budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The Prime Minister described the meeting as an opportunity for the Maltese Government to listen to the European Commission’s plans on this, while explaining Malta’s priorities when it comes to spending European funds in the coming years.

Regarding the discussions on the evaluation of the MFF, Prime Minister Abela referred to the agreement reached in July 2020, with the Maltese Government having then negotiated the largest allocation of European funds for Malta, explaining that since then global realities have changed, in particular as a result of the war in Ukraine.

This has, inter alia, affected energy and food prices.

He reiterated the importance of more flexibility to also use more funds and address these realities, as has been done at national level, so that the challenges are borne by the Government and not families and businesses.

When it comes to competitiveness, the Prime Minister said that Malta agrees with expenditure to provide incentives in specific sectors to make businesses in the EU more competitive, stressing the importance of keeping these aids reaching the entire supply chain so that incentives can also benefit small and medium-sized businesses.

Speaking about the administrative level of the European Commission and the European institutions, Prime Minister Abela stressed the importance of seriously considering citizens from small countries such as Malta for high offices.