Speaking in Attard, Dr Gonzi insisted that Dr Sant’s allegation was unfounded and there was no plan taking shape to reduce pensions.

Dr Gonzi said that the European Parliamentarians elected on behalf of the Nationalist Party will be working on five priorities which will directly affect the quality of life of all Maltese and Gozitans. The first priority is the development of human resources through education so that Malta is able to take all the opportunities that EU membership will bring. A national action plan on employment, that is currently being prepared, aims to encourage more women to take up employment and all workers to receive training in their particular job.

Another priority is the economic expansion that is needed to create jobs. Small- and medium-sized enterprises must be given all the support needed, and this can be done through less bureaucracy. The Labour Party and European socialists, on the other hand, believed in restrictions that harm growth.

The third priority is the environment. Dr Sant has said that the Maghtab landfill should have remained open for another 18 months, but the Nationalist government had kept its promise to close it down on 1 May, said Dr Gonzi.

Solidarity was another top priority for the Nationalist EP members, while the fifth main theme of the PN manifesto refers to the need to work for peace and stability in the Mediterranean region.