Addressing the launch of a conference as part of an EU-funded project entitled ‘Small Markets at the Heart of the EU Economy’ organised by the Mellieħa Local Council, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli spoke about the role of local councils in connecting people with the government and with the European Union.
Referring to recent events in Europe and in the United States, Minister Dalli said that people are feeling disconnected from governments.
“If we want to be close to the people, we must address issues which affect them in their daily lives” added Minister Dalli.
Minister Dalli said that local councils are best placed to get in touch with people as they are the first step for citizens to identify and discuss issues which affect them personally and their families.
Helena Dalli encouraged local councils to make use of available funds that deal with issues which are close to people’s hearts and which will bring the European Union closer to the local level.
Minister Dalli referred to the agenda of the upcoming Malta EU Council Presidency 2017 and stated how the government will be discussing issues which touch upon lives of people in order to show the social soul of Europe; these include the conditions of workers, upscaling of skills, equality, inclusion and gendered violence.
Helena Dalli stated that events like Milied Mellieħi which is organised annually by Mellieħa Local Council sends strong reach-out messages to the community and serve as a way for the Council to get closer to people.
Minister Dalli thanked MEUSAC for its continuous support in assisting local councils in tapping EU funds for their projects.
Eighty delegates from Italy, Latvia, Romania, Poland and Germany will be attending this conference. Issues such as the Single Market and the Digital Single Market will be also discussssed.
The conference launch, which was held at the Manikata Parish Church, was followed by a Christmas concert.