Dr Gonzi will be presenting a paper on the economic and financial situation of the country, and will follow it up with plans for the years 2005-2010.

These targets will be discussed within the context of the convergence plan, the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development discussions on a social pact, the national plan on employment, the national plan on social inclusion and other reforms planned for the coming months.

A Department of Information statement said that today’s meeting is the start of a process leading to the 2005 budget within the context of a strategic plan that covers the period until the year 2010.

The government’s intention is to widen the discussion to the social partners within the MCESD, the DOI said.