Dr Gonzi was speaking at a press conference held as part of the final stages of the European Parliamentary election campaign. He stressed the importance of next Saturday’s polls, saying that the candidates who are elected will be dealing with very serious matters, giving the forthcoming discussions over the EU budget for the period 2007-2013, as an example.

He reiterated that this is “no time to experiment” by giving the vote to someone who can merely please a crowd. People must exercise their civic responsibility, he said, and vote for those candidates who are best qualified for the job, not only for themselves but also for the sake of the country and that of the European Union.

On this point, he made reference to the PN’s campaign slogan: IVA nikbru fl-Europa, (Yes – Growing in Europe), saying that the candidate’s work will have an effect on the everyday life of the people.

Dr Gonzi said that in the first few weeks of Malta’s EU membership, the country had already seen many positive measures introduced.

Among others, he mentioned the closing of the Maghtab landfill and Malta’s participation in a recent conference between the EU and a number of South American countries.