PN leader Simon Busuttil said this evening that Malta would never have joined the EU for instance if Malta hadn’t achieved its independence.

Prior to Malta’s independence we were a colony, a part of another country and we answered to the Queen and many felt that Malta could never become an independent nation.

“However, 50 years ago, there was a leader of a party with a vision: to achieve our independence,” Dr Busuttil said, referring to Gorg Borg Olivier, Prime Minister at the time that Malta obtained its independence in 1964.

He was speaking during a discussion organised at the Granaries, Floriana this evening as part of the 50th Independence Day celebrations organised by the PN.

He said that the PN is in the process of regenerating itself, referring to the first group of candidates approved for the next election and changes carried out in its media structure to convey the party’s message better.

“We are sending a message, that of regenerating ourselves and this is why the candidates were approved so early in the day for the next election,” he said.

In comments during the discussion, former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the country had matured in many ways ever since Malta achieved independence, and had made a big leap in various sectors such as education.

He said society changed for the better: “One has to realise that changes in society are to be expected over the years and one has to accept such changes, adding that some find it hard to accept certain changes in society."

In pre-recorded comments, former prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami said that the country had also moved forward since independence, which was the first step towards another goal the country achieved 40 years later, that of joining the EU.

Dr Fenech Adami said that one should take decisions according to the day’s circumstances and not by adopting some theory.

He said it is vital the country is not swept away by currents, and that the core values one possessed should always act as guidelines for whatever decisions are taken.

Before the discussion, PN officials and supporters took part in a run and walk to kick off four days of activities the party is organising to celebrate Independence Day.