News • 25 May 2003

President de Marco delivers strong speech in opening session of Parliament

The President of the Republic Prof. Guido de Marco made a strong point for a ‘change of ways’ in Malta on the threshold of EU accession yesterday at the opening of Parliament. In his concluding words, President de Marco spoke of EU accession as tantamount to affect "all aspects of life" but not a denial of "our cherished values and customs."

Prof. de Marco said: "It will mean we must change what we have allowed to deteriorate, stagnate or go wrong through lethargy, carelessness or lack of thought."

President Guido de Marco yesterday addressed the Members of the House of Representatives at the opening of Parliament, in which he unveiled Government’s five-year programme.

"As a first principle, my Government stresses that this programme is intended to benefit all people without exception, rejecting and steering clear of political division and partisan differences, and promoting an ever more inclusive society," President de Marco said.

To ensure the success of Malta’s historic phase as a European Member State, President de Marco said, a five-point programme would be implemented by Government:

The first part concerns education and culture, the full development of every person, both in terms of individual qualities as well as in terms of interaction with others. The second part deals with the environment, both natural and man-made, in particular sustainable development.

The third part refers to social policy and the strengthening of the family and the promotion of a society where none are left behind. The fourth part focuses on work and the economy and on the need for innovation and a spirit of enterprise geared towards the European market.

The final part is the very exercise of government, whose guiding principle of peace and security, both within the country and in the international arena.

Prior to arriving to Parliament President Guido De Marco inspected a guard of honour. Members of Parliament yesterday took their oaths in front of President de Marco.

The Hon Anton Tabone was appointed Speaker of the House. Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami declared that an agreement had been reached with the Opposition, who will be nominating its own Deputy Speaker.