The sharp deterioration in relations between Turkey an​d the European Union's member states and institutions has underscored the importance of maintaining lines of communication between local and regional authorities in the EU and Turkey, EU and Turkish politicians and officials said on 16 December.

EU citizens gathered just outside of Valletta last night for a town hall debate ahead of today's challenging Malta Summit to build up a bottom-up movement in response to Europe’s pressing challenges. Together with elected politicians from all levels of government, the debate included Markku Markkula, President of the European Committee of the Regions, Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg, representing the Maltese Presidency, Joseph Cordina, Head of the Maltese Delegation in the European Committee of the Regions, as well as Marthese Portelli, Member of the Maltese National Parliament and Sarah Agius, Mayor of Zebbug (Malta).