Commissioner refers Malta to Solidarity fund but current regulations may exclude Malta from funding due to significant funding required to make Malta eligible: EU law experts

Deputy Leader and MEP Alex Agius Saliba told the European Parliament that Malta cannot accept the fact that Sicily was granted funds while Malta was not, questioning why Malta did not receive financial assistance after storm Harry as yet.
“We need more funds to assist areas such as Wied il-Għajn, Marsaxlokk and Għar Lapsi, which today, due to climate change, are increasingly facing flooding and damage, and therefore require more modern infrastructure. Friends, it would be wiser for the Union to invest more in people and in these essential needs, rather than in armaments and wars.”

Agius Saliba’s calls were supported by his fellow MEPs Daniel Attard and Thomas Bajada who explained that since becoming a member state of the European Union, Malta has continued to face the same challenge, as the Union fails to take into account the realities of the country.

“We are one country, one island, one region, and to this day, the rules that determine access to solidarity funds practically exclude our country in practice. So today I say to the European Commission: we are not asking for special treatment; we are simply asking for fair treatment,” Attard said.

Bajada meanwhile stated that these are the effects of climate change and that the European Union’s response should be proactive.

“For example, Commissioner, was the European Solidarity Fund accessible to Malta when it was seriously hit by Storm Harry? The answer is no, and I hope you hear me and take action. Let us change the way we work, or we will allow our people to pay a heavy price.”

European Commissioner refers Malta to European Solidarity Funds for storm recovery access

Following Vice-President of the Socialists and Democrats, Alex Agius Saliba’s request to the European Commission regarding the funds that need to be allocated to Malta in order to assist all those negatively affected by this severe storm, European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib explained how Malta can apply for European funds for this purpose. She was speaking at the end of this morning’s plenary session.
Sicily recently declared a state of emergency after storms in Sicily’s south regions.

High amount of funding criteria may exclude Malta from such funds

European law experts have informed The Journal that the current regulations may exclude Malta from funding due to the significant amount of funding required to make Malta eligible.