Source: Franklin Mamo
Director (EU Affairs, Policy Development and Programme Implementation)
Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure

The Directorate closely follows closely the workings of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council of the European Union and the Working Party on Energy by scanning agendas, seeing to the preparation of instruction notes for the Brussels-based Technical Attaché and seeing that the Attaché is adequately supported by the presence of experts, if required. The Directorate similarly follows the proceedings of the Working Party on the Environment with regards to the protection of water resources.

The Directorate maintains close contact and regularly consults the Malta Resources Authority (MRA), the Works Division and the Ministry for Industry, Investments and IT (MIIIT). The Directorate is also in regular contact with the EU Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister and participates in meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) convened by the EU Secretariat. The IMC discusses memoranda prepared by the various Ministries, outlining Malta's positions on EU documents. Approved memoranda are then sent to Cabinet and eventually to Parliament's Standing Committee on European and Foreign Affairs.

On the implementation side of things the Directorate oversees the transposition of EU legislation into Maltese statute, working together with line Departments and the Attorney-General's Office in drafting new laws and regulations. The Directorate also sees that reporting obligations in the Directives falling under its responsibility are fulfilled.

The Directorate is also an information channel on support available from the EU. In this area which is expected to expand, information on the appropriate funding instrument, as well as help in finding partners for projects, is provided to interested parties. The Directorate also contributes to the development of Government's policy and strategic documents which map out the direction and the broader vision to be taken over a number of years.