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gozotoday | FRIDAY • 25 SEPTEMBER 2026
NEWS
Discussion held on EU priorities and
their impact on Malta and Gozo
EU priorities and their impli-
cations for Malta and Gozo
were discussed during a meet-
ing held in Valletta following
the European Commission
President's State of the Union
address.
The discussion was organ-
ised by Europe Direct Gozo,
the Gozo Business Chamber
and Servizzi Ewropej f'Malta
(SEM) at SEM's offices.
SEM Chief Executive Officer
Rodrick Zerafa and Head of
the European Commission
Representation in Malta Ma-
ria Elena Despott opened the
session by outlining key points
from the address delivered by
European Commission Presi-
dent Ursula von der Leyen.
Topics discussed included
the EU's priorities on compet-
itiveness, economic resilience,
strategic autonomy, energy,
climate change and citizen
participation, as well as the im-
pact of artificial intelligence.
The session was moderated
by Gozo Business Chamber
Chief Executive Officer Dan-
iel Borg, with participants also
exchanging views on sustain-
ability, innovation, security,
and the green and digital tran-
sitions.
Particular attention was giv-
en to challenges affecting Gozo
as an island region, including
connectivity, regional develop-
ment, economic diversification
and the need for EU policies to
take into account the specific
circumstances of smaller com-
munities.
The organisers said the dis-
cussion provided an oppor-
tunity to consider European
priorities in the context of the
everyday realities of citizens,
businesses and communities in
Malta and Gozo.
EU priorities and
their implications
for Malta and
Gozo were
discussed during
a meeting held in
Valletta
The event was organised by
Europe Direct Gozo, the Gozo
Business Chamber and Servizzi
Ewropej f'Malta
