Replying to the statement by Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, the Parliamentary Secretariat for EU funds said the uprooting of trees from Rabat's It-Tokk is not part of the upgrading programme with EU funds.

The project and EU funds associated with it require a Mepa permit and the secretariat is informed Mepa refused to issue a permit. The Victoria local council is understood to be appealing from this decision.

The Secretariat is committed that any projects supported by EU funds do not have a negative impact on the environment.