Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1120492
23.05.19 8 OPINION Neil Portelli Neil Portelli is Director for European Policy & Legislation at the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee Paving the way for a better Europe O n May 9, EU Heads of State and government across the EU-27 (excluding the United King- dom) came together for an informal European Council meeting in Sibiu, Romania. Their key objective was to discuss plans for the European Union in the coming years, particularly with the elections of the European Parlia- ment set to take place this weekend. Discussions focused on a Strategic Agenda for the EU for the years 2019- 2024, which took into account both the internal and external dimensions of the EU. The agenda would determine the work programme which is to be adopted by the new European Com- mission, as it is set to be appointed after the conclusion of the European Parliament elections. The agenda sets out various priori- ties intended to guide the work of the EU over the next five years, which include the protection of citizens and freedoms, continuing the devel- opment of the EU's economic base, building a greener future, and pro- moting European interests at a global level. At the end of the meeting, leaders adopted the Sibiu Declaration to mark Member States' unity and confidence in the future of the European project. Through the declaration, EU lead- ers committed themselves to staying united, upholding the principle of fairness in all aspects of the economy and social welfare, and in safeguard- ing the future of the next generations of Europeans. Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Mus- cat was also present for the Sibiu summit. He said that the EU should always push forward principles which bring European citizens closer together, rather than issues which tend to be more divisive. Muscat said that national interests can still be achieved through the sup- port of the EU, and that the two con- cepts were not necessarily exclusive of one another. In this context, MEUSAC also played an important role in engaging with citizens on the future of the EU. In 2018, MEUSAC, in conjunction with the Ministry for European Af- fairs and Equality, was responsible for organising a series of consultations with citizens on various subjects, in- cluding agriculture, migration, and social convergence. The contributions of citizens dur- ing these events formed part of a final report which accounted for the feed- back of European citizens across the EU27. This feedback was integral to- wards outlining the priorities put for- ward in the Strategic Agenda. The results of the European elec- tions will mark the beginning of the next five years for the EU, and will see the appointment of a new European Commission, as well as the leaders of the European Council and the Euro- pean Parliament. EU leaders will meet again on May 28 in Brussels to discuss the outcome of the vote and kick-start the nomina- tion process for the heads of the EU institutions. In 2018, MEUSAC, in conjunction with the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, was responsible for organising a series of consultations with citizens on various subjects, including agriculture, migration, and social convergence The EU Heads of State and government at a round table at Sibiu City Hall