The Trio that will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union between January 2016 and June 2017 – the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta – held further talks today in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The Maltese delegation was led by Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU funds, Dr. Ian Borg.

Following the last meeting of the Trio held in Malta in March 2015, talks in Slovakia continue to define the common agenda which will be addressing the main issues that the Council will be dealing with throughout the 18 months during which Malta will also be presiding.

The first draft of the 18-month Presidency programme was also discussed during the meeting, so that, following further internal consultations, the Programme for Malta’s Presidency will eventually be officially approved and will define the framework of the Maltese Presidency. During the meeting, Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg continued to highlight those sectors considered to be sensitive for Malta, including the Mediterranean, Immigration and the European Neighbourhood Policy; a revision of which may be concluded during Malta’s Presidency.

Other issues including the organisational and logistical aspect as well as communications were discussed.

Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg is accompanied by Mr Paul Zahra, Permanent Secretary MEAIM, Ambassador Victor Camilleri Executive Director Programming and Training EU2017, and Ambassador Marlene Bonnici, Malta’s Permanent Representative to the EU.