In most European countries tension is rife. One only needs to follow foreign television stations and recapture what happened in London only a week ago when even the Heir to the Royal Throne was at considerable risk, or just days ago to see the level of anger expressed by demonstrators in Rome. Recall as well recent and current events in Athens, Dublin, Madrid or Lisbon.

I do not think we have quite yet heard the end of it all yet. One can only augur that political and economic stability is regained in these European countries, since we all stand to benefit from genuine recovery.

In Malta we have our own problems not least because the hike in utility bills is having a negative impact on the standard of living of most people I know. There is one and only one reason behind that hike – it is the rise in the price of fuel that could no longer be totally absorbed by the government, even if the government still absorbs a sizable portion of the burden.

The issue still needs to be addressed further over the forthcoming years, not necessarily by removing the pegging that correctly exists between what we pay for electricity use and the price of oil, but through other innovative measures that on the one hand stimulate further economic growth and on the other hand extend tangible means of support and solidarity especially to those who are most vulnerable.

Having said that, and it is the duty of politicians to remain close not only to people’s rights, but even more so to people’s needs, the situation in our country is very different from what is happening in many other parts of the world. The government did not have to raise any taxes, or to curb expenditure on social security, including the medical sector, or for that matter to curb the educational vote or expenditure on infrastructural projects that are of benefit to the people of Malta and to tourists who visit us. Employment has not only remained stable but has even made progress.

I have said it publicly before but it bears repeating. None of our success has been brought about by coincidence, but it reflects the vision and hard work put in by the government that is ensuring that the national Ship of State sails without listing through the turbulent waters and keeps moving in a planned and successful direction.

It is within this context that all other judgements and analysis need to be made. Planning ahead for the forthcoming year and beyond can only be effective if we do not lose sight of this context and of where we have left off from.

I can envision a New Year characterised by a marathon public transport reform, by the entrance to our capital city project gaining ground, by doing our best to sustain the tourism growth experienced last year, by addressing investment issues relating to our heritage and environment, and then, on the basis of achieving the level of economic performance that we are aiming for, by dealing effectively with people’s needs and aspirations.

The Budget that has been approved by Parliament has been an exercise in planning ahead to achieve such targets as long as we keep our heads together and learn to see what is happening within the overall context. We have seen what happened in countries that are having to adopt radical corrective measures to address mistakes carried out in the past.

Malta’s ultimate bottom line is to achieve a deficit that is below the 3% benchmark next year, since that will not only meet European targets but also make our economy that much healthier for our own sakes, and, equally while doing so, to safeguard present employment as well as to generate new jobs.

Our track record is what our credentials are all about – those credentials making planning ahead for 2011 and beyond a task that while by no means easy is achievable for the benefit of the entire community.

Dr Zammit Dimech is a Nationalist MP