Last Monday, Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli and I moved forward a bill to officially enshrine Valletta as Malta's capital city, as well as to formally designate 27 December as the National Anthem Day in the Constitution.

These proposed amendments reflect a broad national consensus on two pillars of Maltese identity: the historic city of Valletta, and the "Innu Malti" penned by Malta's national poet Dun Karm Psaila and composed by Robert Sammut.

Valletta

Citta' Umilissima, the smallest capital city in Europe. 320 monuments, all within an area of about 55 acres, making it one of the most concentrated historic zones in the world. In 1566, the first stone of this city was laid, which was named after its founder, La Valette.

The city is surrounded by unique fortifications, bastions that have looked over it for centuries, unique buildings, beautiful palaces, and a Grand Harbour that saw history being written and Malta being transformed. The St John's Co Cathedral, a jewel in the Mediterranean, proudly stands tall at the heart of our capital city.

Valletta, the seat of the Maltese Parliament, and the Presidential Palace. Valletta, the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

The hub of the country's commercial activity, and the pinnacle of the biggest historical and cultural events ever held, are held, and will continue to be held in our country.

The city is not just history carved in stone and monuments, but also the spirit of the community living there. The city that continues to take pride in its heritage and looks to the future with courage and determination. The capital that hosted the first international biennale of contemporary art in Malta.

Valletta, the city that all Maltese regardless of their age, have fond memories of. My parents' generation, who used to spend their weekends strolling along Republic Street and enjoying its shops and cafes, and my generation, who, before the mobile telephony revolution, used to patiently, sometimes in vain, wait for our friends in front of the milk kiosk, at City Gate. Fond memories of a city that has aged gracefully and retained its splendour.

Valletta, the beating heart of Malta. These are just a few of the many historic and cultural facts we take pride in when describing Valletta.

Labour believes that now is the time to not only recognize all this but also to safeguard it.

And the best way to do so is by giving Valletta the highest honour it deserves, that its status as the capital city of our country be recognized and protected by the Constitution.

You might ask, why was it necessary to include Valletta's status as the capital city in the Constitution? My answer is: Because it deserves it; because it rightfully belongs to it; because from the very beginning, it has been the heartbeat of Malta, our beautiful country. And what nobler gesture can you show for your capital city than protecting it through the highest law of the land: the Constitution? With this decision, Valletta, as the capital city of our country, will be permanently protected by the country's highest law.

Since 2013, the Labour Government has given a new dignity to Valletta. Today, our city is a vibrant cultural and commercial hub.

From a cultural perspective, we have launched major projects with unprecedented investments. Most notably, restoration projects, including the Palace of the Grand Master, better known as the Palace of the President. Another significant investment was the restoration of the Church of the

Jesuits. We also invested heavily in the Cathedral of St. John, on its façade, interior, new canopy, and lighting system to enhance this globally renowned sacred site. With an investment of €10 million, we inaugurated the MUŻA Museum in 2018, located in the former Italian barracks, in the heart of the city's administrative center.

MUŻA was a gift from the Labour Government to Malta on Valletta 2018 as the European Capital of Culture. Valletta 2018 was a unique year for the city. As part of Valletta 2018, 11 infrastructural projects were carried out. Among those projects, which benefited Valletta residents, were new offices for the Valletta Local Council; the restoration of Tritoni Square and the Tritoni Fountain; the Maltese Garden in St. James' Bastion; the regeneration of Strait Street, and the Valletta Design Cluster in the old abbatoir.

The national anthem

Our national poet, Dun Karm Psaila, and musician Robert Samut, honoured our country with the highest respect - the Maltese national anthem.

The Maltese anthem is part of us, and we love it because it represents our country. It unites us as one people. That is why we will dedicate December 27th - two days after Christmas - a beautiful and unifying time - as the day for the Maltese anthem. December 27, 1922, was the day the Maltese anthem was first played.

The proposal to dedicate a day to the Maltese anthem was made during a radio program, Magic, on the national radio station, by the popular media personality Valentina Rossi, and presented to Prime Minister Robert Abela in March of this year. The Prime Minister immediately embraced this proposal and suggested December 27th as the date. And this promise, as the Labour Government always does, will be fulfilled.

I am confident that the proposal to include Valletta in the Constitution will find unanimous support among the Maltese people. I am convinced that our country will unite with pride around this historic decision. The day we include Valletta's name in the Constitution will be a memorable moment in the unique history of this majestic city.

Just as it will be a beautiful day of national unity, December 27th, the day dedicated to the Maltese anthem.