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Malta, Prime Minister Robert Abela meets with Antònio Costa

Malta, Prime Minister Robert Abela meets with Antònio Costa

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela met with Antònio Costa, who is set to take over as president of the Council of the European Union. The meeting was held at the Auberge de Castille in Valletta, and focused on the agenda for the EU’s new legislature, with an emphasis on advancing the bloc’s policy agenda under Costàs leadership.
Costa, formerly Portugal’s socialist prime minister, is on a European tour visiting various capitals ahead of his appointment to the council presidency next month. The Council of the EU, comprised of heads of government from EU member states, plays a central role in shaping the bloc’s policies and direction.
The council defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union, grouping EU heads of government.

– Photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Sace, focus on the Mattei Plan for Italian companies

Sace, focus on the Mattei Plan for Italian companies

ROME (ITALY) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A training course dedicated to Italian companies that wish to acquire skills to operate in the geographies included in the Mattei Plan, which aims to create commercial relationships and enhance Italian excellence. It is the “Africa Champion Program”, launched by Sace with the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the support of the mission structure for the implementation of the Mattei Plan of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers together with institutional actors such as the Ice Agency, Cop, Simest, Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo and Càmara de Comèrcio Mocambique-Itàlia, which will officially start in 2025.
“It is a training and meeting program with those who may be the new players with whom Italian companies can interact in Africa. Together with the world of Italian institutions and the actors of the system, we want to accompany this approach towards Africa and we can do it because we start from what is our knowledge of that territory. Since the beginning of the Mattei Plan we have already carried out 1.2 billion initiatives and we are starting from here to ensure that there is even greater impetus for SMEs to enter Africa”, explained Alessandra Ricci, CEO of Sace, underlining how the current geopolitical situation is not creating difficulties because “it has affected other areas. We had already identified Africa as one of the potential so-called gate countries, in fact, we are opening a new office in Rabat in Morocco in addition to the other two offices in Cairo and Johannesburg”.
For Alessandro Terzulli, Chief Economist of Sace, it is “a continent with high potential, it is positioned to capture some macro trends that will increasingly assert themselves such as the demographic one, that of the development of a middle class, urbanization, the technological one. A driving approach is necessary for our companies to be able to seize the potential, but it is also important to shape the bilateral aspect”.
The project is divided into two phases: a training course divided into 3 modules with vertical insights on Ivory Coast, Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, Tunisia, Kenya and on three key sectors: energy, infrastructure and agri-food; Business Matching, or a second phase dedicated to the creation of business opportunities through business matching sessions, between Italian companies and African counterparts, also within the scope of Sacès push strategy program.
Africa Champion Program is just the beginning of a series of opportunities for discussion and sharing of visions and concrete tools to support Italian companies that are interested in approaching the African market or that are already present and intend to strengthen their presence in the geographical area. Africa looks to the future with the momentum of a region that, after difficult years, aims to be the next protagonist of global growth. Despite the usual, profound differences between the over 50 countries that make up the African continent, positive signals are emerging from markets of interest for our companies. Trade between Italy and Africa has already shown considerable potential during 2024, reaching 60 billion euros, as shown by Istat data collected by Sacès Sudi Office. The forecasts for 2025 are positive: an increase of 7.7% is expected in North Africa and 8.5% in Sub-Saharan Africa, considering 14 billion and 6.5 billion respectively of Italian exports recorded in 2023. In this context, Sacès new approach for Africa has seen a growing exposure to the continent: from 2022 Sace has approved 1.2 billion in 2024, the start date of the Mattei Plan. To the traditional export credit offer, in collaboration with the Mission Structure of the Mattei Plan, Sace has added push operations to strengthen the role of Italian companies in Africa, identifying high-potential geographies such as Ivory Coast, Senegal and the first Push Strategy operation in Benin, granting a guarantee to cover a loan of 120 million euros destined for the Ministry of Finance of Benin. Furthermore, Sace has guaranteed the first financing of 100 million euros to the multilateral development bank Trade Development Bank (TDB) to promote sustainable growth and African regional integration, increasing export opportunities for Italian companies.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo credit: xb1/Italpress-


