PM Abela speaks about reforms in meeting with European Commissioner

Prime Minister Robert Abela met with European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders at Castille, where they discussed reforms which will help strengthen the field of justice in Malta.

Abela was accompanied by Ministers Owen Bonnici, Byron Camilleri and Jonathan Attard, Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg, Cabinet Secretary Ryan Spagnol and Head of the Secretariat Glenn Micallef.

During the meeting, Abela mentioned that the government has always consulted with the European Commission regarding the implementation of a number of reforms in favour of strengthening the rule of law, justice and governance in Malta.

Abela said that the government will continue to implement reforms that will further strengthen justice in Malta.

Abela mentioned a number of reforms that the government is working on, such as the amendment to the Criminal Code which would permit terminating pregnancies in situations where the health or life of the mother is at risk and the amendment that allows the Police to request the Magistrate’s permission to extend an arrest for more than 48 hours.

Abela also listed a number of reforms carried out by this administration which reduced the Office of the Prime Ministers’ powers, such as the two-thirds majority vote needed for the appointment of the President and for the appointment of the

Chief Justice. He added that in the case of the Police Commissioner, their appointment must now be open to parliamentary scrutiny.

He also said that the government has strengthened the Office of the Ombudsman and the Permanent Commissioner against corruption.

The government also gave the courts and the office of the Attorney General more resources, Abela said.

Abela also referred to the draft laws that will give journalists protection and explained how currently, the Committee of Media Experts is conducting public consultation after the government accepted the request of the committee to extend the consultation.