Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the other Commissioners held discussions with the Maltese Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Muscat, on the challenges and priorities for the EU in the upcoming six months. Particular emphasis will be put on migration and security issues, the Single Market, social inclusion, Europe's neighbourhood, the Mediterranean and the maritime sector. The Commission also met with Members of the House of Representatives – the Maltese Parliament.

The High Representative held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister George Vella, where they agreed that issues around migration and the Mediterranean will be at the centre of foreign policy work over the next six months. 

Central to this will be the European Union's Regional Initiative on the future of Syria led by Mogherini, which aims to identify with regional partners common ground on the post-conflict arrangements for the country and examine the scope for reconciliation and reconstruction once a credible political transition is firmly under way. The second round of talks on the initiative - with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, and Qatar – begins this week. 

Website of the Maltese presidency of the Council of the EU: http://www.eu2017.mt

Background info on the site of the Council of the EU:http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/presidency-council-eu/