The European Union Coordination Department (EUCD)
within the Ministry responsible for European Affairs is responsible for the
Government’s overall internal coordination on all European Union (EU) related
matters with a view to ensure Malta’s effective participation in EU structures
and policy making, through a timely, consistent and coherent approach. The
Department is also responsible for the coordinating the smooth transposition
and implementation of EU legislation.
Main Competencies
The
EUCD is part of the Government’s
administrative structure and
serves as a co-ordination body on EU policies. The Department seeks to ensure that all stakeholders, i.e. both lead and line Ministries and Government
bodies, are well-informed and consulted so
that the necessary
decisions and actions about
any EU related matter are taken in a timely manner. This allows the Government’s
representatives to effectively participate in all meetings at EU level. Also, while the
Department is not directly responsible for the introduction of new laws, it is tasked with the coordination for the proper
transposition and implementation of the EU acquis.
The
EU Coordination Department is responsible for the overall coordination of
Malta’s positions for discussions within the various EU institutions and
entities, as well as with other Member States. It is responsible for ensuring
that appropriate instructions and briefing material is received by the
Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU, as well as those participating in
EU Ministerial Council meetings, committees, working parties and working
groups. The EU Coordination Department is also responsible for ensuring
effective participation in all priority Council working parties and Commission
working groups.
The
EU Coordination Department coordinates the preparatory work for the Inter-Ministerial
Committee for EU Affairs which includes the coordination of the drawing up of
internal documents and consolidated position papers required for
decision-making at the national level. It ensures the flow of information
between the Permanent Representation and the respective lead and line
ministries with respect to different policy areas. The EU Coordination
Department has also a trouble-shooting role especially in the area of
arbitration on questions of inter-departmental overlap.
The
EU Coordination Department is also responsible for monitoring the
implementation of the adopted acquis in line with the agreed timeframes, both
in terms of legal adoption and implementation.
Furthermore,
the EU Coordination Department is responsible to coordinate external visits
(such as, from EU institutions and consultative bodies) and the preparation of
the necessary briefing material for the respective meetings.
To
carry out its duties, the EU Coordination Department is currently made up of
five units namely: COREPER I Unit, COREPER II Unit, Legal Unit, European
Parliament Unit & Inter-Ministerial Coordination Unit, and the
Administration Unit.
Vision: Membership with purpose: Making a
success of Malta’s EU Membership.
Mission: Ensuring Malta’s effective participation in
EU structures and policy making and coordinating the smooth transposition and
implementation of EU legislation.
Values: We believe in upholding the highest
standards of integrity in all of our
actions, while valuing our people, encourage their development and reward their
performance.