AD welcomes the fact that, through EEA funding, the first phase of a restoration process for the bastions of Mdina will start in February, but however continues to have to point out that the minister responsible, Ninu Zammit “continues to misrepresent the facts”.

Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Harry Vassallo said that Minister Zammit has again repeated that the government intends to restore the whole of the 25 kilometre fortifications built by the Knights through a 30 million euro grant of the EU, when he know very well that with this money the government can only restore a small part of the bastions.

Dr Vassallo added that the minister is also misleading the public when he states that the Mdina bastions will be restored. “Through the EEA grant the government will be restoring a 25 metre stretch in 24 months when the reports speak clearly, that is that the whole side of Mdina, right up to the De Redin bastion beyond the Cathedral, that are in a very poor state of conservation with parts of this bastion needing immediate attention.” Dr Vassallo said.

He added that on the other side of Mdina – that is on the side of Magazine Street, serious structural problems exist, which the proposed programme does not plan to address.