Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said that the Labour Party is nobody's hostage, and that the PL criticises those who need to be criticised, such as the fish farm operators.

Dr Muscat was prodding the PN over its loan scheme, stressing that Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil refuses to publish the names of those who have taken part.

Turning to an informal EU summit held on Friday in Bratislava, Dr Muscat said that EU Council President Donald Tusk complemented the Maltese by saying "I know Malta, and I know you are the best people to lead the EU at this moment in time".

Dr Muscat said that this made him feel proud to be Maltese, and that EU countries are showing their trust in Malta.

He stressed that, while Malta is doing well economically, and that unemployment is currently very low, the EU is having some problems.

"It is in our interest to look and see how the EU can grow. When the EU grows, it is easier for us to get more jobs and grow. We will also grow our economy by looking outside the EU. Over the past few years we looked at China, Jordan, Azerbaijan etc, and we will continue looking at countries like these," Dr Muscat said.

The Prime Minister also spoke about Leo Brincat's failed European Parliament nomination.

"I will not comment on what the PN Leader said on this issue. He will be judged by the Maltese and Gozitan people. Many people spoke to me and they were not pleased. I will not delve into the PN's games, when his party has problems, the only thing he does is try and appeal to the hardcore PN supporters, by bringing up the blue vs red sentiment. Dr Busuttil would be pleased if I were to beat the drums of war, but that is not my job.  My job is to lead the country and criticise where needed. I will not get bogged down in partisan politics. The country does not afford to go back to that mentality. We took note of what happened in the European Parliament and we will continue with his nomination".

Dr Muscat, chose to bring up another debate which occurred in the European Parliament, regarding the fraud and corruption in the sports gaming industry. He said that this convention could effect Malta. He said that while Malta is obviously against corruption in sports, "technical persons realised that the definition of gaming could undermine gaming institutions in Malta" He said that the EPP, (the EU Parliament party which the PN forms part of) were in favour of the convention. "If we were to sign it, it would seriously damage gaming companies in Malta. If we gave the Commission permission to move ahead, jobs of workers in that industry would be in peril".

"I urge the PN leader to say whether he agrees with the EPP, that Malta should open itself up to this"

Turning to more local matters, Dr Muscat said that "this week had more than 6,000 people who received the VAT refund on their vehicle registration, and they received, in total €4 million. Dr Busuttil had previously said that this money should not be given".

He mentioned the Mosta car park project. "Mosta will finally have parking within the centre of the locality. We are working on this project with a PN led local council," he said, while stressing that his government works with anyone, regardless of their political affiliation.

PN reacts

In reaction, the PN said that instead of excusing himself for the way he has tarninshed Malta's good name after the vote s against two of government's nominees to the European Court of Auditors, "the Prime Minister insists on remaining hard-headed and damaging Malta's reputation".

"The EU Parliament's vote was a strong one against the Maltese government's corruption. So much so, that members from every European political party voted against him, including those from the S&D".

"Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil has said that he is ready to help support a person who is a serious nominee, and who is not tied in with the Panama scandal, such as the Auditor General or the Ombudsman". 

"The Prime Minister, however, has chosen to continue making the wrong decisions"