The government has a seven-year EU co-financed programme, costing tens of millions of euros to restore the forts and fortifications in Malta and the Cittadella in Gozo, Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said.

Malta had some 25km of fortifications, principally around the Cottonera towns, and in Valletta, Floriana and Mdina, which over the centuries had deteriorated, he said.

He was speaking at Mdina when, with the Prime Minister, he visited restoration works being made to the fortifications around Vilhena Palace.

Lawrence Gonzi said Malta’s historical heritage should be conserved, and the government was doing just that. The works that had been done over the last years proved what commitment the government had to this, Dr Gonzi added.

Restoration works have been carried out on various monuments, including bastions in various towns, many chapels and other historical buildings which enriched Malta.