Former Labour Prime Minister and party leader Alfred Sant has downplayed Malta’s European Union presidency, saying it is just a part of the country’s duties and obligations as one of the member states.

Dr Sant’s declaration contrasts sharply with the hype and fuss that has been created by the Labour government in the months leading up to the presidency and now that Malta has started its six-month tenure as EU president.

The Labour government has for long been saying that, as holder of the EU presidency, Malta is setting the agenda for the EU for the first half of this year, drawing up a list of priorities that the EU is following according to Malta’s wishes.

But this is no big deal for Dr Sant.

“Malta is not leading Europe,” he said. “Malta is holding the EU presidency because it is its duty and obligation to do so.”

Dr Sant, who was PL leader at the time the party campaigned against Malta’s membership in the EU, was being interviewed on INDEPTH by The Malta Independent online editor Stephen Calleja.

The full interview will be uploaded on www.independent.com.mt tomorrow.