I refer to the comment by Joe Tanti in the Times of Malta Business of Thursday, March 13, entitled ‘For a better representation in Europe’. Tanti raises the very important issue concerning the “significant room for improvement in the way that elected Maltese MEPs engage with the local social partners”. He then referred to the need for “a permanent dialogue between the elected MEPs andthe MCESD”.

Indeed, the mechanism for such dialogue already exists and this is provided by the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (Meusac). Since its re-activation in 2008, Meusac has sought to involve the Maltese MEPs in the consultation process on EU policy and legislation. Over the past six years, MEPs have been actively involved in various consultation sessions and other events where they have been afforded the possibility to engage in a dialogue with the social partners and civil society. The subjects discussed have ranged from general issues such as the future of Europe to specific themes like the EU budget and the European Framework for Online Gambling.

Meusac and the European Parliament Information Office in Malta also collaborate on a regular basis to promote such a dialogue.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tanti and the Malta Business Bureau for their active role in promoting the interests of Maltese business in Europe and for its support of the many initiatives undertaken by Meusac to promote social dialogue on EU issues at the national level.