MEP Peter Agius presents an account of his work after two years in office

Submitted 201 amendments and participated in negotiations on 19 laws across nine European Parliament committees

MEP Peter Agius presented an account of his work as a Member of the European Parliament for Malta and Gozo, marking two years since the start of the mandate of the MEPs elected in June 2024.

During a press conference at Europe House in Valletta, Dr Agius explained that over the past 24 months he submitted 201 formal amendments to European legislation. These included proposals to create more opportunities under the Erasmus programme, changes to cultural funding to benefit Maltese films, more transparent rules on the use of direct orders, improved funding for young farmers, dedicated funding for Gozo, and measures to ensure more affordable and innovative medicines in Malta.

These are some of the changes achieved by MEP Agius through his work in the European Parliament, where he has been involved in negotiations on 19 laws or resolutions. Dr Agius explained that every proposal or amendment he has put forward has sought to promote the best interests of Malta and Gozo, often by ensuring that legislation reflects Malta's geographical and insular realities and avoids a "one size fits all" approach to European lawmaking.

MEP Agius also explained that an important part of his role is to be present and influence proposed legislation in European Parliament committees, even those in which no Maltese MEP serves as a member. In fact, Agius' amendments were negotiated and presented across nine committees, including committees without Maltese representation, such as the Committee on Legal Affairs, the Committee on Culture, and the Committee on Equality.

"The fact that there are only six Maltese MEPs means that we are not members of all the European Parliament committees. In fact, we are members of only half of them. This may result in important decisions affecting Malta being taken without us having had the opportunity to shape them as necessary. That is why I dedicate part of my efforts to following the work of various committees even where I am not a member," said Dr Agius.

Ddr Agius also said that an important part of his work as an MEP is to anticipate decisions being prepared at European level so that stakeholders in Malta can provide their input before those proposals are finalised.

"We cannot represent people if we do not first listen to what they want in the areas that affect them," said MEP Agius.