Source: medNews

International Criminal Court, arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

International Criminal Court, arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the commander of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif. According to a statement published today, the court in The Hague unanimously issued two decisions rejecting the Jewish statès appeals regarding the court’s jurisdiction “over the situation in the State of Palestine in general and over Israeli citizens in particular” and on Tel Aviv’s request “to discontinue any proceedings before the Court in the situation in question, including the examination of the requests for arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, submitted by the Prosecutor’s Office on 20 May 2024”. In September, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan requested “as a matter of urgency” arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. The request was prompted by the deteriorating situation in Palestine and the war crimes and crimes against humanity documented in previous arrest warrants filed in May. Khan also called for Ismail Haniyeh to be removed from the list, as he was killed in July.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

The Pope blesses the “Salus” mobile clinics for children in Egypt

The Pope blesses the “Salus” mobile clinics for children in Egypt

CITTA’ DEL VATICANO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Pope Francis received a delegation from the “Bambino Gesù del Cairo” Association, represented by the President Monsignor Yoannis Lazhi Gaid, former personal secretary, the President of the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital of Rome, the President of Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Polyclinic Foundation, the President of the Italian company RI Group, the President of the Hospitals Without Borders Foundation, the President of the Human Fraternity Foundation in Egypt, representatives of the Teladoc Society and the Butterfly Society and by some members and benefactors who contributed to this initiative.
?Pope Francis blessed the two Mobile Clinics, located in Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, which will be available for the treatment of sick children and victims of war and their families, in places where healthcare facilities are lacking.
?The two Mobile Clinics are part of the initiative called “Salus”, promoted by the “Bambino Gesù del Cairo” Association, by the Human Fraternity Foundation in Egypt and by the Hospitals Without Borders Foundation.

Pope Francis expressed his joy and blessing towards this initiative: “I thank all the people and organizations who have worked and contributed to the set up of these two Mobile Clinics which will provide assistance and care to numerous children and sick people and reflect the spirit of the Document on Human Brotherhood. I am pleased to see the Bambino Gesù Hospital, Gemelli, the Italian authorities and other associations and foundations cooperating together in this beautiful Salus project. I encourage you to continue to support these concrete charitable initiatives that Don Gaid, with you, is able to carry out. With affection I greet all of you present and the delegations from the USA, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Argentina and Italy. May the Lord bless you and may Our Lady keep you under her maternal mantle and please pray for me!”
?Monsignor Gaid expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father and to all the benefactors who made this project possible which represents a small light in a world shocked by too much pain and suffering and supports the Association’s motto: “All the darkness in the world does not put off the light of a small candle.” An initiative that unites everyone to serve everyone without distinction or preference in the spirit of the Document on “Human Brotherhood for World Peace and Common Coexistence” signed by Pope Francis on 4 February 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

The news was published in Italy and abroad by journalist Biagio Maimone, Director of Communications for the Bambino Gesù Association of Cairo.
?Fuad Sweiss, President and Founder of (HWB) expressed his joy and gratitude to the Holy Father, assuring the commitment to continue and collaborate on other humanitarian initiatives.
?The other projects of the Bambino Gesù Association of Cairo are the “Oasi della Pietà” orphanage, which was inaugurated on May 5, 2024 in the city of Cairo; the “Human Fraternity Restaurant Chain”, called Fratello, which offers free meals for Egyptian families in need inaugurated on 9 January 2024. Next year, work will begin on the construction of the “Bambino Gesù del Cairo” Hospital, the first “Popès Hospital” outside Italy.
?The ceremony was also attended by an Egyptian delegation led by Nabila Makram, Head of the Technical Secretariat and Executive Director of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work, Mahmoud Talaat, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Holy See, Enas Mekkawy, Ambassador of the Arab League in Rome, Kais Abu Dayyeh, Ambassador of Jordan to Italy, Luciano Pezzotti, Ambassador of Italy to Jordan.

