The work force at Dar Malta in Brussels is being increased from the current 50 people to 150 to 200 for the country to be able to deal with the Presidency of the European Union in 2017, Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg said this morning.

A public call had already been issued and 90 per cent of the additional work force would be in place by the end of the year.

Since this would be Malta’s first experience of the Presidency, these people would be trained in language, negotiating and chairing skills.

Addressing a news conference, he said that on a ministerial, ambassadorial and technical level, Malta would be chairing 1,500 meetings in Brussels and 180 in Valletta.

The subjects would vary from agricultural issued and food to international conflicts. Malta’s priorities would be the Mediterranean, instability in North Africa, migration and blue growth.

The final draft programme is to be presented by September.

Malta was also not excluding a summit and there would also be a meeting of the College of Commissioners.

Dr Borg said that a public call had already been issued inviting private companies to be part of the event helping the government with the logistics.

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