Malta Strengthens Its Voice On Europe’s Digital Future At EU Telecom Ministers’ Meeting

Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, participated in the Informal Meeting of Telecom Ministers in Horsens, Denmark, held from 9 to 10 October 2025.

Over the course of the two-day discussions, Ministers addressed several key topics, including digital well-being, age verification mechanisms, and digital sovereignty. The meeting also explored challenges and opportunities in EU-based game development, global online brand and trademark protection, and education and scientific initiatives in the digital sector.

During the Ministerial Roundtable, Ministers exchanged views on age verification on social media platforms. Minister Schembri highlighted the growing influence of aggressive online algorithms, which increasingly shape behaviour, opinions, and everyday life choices. He emphasised that social media is a tool, and like all tools, it requires responsible regulation and guidance. Minister Schembri stressed society’s duty to ensure that sophisticated algorithms do not control the lives and minds of children, calling for stronger safeguards to protect their well-being. He noted that Malta is actively reviewing its national framework, including the minimum age for children’s access to social media platforms, while affirming that a coordinated European approach is essential to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and protection across the Union.

When discussing measures to protect minors online, Minister Schembri emphasised that Malta advocates a balanced approach—one that promotes digital empowerment while safeguarding well-being. He added that parental control tools are important but insufficient on their own to provide comprehensive protection. Malta therefore calls for stricter, privacy-sensitive default settings, supported by AI moderation under human oversight.

The meeting also addressed the advancement of digital sovereignty in Europe. Minister Schembri reiterated that digital sovereignty is a strategic priority for the European Union, requiring coordinated efforts to reduce reliance on non-European technologies while strengthening Europe’s own capacities through targeted investment and innovation.

In the short term, advancing digital sovereignty necessitates strengthening the EU’s capabilities in strategic technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, cloud computing, and quantum infrastructure. Malta’s nationwide gigabit and 5G coverage, along with the adoption of digital public services, was highlighted as a model of proactive implementation. Looking to the long term, Minister Schembri identified key priorities such as promoting open standards and cross-border interoperability, reducing dependence on third-country supply chains, and supporting EU-based startups through streamlined regulation and improved access to finance.

“Digital sovereignty must remain a shared European project, guided by our common values. It should empower Member States to shape the Union’s digital future while maintaining flexibility, resilience, and inclusivity at the heart of our efforts,” concluded Minister Schembri.

Minister Schembri was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Mr Godwin Mifsud and Head of Secretariat Ms Roberta Albanese Dalli during the informal meeting in Horsens, Denmark.

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