Abela Urges EU to Prioritise Mediterranean Region and Its Specific Challenges

8 October 2026, 13:00 · Updated 8 October 2026, 13:02

Prime Minister Robert Abela has urged the European Union to place the Mediterranean at the centre of its political and financial priorities during the MED9 summit in Split, Croatia.

Speaking to leaders from fellow southern member states, Abela emphasised that future European strategies must reflect the specific realities faced by nations in the Mediterranean basin.

A central focus of his intervention was the upcoming multiannual European budget. Abela insisted that financial frameworks must explicitly account for the geographical hurdles and structural vulnerabilities experienced by regional members, particularly peripheral and island states.

The MED9 grouping brings together heads of state and government from nine southern EU countries, including Malta, Croatia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, France, Portugal, and Slovenia. The informal alliance meets periodically to align strategic interests ahead of wider European Council discussions.

Abela highlighted that issues ranging from maritime connectivity to climate resilience require dedicated policy instruments and sufficient resources from Brussels, rather than standardised rules designed for mainland Europe.

The gathering in Split precedes high-level negotiations on the European Union's broader budgetary direction, where southern nations frequently coordinate to present a united stance on economic competitiveness, regional security, and cross-border cooperation.

Speaking during further summit discussions, Prime Minister Robert Abela insisted that European policymakers cannot afford to transfer financial burdens onto households and commercial enterprises. He cautioned that political leaders risk alienating the public if transition costs are imposed directly on citizens, warning: > If we abandon businesses and people and shift the burden onto them, we will lose all support and trust.

Energy affordability formed a central pillar of Malta's intervention at the summit, with Abela arguing that regional stability depends on protecting consumers from volatile supply costs. He urged fellow Mediterranean leaders to coordinate more closely to deliver reliable, lower-cost energy frameworks across the bloc.

Abela also underscored the vital necessity of physical and digital connectivity for peripheral countries. He maintained that European regulatory structures must formally account for the logistical constraints and natural limitations faced by island economies, ensuring they remain competitive within the single market.