True to our commitment in the electoral manifesto, in the very early days of our mandate, we have set in motion a process to give the citizens the opportunity to participate and influence government decisions.  To make their voice heard.  To hold us accountable and at the same time strengthen transparency in the decision making process.  To ensure that we address the people’s priorities. In other words we have adopted an open government approach.

For the first time ever all Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries held public discussions on their performance merely three months after taking office.  With the theme ‘Gvern li Jisma” (Government that Listens) dialogue sessions were held at the Auberge de Castille.  Other public consultation initiatives are currently underway on specific issues including land reclamation, local plans, justice reform, animal welfare and the protection of trees.

 Last week it was our Ministry’s turn to launch another consultation exercise this time regarding the strategic document on the Programming of European Funds for Malta 2014-2020 or the Partnership Agreement as it is technical known. We embarked on this approach because we strongly believe that the ambitions and aspirations of the people for the next seven years should be reflected in government’s development plans. We need to ensure that Malta and the Maltese people take maximum benefit from the programming period of the next European Structural and Investment Funds.

Following inter-Ministerial consultations, we felt it would be appropriate to brief first the social partners about our plans.  For this purpose, the Deputy Prime Minister and myself, hosted a special meeting of the MCESD at the Auberge d’Aragon where the social partners were presented with the first draft of this document.  Following a presentation of the salient points of our proposals, the social partners had the opportunity to raise questions and queries.  This was followed a few days later by two public consultation meetings, one in Malta and another one in Gozo.   Both these meetings were very well attended.  Participation from the floor was encouraging too. 

You might be asking yourself “What is the Partnership Agreement all about?  In brief,it is a crucial part of the preparations required for Malta to make use of the next round of European Structural and Investment Funds amounting to around€1.1 billion.  It sets out the key priority areas that need to be addressed and the actions that should be taken over the seven years 2014-2020 if we are to achieve the 2020 targets of the Lisbon Agenda while at the same time taking into account the economic, social and environmental realities of the country.  

Three priority areas have been identified for funding in the next programming period 2014-2020  which will be the basis of our strategy for future development.  These are:-

1.       Cultivating Competitiveness through innovation and creation of a positive commercial environment;

2.       Economic support in order to have an economy which favours the environment and which makes efficient use of the available resources; and

3.       Creation of opportunities through investment in human capital and health.

To achieve these three funding priorities we intend to give precedence to important sectors of the economy including education, research, innovation, energy, job creation in particular youth employment and access to finance for SMEs.  In this way we hope to make up for the fact that during the last years, Malta fell behind in achieving the main goals of the Lisbon Agenda 2020.  We can only achieve this objective if we set the right priorities in the next programming period for EU Funds.

 At the end of the consultation process we will evaluate all the proposals received.  Those submissions deemed to be valid and relevant will be taken on board and included in the final document.  The updated document will then be submitted for Cabinet approval after which it will submitted to the European Commission for further discussions, negotiations and eventual signature.

Since taking office, I have focussed all my efforts in ensuring that we make the best possible use of the EU Funds under the current programming period 2007-2013.  I will likewise be putting all my energy to make sure that we address the country’s priorities from the funding period 2014-2020 from day one.  But these priorities should not be mine or the Government’s but yours too.  This is why I encourage everyone to let us know what, in your view, should be the country’s priorities at this important juncture with respect to the development or our country in order to improve the citizens standard of living and way of life.

As stated at the very beginning of this contribution, we are making public consultations as an integral part of the workings of government because we want our citizens to be involved all along this legislature.  This is proof that we are truly a government that listens and that we really want to address the people’s priorities.

All stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to send their feedback regarding the Programming of European Funds for Malta 2014 -2020 on [email protected]  by 6 September 2013.

Dr Ian Borg is the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds