Under the N+3 rule, Malta has achieved all its disbursement targets of the funds allocated to Malta in the context of the 2014-2020 programming period, government has said. This has been achieved by the end of December 2018.
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds and Social Dialogue Aaron Farrugia announced that the cumulative target to be achieved under the EU funding programmes has been met. Malta has invested around €242 million, and the proper management of EU funds has played a significant part in the economic success achieved by the country in recent years.
What this effectively means is that Malta invested all the funds allocated to it on time and will not be sending any funds back as stipulated in the automatic decommitment principle.
According to the automatic decommitment principle by the European Commission, if a sum committed to a programme has not been claimed by the Member State by the deadlines established in the fund-specific rules, any unpaid money ceases to be available to that programme.
The Parliamentary Secretary explained that this achievement will be placing Malta's negotiating team in a stronger position to attain a fair deal in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), for which the negotiations are expected to come to a close by autumn of this year.
The programmes for which the cumulative total financial target was reached are the Regional Development Fund (€104.8 million), the European Social Fund (€33.8 million), Cohesion Fund (€65 million), the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (€20.9 million), the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (€5.9 million), Internal Security Fund (Borders) (€5.3 million), Internal Security Fund (Police) (€2.1 million) and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (€3.4 million).
Farrugia explained that the year 2018 has been an exceptionally challenging year for the implementation of EU Funds in Malta as it has brought into focus the initial concrete results for the 2014-2020 programming period.
Key projects in infrastructure include the Kappara Junction, the Marsa Junction Super Structures, the Marsa-Hamrun Bypass, significant investments in water Regeneration of Lower Valetta, and the extension of the Xewkija Industrial Park in Gozo.
Another significant investment was the recently opened National-Community Art Museum - MUZA. Projects which contribute to improving the standard of living include the regeneration of social housing units and the MCAST Campus Master Plan.
Soft funds were used on developing knowledge, skills, and competences of different segments of the population, through projects such as the One Tablet Per Child, the Access to Employment Scheme and the ENDEAVOUR Scholarships Scheme.
In security, major projects include the procurement of a new Offshore Patrol Vessel and the purchasing of a Passenger Name Record System amongst others.
The development of the Marsaxlokk breakwater will significantly improve the work and lives of fishermen, as well a training project devised specifically for this profession, along with other schemes. Millions of euros were also invested to the benefit of farmers and the agriculture sector, including the modernisation of farms, purchase of equipment, regeneration of rural roads and rubble walls, and assistance for young farmers.