[WATCH] Malta's EU presidency will have 'focused agenda', Grech says

Malta's EU Presidency will focus on issues that affect the EU and its citizens - Louis Grech

Malta's EU Presidency will have a focused agenda, prioritizing issues that affect the EU and its citizens the most, said minister for EU affairs and deputy prime minister Louis Grech. 

Grech met with Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen, to discuss Malta's upcoming presidency. 

"The EU is currently going through a delicate stage in its history," Grech said.  

"The issues of migration, security, the process of unification of the Union and the membership of Britain are of paramount importance and the presidencies should ensure that the EU is consolidated."

Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called 'trios', a system introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

The current trio, made up of the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta, had agreed that the Maltese presidency will not have too broad an agenda. 

"The issue of migration will remain top priority. The completion of the Single Union, the mediterranean, the maritime sector, energy and poverty will also be on the trio's agenda. The presidency will review the financial framework and will await the outcome of the referendum in Britain as that will effect, one way or another, the future of the EU."

More manpower has been dedicated to maintaining strong communication with EU institutions and the three countries are meeting regularly to coordinate ideas and plans for the presidency.

Grech urged more collaboration with the European council and other institutions but expressed optimism for future cooperation.

Tranholm Mikkelsen praised the success of the Valletta Summit and said the upcoming agenda augurs well for a successful presidency.