On 24 January 2017, the Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, took part in the informal meeting of ministers and secretaries of state for European Affairs in Valetta, Malta.
In the presence of the First Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, several ministers and secretaries of state for European Affairs from the EU Member States exchanged views on the priorities of the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU. The candidate countries also participated.
With the upcoming informal summit in Malta taking place on 3 February 2017, which forms part of preparations for the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the ministers also discussed their views on the future of the EU.
In his speech, Jean Asselborn offered his support to the Maltese presidency’s ambitions with regards to migration. More specifically, he highlighted the need for a coherent migration policy supported by all the Member States.
Regarding the future of the EU, the Head of Luxemburg Diplomacy called for a new impetus for the EU's social dimension, in particular in view of persistent high unemployment among young people, all the while keeping in mind that social investment policies and sustainable and inclusive economy go hand in hand. The minister pleaded that: "It is necessary to restore hope to young people after so many years of crisis and to make concrete progress towards a more social Europe.”
Photo by MAEE
