The Labour Party truly believes that Malta needs a new beginning and it will provide the plan to achieve this aim, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant said yesterday.

Dr Sant was addressing members of the diplomatic corps at a reception at MLP headquarters in Hamrun.

It is the job of the opposition party to voice the people’s desire for change and to present a vision “of how this change can be affected”, he said.

He praised everyone who had had a successful year and encouraged those who did not do so well to not give up hope.

“We will strive hard to provide families and enterprises with new opportunities for work and to improve (their status),” said Dr Sant.

The Labour Party will work to revive those sectors that have been allowed to stagnate, he said.

“Our plans to achieve better economic management will generate efficiency and will reduce bureaucracy,” he said.

Tourism will be at the top of Labour’s list of priorities, along with small and medium-sized enterprises, manufacturing, the environment, education and health.

With regard to the European Union, Dr Sant said he will ensure that Malta will reap more benefits from membership, while minimising the disadvantages.

He pointed out that the Labour Party had already stated that the chosen date for the euro-changeover – 1 January 2008 – was premature.

However, Dr Sant added, even if the Labour Party was in government, this date would not be delayed because “new uncertainties” would be created.

Labour believes that, while keeping a realistic assessment of the country’s limits, Malta should still contribute to the international pursuit of peace and cooperation.

“Malta should support all relevant diplomatic moves that will reduce the risks of full-scale civil war in Iraq,” said Dr Sant.

The Labour Party believes that the European Union should play a greater role in helping Malta and other member states deal better with the serious problems that irregular immigration is causing to recipient countries and to the migrants themselves.

A future Labour government, he said, will ensure that Malta takes a proactive role in European affairs, with a particular focus on social policy.

The Labour Party will give priority to deepening dialogue and relations with Malta’s traditional partners, said Dr Sant.

“With our Arab friends, especially in North Africa, but also in the Gulf, we will seek to promote ways of strengthening old – and creating new – friendships and projects.

“Labour is committed to improving Malta’s ties with the United States of America, with which we treasure long-standing bonds of sympathy and interest, not only political but also economic and cultural,” said Dr Sant.