The Malta-Sicily interconnector will be fully operation in three weeks’ time, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today during a political activity in Senglea.

Dr Muscat’s address began with a minute of silence for the victims of the Germanwings plane crash.

Despite the new gas-fired plant being delayed, Dr Muscat said that residents are receiving cheaper electricity and water bills, which businesses will soon start to benefit from as well.

He hailed the closure of the Marsa plant as the most important decision every made for the South of the island.

Malta cannot depend solely on the interconnector he said, speaking of the importance of diversifying the country’s energy supply.

During last week’s European Council meeting, Dr Muscat said EU leaders spoke of the need for such diversification from countries like China and Azerbaijan.

Taking a dig at Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, Dr Muscat said he felt like phoning Dr Busuttil in order to point out that every government decision he was against was being proposed by the EU.

The Prime Minister also said the Commissioner for Films will soon be announcing an “important deal” for the Maltese film industry, but stopped short of saying what the deal involves.

 

Dr Muscat said the benefits of the deal will be felt throughout the economy.