Key European Union leadership jobs, migration issues and climate change were at the top of the agenda in Valletta, where the meeting included the leaders of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta.
The first summit was held in Athens in September 2016, and was followed by others in Lisbon, Madrid and Rome, with the last held in Nicosia earlier this year.
At a final news conference, Malta’s prime minister, Joseph Muscat, said the main focus of the summit was to reach “common ground” on the priorities of the EU for the next five years.”
While the South EU Summit provides an opportunity to reflect on Europe’s fractured political landscape, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat points out that the basis of the summit is to generate innovative solutions, both for the region and the continent as a whole. “Now I think [the Summit] has become a standard fixture that in itself will earn more gravitas and will become stronger within the European Union (…). We don’t think of ourselves as some sort of exclusive club that will say things amongst ourselves. Rather, we see ourselves not as part of a group of seven, but as part of a group of 28 or 27, and I think that’s our big strength.
Greek news portal eKathimerini reported that talks referred to the leadership of the European Union, Turkey’s relationship with the EU and its activities in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the EU’s expansion in the western Balkans, and developments in the Middle East, with emphasis on Libya.
European minimum salary
Economic and social policies were also in focus, with the leaders agreeing on the need to discuss a “European minimum salary” to face high unemployment levels across Europe.
The Malta Independent, reports “Malta is open to discussing the idea of implementing a European minimum wage, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in a press conference following a round-table meeting between him and six other Mediterranean leaders as part of the Southern EU Countries Summit on Friday evening. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also spoke in favour of this proposal, saying that a more social Europe must be on the agenda; a Europe which will see fairer distribution of wealth. A European minimum wage is essential to reaching this goal, Sanchez said before noting that strong decisions must be taken in the make-up of the next European Budget. Portugal’s Antonio Costa addressed this matter as well, saying that more investment had to be done to create a social europe that emphasises life long education and makes sure that nobody is left behind”
Migration
Migration and cooperation with African countries to help managing migrant flows were also among the top priorities, with both Malta and Italy stressing the need to tighten EU immigration and asylum policies.”
Other issues include the refugee crisis and the Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Union for 2021-2027, as well as climate change.
In a declaration, they said efforts to break the smugglers’ business model needed to be further enhanced, with the aim to also prevent tragic loss of life.
Migration challenges needed to be tackled through a properly financed common migration policy and all vessels operating in the Mediterranean had to respect the applicable international laws and not obstruct operations of the Libyan Coastguard.
“We need to step up work on the internal aspects (such as the “Dublin” reform and the protection of Schengen), namely through the reform of the Common European Asylum System with swift adoption of all the legislative proposals with a view to establishing a legislative framework based on shared responsibility and solidarity as a matter of priority for the next Commission,” the Valletta declaration said. Permanent and predictable solutions, they said, were now a matter of urgency and had to continue to be sought.
They agreed that the EU should provide third countries with the highest percentage of departure of migrants a long-term, predictable and stable political and financial association framework.
Macron said that he shared the same vision as Muscat when it came to migration speaking of the need for disembarkment initiatives, more solidarity, and a solid mechanism to deal with the migratory crisis.
He said that France is supportive of the countries at the frontline of the migration crisis and noted that they had acted in the most rapid of manners. He said that it is important for the European Union to deal with its borders and surveillance, and to also develop a good strategy for the African continent.
DW leads with the point the Southern European leaders called Friday for NGO migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean Sea to follow international law and not to obstruct the Libyan coast guard.
The summit statement calling on all vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea to respect “applicable international laws and not obstruct operations of the Libyan coast guard” came as the German-operated Sea Watch 3 NGO rescue vessel was off Italy’s southern Lampedusa island with 53 migrants on board.
The ship has been denied entry to Italian ports after it rescued the migrants off the coast of Libya. Earlier on Friday, Sea Watch called on supporters to sign a petition calling on German cities to accept the migrants.
Climate Change
The southern European leaders discussed climate change, among other issues, with the aim of making all EU countries set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
Rule of Law Protest
While political leaders discussed inside Castille, protesters outside had other things on their mind. The #OccupyJustice members stood behind a metal barricade in Castille square, holding photos of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and posters noting that former MP Manuel Mallia was lobbying to discredit a Council of Europe report critical of the Maltese government.
Via Daily Mail / eKathimerini/ Summit Site /Malta Independent / The Times of Malta / MaltaToday /DW
