Around €1 million in EU funds will be allocated towards the restoration of parts of Villa Francia, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Ian Borg and wife of the Prime Minister Michelle Muscat said today.

The funds will come from the European Regional Development fund. Parliamentary Ian Borg said that this will be possible due to extra funds left over from a previous projects utilising the funds. He said that the project will be complete come the end of 2015 and is financed through funds allocated between 2007-2013.

Chairman of BICC Charles Buhagiar said that the principal aim of the project is to open the villa's doors to visitors and tourists and turn it into a tourist destination.

The Villa was built in 1757 and saw further developments over the years. It was given to the government in 1987 and served as an official residence of the Prime Minister.