Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today took the opportunity to highlight the plight of migrants during a speech given at Expo 2015.

“I would like to briefly also refer to the issue of migration. Sadly, the Mediterranean Sea has become a cemetery for people whose only hope was to take their family to a safer, more prosperous part of the world.

“The images of funerals and tragic events suddenly made the immigration issue a real one. Europe and the world, woke up to a reality which Malta, Italy, Spain and Greece among others have experienced for years.

“As much as I loathe to think that so many lives were lost before Europe realised the real humanitarian problem, I sense that there has been a change in attitude among European leaders and the European people.

“Malta will continue playing its part by hosting a Summit between the EU and African partners in the coming months. This will be a particularly important event which brings together countries of origin of migrants, as well as countries of transit and destination.  Malta, I believe, can provide a perfect setting to discuss the issue in a sensible, yet firm, way and hopefully provide longer term solutions.”

The Prime Minister also touched upon Malta’s economic success, which he said did not come about by chance.

“The European Commission may be surprised at Malta’s success but we are not at all surprised. It is a question of working hard and smartly, and of not trying to live beyond your means. It is also a question of having a bold but feasible vision and of having the will and determination to go for it.

“Indeed, this has recently been observed by Standard and Poor’s, who have changed their outlook for Malta from stable to positive.”

“The best testimony of Malta's vibrant economy comes from investors who are showing confidence in our future with new direct investment and with expansions of existing operations in sectors ranging from the life sciences to aviation services, from marine engineering to information and communication technology, from the creative industries to telecommunications.

“It is very relevant to the theme of Expo 2015 – ‘feeding the planet, energy for life’- that the market share of the Maltese food industry in Africa increases every year and that the island is emerging as a major oil and gas logistics and trading hub in the region.

“Meanwhile we have continued to consolidate our reputation as a serious and well regulated financial services centre and as a major international marine and air logistics hub,” Dr Muscat said.

Dr Muscat highlighted the importance of tourism to Malta’s economy.

“Tourism continues to be a fundamental element of our economy; we are well aware that its success will increasingly depend on our ability to harness our historical and natural heritage to build a sustainable future. But Malta is going well beyond sun and sand tourism and is emerging as the medical tourism and health care hub of the Mediterranean region.”

“We are going well beyond being a major centre of English language teaching to becoming a regional centre of excellence for medical studies and research, and of training in health care.”