Affordability, simpler EU rules and stronger access to EU funding are among the key priorities shaping European policy, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta Dr Maria Elena Despott said, as she outlined how the European Commission is seeking to respond to challenges faced by people and businesses in Malta.

In an interview with The Malta Independent, Despott said that the Commission's approach is increasingly focused on ensuring that policies reflect the realities faced by citizens and businesses on the ground.

"What we identify is what is important to people. From Eurobarometer data and from our day-to-day interactions, not only with the public but with stakeholders across Malta and Gozo, what we are seeing are really reflective of trends and challenges across Europe," she said.

Among the most pressing concerns, she noted, is affordability, which continues to dominate public sentiment across the European Union.

"High on people's minds across Europe is affordability, and there are several initiatives at European level to tackle affordability, from energy to housing to quality jobs," Despott said.

She added that environmental priorities and climate action are closely linked to economic considerations, forming part of a broader framework aimed at strengthening Europe's competitiveness.

"One of the drivers of competitiveness at European level is decarbonisation, and we have several initiatives that have been proposed that are geared in that direction," she said.

Geopolitics and affordability 'interlinked'

Despott stressed that economic pressures cannot be separated from wider geopolitical developments, arguing that global instability has direct consequences on everyday life.

"I believe the two are interlinked. I do not think that the two exist in silos, they are very closely linked because instability in certain parts of the world impacts energy, energy prices may contribute to inflation and may impact the price of food. That all channels towards affordability," she said.

She said that the EU's response is centred on building a more resilient and independent Europe, reducing excessive dependencies and strengthening internal capacity.

"Everything feeds into having a Europe that is working very hard and relentlessly towards gaining greater competitiveness and building a strong, independent, resilient Europe," she said.

Simplifying EU rules and funding access

A recurring concern raised by stakeholders, both in Malta and across the EU, is the complexity of EU legislation and procedures, particularly in relation to accessing funding.

"One recurrent theme is perhaps complexity. Be it our rules, reporting requirements, access to EU funds," Despott said.

She said the Commission is addressing this through a series of simplification measures.

"We are rendering our legislation less complex, and this is also a guiding principle for the future, simplification by default for all our proposals going forward," she said.

Efforts are also being made to streamline access to EU funding, including through proposals for the next multi-annual financial framework, Despott said.

"We are rendering access to EU funds less complex, simpler, more streamlined, leading to more harmonised EU financial programmes so that citizens and companies can find and easily access funding opportunities and also tailoring the funds to local needs," she said.

She added that this approach aims to ensure targeted impact where it matters most.

Despott said EU-funded projects remain among the most tangible examples of how European policy impacts daily life in Malta and Gozo, spanning sectors such as energy, healthcare, education, infrastructure and business.

"EU-funded projects are perhaps the most tangible examples about how Europe supports people's daily needs, its daily activities, and enables them to thrive. The examples across Malta and Gozo are innumerable and they span across all aspects of daily life and all aspects of the economy," she said.

Among the flagship projects, she highlighted the second electricity interconnector linking Malta to Sicily, which she described as the largest EU-funded cohesion project to date.

"This will not only enable security of supply, but also greater uptake of renewables," she said.

She also pointed to reverse osmosis projects, including the one at Hondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo, as examples of EU investment directly affecting everyday services.

In the social sector, Despott said around 2,000 vulnerable families in Malta are benefiting from EU support for food and educational materials for children.

On education, EU funding has supported digital devices for schoolchildren, vocational training laboratories and higher education infrastructure.

"MCAST is an EU-funded project, as well as the Transdisciplinary Research and Knowledge Centre at the University for engineering research," she said.

Healthcare has also seen significant investment, including major projects such as the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre and St Michael's Hospice, as well as medical equipment such as a CT scanner at Gozo General Hospital.

"EU funds allow for quality healthcare, and enable receiving quality treatment and palliative care locally," she said.

Supporting businesses and innovation

Despott said EU funding also plays a key role in supporting Malta's economy, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

"EU funds transform ambition into reality for family businesses, micro-enterprises and SMEs, which are the lifeblood of Malta's economy," she said.

She pointed to various schemes supporting digitalisation, investment in machinery and assistance for sectors such as fisheries and agriculture.

One example is DiHubMT, a European digital innovation hub in Malta that provides entrepreneurs with access to advanced technologies and testing facilities.

"It provides access to entrepreneurs for entrepreneurial programmes, and also to test facilities using state-of-the-art technology, AI, 3D printing, high-performance computing," she said.

Cultural heritage projects have also benefited, including restoration works at the Grand Master's Palace and the Cittadella in Gozo, Despott said.

Opportunities for islands and ports

Despott said that the upcoming EU strategy for islands as a key initiative for Malta, recognising the specific challenges faced by island states.

"The Commission recognises that there are specific geopolitical, socio-economic profiles of islands, their insularity, as well as economic and environmental vulnerabilities," she said.

At the same time, she noted that islands present unique opportunities.

"Islands can be testbeds, pilot areas for innovation. There are opportunities, and this upcoming strategy aims at coordinating a policy framework concerning EU islands," she said.

She also pointed to the EU ports strategy as another area of opportunity, particularly for small and medium-sized ports.

"It is a comprehensive framework to step up competitiveness, resilience, security and sustainability of European ports, and it recognises the important role of smaller ports," she said.

Trade deals and global opportunities

Despott said EU trade agreements are opening up new markets for European businesses and investors.

She referenced agreements with countries such as Australia and India, describing the latter as "a market of two billion people".

"This is a huge opportunity, it opens up foreign markets of millions of consumers to European exporters and investors, while also giving European consumers a much wider choice," she said.

Despott said Malta has a strong foundation of trust in the EU, citing Eurobarometer figures showing that 57% of Maltese people trust the EU and 69% have a positive outlook on its future.

"We have a strong basis to build on, and central to our mission is building and maintaining trust," she said.

She spoke of the importance of communicating EU policy in a way that is relevant and relatable.

"'If it matters for Europeans, it matters for Europe,' and if it matters for Maltese people, it matters for Europe," she said.

She added that EU policies are human-centric and must be communicated in a way that reflects their real impact on people's lives.

Looking ahead, Despott said that a successful mandate would be defined by stronger relationships, trust and meaningful engagement with stakeholders.

"I believe an important achievement would be establishing collaborative working relationships, dialogue, trust, respect," she said. Ultimately, she said, the focus must remain on people.

"Europe is there for you. Europe is protecting you. Europe is enabling you. Europe is your home, and that, for me, would be a great legacy," Despott said.