Earlier this week, we positively voted upon the European Parliament’s position on the Artificial Intelligence Act – an upcoming legislation that I had the honour to contribute towards as rapporteur on behalf of the committee on Transport and Tourism. This act, which will be the first of its kind in the sector, aims to strike a crucial balance between the necessity to encourage innovation and investment on the one hand, while safeguarding citizens’ fundamental rights and European values and mitigating the associated risks, on the other. This is only one of the digital pieces of legislation I worked upon during this mandate, albeit a very important one!
Indeed, over the course of the last four years, I have had the opportunity to delve into a number of pressing issues that bear direct implications on the lives of our citizens. For instance, the drive to deem internet access as a fundamental right stands as a notable example of my work in this regard. This was a proposal that I championed at the conference for the Future of Europe, pushed forth with the European Commission, as well as within the European Socialists and Democrats Group. The Socialist Group acknowledged the importance of this proposal, integrating it within its Digital Policy document. Within itself, this policy serves as a stepping-stone towards a more equitable digital landscape in a day and age where the internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
Simultaneously, throughout these years, I have been entrusted as a negotiator on behalf of the Socialists in relation to various digital laws and positions in both the Transport (TRAN) and the Industry (ITRE) committees. Apart from the aforementioned work on artificial intelligence, I worked on the TRAN position on the Digital Services Act and the Data Act, as well as the Digital Decade Programme in ITRE which ensured a robust programme with member states with the aim of reaching vital digital milestones by 2030. Among these targets, we need to ensure that 80% of the population acquires basic digital skills and that our small and medium-sized enterprises achieve a basic digital intensity of 90% by the close of the decade.
At the moment, work on a variety of other files is also ongoing. In the ITRE committee, I am currently a negotiator on the European Interoperability Act, which will lead to more efficient online public services. Having online systems that can successfully interact with each other will make it much easier for our citizens and businesses to access services online in a facilitated manner. In recent weeks, I have also been appointed as the lead negotiator in relation to an upcoming legislation relating to cybersecurity, more specifically the regulation on managed security services. As activity migrates increasingly online, the security we seek extends beyond the physical realm. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly essential to safeguard our online and digital data, especially in the context of hybrid threats. Additionally, in the Transport and Tourism committee, I am currently the rapporteur for an Opinion on the Short Term Rentals Regulation which holds immense significance for the Maltese tourism sector.
Another area that is at the core of my work as a Maltese member of the European Parliament coming from Gozo, is islands policy and connectivity. My first-hand experience and understanding of the realities and circumstances of our islands, acts as constant motivation to continue advocating for EU policy to effectively recognise the challenges faced by islanders, including additional transportation costs. This is a point I continuously insist upon as the vice-president of the Intergroup on Islands and Coastal Areas within the European Parliament, a point that was included in a report on islands that I negotiated on behalf of the Socialist, which additionally advocates for a pact between the European Union and its islands.
The contents of this article only touch upon the surface of the work I have carried in the last four years but provide a glimpse of work done in different relevant areas. May I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who placed their trust in me four years ago. Rest assured that I am committed to continue representing you and our islands in the best way possible.