2006 was a good year for the country as a whole and the people of Malta, where we managed to meet challenges head on and grasp opportunities that came our way, said Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in his New Years’ message.

This, he said, is why the country needs to go into 2007 with a sense of optimism so as to keep the country moving in the right direction and to further improve the quality of life we enjoy.

Dr Gonzi delivered the message while exchanging greetings with the public along with President Edward Fenech Adami, Mrs Gonzi and the Cabinet of Ministers at the Presidential Palace in Valletta.

The prime minister said that 2006 brought along its fair share of problems, particularly the spiralling cost of oil. He said Malta rose to the challenges and turned them into opportunities. “Thanks to membership in the European Union, Malta has progressed and we have also started pension reform, which was done in a responsible manner,” said Dr Gonzi.

He said 2007 will also produce challenges and one that we must face up to is getting in line over the criteria to join the eurozone on 1 January 2008 as well as the migration to Mater Dei Hospital.

President Edward Fenech Adami said 2006 saw more harmony in Maltese politics. He added he hoped this year would be the same.

He also said that as from yesterday, the European Union, of which Malta is part of, expanded to 27 members and over 500 million citizens after the entry of Bulgaria and Romania.

He pointed out the progress made by these countries which, until 1989, had been Communist states. He also reminded those present that Slovenia yesterday adopted the euro as currency and this would be the next step in Malta’s development – joining the eurozone.

Archbishop Joseph Mercieca exchanged greetings with the president for the last time when he paid a visit, accompanied by Archbishop elect Paul Cremona and bishop Annetto Depasquale.