Labour Party deputy leader Toni Abela his morning downplayed the European Commission’s threats of possible action regarding the citizenship scheme, which the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted against on Thursday.

Dr Abela was addressing  the press on the Labour Party’s annual general conference, said in reply to questions, the possible proceedings against Malta “are nothing out of the ordinary”, Dr Abela said, explaining that the Labour Party in government will wait for the Commission’s statement and reply accordingly. He pointed out that as part of the EU structures, there can be countries whch disagree with what is being said at European level.

The PL’s annual general conference will open on 3 February on the theme ‘Malta: Maltija, Ewropea, Globali’.

On Sunday 2 February, a question and answer session with the Prime Minister will be held while workshops and debates on reforms within the party, will take place over the next two weeks.

The conference comes to a close on 9 February, following a week of meetings and conferences on several subjects including local councils, the elderly, moving towards a secular state, Europe and elections of members of the executive.