Malta's delegation to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has emerged as one of the most active members of the consultative body.

With only five delegates, Malta's representatives managed to present five opinions during the first seven months of this year.

Proportionately, this makes Malta the second most active country in the committee.

Representing the voice of civil society, trade unions, employers and business in an official EU forum, the EESC is tasked with drafting opinions on key Commission proposals to ensure that Europe's legislation also represents the people's voice.

Since joining the EU in 2004, Malta has been represented by five members: Grace Attard from the civil society groups, Sylvia Gauci for the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprise - GRTU, Edwin Calleja for the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, Anna Maria Darmanin for the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and Michael Parnis for the General Workers' Union.

At the end of this year's activities before the summer recess, some 450 EU officials and other guests, including many Maltese, visited the EESC building in the heart of the EU quarter in Brussels to attend a 'Malta Night' organised by the Maltese delegation.

The event was addressed by Maltese Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg, EESC president Mario Sepi and Malta's Permanent Representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana.

Mr Cachia Caruana said the Maltese team had been very active, sharing ideas, knowledge and experience with their colleagues and with the other EU bodies and institutions.

The event included a showcase of Maltese culinary delights prepared especially for the occasion by four chefs flown directly to Brussels by James Caterers.