On 1^st January 2007, Germany took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is the twelfth time that Germany is holding the Presidency.

The priorities mentioned in Germany’s Programme, entitled “Europe – Succeeding Together”, include the continuation of the constitutional process, the viability of the European economic and social model, the area of freedom, security and justice and the expansion of the European area of security and stability. The European Council meetings which are being convened during the German Presidency focus on shaping Europe’s economic and social future and on the future of the European Constitutional Treaty.

To discuss these and other priorities of the German Presidency, as well as Malta’s response, the German Embassy to Malta and Forum Malta fl-Ewropa organised a public dialogue which was held on Tuesday, 23 January 2007, at Portomaso Suite, Hilton at 3.00pm.

The discussion was opened by HE Karl Andreas von Stenglin, the German Ambassador to Malta, who presented Germany’s Programme and outlined its priorities for the next six months. His intervention was followed by that of the Hon Dr Michael Frendo, Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who provided insight into Malta’s reactions, perspectives and priorities. This was followed by a discussion with contributions from the floor.