Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in his New Year’s message that he believes that Malta can become the envy of the world.  He said that the country was the best in Europe due to the spirit of every person “who is positive, who works hard, and who loves our country”.

Muscat said that 2019 will be a better year than 2018 was for families, businesses and the country in general, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in his New Year’s message.

He said that some may be thinking that, with the economy as strong as it is and employment being high; things could not get any better than this.  However, he said, “we were always proven right; Not just I, but we because these results were thanks to everyone”.

He said that naturally there were many challenges to overcome, saying that the government has generated many jobs and reduced poverty, but also acknowledging that there are still families trying to keep up with the cost of living, paying their rent, or looking for a better-paying job. “We’ve accomplished much, but there is a lot more we can achieve together”, he said.

Muscat said that the strong position that the country provided an opportunity that hasn’t been there for an entire generation, that of “truly focusing on the future”.  He said that the country was in a position where it could look ahead to the next decade and beyond, citing new technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence as the motors for the future of the country.   

He noted the various infrastructural improvements that have been carried out in the country over the past year saying that the investment carried out was what needed to be done and was the product of the country’s surplus.  He said that the country had never seen this level of investment in public infrastructure at one go, citing the new power station, sewage treatment places, and new systems of waste separation and recycling as examples of this investment.

Investing in the future is not simply rhetoric, but a strategy. The best way to invest in the future is to invest in infrastructure. This doesn’t mean a quick fix or cutting corners, but doing what needs to be done, even if the benefits of this investment will be reaped by your children, more than yourselves. 

He added that 2019 will see more initiatives such as a plastic bottle return programme implemented, along with a call for proposals to construct the tunnel connecting Malta and Gozo. 

He said that the government has to continue upgrading the country’s health infrastructure and announced that during the coming year there will even be robots assisting specialists during operations along with an automated system for distributing medicine to patients in hospital.  He also made mention to the new mental health hospital that will be built within the Mater Dei hospital complex, a project will help reduce stigmas surrounding mental health.

In terms of social infrastructure, Muscat said that despite having the lowest number of unemployed persons, the government was increasing expenditure to assist those who are less well-off, whilst in terms of culture he also cited projects such as the Arts Museum and praised the Valletta18 initiative saying that this had attracted thousands to the islands with its “unprecedented cultural events”. 

Muscat paid tribute to the outgoing President of the Republic, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca saying that she had done an “exceptional” job in voicing the views of the general public and had been the critical voice of conscience that the country needed.  He said that the President had been a vibrant symbol of equality between the genders and a role model for thousands of women, and said that the country needed to institutionalise the strength of the message that is sent out by having a woman occupying the highest role in the state. 

He said that in 2017 the Maltese and Gozitan people had given the government a clear mandate to introduce “positive action in favour of greater representation of women” in Parliament, and announced that at the start of 2019 a consultation to make this happen will be initiated.  

In the same manner, Muscat said, the government needed to discuss with everyone, especially with the Opposition, the way forward on the Constitutional Convention so that changes that were suggested both in Malta and abroad for a new Maltese Constitution can be implemented. 

The Prime Minister closed his address by saying that the European Parliament and Local Council elections next May will be an historic moment for the country because Malta will become one of the first to allow 16 year olds the right to vote.  He urged all young men and women to take part in “this strong showcasing of democracy, with reciprocal respect towards the opinions of everyone. Because first and foremost, we are all Maltese and Gozitans.”