Matthew Lowell

Policy Analyst at @EUinmyRegion. EU R&I Policy Expert. Chelsea/Lakers fan. Views are my own/RTs do not = endorsement.

[Matthew Lowell @Mlowell88]

@DecarliMagda @mt_xjenzamalta Two FANTASIC former colleagues!

I'm sure it was a huge success!

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Today, the European Union took a major step forward.

All Member States agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.

At the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday, we will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process.

It covers the core values and principles on which the EU is built, from the rule of law to strong democratic institutions.

This is a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges.

And a signal that the EU’s offer of peace, stability and opportunity is unmatchable.

Enlargement is a strategic choice.

By bringing our nations closer together, we strengthen peace, security and prosperity across our continent.

In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger European Union is in our common interest.

Enlargement remains one of the EU’s greatest success stories and our best investment in our shared future.

[Elisa Mosini 🇪🇺🇮🇹 @MosiniElisa]

Pope Leo XIV in Madrid: “I encourage you to nurture the process of European Union, which is not merely a counterweight to other powers, but a gift to humanity.”

Wonderful.
A powerful reminder of how beautiful and hopeful the European project truly is.

🇪🇺🇪🇸

[Raffaele Fitto @RaffaeleFitto]

🇪🇺 Sono sorpreso da alcune reazioni all'iniziativa con cui apriamo a soluzioni concrete capaci di aiutare cittadini e sistema produttivo ad affrontare il peso della #crisienergetica.
La parte migliore di questo, casomai, si chiama flessibilità.
L’hanno chiesta le #Regioni. Bruxelles ha risposto.
Con la revisione di medio periodo abbiamo rimodulato quasi 35 miliardi verso nuove priorità strategiche, sempre condivise , andando incontro proprio alle richieste di Stati e Regioni .
Tutto su base volontaria, programma per programma, territorio per territorio. Lo abbiamo fatto in piena condivisione anche con il Comitato delle #Regioni.
Ora stiamo facendo la stessa cosa davanti alla crisi energetica.

Non c’è nessun “bancomat”. E soprattutto Bruxelles non obbliga nessuno: decidono Stati e Regioni sulla base delle esigenze reali dei territori.
I programmi attuali sono stati scritti con dati economici del 2019-2021 e approvati nel 2022. Nel frattempo il mondo è cambiato profondamente.
Se poi c’è chi ritiene che i programmi definiti oltre 4 anni fa , rispondano perfettamente anche alle esigenze di oggi, e’ libero di mantenere lo status quo.
La politica di coesione funziona se sa adattarsi alla realtà. Il resto rischia di essere solo polemica strumentale e soprattutto non corrisponde alla realtà dei fatti.

🇬🇧 I am surprised by some of the reactions to the initiative through which we are opening up to concrete solutions capable of helping citizens and the productive system to face the burden of the energy crisis.
The best part of this, if anything, is called flexibility.
The Regions asked for it. Brussels responded.
With the mid-term review, we have reprogrammed almost 35 billion towards new strategic priorities — always agreed upon together — responding precisely to the requests of Member States and Regions. All on a voluntary basis, programme by programme, territory by territory. We did so in full agreement with the Committee of the Regions as well.
We are now doing the same in the face of the energy crisis.
There is no "cash machine". And above all, Brussels does not oblige anyone: it is Member States and Regions that decide, based on the real needs of their territories.
The current programmes were drawn up using economic data from 2019–2021 and approved in 2022. In the meantime, the world has changed profoundly.
If there are those who believe that programmes defined more than four years ago still respond perfectly to today's needs as well, they are free to maintain the status quo.
Cohesion policy works when it knows how to adapt to reality. The rest risks being nothing more than instrumental controversy — and above all, it does not correspond to the facts.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

I was heartbroken to learn of the tragic accident between a train and a school bus in Buggenhout today.

My deepest condolences go out to the victims’ families and their loved ones.

Today, Europe grieves with Belgium.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

It's Europe Day!

Today, we celebrate all that Europe stands for.

And we celebrate all of us, the citizens of Europe.

Because all together, we are Europe.

Happy Europe Day!

[Times of Malta @TheTimesofMalta]

Malta among EU’s strongest supporters, Eurobarometer finds https://t.co/4JCXGyILPm

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

72% of Europeans say their country benefits from EU membership.

With the global situation and the cost of living as main concerns, 73% view the EU as a stabilising force in an uncertain world.

Together we are greater than the sum of our parts.

https://t.co/y7oulFAco1

[Matthew Lowell @Mlowell88]

💪🏻

[FT Europe @ftbrussels]

EU tells airlines to pay passengers for fuel-linked cancellations https://t.co/cFmwJy4YrI

[Matthew Lowell @Mlowell88]

😆

[عزّت @Al3zzat]

لغة مالطا تحسها إتكونت نتيجة إن واحد عربي اتجوز واحدة إيطالية وراحوا هناك خلفوا عيال كتير وكانو بيكلموهم عربي وايطالي فطلع لنا الشعب المالطي بلغتهم

[claire de lune @ClaireMPLS]

i wrote about lebron (of course i did) and what has been a truly remarkable turn of events for him and the lakers

for @guardian:

https://t.co/rHD90S0cr8

[Alex Taylor @AlexTaylorNews]

"We Europeans doubt ourselves too much. The world looks to us as people who respect the rule of law and international order, full of innovation. Let's believe in ourselves more !"

