Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne chose to speak about the developments of the past week in his introductory speech at the Sigma iGaming Village on Wednesday, saying that “this week Malta has shown that the rule of law and our justice system are strong and thriving.”
Speaking at the annual three-day conference, which brings together some 15,000 delegates from the gaming industry all around the world, Fearne said that Malta is proud of its iGaming sector and noted that during the conference delegates will hear of Malta’s robust regulatory framework, ambitious AI strategy, and the country’s unique position as the hub of blockchain technologies.
“But today is not any other day in Malta; indeed this week has not been any other week”, Fearne said.
In fact, Fearne dedicated the bulk of his speech to the events of the past days, wherein the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi have resigned and Economy Minister Chris Cardona has suspended himself in view of police investigations into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Schembri is currently under arrest, while Cardona was questioned by police last Saturday. Mizzi meanwhile has come under fire for his link between his Panama company and the company 17 Black, owned by murder suspect Yorgen Fenech, which was to pay €5,000 every day into the company and that of Schembri.
“This week, Malta has given testimony that our institutions are strong, determined, and efficient. This week Malta has shown that the rule of law and our justice system are strong and thriving”, Fearne said.
“Make no mistake; you are here today because of the serenity and governance that comes from the rule of law, and these past few days have shown that Malta is a proud nation – a European nation with strong values and with stability”, he continued.
He said that the key message he wants to convey to delegates is that “European and democratic Malta is here and is not going away.”
“The economy, Maltese institutions, and the government of Malta are stable – the environment for investment and growth remains and will remain strong. Malta remains proud and remains strong”, he said.
He said that this week it has been made evident that Malta is a “serious and regulated country” and moved to assure that he and his colleagues would continue to do their “absolute best” for the country they love.