Robert Abela urges EU action to curb inflation within energy sector
The prime minister was addressing fellow European leaders in Brussels
Robert Abela has called for prompt action by the EU to curb inflation within the energy sector amid geopolitical tensions caused by war in the Middle East.
Addressing fellow European leaders in Brussels, the prime minister said that the consolidation of the Single Market should ensure a positive impact that is felt by all of the states' citizens and businesses. This includes countries in the periphery that are not physically connected to the mainland, such as Malta.
This should also apply to energy prices, which, in countries like Malta, have a wider impact because of increased fees linked to transport and logistics, he said.
"We need to support our families with measures that protect them from the impact of inflation, and we therefore need to find ways to offer stability and protect them from external shocks.
"We have a choice in front of us: either increase prices and therefore increase burden and fragmentation on the Single Market, or absorb the pressure to protect our competitiveness. Our country will continue offering stability to families and businesses just as we did from the beginning of the energy crisis in 2022."
During the meeting, Abela also flagged a letter that Malta and four other Mediterranean countries sent to the European Commission calling for swift and coordinated EU action to deal with the abandoned Russian tanker currently drifting in the Mediterranean.
The summit also discussed the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, with Abela urging the EU to take diplomatic steps in favour of de-escalation, coordination and strong dialogue to end the conflict.
In another meeting that discussed the Euro, the prime minister referred to the "disproportionate" impact that inflation had on countries such as Malta, whose economy depends on importation.