The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament has allocated the work ahead for MEP Cyrus Engerer in the European Parliament for the first half of the legislature. In a declaration to the Plenary they announced that Engerer will be a full member in the Committee for the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) as well as the Beating Cancer Committee (BECA).

“While the Environment is a sector that I have always held close to heart and where I particularly look forward to work on the fight against climate change, the greening of Europe’s urban areas and the protection of our natural environment, this period will also have a bigger focus on health matters with the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and the distribution of the vaccine all throughout the European Union in the shortest possible time,” he said.

Engerer emphasized that the health sector must remain a priority even after the pandemic. Lessons learnt show that more cooperation between Member States, not only during the pandemic, would benefit European patients, especially those combatting cancer.”

Furthermore, the Socialist Group appointed Cyrus Engerer as a substitute in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE), and in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).

Engerer explained that he has worked on the introduction of civil liberties throughout his life, from the introduction of divorce legislation in Malta to achieving LGBTIQ equality. He said that it is now time to work on more liberties on the European level so that what has been achieved in Malta for LGBTIQ equality is replicated gradually across Europe through the strategy for LGBTIQ equality launched by Commissioner Helena Dalli.

On his contribution to the ITRE Committee, Engerer said that as the first rays of light for a Covid-19 vaccine are shining through, it will be important for the European Union to give European industry a strong boost of trust. “This period has taught us of the importance of more investment in research and innovation. The European Union must be at the forefront inventing the most advances of technologies using its greatest minds to combat any future challenges,” he concluded.

In the same declaration, the Group of Socialist and Democrats in the European Parliament affirmed Cyrus Engerer as a full member in the European Parliament’s delegation to the Korean peninsula and a substitute in the delegation to the Mashreq countries.