Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi

🇪🇺🇲🇹 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.

🇪🇺🇲🇹 Appena arrivato in missione ufficiale a Malta ho visitato il secondo interconnettore elettrico tra #Malta e #Sicilia, il più grande investimento della politica di coesione europea nel Paese. 💡 Un progetto strategico che rafforzerà la sicurezza energetica, sostenendo allo stesso tempo lo sviluppo delle energie rinnovabili e l’elettrificazione. 🤝 La visita si è svolta insieme a @stefanzrinzo, Ministro per i Fondi europei e l’Attuazione del programma elettorale, e @Miriamdalli, Ministro per l’Economia, l’Impresa e i Progetti strategici. 🇬🇧 Upon arriving in Malta on an official mission, I visited the second electricity interconnector between Malta and Sicily, the largest investment of EU cohesion policy in the country. 💡A strategic project that will strengthen energy security while supporting the development of renewable energy and electrification. 🤝The visit took place together with Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for EU Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, and Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects.

Europe’s internal market, while large, is no longer sufficient on its own to sustain long-term growth. In a world where economic momentum is shifting towards large emerging economies, Europe cannot afford to remain economically inward-looking. timesofmalta.com/article/econom…

The evolution of computers [1940-2100] 🤯

Rosetta Tharpe was shredding an electric guitar and electrifying crowds in the 1930s and 40s while most people had never even heard the term rock and roll yet. Her gospel fire, rhythm, and guitar style directly influenced artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. Long before stadium tours and rock legends, she was already doing it. Put some respect on her name — Rosetta Tharpe is the true founder of rock and roll.

Malta is deeply concerned by the worsening situation in the Strait of Hormuz - freedom of  navigation needs to be ensured and the integrity of global supply chains must be protected. Attacks on commercial shipping are unacceptable. During the EU-@GCC Foreign Affairs Council #FAC meeting, I reiterated our solidarity with our Gulf partners, following the indiscriminate, retaliatory attacks by Iran. As we continue to call for dialogue and diplomatic solutions, we stress the need for international humanitarian law to be adhered to, at all times.

This is so cool. We need to have more of these.

Malta is a voice for peace; our neutrality is non-negotiable. For every challenge that develops in the coming hours, @MaltaGov will be addressing it with immediate and coordinated action. - RA

At today’s Emergency FAC, I conveyed messages from the FMs of the UAE @ABZayed and Qatar @MBA_AlThani_. Malta condemns the unprovoked and indiscriminate attacks on these countries and others in the region. We emphasized that the safety of EU citizens must remain a top priority. We stand in solidarity with our Gulf partners, while continuing to support the Iranian people. Any eventual closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be unacceptable.

📍 Yesterday (23 Feb), #EU Ministers met in #Brussels for the General Affairs #GAC Council, which focused on #Cohesion 🇪🇺 🇲🇹 #Malta was represented by the Minister for European Funds, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi. 🤝During the meeting, Ministers reached agreement on the EU agenda for #cities – a shared plan to help EU cities become greener, fairer and more liveable places, with more money, support and a stronger voice in EU decisions, while also ensuring continuity with the existing EU plans for #urban areas. 🔎 Ministers also discussed the mid-term review of cohesion policy 2021-2027, focusing on what lessons were learned from past implementation of cohesion policy, and to better address challenges that can emerge in the future. ✋Concerns relating to recent cohesion-related proposals on the National and Regional Partnership Plans #NRPP were also raised. 📊The NRPP is the proposed framework for the 2028–2034 EU #budget which is aimed at streamlining cohesion, #agriculture, and territorial policies into single, flexible, performance-based plans for each EU Member State. 🇲🇹 Malta underlined the need for EU cohesion policy to better understand and reflect the realities of very small towns and cities in small island Member States. ⚠️A one-size-fits-all approach for Member States should be avoided, and policy instruments - such as population thresholds or eligibility criteria - must not inadvertently exclude Maltese localities from tapping into EU support. 🇲🇹 This is especially important for Malta due to its unique situation where its towns and cities fall below commonly used EU-level thresholds, despite however facing the same challenges as other towns and cities in other EU countries. 🗣️ On the fringes of the Council meeting, the Minister also held various meetings, including with the President of the #EuropeanParliament, Roberta Metsola. @stefanzrinzo @RobertaMetsola

At the General Affairs Council (Cohesion) in Brussels, I highlighted the importance of a strong, flexible EU Cohesion Policy that supports regions, empowers cities and delivers investment on the ground. Cohesion remains key to solidarity and sustainable growth across Europe. 🇪🇺

@PicturesFoIder Malta doesn’t mess around.

Happy International Mother Language Day!💙 The 🇪🇺 is committed to protecting not only its 24 official EU languages, but 60+ regional and minority languages that enrich our shared heritage👏 #ErasmusPlus and @europe_creative support language diversity: link.europa.eu/ktDBxM

Some people don't understand that being at home, alone in peace, reading a book and listening to music, is priceless.

EU funds reaching the economy’s grassroots mrf.lu/zTlV

We offer up to six paid traineeships each year for EU nationals with disabilities. Interested in gaining work experience at the 🇪🇺 Council? 🗓️ Apply by 19 March. 🔗 link.europa.eu/YxQ8wd

On 6 February 2026, the Chinese Embassy in Malta successfully hosted the 2026 Spring Festival Reception and “Happy Chinese New Year” cultural performance. The event was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Malta and co-hosted by the China Cultural Centre in Malta and the Malta–China Friendship Society. H.E. Ambassador Zhang Zuo attended the event and delivered a speech. Also present were Hon. Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for EU Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, representatives from various sectors, local Chinese community, Chinese-funded institutions, and Chinese students studying in Malta, with a total of more than 400 guests.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Palazzo Parisio, Malta

This marble floor holds 400 tombs of the Knights of Malta, each adorned with vivid polychrome designs and the knights’ crests. Located inside the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, built in 1608.

The spread of hatred and lies online is causing grave harm to our world. The UN Global Principles for Information Integrity aim to foster a more humane information ecosystem, based on 5 key pillars. More on Tuesday’s Safer Internet Day: un.org/en/information…