PRESS RELEASE BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Maltese Delegation Participates in European Parliamentary Week 2026

Jerome Caruana Cilia participated in the European Parliamentary Week 2026, held on 23-24 February 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event brought together Members of the European Parliament and national parliamentarians from EU Member States, candidate and observer countries to discuss key issues related to the Union's economic governance, budgetary framework and social priorities.

European Parliamentary Week incorporates the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union (IPC SECG), an important interparliamentary forum established under Article 13 of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union. The conference strengthens democratic accountability within the European Semester framework and provides a platform for national parliaments and the European Parliament to exchange views on fiscal policy, competitiveness, investment and labour market developments. The 2026 edition was co-organised by the European Parliament and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, with the support of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments. During the two-day programme, participants engaged in plenary debates and parallel committee meetings addressing the future Multiannual Financial Framework, the competitiveness of the Single Market, labour market resilience and social cohesion. The discussions took place at a decisive moment for the Union, as Member States consider how to balance fiscal responsibility with strategic investment in the green and digital transitions.

Caruana Cilia served as a panel speaker for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) during Session II entitled “Just and competitive labour markets in the twin transition." The session examined how labour markets can remain both socially just and economically competitive as Europe advances simultaneously in the green and digital transformations. The panel also included representatives from the European Commission, national parliaments and European agencies.

In his intervention, Hon. Caruana Cilia emphasised that the twin transition represents a profound structural transformation affecting production models, skills demand and the organisation of work. He underlined that for Malta, as a small and open economy, competitiveness remains essential, and that policy choices must carefully balance flexibility with security. He stressed that labour market resilience depends on forward-looking skills policies, active labour market measures, strong social dialogue and sustained investment in vocational education and lifelong learning.

Caruana Cilia further highlighted that social cohesion and competitiveness are mutually reinforcing objectives. He noted that access to essential services, support for vulnerable groups and measures to address labour shortages must accompany structural reforms to ensure that the benefits of the twin transition are widely shared. He reiterated Malta's commitment to evidence-based policymaking and pragmatic flexibility within the European social model.

The European Parliamentary Week continues to serve as a vital forum for strengthening cooperation between national parliaments and the European Parliament. By fostering open dialogue on economic coordination, fiscal sustainability and social investment, the conference contributes to shaping a collective European approach to growth, resilience and long-term prosperity.

Photos: HoR