Prime Minister Robert Abela has once again made a U-turn, revealing the falsehoods he previously spread, this time concerning Malta's defence and neutrality, the Nationalist Party said Tuesday.
On the eve of the European Parliament election, Robert Abela chose to fabricate an outrageous lie about the PN and its representatives, attempting to convince people that the PN was in favour of war. This was all because the PN had agreed on the need to invest more in the country's defence and to interpret neutrality in line with today's realities.
Now, ironically, Abela is saying exactly what the PN has always maintained: that we need to invest more in defence and that Malta cannot interpret neutrality in a static manner but must take today's geopolitical realities into account.
In other words, Robert Abela has been exposed once again. He has made yet another U-turn and is now saying precisely what he had previously attacked, the PN said.
In contrast to Robert Abela, the PN said it has always been consistent and does not change its position simply to score a few points before an election, only to later say the exact opposite.
The Maltese people deserve leadership with vision, not a Prime Minister who constantly says one thing today and another tomorrow, depending on what suits him, the PN said.
Neutrality was, is, and will remain a fundamental principle for our country - PL
As usual, the Nationalist Party chooses the path of populism above all else and at all times, the Labour Party said in reply.
The Opposition cannot engage in a responsible and mature discussion on European and global issues that also affect our country. But this debate can take place with the Maltese and Gozitan people.
At the European Council meeting, on the defence of the European Union, Malta's position was clear: For Malta, neutrality has been, is, and will remain fundamental. This principle is at the heart of the Labour Party. It will continue to cherish this fundamental principle.
Prime Minister Robert Abela was categorical that there would be no changes to the Constitution in this respect, the PL said.
The Nationalist Party does not know that the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, in his letter to all the Prime Ministers before the European Council, made it clear that every discussion must be taken in the context of the Constitution of certain member states. It is clear that he was referring to Malta, the statement added.
The respect for our country's unique position shall be maintained in every European discussion on this topic.
The Prime Minister also referred to today's realities. Tragic conflicts are a few miles away from our country that affect us, and we must respond to them.
Surely not by taking sides in a war as others did just a few months ago, but by ensuring that the interpretation of the Constitution allows us to look at the security of our country as we are already doing and how we want to strengthen it according to today's realities.
No one meddles with the principle of neutrality. It is only the Nationalist Party that plays partisan games, the PL said.