L-Ewroparlamentari Laburista Daniel Attard, f’isem il-Grupp tas-Soċjalisti u d-Demokratiċi (S&D), kien fost in-negozjaturi ewlenin wara ftehim ġdid li għandu l-għan li jindirizza ostakli li jfixklu l-ħajja ta’ kuljum u ż-żvilupp ekonomiku fir-reġjuni tal-fruntieri tal-Unjoni Ewropea.
Il-ftehim, magħruf bħala BRIDGEforEU, se jippermetti lill-awtoritajiet lokali, reġjonali u anke entitajiet privati biex jinnotifikaw ostakli li jaffettwaw proġetti jew servizzi li jaqsmu fruntieri. Eżempji ta’ dan jinkludu:
- Trasport Pubbliku: Nuqqas ta’ koordinazzjoni bejn servizzi f’żoni tal-fruntiera jwassal għal skedi li ma jaqblux jew biljetti mhux validi fuq iż-żewġ naħat tal-fruntiera.
- Servizzi t’Emerġenza: Differenzi fil-proċeduri jistgħu jfixklu kif dawn is-servizzi joperaw bejn pajjiżi ġirien.
- Trasport tal-Merkanzija (Freight): Regoli differenti dwar kif titwassal il-merkanzija jistgħu jikkawżaw dewmien u spejjeż żejda għall-kumpaniji.
Il-pajjiżi membri li jagħżlu li jipparteċipaw se jwaqqfu ċentri ta’ koordinazzjoni biex jiġbru dawn in-notifiki, jevalwawhom u jfasslu soluzzjonijiet prattiċi, fosthom tibdil fi proċeduri jew regolamenti biex jiġu megħluba dawn l-ostakli.
“Dan huwa pass konkret biex nirrispondu għall-problemi reali li jiffaċċjaw in-nies li jgħixu jew jaħdmu f’reġjuni tal-fruntieri. L-għan aħħari hu li nagħmlu l-ħajja aktar faċli għall-komunitajiet li kienu żvantaġġjati minħabba l-post ġeografiku tagħhom. Għal Malta, dan jista’ jfisser inqas ostakli f’oqsma bħat-trasport tal-merkanzija u l-aċċess għas-servizzi, u b’hekk inqas spejjeż kemm għall-operaturi kif ukoll għall-familji Maltin u Għawdxin,” qal Daniel Attard.
Il-ftehim ġie approvat b’mod unanimu fil-Kumitat tal-Iżvilupp Reġjonali tal-Parlament Ewropew u mistenni jħeġġeġ aktar kooperazzjoni effettiva bejn reġjuni Ewropej.
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European Parliament Backs Agreement Negotiated by Daniel Attard to Ease Cross-Border Obstacles
Labour MEP Daniel Attard, negotiating on behalf of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), played a key role negotiating a new agreement aimed at reducing administrative barriers that continue to hinder daily life and economic activity in EU border regions.
The agreement, known as BRIDGEforEU, enables local and regional authorities — as well as private entities — to report cross-border obstacles that limit infrastructure projects or access to public services. Examples include:
Public transport: Poor coordination between services on either side of a border can lead to mismatched schedules or non-compatible ticketing systems.
Emergency services: Diverging administrative procedures can disrupt the smooth operation of services between neighbouring countries.
Freight transport: Different national rules on goods handling or delivery often result in delays and unnecessary costs for cross-border businesses.
Participating EU Member States will establish coordination centres to receive and assess these reports. These centres can then work with the relevant authorities to identify practical and voluntary solutions — including adjustments to existing procedures or regulations.
“This is a concrete step to address real challenges faced by people who live or work in cross-border areas. The ultimate goal is to make life easier for communities that have long been disadvantaged because of their geographical location,” said Daniel Attard. “For Malta, this can serve as a useful model to ease burdens in areas like freight transport and access to key services — helping to reduce costs for both businesses and families in Malta and Gozo.”
The agreement was unanimously approved by the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development and is expected to promote more effective cross-border cooperation and regional growth across the EU.