President George Vella said that he is convinced that, like many others, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami believed that by taking an active role in politics he could help improve the quality of life in our country.

“Like many others, he believed that he had something to give for the betterment of our country. This was a decision with which he not only bound himself, but he also bound the fate of his family who over the years have tasted the good and the bad of political life,” said President Vella during the launch of the book “Eddie – Is-Sewwa Jirbaħ Żgur” by the author Dione Borg at Verdala Palace.

The President said that he understands and appreciates what Dr Fenech Adami has done because he also made his own choice and, many times throughout his years in politics, he found himself reflecting and questioning himself about this involvement.

Vella said that the time has come to develop a genuine national awareness that leads us to sincerely show gratitude to all those who over the years, in a genuine way and with great sacrifice, had a great civic sense and wanted to contribute to society.

Vella said that unfortunately he feels that we are still far from giving fair value to the contribution made by people of the calibre of Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, and other leaders of our country, in their many years of political work. “This is due to the fact that we continue to regard them too much according to their partisan beliefs, rather than on a national level, as they deserve; the level on which they have worked for Malta to make strides forward,” said the President.

Referring to the integrity of all those occupying public positions, President Vella said that in modern democratic systems there is a need for more effective and good controls that not only uncover any wrongdoing but become a deterrent for those aiming to get involved in politics for improper purposes.

“It hurts when people attempt to cast doubts on everyone’s integrity and make insinuations that are difficult to get rid of. Unfortunately, this is one of the sinister aspects of embracing partisan politics and one of the things that dissuades capable people with the right intentions from deciding to get involved in politics,” said President Vella while recalling that democracy does not work without politicians.

“In our country there is still not enough education about politics in our schools, not about the political dialectic, but about the art and science that is the politics we live every day. Politics as a service to the community, politics as a tool to have a happier and more comfortable society, politics as a noble and respected profession,” stated the President.