Last Updated on Saturday, 5 September, 2020 at 12:17 pm by Andre Camilleri
In a MEUSAC information session which focused on the European budget – which totals more than two billion euros – that Malta has obtained for the years 2021-2027, Minister Abela stresses how this will guarantee more work for Maltese and Gozitan workers.
Throughout the pandemic, both the government and the social partners must continue to work together in order to save jobs. The Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela, responsible amongst others for social dialogue, appealed to the social partners to ensure that companies keep workers in employment, as the economy will be recovering. He said this whilst addressing an information session organised by the Malta EU-Steering Action Committee (MEUSAC). During this meeting, Minister Abela stressed that, as a European Union and as well as a country, we should aim for economic growth, invest more – including in new sectors such as the digital sector and the green economy – and to not go for ‘austerity’.
During this information session, a representative from the Ministry of Finance delivered a presentation addressing the social partners about the historical agreement that a few weeks ago the Leaders of the Member States of the European Union, including the Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, reached on the budget for the period of the seven years 2021-2027. The representative spoke about the reasons why this budget is historic and unprecedented, since Malta will have a total of €2,250 billion for the next seven years, which will be guaranteeing more jobs and resilience in various areas, including health and a sustainable economic recovery that goes beyond quick fixes.
He noted how the European Green Pact and digitalisation are two areas on which the European Commission has shaped the proposal, which will boost jobs and growth, the resilience of European societies and health and our environment. He said that the completion of this work during autumn means that the new budget could be operational as early as January of next year.
Minister Abela also spoke about the European Union’s response to the pandemic. Here, he mentioned how in order to ensure an increasingly effective response, in reaching everyone in the European Union and our global partners, the Commission will be mobilising a variety of instruments.
These include the Next Generation EU, which will be introduced under three pillars: supporting member states to recover as soon as possible; giving that push for the economy and aid for private investment; and learning from the crisis we are currently facing.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Abela thanked MEUSAC for its work in bringing the funds closer to the people. MEUSAC helps various entities such as NGOs and councils to apply for funding. In fact, just over 75 applications have been submitted so far since the beginning of the year with the help of MEUSAC. It will remain committed in continuing to provide information and assistance regarding European Union funds for the budget of the next seven years.
