PRESS RELEASE BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Maltese parliamentary delegation participates in the Inter-parliamentary conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU

A delegation from the Maltese Parliament, comprising Alex Muscat and Jerome Caruana Cilia, participated in the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination, and Governance (IPC-SECG) in the EU, which took place in Billund, Denmark, between 29 and 30 September. This Conference was organised within the framework of the interparliamentary dimension of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Several subjects were on the agenda of the meeting, including how the EU can strengthen its position in the global economy, how the EU’s security policy independence can be financed, and a discussion on whether the new European fiscal rules are sustainable in the new geopolitical context.

The Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Mr Søren Gade and the Chairperson of the Danish Finance Committee Mr Simon Kollerup, opened the Conference.

During the session, which discussed how the EU can strengthen its position in the global economy, Hon. Alex Muscat addressed the plenary and stated that Europe faces a decisive moment. Once a global leader in trade, technology, and diplomacy, the EU now risks falling behind as the United States and China accelerate in innovation and influence. Overregulation, fragmentation, and slow decision-making are holding Europe back while others invest in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, clean technologies, and global trade. He explained that for smaller states like Malta, Europe’s strength is vital. Malta’s resilience and adaptability show that size is no barrier to sustainable success—what matters is ambition and smart choices. He concluded by encouraging the EU to restore global relevance and stressed that Europe must reduce bureaucracy, foster innovation, build a hub for technology and entrepreneurship, reinforce trade partnerships, cut energy dependency, and lead decisively in foreign policy. Above all, Europe must be bold, because relevance is earned—not given.

During the same session, Hon. Caruana Cilia stressed the global scene and how we suddenly found ourselves in a rapidly changing world, where Europe cannot afford dependence or division. He explained that to remain competitive, the EU must adopt an industrial policy that strengthens resilience, drives innovation, and unites its member states. He continued that competitiveness means cutting unnecessary regulation, boosting productivity, and enabling companies to scale globally. Investment in skills, infrastructure, clean technologies, and digital transformation must go hand in hand with a flexible, forward-looking regulatory framework. In his conclusion, he stated that for Malta, as for all of Europe, competitiveness is a necessity. The choice is clear: Europe must act decisively and together to be a leader in the global economy.