Prime Minister said Friday that "we need to translate into concrete action the talk about national unity for the good of the people, at a time when the country enjoys solid public finances, a strong economy and a healthy labour market.

Abela was meeting the new Opposition Leader Alex Borg for the first time in an official capacity. The meeting was held at the Labour Party headquarters in Hamrun.

In his introductory remarks, Abela congratulated Borg and said that "we must look ahead so that the Government and the Opposition truly work together in favour of Malta".

Abela, according to a LAbour Party statement, said it is positive that both sides of the House of Representatives reach national convergence on what benefits the country, including national projects such as the regeneration of the Grand Harbour and land reclamation.

Abela said that national convergence must be the fruit of mutual trust, the PL statement said. He said that disagreements will always exist, but arguments should be conducted respectfully and not descend into personal attacks. In this context, the Labour Leader mentioned that as a matter of principle the Government does not agree with the Opposition on the proposal that political party financing should come from the State, but that this debate will be held respectfully.

On national convergence, the Prime Minister also said that it should be achieved in the appointment of constitutional roles such as the new Chief Justice. The Prime Minister explained that in the coming hours he will announce the date of the Budget, which is an important exercise through which the government distributes wealth among all the people.

On the budget, the Prime Minister said that it will be full of initiatives to continue spreading prosperity among families. Precisely for this reason, even despite differences, we must truly show what is good for both red and blue [Labour and Nationalist]. Dr Abela also added that the Government has sent a signal in favour of national convergence by extending the period of public consultation on the Malta 2050 Vision, so that the Opposition may also submit its ideas for this vision of one united country.

Accompanying the Prime Minister at this meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs Ian Borg, Deputy Leader for Party Affairs Alex Agius Saliba, Labour Party President Alex Sciberras, and Chief Executive Leonid McKay.

Before the meeting started, the two spoke briefly in the presence of the media (see video above), exchanging smiles as they commented on the presence of a number of politicians named Alex.

Apart from Borg, the deputy leaders of the two parties are both named Alex - Agius Saliba for the PL and Perici Calascione for the PN.

Borg has also invited Abela to visit the PN headquarters, with Abela commenting that it would be the third time that he would be visiting.

Alex Perici Calascione here remarked that the two other instances were different.

He was referring to the PM's visit soon after the death of former PN MPs Karl Gouder and Francis Zammit Dimech.

In comments after the meeting, Borg said that the meeting had dealt with issues of natioonal importance.

He said he told Abela that the Opposition wanted to be consulted when appointments of a constitutional nature - those that require a two-thirds majority agreement - are coming up. The most pressing is the appointment of the new Chief Justice in the coming weeks.

He again reiterated the party's position requesting the government to withdraw the planning bills reform, which are the subject of great controversy, and that a discussion is held before the government proceeds with submitting a new version which should have the interests of the nation at heart.

He said it is important that the government and the opposition hold discussions with the aim of reaching the best solution for the country. Borg admitted that there will be occasions when the two sides will not agree.

Alex Borg emphasised that, beyond the politics of red and blue, he is determined to safeguard the interests of the Maltese and Gozitan people. He stated that the Maltese people no longer want personal attacks, but politics that unite. While divergences between the two parties will always remain, both Government and Opposition recognise that whenever they worked together in the national interest, the country moved forward.

While stressing the need to give greater space to young people so that they may become catalysts and protagonists in decision-making, the PN Leader continued that the Opposition will not hesitate to make its voice heard whenever it feels that the Government is taking decisions that are not in people's best interests.

Other topics raised during the discussion included party financing and the draft laws presented by Government concerning planning reform.

Accompanying Leader of the Opposition Alex Borg for this meeting were PN Deputy Leader Alex Perici Calascione, PN Secretary General Charles Bonello, President of the PN General Council Mark Anthony Sammut, and Chairperson of the PN Executive Committee Joseph Grech.

Abela accepted aninvitation extended by the Opposition Leader to reciprocate this meeting with a similar visit to be held in the coming weeks at the PN's Dar Ċentrali.