Prime Minister Robert Abela and Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg met at the PN’s headquarters on Friday afternoon.

This is the second time that the two have officially met since Borg was elected to the PN’s top post last month, with the first being at the Labour Party’s headquarters.

In a Facebook post, Abela said that while meeting with the PN’s leadership he had explained how the government was “focused so that in the Budget it can continue to create more wealth for families and businesses.”

At the start of the meeting, a minute of silence was observed in tribute to the infant who tragically lost her life yesterday in a car at the Mater Dei car park. Both leaders honoured the child's memory and urged the public not to rush to judgement in such moments of tragedy.

In a separate post, Borg said that he spoke about the need for national unity and putting the interests of the people first.

A Labour Party statement said the Government and the Opposition "can work together in various areas for the benefit of the Maltese and Gozitan people".

During the meeting, the Prime Minister said that he does not expect that they will always agree on everything, but mutual respect is important to continue improving the country.

While assuring that the Budget will be like the previous ones, thus supporting families and offering a vision for the future of our country, the Prime Minister explained that although he expects different views in the discussion on the Budget, he urged Borg to set an example and be in favour of the Budget.

Abela mentioned another point of possible convergence - mass transport - and reiterated that experts are identifying an adequate system for our country, with a project that could take 20 years to go.

On the environment, Abela said that the Government is correcting a decision taken years ago by a Nationalist administration. He said that the Government will give Manoel Island to the people, which will become a park for the enjoyment of everyone.

For its part, the Nationalist Party said that during the meeting, the two leaders discussed key issues affecting the Maltese and Gozitan people, including transport, the environment, the quality of life of Maltese families, and the forthcoming budget to be presented later this month.

Both leaders agreed on the need for a national mass transport system, which the country urgently requires. They also recognised that since such a project would take time to implement, efforts should be made to find common ground between both parties on the way forward.

Alex Borg made specific reference to the constitutional amendment proposed by the Opposition to make environmental protection a fundamental right for all Maltese and Gozitans. He reiterated that the Partit Nazzjonalista will continue to lead the fight for environmental protection, while also defending the cultural traditions and pastimes of the Maltese and Gozitan people. He noted that the PN had expected unanimous parliamentary support for this bill, yet Government voted against it.

The PN Leader stated that both sides agreed there are areas where Government and Opposition can work together to achieve national progress and take joint decisions in the best interest of the entire population.

In comments to journalists following the meeting, the PN Leader responded to questions regarding patients who are finding difficulties with generic medicines and are having to pay out of pocket, as well as on Malta's pharmaceutical sector, which was developed under previous Nationalist Governments. He also addressed questions on the disagreement between Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg and Labour Party President Alex Sciberras concerning the nomination of Donald Trump for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, and on the televised debate between the two leaders, which Borg said he is still waiting for - an invitation he extended directly to the Prime Minister during their meeting.

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

The Prime Minister and Labour Leader was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, Labour Deputy Leader Alex Agius Saliba, Labour Party President Alex Sciberras, and Labour Party CEO Leonid McKay.

In addition to the PN officials present for the meeting, held in the office of PN Leader Alex Borg, the Labour delegation was also greeted by members of the PN Administrative Council and PN CEO Sabine Agius Cabourdin.

Borg meanwhile said on Facebook that he had emphasised on the importance of looking at the national interest and national unity.

He said that his aim as PN leader is to continue putting the interests of the Maltese and Gozitan people first.