Macron's passionate plea for more European self-confidence today in Greece 🇪🇺💪
My English s/t 👇

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

It began with coal and steel. But from the very start, our Union was always meant to be much more.

75 years ago, in Paris, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, Europe chose a different path.

One of unity over division, of Peace over war.

The European Coal and Steel Community was never just an industrial project.

It was a project for peace in Europe.

A project for shared prosperity.

A project for strength and independence in a world of great power competition.

The very same purpose that still drives our Union today.

[Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex]

Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. #ApostolicJourney #Cameroon https://t.co/bKteFZ3iWE

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Today, Europe is Hungarian.

We are stronger. More united.

To the people of Hungary - you've done it again.

You have spoken.

You have chosen Europe.

It's a victory for fundamental freedoms.

[Matthew Lowell @Mlowell88]

It was a privilege to accompany Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion & Reforms, during his first official visit to Malta.

A satisfying reminder of the tangible difference that Cohesion Policy continues to make in the lives of European & Maltese citizens.

[Raffaele Fitto @RaffaeleFitto]

🇪🇺🇲🇹 Ringrazio Maria Elena Despott e tutto il team della Rappresentanza della Commissione europea a #Malta per la disponibilità e il prezioso lavoro svolto durante questa visita.
Un supporto fondamentale per rafforzare il dialogo con le istituzioni e per valorizzare il lavoro che l’Europa realizza sul territorio.

🇬🇧 I thank Maria Elena Despott and the entire team of the European Commission Representation in #Malta for their availability and for the valuable work carried out during this visit.
An essential support to strengthen dialogue with the institutions and to highlight the work that Europe delivers on the ground.

[EU Commission Malta @ECRepMalta]

We are pleased to have welcomed Executive VP @RaffaeleFitto to Malta for discussions with national authorities on the implementation and future of EU cohesion policy, the next European budget, and the challenges and opportunities concerning islands and the Mediterranean.

[Raffaele Fitto @RaffaeleFitto]

🇪🇺🇲🇹 In questi giorni di missione a #Malta ho incontrato il Primo Ministro @RobertAbela_MT per un confronto sui principali temi europei, dal futuro della politica di coesione alle sfide che riguardano le isole e il Mediterraneo.

E ho visitato diversi progetti realizzati con i Fondi europei della Politica di coesione:

⛪️ la Cattedrale di San Giovanni dedicata al Caravaggio, dove è stato realizzato un intervento grazie al Fondo Europeo di Sviluppo Regionale.

💡 il secondo interconnettore elettrico tra Malta e Sicilia, insieme al Ministro @stefanzrinzo e alla Ministra @Miriamdalli.

🌊il nuovo impianto di desalinizzazione a osmosi inversa a Gozo.

🏰i l progetto di riqualificazione della Cittadella di Gozo, simbolo del patrimonio culturale dell’isola valorizzato anche grazie ai fondi europei, con il Ministro per Gozo e la Pianificazione Clint Camilleri.

✳️ Un ringraziamento particolare al Ministro Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi per l’accoglienza e la collaborazione.

💰La politica di coesione in azione: investimenti concreti che rafforzano infrastrutture, servizi e sviluppo dei territori europei.

🇬🇧 During these days on mission in Malta, I met with Prime Minister Robert Abela to discuss key European issues, from the future of cohesion policy to the challenges facing islands and the Mediterranean.

I also visited several projects supported by EU cohesion policy funds:

⛪️St John’s Co-Cathedral, home to Caravaggio’s masterpiece, where restoration works were carried out thanks to support from the European Regional Development Fund.

💡 The second electricity interconnector between Malta and Sicily, together with Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Minister Miriam Dalli.

🌊 The new reverse osmosis desalination plant in Gozo.

🏰 The rehabilitation project of the Cittadella in Gozo, a symbol of the island’s cultural heritage enhanced also thanks to European funds, together with the Minister for Gozo and Planning, Clint Camilleri.

✳️ A special thanks to Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi for the warm welcome and cooperation.

💰Cohesion policy in action: concrete investments strengthening infrastructure, services and development across European territories.

[Raffaele Fitto @RaffaeleFitto]

🇪🇺🇲🇹 Questa mattina a Malta ho visitato il nuovo impianto di desalinizzazione a osmosi inversa di #Ħondoq, a #Gozo.
Un progetto strategico, del valore di circa 165 milioni di euro, realizzato anche con fondi europei, che rafforza la sicurezza idrica dell’isola e migliora la qualità dell’acqua.
Con una capacità di produzione di 9.000 m³ al giorno, l’impianto garantisce a Gozo una fornitura più sicura, rendendo l’isola autosufficiente dal punto di vista idrico.
La gestione dell’acqua è una sfida di assoluta importanza per tutta l’Europa ed è importante vedere progetti efficienti e concreti, sostenuti dalle risorse della politica di coesione, che intervengono direttamente a beneficio dei cittadini.

🇬🇧 This morning in #Malta I visited the new reverse osmosis desalination plant in Ħondoq, in Gozo.
A strategic project worth around €165 million, also supported by #Europeanfunds, which strengthens the island’s water security and improves water quality.
With a production capacity of 9,000 m³ per day, the plant ensures a more secure water supply for Gozo, making the island self-sufficient in terms of water.
Water management is a challenge of fundamental importance across Europe, and it is important to see efficient and concrete projects, supported by cohesion policy resources, that deliver direct benefits for citizens.