MEP Thomas Bajada has secured strong backing within the European Parliament’s ECON Committee for proposals aimed at giving islands like Malta greater recognition in the EU’s next long-term budget.Bajada, serving as Rapporteur on the report, helped secure approval for Parliament’s position on future National and Regional Partnership Plans — a key part of the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework from 2028 onwards.One major proposal would see islands such as Malta benefit from a preferential EU co-financing rate of 75%, instead of the 40% currently proposed by the European Commission.In a Facebook post following the vote, Bajada said Malta and other European islands “cannot be treated like the rest of the continent”.He added that “insularity brings real and permanent challenges for our families, workers and businesses,” while stressing that the report also introduces, for the first time, a dedicated chapter focused specifically on island realities.Bajada described the issue as going beyond funding alone.“This is not just a discussion about European funds. It is a discussion about our future, our quality of life and the opportunities we want to create for future generations,” he wrote.Do you think Malta gets fair treatment in EU funding?•