Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513668
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 DECEMBER 2023 Cybersecurity and Digital Policy As the rapporteur in the ITRE Committee on Managed Security Services and a negotiator for the Socialists in the TRAN Committee on the Cybersolidarity Act, Cutajar worked diligently on having a stronger EU framework when it comes to cybersecurity. She emphasized the critical importance of robust digital security, especially against 'hybrid attacks' that threaten to destabilize the continent's social and economic order and which a€ect areas such as transportation where there are important safety considerations. MEP Cutajar also emphasised the importance of skills in this sphere, a topic which was thoroughly discussed in the ITRE mission to Silicon Valley, where MEP Cutajar represented the European Parliament in dialogues with major companies such as NVIDIA, Meta, and Google. Island Policy Work MEP Cutajar's e€orts in relation to islands included advocating for the unique characteristics and needs of islands like Gozo and Malta, further emphasising the importance of an EU islands Pact and islands mainstreaming. Dr Cutajar's work and pressure has led to EU regulations on sustainable fuels to better consider the speci‡c realities of islands like Gozo which are dependant on ferry transportation, enabling passenger ferries calling at ports like Mġarr to adapt more ‰exibly when it comes to stipulated obligations. Medicines During this year, MEP Cutajar lobbied for an EU strategy ensuring accessible and a€ordable medicine for all, irrispective of where the citizen is coming from or what condition they are su€ering from. In the ITRE Committee, Cutajar emphasized the importance of amending the EU pharmaceutical laws in a way that helps address the shortage of medicine supplies in the EU as well as high prices. She also championed investment in innovative therapies and technological solutions, which should also be bene‡cial for patients su€ering from rare diseases. CONTINUOUS WORK FOR MALTA & GOZO Throughout this year, MEP Josianne Cutajar continued her work in the European Parliament, focusing especially on a more Social Europe and better attention to the development and needs of islands. Period Poverty As a result of successful pressure by MEP Cutajar along with a number of other MEPs coming from di€erent Member States, menstrual products became available, free of charge, in the European Parliament's visitors toilets. Cutajar stressed the importance of ‡ghting the stigma associated with the menstrual cycle and hygiene, as well as addressing period poverty. She noted the accessibility of period products should be a collective issue as it is fundamentally about basic hygiene, health, and dignity. Tourism As the negotiator on behalf of the Socialists in the Tourism Committee, MEP Cutajar successfully contributed to the proposal regarding short-term rentals. The upcoming legislation will improve transparency, collection and sharing of data from hosts and online platforms to the bene‡t of everyone. Consumers will continue bene‡ting from a wide range of accommodation options, legitimate and traditional accommodation providers can compete on a fair level playing ‡eld, whilst public authorities will have a strengthened legal backing to access bene‡cial data. Indeed, such data will help local authorities devise policies and laws leading to a more sustainable tourism ecosystem, whilst tackling the challenges brought about by the online short-term rental market, better responding to the travellers' and the locals' concerns. Furthermore, Dr Cutajar also participated in signi‡cant events such as the World Travel Market in London, the Mediterranean Tourism Forum in Malta and the EU Hospitality Day in Brussels. These forums allowed her to discuss the work being done by her in the Tourism Taskforce at the European Parliament as well as the way forward to tackle the sector's various challenges and opportunities. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year As this year ends, MEP Josianne Cutajar extends her warmest wishes to all of you, wishing you a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May the holiday season bring peace and happiness to you and your loved ones, and may the New Year be ‡lled with hope, health, and success. Happy Holidays! www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu | josiannecutajar.com