Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today highlighted that Malta has helped draw the world's eyes to human tragedies occurring in the Mediterranean, where boats carrying migrants are sinking, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
Dr Muscat compared the migrants crossing the Mediterranean to the man who jumped off the Twin towers on 9/11, stating that these people make a choice between staying in war zones or crossing the sea in a boat that is likely to sink.
"Will I die here in a war or take a chance and go on a boat that would possibly sink? This is the choice these people have and we must be the ones to continue to open the world's eyes to this dilemma".
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was addressing a political activity in Nadur, Gozo, a locality that was hotly contested during the local council elections, with a slim 56 vote victory for the PN in the locality.
Dr Muscat said that this past week has shown the unity of the Maltese and Gozitan people, even after an election campaign, and the peoples' ability to shed their partisan clothing. He was referring to Malta's handling of the irregular migration disaster.
He said that news organisations around the world, from China to the USA, mentioned Malta in a way where every country "looked at us as examples".
"We have become the voice for the Mediterranean. Other Prime Ministers have told me that Malta is the smallest nation, but the country with the biggest... strongest heart".
He said that in the 70s Dom Mintoff had said there is no peace in Europe without peace in the Mediterranean; now it is said that without peace in the Mediterranean, there can be no peace in the world. "We have managed to get things moving. The problem will not be solved overnight".
"We must continue to make things happen in Europe, and we have convinced Europe for the first time to tackle human traffickers, telling them that Europe will not let them get away with it".
He spoke of Libya, stating that both sides are close to agreement, adding that Malta wants to deal with a single government, and will bring in Europe to help.
He mentioned a special summit that will take place in Malta with the participation of European and African nations. "When this was discussed, I said that the natural point for these people to meet and talk should be Malta and they agreed that the meeting will take place here later this year. This will be the first step for a new global system to help manage this new immigration phenomenon".
"There are tragedies in the Mediterranean, just as there was the earthquake tragedy in Nepal. No government can stop a natural disaster. As politicians we must ensure that no man-made disasters occur... and immigration is one such man-made a disaster."
He spoke of the migrant burials that took place earlier this week, stating that the parents probably don't even know they have passed away.
The Prime Minister then turned to Malta's economic success. "In two years we reduced water and energy tariffs, reduced income tax, gave free childcare services, introduced the Youth Guarantee".
He said that now Malta has the lowest deficit in the past 20 years. "This was done while increasing benefits, increasing the number of jobs, adding that over 400 jobs were created in Goo in one year. We create jobs by expanding the economy".
He said that the mistake that must never be made is "to forget about the people and just think of statistics". He mentioned PantaLesco, where 70 people are losing their jobs. "We established contact immediately, and when we have a full list of the workers we will help them find a job. We already have a large amount of interest from other companies in hiring these workers. We will keep working for every worker who loses their job".
New investment in Education
"In May we will announce a massive new project for our country, in the education sector. We are in the final stages of talks to help bring in this investment". He said that this project will create many new jobs.
He spoke of civil liberties, and mentioned that in the European Council, Deborah Schembri managed to help pass a crucial resolution regarding the rights of transgendered persons. "This is another example of how Malta can be a light for other EU countries. This government has always been in favour of Civil rights".
He said that he understands the realities of small localities. "While we work on an EU level, I still take an interest and understand what needs to be done in small localities like Zebbug, Gozo".
The difference between the parties
"I believe a major difference became clear this week, where the Opposition walks arrogantly as if it had won the elections, and the government that walks with humility even though it has won".
"We are seeing an Opposition, where the leader is trying to drum up support; yet we have seen again, this week, the PN's arrogance. The same arrogance it had when it was in government, as if the PN has the right to be in government. And this betrayed them".
Labour is the natural home for Gozitans - Ian Borg
Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Ian Borg also spoke during the event. "If Malta is optimistic, then how is Gozo?" he asked rhetorically.
He thanked the Gozitans for again choosing the Labour Party and "confirming that the PL is now the natural home for Gozitans".
"Simon Busuttil made his targets for these elections and told people that he had objectives for Gozo, with an aim to win Qala and Xaghra. Qala remained PL and so did Xaghra. The big surprise was Munxar".
He stressed that a strong support for PL in Gozo, mentioning a "big success here in Nadur, as the PL reduced the vote gap drastically here".
He reiterated the Prime Minister's message made a few weeks ago, stating that the easiest thing "for us to have done would be to promise nothing to Gozo, yet we know our Prime Minister fights against conservative forces every day and brings new success. Gozitans are in favour of work and not laziness".
He spoke of the autonomous investigations for those who abuse powers or abuse public funds for private use will be brought to justice.
"Your message was clear, you told the Prime Minister to bring in more investment, that you would be behind him in every change for good governance. This is what we have been doing in Gozo for the past two years. We brought jobs to Gozo, used EU funds to fix roads and squares and saw serious plans for connectivity between Malta and Gozo. Above all we've seen strategic investment for the Barts school to be created in Gozo".
He added that the government is not perfect and that the PL will not be arrogant. He mentioned education, being the key to every success.
"We cannot forget the troubles going on in the Mediterranean. We have seen hundreds of immigrants lose their lives over the past days. I thank the Prime Minister for turning the EU's gaze onto this region, this problem".
He said that today, "we can say we have the best politician leading Malta. The EU is being proactive and has committed itself to fight against human traffickers. We are optimistic but there is still a lot of work to do".