This is the second of three articles on the path ahead, taken from a talk at “Il-Ħaġar”, Gozo on May 3. You can read the first here.
Here, Dr Borg continues looking at the future of the EU but with a special focus on the Commission priorities that, in his view, form the biggest challenges that the European Union needs to address in the years to come.
With each one of them he gave his own views with regard to Malta and what its future path may be.
He divided them up into:
- Threats to Democracy and Our Values (the fifth priority)
- Security (part of the second priority)
- Defence (the other part of the second priority)
- Reform (part of the seventh priority)
He considered the challenges here as big because of the possible impact that each one of them may, to a greater or lesser extent, have on perceptions of individual state sovereignty.
He first dealt with the first and the second, leaving the last two for the final part of his talk.
On the first one, the Commission underlines, he said, that Europe’s future in the world we are living in depends on a strong democracy and on defending our freedoms.
We need to protect our democracy today more than ever because it is threatened from internal and foreign actors – populism internally / hostile governments or non-state actors externally (like media platforms that manipulate information).
Therefore:
The Commission will propose such instruments as a new European Democracy Shield to counter foreign information manipulation and interference online; and a European Network of fact-checkers to increase societal resilience and preparedness;
Digital enforcement will be stepped up and deep fakes will be addressed.
On Strengthening the Rule of Law theCommission insists that Rights must be defended and corruption must be eradicated. Investment in upholding the rule of law is a must andit is a pre-condition for the grant of EU funds.
One of the central pillars of the rule of law and of democracy is media freedom. Support for and protection of independent media and journalists will be increased.
Where does Malta stand with regard to all this?
It will without doubt be in our interests to involve ourselves fully in discussions and keep a constant track of all progress on these areas of fundamental importance for our future.
Measures and initiatives taken to protect our democracy both from internal and foreign actors should always be welcome. The same goes for the strengthening of the rule of law and the fight against all forms of corruption as also those in support of independent media and journalists, Dr Borg said.
Turning to the Security Challenges, Dr Borg referred to the Commission’s insistence thata new era for European security is sorely needed. Europe needs new ambition on crisis and security preparedness.
Preparedness is a must especially in today’s world where nothing can be taken for granted and where the European Union is facing increasingly complex crises and challenges that cannot be ignored.
The European Commission and High Representative have therefore just launched on the 26 March the Preparedness Union Strategy – the purpose of which is to support Member States and to enhance Europe’s capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats. Concretely the Strategy includes 30 key actions and a detailed Action Plan. Europe’s cyber defence capabilities will be further strengthened as will integrated deterrence with particular reference to Europe’s strategic approach to Sanctions.
What caught the public eye when this Strategy was launched just over a month ago was the part concerning the promotion of population preparedness and, in particular, that where the public is encouraged “to adopt practical measures, such as maintaining essential supplies for a minimum of 72 hours in emergencies.
The was addressed to those regions and areas that are prone to floods, avalanches, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes with a view to people living there to have enough supplies until rescue operations would be able to reach them not in case of an outbreak of a war as some thought.
On safety
We Europeans have the right to feel safe. The European Commission therefore stresses on the need for a safe and more secure Europe:
- A new European Internal Security Strategy is a must;
- Europol will be made a truly operational police agency;
- The European Arrest Warrant will be strengthened;
- The European Public Prosecutors’ Office will be given more powers to look into cross-border serious crime;
- A new European Action Plan against Drug Trafficking will be launched;
- A new Counter-Terrorism Agenda will be put in place; and
- A new European Critical Communication Systemwill be drawn up to be used by public authorities in charge of security and safety.
Regarding the Union’s Borders, the European Commission underlines the fact that they have to be more secure and yet more fluid.
The Commission puts it concisely as follows:
People want to feel safe without waiting too long.
- Investment will be made in a fully functional European Digital Border Management;
- An integrated border management approach necessitates the strengthening of Frontex – so that the number of European Border and Coast Guards will be tripled to 30000;
- An EU Visa Policy Strategy will be developed; and
- A complete and fully functional Schengen Area will be put in place.
On migration
The European Commission rightly insists that migration is a European Challenge that must be met with a European Solution.
The European Commission insists on the following:
- Europe must deliver on the Pact on Migration and Asylum adopted in May of last year. Implementation of all parts is required and so a European Migration and Asylum Strategy is necessary.
To achieve this:
- A new common approach on returns will be adopted;
- Strategic relations on migration and security with non-EU countries, especially those of origin and transit, will be developed;
- A new Pact for the Mediterranean will be formulated;
- New ways to counter irregular migration while respecting International Law and ensuring sustainable and fair solutions for the migrants themselves will be sought;
- It must be ensured that those who have a right to stay can do so and can receive essential support to integrate into communities;
- There will be no impunity for smugglers and people traffickers;
- Non-exploitation of migrants in the labour market must be seen to; and
- Legal migration based on the skills needs of the European economies and regions will be supported.
Dr Borg opined that on security Malta should not find any real problems with taking a full part and engaging in thePreparedness Union Strategy and forming part of the announced safety and border protection measures with a view to have a safer and more secure Europe.
On migration, Malta should keep pushing along the lines that migration is “a European Challenge that must be met with a European Solution”. We need to be fully engaged in discussions on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and actively involve ourselves in the formulation of a new Pact for the Mediterranean. We need to follow closely discussions (1) on new ways to counter irregular migration and (2) the protection and integration of those who have a right to stay, with no impunity whatsoever for smugglers and people traffickers. Support for legal migration based on the skills needs of the European economies and regions will surely be welcome.
Malta needs to keep pushing for adequate solutions on all fronts.