"If it matters for Maltese people, it matters for Europe," has become a guiding principle in how the European Commission is shaping policy, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta Dr Maria Elena Despott said, describing the phrase as central to how the Commission is aligning its priorities with the everyday concerns of citizens.
From engaging with local stakeholders, to feeding Malta's realities into Brussels, Despott said that her first months as Head of the Representation in Malta have focused on strengthening dialogue, trust and influence.
In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, she said that her initial months have centred on building relationships and ensuring that Malta's voice is reflected in European policymaking.
Despott said that her office has been focused on engaging with a wide range of stakeholders across Malta and Gozo, from schoolchildren to business associations and trade unions, with the aim of both communicating the European Commission's priorities and gathering feedback that can directly inform policymaking at EU level.
"My experience since the beginning of my mandate has been very positive. I had the opportunity of meeting and engaging with a plethora of stakeholders, from school children to trade unions to business associations, and forming a network which is really crucial for us to be able to disseminate information and to gather feedback and views, not only about challenges that stakeholders face on the ground, but also their views on our proposals," Despott said.
She explained that this dual function - communicating EU initiatives while feeding back local perspectives - lies at the heart of the Representation's role, and is essential in ensuring that policymaking reflects realities on the ground rather than abstract considerations.
A Maltese perspective within the Commission
Despott noted that her background as a Maltese national has been instrumental in carrying out her role effectively, particularly in understanding the specific challenges faced by a small island member state.
"Being Maltese helps, as it facilitates carrying out my role. I was born and raised here, I have worked here, so I can really understand the local context of living on a small peripheral island member state. I speak the languages, so it all helps build rapport as well, and it also helps to tailor and select messages," she said.
With nearly 18 years of experience working within the European Commission, she said she is also able to identify which aspects of local realities are most pertinent to colleagues in Brussels, allowing her to relay information in a way that is both relevant and impactful.
Together with her team, Despott said she has developed a communication strategy tailored to local audiences, recognising that effective communication is not one-size-fits-all, but must be adapted to reflect the specific needs, expectations and concerns of different groups within Maltese society.
The Representation as a bridge
Despott described the Representation's mission as fundamentally twofold: bringing Europe closer to the people of Malta and Gozo, while ensuring that their views are heard at EU level.
"Its mission is twofold. It is that of bringing Europe closer to Malta's and Gozo's people and to its stakeholders more broadly by communicating about how the EU is delivering for its people, but also listening and understanding their views, therefore working as a bridge between Malta and Europe, and this helps inform policymaking and political communication," she said.
This bridging role, she explained, requires constant dialogue, active engagement and a continuous presence on the ground.
"We communicate about the political priorities of this Commission in an ever-changing world, a world of harsh geo-strategic competition with all the geopolitical developments around the world, and a main priority is also communicating that Europe is not far away, it is here," she said.
In practical terms, Despott said the Representation operates as the Commission's "ears" by listening to the realities and concerns of stakeholders, while also acting as its "voice" through active engagement and dissemination of information.
"The Rep functions as the Commission's voice, and engages in political dialogue with stakeholders, we speak, but very importantly too, we listen," she said.
Despott said that engagement is not passive, but continuous and active, taking place through meetings, participation in events and ongoing exchanges.
"Crucially, we engage actively. We are not passive. We are active in our engagement in dialogue on a constant basis, be it through meetings or other exchanges, but also via our presence at stakeholder events," she said.
Ensuring Malta's voice is heard
A key aspect of the Representation's work is ensuring that the views gathered locally are fed back to the European Commission's services in Brussels, Despott explained.
"This is crucial because it enables people on the ground, from workers to employers to NGOs and other key stakeholders, to shape EU policy. What we gather, we do not keep to ourselves, we share with our colleagues centrally to help inform policymaking," she said.
She added that this process strengthens Malta's voice within the European Union, ensuring that it is reflected in policy decisions at the highest level.
The Representation also encourages participation in calls for evidence and public consultations, which Despott described as essential tools for citizen and stakeholder involvement in EU policymaking.
"As part of our day-to-day work at the Representation, we also encourage stakeholders to submit their input and their replies to these calls," she said.
Despott said the Representation is also preparing for its upcoming Europe Day activities, aimed at bringing the European Union closer to the public through direct engagement.
