VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has said the European Union’s proposed long-term budget framework contains positive elements for Malta, while stressing the need to protect funding for cohesion policy, agriculture and fisheries.
Speaking ahead of a summit of European leaders, Abela said Malta would continue to defend its priorities during negotiations on the EU’s 2028-2034 budget.
The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU proposed on Saturday cutting €141 billion from the overall budget, bringing it to €1.6 trillion in 2025 prices over the seven-year period.
European leaders are expected to discuss the proposal at a summit on Thursday and Friday, seeking to provide political direction to move negotiations forward.
Abela said Malta’s first priority was to ensure that funding allocated to cohesion policy was not negatively affected.
He highlighted the benefits Malta had gained from projects financed through the policy, particularly in the social sector and other areas considered national priorities.
The prime minister also emphasised the importance of maintaining agricultural funding to support farmers, identifying fisheries as the third key area Malta wanted to protect.
Abela warned that negotiations towards a final agreement, expected in December, would be lengthy.
He said he would continue to insist on Malta’s “red lines” throughout the discussions, adding that he had already had opportunities to raise the country’s concerns.
The proposed budget framework will form part of broader negotiations among EU member states over spending priorities for the seven-year period beginning in 2028.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
