Prime Minister Joseph Muscat informed Chancellor Angela Merkel of the goals of Malta’s Presidency during his visit to Berlin on 29 November. On 1 January 2017 Malta took over from Slovakia at the helm of the Council of the EU for its six-month Presidency. "It is a Presidency at a time that is anything but easy for the European Union," said Angela Merkel. She wished the Maltese Presidency every success. Germany will give Malta all the support it can during its Presidency. "Wherever we can help, we will make every effort to do so," said the Chancellor.

Malta has prioritised the challenges posed by migration for its Presidency. Now the measures already agreed must be implemented, including the Common European Asylum System. A more equitable sharing of the burden of protecting the EU’s external borders and taking in refugees are on the agenda, as is the realisation of migration compacts with African states. Other important issues will include developing the digital single market to foster growth and employment in Europe, and ensuring security inside and outside Europe.

The Republic of Malta consists of the Maltese Archipelago in the Mediterranean; its population live on the main island Malta, and the islands Gozo and Comino. Malta is the smallest EU member state, with a population of 430,000 and a landmass of 316 square kilometres. It has been an EU member state since 1 May 2004. Around 400,000 Maltese citizens live outside their home country. The capital, Valletta, is home to around 5,750 people. Malta introduced the euro in 2008 and is a member of the Schengen Area.

Agenda for the "Bratislava process"

At her meeting with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at the end of November, Angela Merkel underscored the importance of the EU summit meeting scheduled to take place in February 2017 on Malta. The 27 EU member states intend to use this opportunity to continue the discussion process launched last September in Bratislava about the future work of the EU.

The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the Presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council. Member states holding the Presidency work together closely in groups of three, called "trios". The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three countries prepares its own more detailed 6-month programme. The current trio is made up of the presidencies of the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta.