The Core Group of the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) met again on the 30th January 2009 under the chairmanship of the Hon. Dr. Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information.
Items on the Agenda
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliamenat, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2009 - Acting now for a better Europe (COMM (2008) 712 final) and the Piorities and Programme of the Czech Presidency of the Council for January - June 2009.
The discussion was introduced by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Dr. Tonio Borg who presented the programme and priorities of the EU institutions for 2009 from the perspective of the Maltese government. Dr. Borg spoke about the need to move ahead with the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon in order to strengthen the EU institutions and to prepare the Union to face up to the challenges of the first quarter of the 21st century. The Deputy Prime Minister referred to the motto of the Czech presidency “Europe Without Barriers” and to the 3 main priorities of the presidency’s programme: Economy, Energy and EU in the World.
Minister Borg emphasized the importance to keep issues relating to the Mediterranean in view of the emphasis being placed by the presidency on the Eastern partnership. He spoke at length on the need to intensify efforts for peace in the Middle East, also referring to the initiatives by the new US Administration. In the coming spring, a summit will take place between the EU Heads of State and Government and US President Barack Obama. Dr. Borg expressed support for the presidency’s efforts in terms of the enlargement of the Union. He also spoke about the importance to build upon the EU’s relations with countries such as China, Japan and India.
Referring to the Commission’s Programme, the Deputy Prime Minister praised the Commission’s emphasis, placing the European citizen as the main focus of the Union’s activities. He also referred to efforts to strengthen cooperation between Member States in issues such as illegal immigration.
The Deputy Prime Minister also spoke about issues relating to better regulation of the EU Institutions, the financial crisis and energy.
Following the Minister’s intervention, a presentations was delivered by Mr. Joe Fenech, Director EU Affairs within the Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD) of the Office of the Prime Minister. Mr. Fenech spoke in greater detail about the Commission’s Programme. The four priorities of the Commission are Economic Growth and Jobs, Climate Change and a Sustainable Europe, Citizen issues, and Europe in the World. He also presented the Maltese Government’s position on the Commission’s programme.
Mr. Julian Micallef, Acting Head of Consultation, MEUSAC, presented the Priorities and Programme of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council. He described in detail how the presidency is pushing ahead with the removal of existing barriers both within the EU and also vis-à-vis the rest of the World.
Points were raised by a number of members relating to the need for a more concerted effort by the EU to address the Middle East conflict and in relation to the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty with particular reference to problems within the Czech government in relation to the Treaty.
Implementation of Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise.
This item was placed on the agenda at the request of the representative of Alternattiva Demokratika, Mr. Carmel Cacopardo.
Mr. Martin Seychell, Director, Environment Protection at the Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) introduced the discussion by outlining the main points of the Directive. The Directive deals with unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, and from sites of industrial activity. Of particular relevance to Malta are the roads since Malta International Airport does not qualify as a major airport under the Directive. Member States are obliged to prepare noise maps - software models map designed for the global assessment of noise exposure in a given area due to different noise sources or for overall predictions for such an area. Following this, Member States have to determine acceptable levels and the necessary measures to be adopted. The Directive itself does not indicate specific levels to be adopted by Member States and this is left to each Member State to determine due to varying economic and social factors such as population densities and levels of pollution. The Directive also provides for a system of monitoring.
Malta is still in the initial stages of the implementation of the Directive due to lack of the necessary expertise. In view of this, MEPA has engaged foreign consultants to assist in the identification of the areas to be mapped, the creation of the noise map, public consultation, recommednations on the Action Plans, and drafting of the tenders for successive stages relating to purchase of equipment for the monitoring. Government would also require to determine whether specific legislation would be required on the basis of the noise maps.
Following remarks that too much time was allowed to pass before adequate steps were taken, Mr. Seychell replied that there is a one year period for the process he described. He also referred to the time table for the Directive and that there were different stages for the implementation of the Directive. He also emphasised the expertise required which is not always so readily available.
Appreciation and Congratulations
At the beginning of the meeting, the chairperson, the Hon. Dr. Said, on behalf of all the members of the Core Group, expressed his satisfaction at the nomination of Dr. George Abela to be the next President of Malta. Dr. Abela was a member of the MEUSAC Core Group for two terms, firsttly during the accession negotiations process and more recently as representative of the Labour Party. Whilst thanking Dr. Abela for his contribution towards MEUSAC, the chairperson requested the Head of MEUSAC to express the members’ congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Abela.
Nominations
The chairperson also welcomed new members and substitute members of the Core Group. Following the merger between the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and the Federation of Industry, Mr. Kevin J. Borg and Eng. Ray Muscat are now representing the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. The Hon. Dr. Luciano Busuttil has been nominated as the member representing the Labour Party.
Mrs. Mary Ann Sant Fournier was nominated as a substitute member representing the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU), Mr. George Micallef as substitute member representing the Malta Hotels & Restaurants Association and Dr. Joe Mifsud as substitute member representing the Labour Party.
Other matters
MEUSAC Head Dr. Vanni Xuereb and Mr. Julian Micallef, Acting Head responsible for Consultation within MEUSAC, updated the members about the setting up of the Sectoral Committees. Following the call for expression of interest issued in November 2008, twenty six civil society organisations expressed their interest to form part of the sectoral committees. Dr. Xuereb reminded the members about the invitation extended to organisations represented on the Core Group to nominate representatives on the sectoral committees. Furthermore, the election of three civil society organisations to represent the voluntary sector on the Core Group is expected to take place in the coming weeks. The MEUSAC Head also announced that five new members of staff should be joining MEUSAC in February and that they would provide the necessary backbone for the management, functioning and administration of the Sectoral Committees.
Present for the meeting of the Core Group were: Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Chris Said (Chairperson), Dr. Vanni Xuereb (Head MEUSAC), Dr. Godwin Grima (Principal Permanent Secretary), Mr. Richard Cachia Caruana (Permanent Representative to the EU), Mr. Julian Micallef (Acting Head of Consultation, MEUSAC and Secretary of the Core Group), Ms. Graziella Pullicino (Acting Head of the EU Secretariat - OPM), Mr. Sonny Portelli (Chairman MCESD), Dr. Gabriella Pace (Head of Information MEUSAC), Mr. Carmel Cacopardo (Alternattiva Demokratika), Mr. Arthur Rossi (Confederation of Malta Trade Unions), Mr. Joe Grech (Gozo Business Chamber), Eng. Ray Muscat (Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry), Mr. Pierre Fava (Malta Emplyers’ Association), Mr. George Micallef (Malta Hotel and Restaurants Association), Dr. Joe Mifsud (Partit Laburista), Dr. Paul Borg Olivier (Partit Nazzjonalista), as well as substitute members, the directors of the EU Affairs directorates in the various Ministries, MEPA officials and members of staff of MEUSAC.
The next meeting of the Core Group will take place on Friday, 27th February 2009.