Priority dossiers under the Maltese EU Council Presidency

Briefing 15-12-2016

Malta will hold the EU Council Presidency from January to July 2017. Its Presidency will bring to an end the Trio Presidency composed of the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta. This is the first time Malta holds the rotating presidency. Malta is currently led by a Socialist government, with Joseph Muscat as its Prime Minister. Prime Minister Muscat was a Member of the European Parliament between July 2004 and January 2007. He has been Prime Minister since 2013. The next general elections are due in 2018. Six over-arching priorities have been identified by the Maltese government, as follows: migration, Single market, Security, Social inclusion, Europe’s Neighbourhood & Maritime sector. The Maltese Presidency is also cognisant of the impact a potential triggering of Article 50 by the British government will have on the future of the EU, and is preparing for a potential start of negotiations on a British exit from the EU. Prime Minister Theresa May has announced the notification under Article 50 by the UK government can be expected by March 2017.