Malta to use EU presidency to achieve ‘concrete, anti-terror results’

Malta will use its upcoming rotating presidency of the EU council to strive for concrete results against terrorism, home affairs minister Carmelo Abela said.

“In our fight against terrorism – be it organised by terrorist groups or a lone wolf – we must not let ourselves be disheartened, but should instead strengthen our unity as a European family and defend our common values,” Abela said.

The minister was addressing a press conference at the French embassy in Rome following a meeting of EU ministers who belong to the Party of European Socialists.

The PES meeting was convened by Sandro Gozo, Italy’s state secretary for European Affairs, at Palazzo Chigi, the Italian prime minister’s official residence.

Other than the fight against terrorism, the ministers discussed the political aftermath of last month’s Brexit vote, and preparations for a forthcoming meeting of the EU’s General Affairs Council in Bratislava.
The press conference was held in the French embassy, as a sign of solidarity with the people of France following Thursday’s deadly terrorist attack in Nice.

“This is a sad day for us and for Europe as a whole, after the inhumane terrorist attack that has struck France,” the ministers said in a joint statement after the meeting. “But this has reinforced our determination to react as Europeans and progressive, show resilience, and confirm our join commitment to the European project and our shared values.”