– Photo Biagio Maimone –

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

Malta, Imf forecasts economic growth in line with EU expectations

Malta, Imf forecasts economic growth in line with EU expectations

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – In its annual country report, the International Monetary Fund has projected that the Maltese economy will grow by 5% in 2024 and 4% in 2025, in line with projections made by the European Commission last week. That will be among the highest in the EU. However, the IMF said fixed energy price policies should be phased out and the funds allocated for investment (including green) and productivity-enhancing policies. The energy subsidies account for a fifth of Maltàs financial deficit. However, the finance minister last month declared that the energy subsidies will stay, because they support investment, and their cost as a percentage of GDP and in real terms is well below what it was when they were introduced at the peak of the Covid crisis. The Fund warned once again, that Malta should ensure financial stability by maintaining close monitoring of risks that can arise from banks’ concentrated lending to the real estate sector. The fund said developing a long-term fiscal framework is essential for strengthening Maltàs policy decision-making and aligning fiscal planning with strategic priorities. In other parts of its report, the IMF said Maltàs tourism sector “requires more effective management”.
Malta is experiencing numerous hotel projects and an increase in other types of accommodation. The IMF added tourism may continue to grow significantly, potentially exacerbating labour shortages, infrastructure bottlenecks, and social and environmental concerns, while priority should be given to steadily implementing the Malta Tourism Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to promote sustainable and high-quality tourism.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Tourism Office of Malta-


Source: medNews

Morocco chairs WFP Executive Meeting in Rome

Morocco chairs WFP Executive Meeting in Rome

ROME (ITALY) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The second regular session of the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) opened yesterday in Rome, chaired by Youssef Balla, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations agencies in Rome. This session marks an important step at the global level in the fight against food insecurity and for the promotion of resilient and sustainable food systems, Balla said in a statement to Italpress. Morocco, as coordinator of African countries, continues to work to highlight African priorities at the international level, the diplomat assured, specifying that this session will be marked in particular by the adoption and examination of the strategic plans of several countries. During this session, which will continue until November 21, important debates are planned on topics such as resilience, climate change and WFP policies on school meals. Much of the work will also focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the food situation is catastrophic and has reached unbearable levels, Balla said. Under the Moroccan presidency, the WFP Council will approve the report of the working group responsible for examining the governance of this United Nations agency, the ambassador said, stressing that this review is the most important process carried out in the last two decades by the WFP. Morocco has played an active role in this working group, having developed the aforementioned report on the examination of all the recommendations made by the independent advisor on WFP governance, published in May 2023, he added. The WFP Executive Board holds two regular sessions and an annual session every year to discuss strategic documents and approve policies, programs and budgets related to WFP activities at a global level.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: source Map-


Source: medNews

Italy-Greece, minister Urso meets his counterpart Theodorikakos

Italy-Greece, minister Urso meets his counterpart Theodorikakos

ROME (ITALY) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, met the Minister of Economic Development of Greece, Takis Theodorikakos, at Palazzo Piacentini. The conversation focused on bilateral relations between Italy and Greece in the industrial and new technologies fields, and on the state of the main production sectors in both countries. During the meeting, the two ministers also discussed how to strengthen bilateral cooperation in terms of mutual attraction of investments, with particular regard to the typical sectors of the productive machinery. Minister Urso then presented to his Greek counterpart the contents of the non-paper on the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, which in particular proposes to bring forward to the beginning of 2025 the activation of the revision clause of the European regulation on CO2 emissions from light vehicles. While confirming the commitment towards full decarbonisation, the proposal of the Italian government underlines the urgency of common resources to support investments in the sector, while improving the global competitiveness of European companies. The non-paper, an initiative by Italy in collaboration with the Czech Republic, is currently being signed by the member states that share the strategic approach and will be discussed at the next Competitiveness Council scheduled for November 28th in Brussels.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo credit: Mimit press office-


