Prime Minister Robert Abela has declared that Fort Tigné is “hands off” for development, insisting that the historic structure must be preserved and ruling out any possibility of it being converted into a hotel.

Speaking to journalists after a press conference, Abela was asked by The Malta Independent whether the government would consider buying or acquiring Fort Tigné itself.

While stopping short of a firm commitment, he said this was among the options he is considering.

“The important thing is that the Fort is preserved, and no, it is not the place for development,” Abela said.

“Development at Tigné Point has occurred, more than what was needed. That Fort is hands off from development,” Abela said.

Abela said that sites of cultural heritage impose a duty on the state to act decisively.

“That which is cultural heritage, let us protect it. Where we can protect - and that is a site which can be protected - we have a sacrosanct obligation to protect it,” he said, adding that while there are other sites within development zones that can be developed, it would not be there.

He was also questioned about whether the government could prevent MIDI plc from selling Fort Tigné, particularly in light of proposals for the site to be converted into a hotel and following an offer by Din l-Art Ħelwa to match the terms of sale.

Abela said that while Din l-Art Ħelwa was one possible option, there can be other alternatives.

He said he believes that when a site is of cultural, national and international value, the State must do its very utmost to be able to protect it.

Abela acknowledged the legal complexities involved, noting that MIDI holds strong contractual rights granted by a Nationalist administration in 2000.

“These are contractual obligations which are very strong and watertight,” he said, adding that even if Joseph Portelli were removed from the equation, MIDI’s rights would still apply.

Despite this, Abela said that the government would do everything possible to safeguard what remains of Tigné Point.

“Government should do everything possible so that what is of cultural heritage is preserved,” he said.

“We will do everything to protect what is still salvageable, in this case, Fort Tigné,” Abela said.

Asked directly whether he wanted the fort to become a hotel, Abela said that it would be an “obscenity” if this were to happen.

He criticised past decisions that allowed excessive development at Tigné Point, saying that earlier administrations had failed to control building volumes.

“I am not speaking against development, and I have always been in favour of sustainable development, but Tigné Point was developed beyond what is sustainable,” Abela said.

He added that any further development threatening the fort’s archaeological features would be firmly opposed.

“Someone contemplating an ulterior development which could touch upon the beautiful archaeological characteristics of Fort Tigné is something I will be completely against,” he said.

Abela said the government would not give its consent to any transfer that compromises the site, adding that national interest would prevail.

“There will not be the consent of the government for the transfer, and beyond that, we will do everything possible to prevail the national interest,” he said.

When asked whether the Lands Authority had been informed about a promise of sale agreement or Memoranda of Understanding related to the site, Abela said such arrangements were irrelevant.

“At the end of the day, it is a question of government giving consent,” he said.

Abela said that the priority should be rehabilitation rather than development and floated the possibility of a partnership between the state and an environmental or heritage organisation to restore the fort.

“What will happen to that fort moving forward is the real question. I am against any development on something which can still be preserved, and instead, we should invest in its rehabilitation and restoration,” Abela said.

In a statement, NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa said it acknowledges Prime Minister Robert Abela's clear public statement opposing the inappropriate hotel development within Fort Tigné and affirming the State's duty to preserve national heritage.

"We commend this as a necessary and welcome first step. Our offer to raise the funds to match the commercial terms of the promise of sale and to repurpose the fort exclusively for public cultural, educational, and community use remains on the table. We are ready to collaborate with the Government without delay to secure this historic site for posterity and we look forward to a swift and constructive path forward," the NGO said.