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14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 08 SEPTEMBER 2021 NEWS MINISTERS have outlined the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU to parliamentary committees, in a series of meetings. Slovenia holds the Pres- idency of the Council until the end of 2021. Fisheries On 12 July, Agriculture, Forestry and Food Minister Jože Podgoršek told the Fisheries Committee that the Presidency will strive to make fisheries and aquaculture sectors more sustainable. They will focus on small- scale coastal fisheries, the revision of the fisheries control system, as well as negotia- tions on fishing opportunities for 2022. Fisheries Committee MEPs welcomed the announcement, urged the minister to move forward with the management plan for Atlantic Bluefin tuna and insisted that the Presidency should be firm when negoti- ating fishing deals with third countries (e.g., UK, Norway, Mauritania), to ensure equal conditions for EU fishers relative to third country operators. Internal Market and Consumer Protection On 12 July, Economic Development and Technology Minister Zdravko Počivalšek and Public Administration Minister Bošt- jan Koritnik highlighted in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Com- mittee the importance of the digital tran- sition for the post-pandemic recovery and longer-term EU policy goals. They stressed that the Presidency will focus on the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act as well as the Artificial Intelligence Act, key legis- lative files to ensure citizens' trust in new technology, encourage digitalisation efforts, and create high standards for the digital economy. Beyond these digital issues, the MEPs discussed with the two ministers the im- plementation of key internal market legis- lation, new product safety rules, customs control issues, the upcoming common charger proposal, construction products regulation and standardisation questions. Transport and Tourism On 13 July, Infrastructure Minister, Jernej Vrtovec, and Economic Development and Technology Minister, Zdravko Počivalšek, identified sustainability, resilience, e-mobil- ity and alternative fuels, as well as the recov- ery of travel sector, as the main policy pillars of the Slovenian presidency in the transport sector. These issues will also be key to make the Green Deal and decarbonisation efforts a success. Transport committee MEPs welcomed the focus on the decarbonisation of the transport sector, urging the Presidency to ensure technological neutrality in the green and digital transitions. Some MEPs asked for all efforts to be put into to promoting the rail sector, to review TEN-T rules and transport mobility package, to safeguard passengers' and workers' rights, invest more in the economic recovery of the tour- ism sector,and ensure better EU coordina- tion on travel restrictions. International Trade MEPs in the International Trade Com- mittee focused on China, vaccines and trade, and Mercosur in their questions to Economic Development and Technology Minister, Zdravko Počivalšek on 13 Ju- ly. Human rights and the rule of law are important elements in trade agreements, according to MEPs, reconfirming Parlia- ment's freeze on the ratification process of the China-EU Investment Agreement. Arguing for a dialogue on a temporary sus- pension of vaccine patents, MEPs learned the Presidency would propose a compro- mise for negotiation at the WTO level. The Mercosur agreement needs strong environ- mental conditions, several MEPs empha- sised, while the Minister responded that the non-implementation of the deal would neg- atively affect the EU's geopolitical power. Culture and Education On 13 July, Education, Youth And Sports Minister Simona Kustec told the Culture and Education Committee that the Presi- dency will work to improve equal access to knowledge and training, something which has been exacerbated by the pandemic, by focusing on improving the digital skills of Europeans. She will also focus on fostering mobility among young volunteers. Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti will try to support the European film and audiovisual sectors as well as make sure that freedom of expres- sion is upheld. MEPs urged the Presidency to push more forcefully to make the European Education area a reality. On the New European Bau- haus, also highlighted by the ministers as a Presidency priority, MEPs said there was no dedicated funding to support the "ambi- tious plan", as funds solely from the 'Crea- tive Europe' would not be enough. Agriculture and Rural Development Completing the Common Agricultural Policy reform is one of the Slovenian Presi- dency's top priorities, Agriculture, Forestry and Food Minister Jože Podgoršek told the Agriculture Committee on 13 July, hinting Council is planning to discuss it in October. The Presidency will also focus on the Farm to Fork strategy, long-term development of rural areas, market labelling, support of or- ganic farming, and EU Forestry strategy. In the latter area, the Presidency is aiming to agree Council conclusions. Agriculture MEPs welcomed the strong focus on resilience and rural areas and asked about the Presidency's position on the use of genetically modified organisms and measures relating to the use of pesti- cides. Several MEPs raised concerns about imported products not respecting EU standards. Regional Development On 13 July, Development and EU Co- hesion Policy Minister Zvonko Černač assured the Regional Development Com- mittee that Slovenia will strive for a strong cohesion policy. The Presidency will prior- itise the efficient implementation of Next- GenerationEU and aim to ensure the swift adoption of national recovery and resilience plans. MEPs quizzed Mr. Černač on several top- ics, including the European Cross-border mechanism, cooperation with the Western Balkans, the new programming period, and the rule of law. They urged the Presidency to maximise synergies between cohesion policy and recovery and resilience meas- ures and called for the rapid adoption of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Women's Rights and Gender Equality On 13 July, Janez Cigler Kralj, Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, said the Presidency will fo- cus on the impact of digitalisation and ar- tificial intelligence (IA) on gender equality, to make sure technologies are inclusive for both men and women. He added that they will work on including a gender perspec- tive in the EU budget, enhancing the fight against all forms of violence against women and girls, including online violence and har- assment, and advancing the Pay Transpar- ency Directive. Worried by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, MEPs urged the Presidency to better protect fe- male workers in future crises and to halt the backlash against women's rights in some EU countries. MEPs also pleaded for the unblocking of several files, such as the Women on Boards Directive, and for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by all member states. Development On 13 July, State Secretary at the Minis- Slovenia's priorities while holding presidency Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Janša