What changes has the European Union brought about at citizen level?
This year Malta will celebrate 15 years of EU membership, and I realise how beneficial it has actually been for Malta when I go to University and meet young students.
I realise that when I was in their shoes, there was nothing bigger than joining the EU. For us students, it was really an opportunity to open that "cage" so that we could spread our wings.
We looked enviously at other students our age in other countries and wanted to be the same.
Nowadays students take it for granted; they do not realise that we are actually in the EU and what it means for them. I feel a bit sad and disappointed at the lack of appreciation for all that EU membership has brought to a country such as Malta.
The biggest benefit was definitely the Single Market. We use it every day without realising that no imported products pay Customs duties, which have brought prices down, as well as the free movement of persons, which has allowed us to travel wherever we want without a passport.
Why do you think there is that disconnection between millennials and the EU?
I think it is partly because they are too young to remember otherwise.
Whenever I meet people, I see that their perceptions differ depending on their age. Individuals over 60, who probably know more about the political story of the country, are not very keen on the EU.
They see it as having increased prices because of the Euro, too much liberalisation, their grandchildren have fled the nest and gone to live abroad - it has destabilised the values with which they are familiar.
University students can go on an Erasmus programme to other universities and live with other students of different nationalities, and have the experience of studying abroad.
What can you tell me about the EU and ME campaign?
The European Parliament elections in May will be a crucial time for Europe.
Unfortunately, there are many forces both within the EU and also outside the Union that are straying away from the values which Europe was founded on.
In a way, you could look at the positive side and say that this is happening because the EU is a genuine threat to these countries, and that is why they try to influence what happens in Europe.
They are all coming out and using populist discourse to appeal to the fears of their people, and migration is the easiest fear to prey on.
The European Commission came up with this campaign to try to show the other side of the EU.
The campaign is there to try to encourage younger people, who will hopefully go vote in the EP elections in May, and show them that, yes, there is a price to pay for being in Europe, but there is much good as well as you would otherwise not enjoy many benefits.
The campaign is comprised of many things such as social media campaigns, short films, and we also go back to our old schools and tell students what our experience has been working in European institutions and how it has made a difference to our lives as Maltese citizens.
There have been an increasing number of people calling for less centralization from the EU in favour of increased national sovereignty. Do you think this is due to their difficulty to identity with both a national identity and a European identity?
Nothing stops you being European because you are Maltese.
The fact that we are an island isolates us, and we are also very sheltered here.
If I had to describe a European identity, it would be somebody who is open-minded and accepting of other ideas, cultures, and ways of life.
We should not give up our values to please others, or overreact as has happened in the UK, where you dare not talk about your beliefs because half the population is non-Christian.
It is not a good lesson in tolerance when people change their lifestyle so as not to disturb others, but rather we should accept each other as we are.
What are your predictions for the results of the EP elections?
Polls are already coming out and it is very clear that the three bigger political families - the Liberals, the Socialists, and the EPP, are all going to lose ground.
This will benefit splinter groups which may put their agenda before the EU.
This is a pity as the three main groups have Europe at their core, and I would also add the Greens to this group of parties.
Do you think this will lead to a change or reform of the EU?
There is already an introspective process that has started - this is what the future of Europe debate is all about.
The five scenarios that were presented last year - carrying on; nothing but the Single Market; those who want more do more; doing less more efficiently; and doing much more together.
Brexit has been a cat among the pigeons because it was a wakeup call for both member states and its citizens, and the Eurocrats (the bureaucrats in Europe).
It triggered a period of introspection pushing us to take stock and see where we are going wrong.
At people level, it seems to have had a different effect as the traditionally euro-sceptic countries seem to be becoming less so, because they are realising that Britain is on the edge of an abyss.
Important Brexit votes took place this week. How do you think the negotiations between the UK and the EU have gone to reach an agreement?
I am afraid that on the part of the European Commission, there really is not much to say anymore regarding Brexit.
There is clear disappointment at what happened, and the fact that the Withdrawal Agreement was rejected again is very much regretted. The EC feels that it has done whatever it could to help Prime Minister Theresa May to get the deal approved and continues to stand by it, including the backstop, which serves to prevent a hard border in Ireland and preserve the integrity of the Single Market unless and until alternative arrangements can be found.
Any solution to this impasse can only come from the UK now but, given that there are only a few days left, there is an increased likelihood of a no-deal Brexit, and the EC will continue to prepare member states for a no-deal scenario.
A delegation from the Secretariat General of the European Commission will visit Malta for meetings with the national authorities in this regard next week.