Directorate-General (European and Economic Affairs)
The Director General (European and Economic Affairs) is, within the remit set out below, responsible for Malta’s participation in European structures and processes, in particular the General Affairs Council (GAC) and Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the European Union. She or he also ensures effective co-ordination of all EU-related and bilateral matters with accredited representatives of other European states as well as domestically with other line Ministries and relevant partners. The Director-General is the Ministry’s senior economic advisor and customarily serves as Chair of Malta’s Sanctions Monitoring Board. His or her Directorate General comprises two directorates.
Director General (Economic and European Affairs)
Mr. Jonathan Galea
BCom BA (Hons.) Econ (Melit.) MA (Sussex) MPhil (Cantab.) LLB (London) Dip. Chinese (SOAS), Barrister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Palazzo Parisio,
Valletta - VLT 1171
Tel: (+356) 2204 2229
Fax: (+356) 2125 1520
Directorate European Affairs
The Directorate European Affairs manages Malta’s overall bilateral relations with the Member States of the European Union. It is also responsible for Malta’s links with Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey as well as with the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM).
The main objective of this Directorate is to create, maintain and enhance strong and mutually beneficial ties with all these countries. Its role is to formulate and coordinate national policy in their regard so that Malta’s interests are best protected whilst its relations with its European neighbours are kept at their best possible level. The Directorate also manages official high level visits to and from partner European countries, coordinating and helping in their organisation as required.
The Directorate European Affairs spearheads the Ministry’s bilateral European initiatives, promoting mutually advantageous exchanges at all levels and helping set in place agreements that regulate matters of everyday importance for the people of Malta and those of its European interlocutors. Examples include treaties seeking the avoidance of double taxation and agreements fostering cooperation against illicit activities across Europe.
Director (European Affairs)
Mr. Neville Aquilina
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Palazzo Parisio,
Valletta - VLT 1171
Tel: (+356) 2204 2385
Fax: (+356) 2125 1520
Directorate for European General Affairs and Economic Cooperation
The Directorate for European General Affairs and Economic Cooperation serves as the Ministry’s representative on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs (IMC), helping to coordinate Malta’s positions on European general affairs, including the EU’s enlargement strategy, European treaty evolution, the Future of Europe debate and other European institutional matters.
The Directorate for European General Affairs has the important role of monitoring and contributing to discussions on international sanctions at the United Nations and within the European Union, serving as the central coordinating entity for the transposition of the relevant UN and EU legal acts. The Directorate is a reference point for Malta’s sanctions efforts, coordinating the policy development, enforcement and caseload work of various Ministries and entities within the Sanctions Monitoring Board. It also assists the Chairperson of the Sanctions Monitoring Board in her or his work.
The Directorate, through its Development Unit, is responsible for coordinating Malta’s humanitarian aid for countries facing natural and man-made crises. The Unit also leads Malta’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy stances and delivery, both on a multilateral basis (via the United Nations and the European Union) as well as on a bilateral basis, where it delivers its assistance in collaboration with other partners, including local Non-Governmental Development Organisations (NGDOs).
The Directorate maintains the Ministry’s relations with, amongst others, the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In collaboration with Malta Enterprise, other local economic entities and Malta’s embassies and consulates, the Directorate promotes Malta’s trade and commercial interests abroad. The Directorate also contributes to the international dimension of Malta’s cultural policy and administers the Cultural Diplomacy Fund (CDF), which assists in the promotion of Maltese culture overseas.
The Directorate also guides Malta’s participation in Europe’s multilateral organisations such as the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In collaboration with the relevant embassies in the field, it follows developments in these fora to ensure that they are consonant with Malta’s own policies and interests.
The Directorate for European General Affairs also coordinates the ratification of treaties by Malta. Following the signature of agreements and a positive decision to ratify by the relevant line Ministry, the Directorate ensures that the procedures set out in the Ratification of Treaties Act 1983 and the European Union Act 2003, including cabinet or parliamentary clearance as appropriate, are followed.
Director (European General Affairs and Economic Co-operation)
Vacant
Assistant Director (European General Affairs and Economic Co-operation)
Ms. Fiona Jayne Formosa
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Palazzo Parisio,
Valletta - VLT 1171
Tel: (+356) 2204 2282
Fax: (+356) 2125 1520
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