Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535522
MALTA is moving forward with de- termination. With every project we work on, we are building a future that is more resilient and therefore better prepared to face the challenges of to- morrow. The signing of the contract for the manufacturing and installation of Malta's second subsea cable with Nexans is a technical milestone and a powerful expression of our national vi- sion, when considered with other ma- jor projects in the energy sector. Our vision is of a modern, resilient Malta. A country that empowers its people to realise their aspirations. A country that continues to be attractive for investment and is fully equipped to thrive in a fast-changing global envi- ronment. To deliver our vision we must contin- ue to invest in critical infrastructure. Projects that lay the foundations for tomorrow's security, growth, and en- vironmental responsibility. The energy sector, central to every aspect of na- tional life, is no exception. The second interconnector is an im- portant component in Malta's long- term energy plan as it strengthens our capacity to ensure a reliable supply of electricity while also supporting our country's transition toward clean sources of energy. Why is this project so important? First, it enhances energy security. In a world increasingly defined by vola- tility—from pandemics to geopolitical tensions—we need to continue diver- sifying our sources. Redundancy in our energy connections means greater re- silience. If one source is disrupted, the other sources ensure that we can con- tinue to power our homes, businesses, and hospitals. This peace of mind is invaluable, for our economy and our people. Secondly, increasing our sources of energy enables greater electrification. Malta is already moving ahead with efforts to electrify key sectors, from land transport to maritime activity— through projects like shore-to-ship power. A second interconnector will enhance our energy supply. Third, this project also directly sup- ports our climate goals. By enabling the importation of more electricity from renewable sources, the second interconnector helps reduce our car- bon footprint. It also strengthens the case for greater domestic renewable energy generation, including offshore solutions, by improving the ability of our electricity grid to manage the in- termittency of solar and wind power. This is how we act on climate change; by implementing systems that deliver results. This €300 million project has gar- nered strong support at the European level. It has been recognised as a pro- ject of strategic importance, qualifying for funding, and is also supported by the European Investment Bank. The tendering process attracted seri- ous interest from world-renowned en- ergy players, a sign of growing interna- tional confidence in our energy vision. Through an open and competitive pro- cess, we are now partnering with an international company with a strong track record in delivering large-scale energy infrastructure. But a good plan is only as valuable as its implementation. That is why I am especially pleased with the pace of this project. The second interconnector is progressing with remarkable efficien- cy. From seabed studies to detailed en- gineering, from tendering to permit- ting in both Malta and Italy, the pieces are falling into place with precision and purpose. The contract we signed is the larg- est in the project, but it is just one of six major components. Work on other parts is already underway. In fact, we expect this second interconnector to be completed by 2026. The people of Malta deserve access to the best possible infrastructure. And they deserve energy that is stable, af- fordable and clean. This signing is a major step. It is a pledge to the Maltese people that we will not settle for the status quo. Ulti- mately, we are delivering a project that transcends borders and generations. One that fortifies Malta's future; eco- nomically, socially, and environmen- tally. This is how we turn our national vision into reality. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 MAY 2025 6 OPINION Miriam Dalli is minister for energy, the environment and regeneration of the Grand Harbour A pillar of our future Arnold Cassola Arnold Cassola is chairperson of Momentum Is Netanyahu blackmailing Malta? THE recent drug heist in Safi and the drone attack just outside Maltese waters have highlighted how, with regards to security, our country seems to have been caught with its pants down. The drone attack on a civilian ship just outside Maltese territorial waters should have had the Maltese government scream- ing out its condemnation at such a hostile action. Instead, we have had absolute silence from the Maltese government and also from the European Commission. The excuse is that the attack happened outside Maltese territorial waters. Yet, everybody seems to ignore that such vio- lent action happened within Malta's Ex- clusive Economic Zone (EEZ), its Flight Information Region (FIR), and the Search and Rescue (SAR) area—zones where Malta has clear responsibilities. The least Malta could have done was condemn this threatening act, whoever the perpetrator was. To crown it all, sources did inform me that the day before the attack, the Maltese government received a note verbale from the Israeli government, demanding that Malta either not allow the humanitarian aid ship, Conscience, into Maltese territo- rial waters or else, had it been allowed in, not to allow it to sail out again. Foreign Minister Ian Borg has not denied this. This drone attack is only part of a bigger picture. My suspicions were aroused in May 2024. Since 2023, Malta was among four Euro- pean nations, including Ireland, Norway, and Spain, planning and pressing to rec- ognise Palestine as an independent state when "conditions allow." Ian Borg was on the forefront of this push. In March 2024 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared that Malta would be joining Spain in working towards Pales- tinian state recognition. On 14 April 2024, the Maltese govern- ment was bragging in New York that "Malta voted in favour of Palestine's full membersip to the UN, confirming our strong belief in the two state solution". And then, in May 2024, the big surprise: Spain, Ireland and Norway announced they were formally recognising Palestine, while Malta was conspicuous by its ab- sence. Benjamin Netanyahu furiously de- nounced the decision by Spain, Ireland and Norway as "rewarding terrorism". These three countries just ignored Netan- yahu and went ahead. Malta went unex- plainably silent. At this point, I asked myself what could have happened in the initial months of 2024 for Abela to make this U-turn? I asked my French, Italian and German counterparts whether something could have happened in the early part of 2024 to abruptly force Malta to halt its position on Palestine. They pointed out to me that sometime in early 2024 Malta had applied to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The application is still pending. And the vote has to be a unanimous vote. Any country can veto Malta's membership and Israel is a member. Netanyahu was furious at Spain, Ireland and Norway.Malta chickened out at the last moment, which begs the question: Is Netanyahu blackmailing Malta? We will probably never know. In the meantime, a year after Palestine's recognition by the other three countries, Prime Minister Robert Abela and Ian Borg continue blabbering that they are waiting for the right moment. Will this be after Netanyahu and Co. have reduced the whole of Gaza to a wasteland? At this point, I asked myself what could have happened in the initial months of 2024 for Abela to make this U-turn? Miriam Dalli