Source: medNews

Half of the Maltese military contingent returned from Lebanon

Half of the Maltese military contingent returned from Lebanon

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Half of the Armed Forces of Malta soldiers stationed in Lebanon have returned to Malta, while the other half is expected to return this week. A spokesperson for the Armed Forces of Malta has not confirmed the reason for their return. Seven Maltese soldiers, who voluntarily signed up for a six-month peacekeeping mission close to the Israeli border, were stationed in Lebanon. The soldiers were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission known as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) which has around 10,500 peacekeepers from 50 contributing countries. The Maltese soldiers were stationed in Camp Shamrock with Irish, Polish, and Hungarian troops. Concerns were raised late last month after Israel escalated its conflict with Lebanon, in particular the Iran-backed group, Hezbollah. Home affairs ministers of the EU member states, also part of UNIFIL, held a meeting on 16 October where the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border was discussed.
The Foreign Ministry in Malta insisted on the importance of prioritizing the safety of UNIFIL soldiers.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo credit: Ipa Agency-


Source: medNews

Malta registers an increase in housing prices, rate above the EU average

Malta registers an increase in housing prices, rate above the EU average

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – According to a Eurostat study, the average price of a house in the European Union has increased by 48% since 2015.

The highest increase in price has been in Hungary with a staggering 173% increase, and the lowest increase was Finland with just 5%. Malta registered a 53.4% increase in housing prices since 2015. Italy registered one of the lowest rate with 8.3% increase.

The primary factors driving up prices include rising construction costs and mortgage rates, reduced building activity that limit supply, and a growing trend of purchasing properties as income-generating investments.

The renting sector has also been experiencing inflammatory prices with an average rise of 18% from 2010 to 2022 in the EU, due to the increase of short term lets as well as taking houses and flats off the market.

Many Europeans are worried about rising prices, the cost of living, and the overall economic situation. According to the July 2024 Euro-barometer survey, these were the primary reasons that motivated people to vote in the European elections.

In 2021, the European Parliament urged EU countries to recognise adequate housing as a fundamental human right, ensuring equal access to safe, sanitary, and energy-reliable housing. In July 2024, Ursula Von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission and highlighted housing as a key priority, announcing the creation of a new EU commissioner role dedicated to housing.

Later, in October 2024, MEPs discussed wit(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma


Source: medNews

Malta-Sicily, the second interconnector enters the implementation phase

Malta-Sicily, the second interconnector enters the implementation phase

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Energy Minister Miriam Dalli expressed her gratitude to the President of the Sicilian Region, Dr. Renato Schifani, for his support following the official approval of the second interconnector project linking Malta and Sicily. The approval of the Intesa Finale signifies Sicily gave the green light for the project and sets the stage for final authorization from Italy’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. Earlier this year, the Ministry completed a consultation process with positive outcomes.
“The second interconnector is a critical enabler of Maltàs electricity vision, aimed at achieving a sustainable energy future. It will help increase renewable energy’s share and drive Maltàs decarbonization efforts,” said Minister Dalli.
The project involves the development of a 122-kilometre, high-voltage alternating current electrical cable interconnection, including a 99-kilometre submarine cable. Once complete, it will double Maltàs electricity connectivity to mainland Europe, ensuring greater energy stability and supporting green initiatives.
Interconnect Malta Chief Executive Officer Ismail D’Amato highlighted the importance of Sicily’s approval, stating, “This positive outcome brings us one step closer to securing the necessary development permit in Italy. It is a key enabler for advancing the execution of the project, which is now entering the implementation phase.”
The project has been designated as an ‘Operation of Strategic Importancè under Maltàs 2021-2027 Programme. It is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with an allocation of €165 million-more than half of the total investment cost of approximately €300 million. The project aligns with EU objectives for clean and fair energy transitions and smart energy systems.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).


Source: medNews

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