This week's EU summit was a bit of a mixed bag. With the EU still dealing with the changeover of the European Commission Cabinet, the bloc decided that more contributions were needed to the upcoming EU budget. Malta has to fork out an extra €13m.
However, we also got the news that the EU wants to connect the energy grid further and made special reference to Malta, amongst others. The wording of the conclusions mean that Malta will be eligible for additional EU funds for specific projects.
In particular, Malta may get EU funds for the ongoing study on the feasibility of a gas pipeline that reaches Malta. Energy has been in the headlines in Malta for the past month or so - particularly in that the promised gas-fired plant has not even started getting off the ground yet, let alone be completed by next year.
The PN, in perhaps its best campaign from the opposition benches so far, tore the government apart over the issue. The government tried to deflect attention by launching an attack on a photovoltaic project, but the issue stuck. The power station remains in limbo. But does it now seem that there's more to this than meets the eye?
This government is an expert in spin, and with this new news just out of Brussels, there could have been plans afoot to scupper the China deal all along, because a better opportunity might come up through the EU. Who knows? What is certain is that when the PM gets back to Malta, he will be further quizzed on the news to see what this sack of 'goodies' holds for Malta.
The also said that Malta was prepared for the €13m contribution increase and that it had expected it thanks to the work of the Representation in Brussels. This is welcome, but it might turn out to be a double edged sword. Given that the public has now been told that Malta was expecting this increase, it will not take to any nasty surprises that might be announced in the budget kindly.
The PM also expressed support for the Trans Atalantic Trade agreement which would allow for free trade between the EU and the United States. When entering the EU, Malta was scaremongered into thinking that they could not compete in a market so big. But the opposite is true. Malta has flourished in the European Union and continues to experience steady growth. The government believes that Malta can continue to do the same in an even bigger economic environment and this is positive. All in all, a mixed bag, but the news on energy is music to the ears.