Credit where credit is due

The Partit Nazzjonalista recalls that the European Commission’s decision to address the negative effects of the ETS is the result of the work carried out by stakeholders in Malta, and not thanks to Ministers who failed to protect the sector

The European Commission’s proposal to address the negative effects of the ETS on maritime transhipment is a step in the right direction. This is positive news for Malta and for a sector that is strategic to our economy.

However it is also ironic that, two days ago, the same Labour Government Ministers who voted in favour of introducing the EU ETS without first ensuring adequate protection for island states such as Malta attempted to take credit for an outcome achieved solely thanks to the work and evidence presented by the sector itself.

The facts are clear. It was the Malta Maritime Forum, the Malta Freeport and other industry stakeholders that provided the data and analysis demonstrating how the ETS was creating a serious competitive disadvantage for Malta.

At the same time, Members of the European Parliament from various island Member States worked with determination to ensure that these realities were recognised and addressed.

The Partit Nazzjonalista has been consistent from the outset. It has always maintained that, while we support European environmental targets, these should never be implemented in a way that penalises island states which depend almost entirely on maritime transport for connectivity, supplies and economic competitiveness.

Indeed, in our political work on the revision of the ETS, we put forward concrete proposals to:

• grant island states permanent recognition within the ETS framework;
• protect European transhipment hubs such as the Malta Freeport;
• remove the competitive disadvantage in relation to ports outside the EU;
• ensure that climate policy goes hand in hand with Malta’s competitiveness and economic security.

Today should not be about who takes the credit, but about learning a lesson. When Malta goes to Brussels with a position based on facts, data and the experience of industry, we can influence European decisions in favour of the national interest.

We must now continue working to ensure that these proposals are approved through the European legislative process and that no European policy ever again places island states at a disadvantage simply because of their geography.

This is the commitment that the Partit Nazzjonalista will continue to fulfil with consistency, seriousness and vision.

Ivan Castillo
Shadow Minister for Sustainable Mobility

Mark Anthony Sammut
Shadow Minister for Energy and the Environment

Darren Carabott
Shadow Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects

Peter Agius
Member of the European Parliament on behalf of the Partit Nazzjonalista

20.07.2026