"On 8 May, SEM is coordinating activities at CityGate in Valletta. There will be a treasure hunt for schoolchildren and activities for the general public. On 9 May we will be going to Victoria in Gozo, where the Gozo Business Chamber is coordinating activities with stands, all to enable interaction with Europe on the ground. My team and myself will of course be present and very happy to engage with members of the public. I really encourage presence," she said.
Competitiveness as the guiding principle
Turning to broader EU priorities, Despott said that competitiveness is the central "compass" guiding the Commission's work in the current mandate.
"Against this background of harsh geo-strategic competition, we are working towards bolstering Europe's independence, making it stronger, more resilient, more prosperous," she said.
She explained that this involves a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening the European economy, reducing dependencies and enhancing resilience in a rapidly changing global context.
A key component of this agenda is the completion of the single market, which Despott described as essential to unlocking Europe's full economic potential.
"We have published our single market strategy, presenting a new method for energising the single market, and this focus is on eliminating the so-called 'terrible 10' hurdles to the single market," she said.
These hurdles, she explained, include issues such as regulatory fragmentation and complexity, which hinder the free movement of goods, services and capital within the EU.
Tackling complexity and improving policy effectiveness
Among the challenges identified, the complexity of EU rules has emerged as a recurring concern for stakeholders, both in Malta and across the Union, she said.
"The Commission has been working tirelessly. It has proposed 10 simplification omnibus packages, other simplification measures and we have been engaging with stakeholders locally, gathering their positions, the realities, the challenges, with a view to informing our policymaking," Despott said.
She said that effective policymaking depends on reflecting real-world conditions.
"When it reflects realities, it is effective. Otherwise, it does not work. And we want to get it right. We have learned from the past, so we want to make things right," she said.
Despott added that this process is ongoing and dynamic, with continuous engagement between the Commission and stakeholders.
"When we have a proposal, we share it and ask for their views and concerns, to make sure that policy is relevant and effective," she said.
Islands strategy and Malta's role
Despott spoke of the upcoming EU strategy for islands as a particularly important initiative for Malta, given its unique geographic and economic characteristics.
"The Commission recognises that there are specific geopolitical, socio-economic profiles of islands, their insularity, as well as economic and environmental vulnerabilities, for example a vulnerability to climate change that islands face," she said.
At the same time, she noted that islands also present significant opportunities.
"For example, islands can be testbeds, pilot areas for innovation, for initiatives regarding digital innovation or the blue economy, climate adaptation or mitigation. There are opportunities," she said.
Despott explained that the strategy aims to create a coordinated policy framework for islands, improving both policy targeting and funding.
EU engagement and stakeholder dialogue
Despott also pointed to ongoing engagement through forums such as the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, where the Commission presents the European Semester country report and recommendations for Malta.
"I believe that this is a really pertinent forum for dialogue with stakeholders, especially on matters that span the whole of Malta's economy," she said.
She added that such engagement allows for a deeper understanding of economic realities and helps identify opportunities for growth and development.
A central aspect of the Representation's work, Despott said, is ensuring that citizens understand how EU policies affect their daily lives.
"It is central, it is really at the crux of the heart of our mission," she said.
She referenced a key message from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"She said that if it matters for Europeans, it matters for Europe, and indeed, the things that matter most for Malta's and Gozo's people are the very priorities that are shaping our action," Despott said.
The Representation's communication strategy, she explained, is guided by data and focuses on specific target audiences.
"This year we are focusing on schoolchildren, educators and youth, to really strengthen knowledge about the EU, why it exists, what it has to offer and how it has been transformative for daily lives," she said.
She added that many young people in Malta have grown up within the European Union and may not fully appreciate its significance.
"It is their home, it is their future and the aim is to foster a stronger sense of European identity and civic engagement," she said.
A Europe that 'protects and enables'
Ultimately, Despott said the EU's role must be understood in terms of its impact on people's lives.
"What matters is what's in it for the people. Europe is there for you. Europe is protecting you. Europe is enabling you. Europe is your home," Despott said.
She added that this human-centred approach is essential to building trust and ensuring the continued relevance of the European project.
The second part of the interview will be carried tomorrow