PRESS RELEASE BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Dr Edward Zammit Lewis attends the Meeting of the Chairpersons (COSAC) organised by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in the Senate in the Republic of Poland

In his intervention on the priorities of the Polish President, Zammit Lewis mentioned that the EU is facing serious security challenges, and therefore security is a top priority. He emphasised that the Union should speak with one voice and show quick responsiveness. This, however, must be coupled with increasing EU competitiveness, as this is the only guarantee of bigger budgets for security.

Zammit Lewis mentioned security in migration and border control and insisted on the southern component of this Union problem.

A policy-based budget to counteract the consequences of climate change was also discussed. Zammit Lewis mentioned the challenge of floods, which lately affected a minimum of eleven member states with great hardship to Union citizens. The Restore Package will provide additional aid, but in the near future the Union needs more flexibility to counteract unpredictability. Zammit Lewis concluded that in the next MFF, the Union would dedicate part of its budget to emergencies and national disasters. This will guarantee expedient responsiveness in favour of affected regions.