Muscat sets disability as government's priority for coming year

The ongoing crisis in Libya served as a reminder of how important it is for Malta to be a neutral country, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said.

In an address that focused on government's work, the Labour leader said Malta could help in encouraging dialogue between conflicting sides.

“What’s happening around is a reminder of how important Malta’s neutrality is. Being neutral means that we can help conflicting sides come together,” he said.

“I am convinced that future generations will be proud of this story we are writing together.”

Outlining one of the government’s priorities for this year, Muscat said an unprecedented investment will be carried out in the disability sector, to ensure social justice and the inclusion of persons with disability at all levels.

An electoral pledge, Muscat said a priority will be the opening of community homes for persons with disability. “We will be an example for Europe on what social justice and full integration mean. We will help them reach their potential and it will be a success story.”

He acknowledged that more had to be done to ensure the presence of more women in decision-making roles; protect the environment and eradicate poverty

Muscat said a Labour in government had adopted a “can do and let’s do approach” which made it possible for it to address challenges in all sectors.

“Our focus is how to address these challenges, seeing how we can change a ‘can’t do this’ to ‘how are we doing this’. This movement, which is still growing, is making use of the best talents in this country, irrespective of who their background is,” Muscat said.

He said, that what united the party was not the result of the general election but “a future in the making”.

Lauding the country’s economic growth, Muscat said his government always aspired to be “the best”. Alluding to the government’s introduction of an Individual Investment Programme – the sale of citizenship – Muscat said “creativity came natural” for people living on an island without natural resources.

Muscat said Malta had become a destination for foreign direct investment which continued growing. Next step is for the country to open its doors to other strategic sectors, creating new opportunities and fighting challenges.

He said enforcing regulations was necessary, to avoid abuses and profits are passed on to the taxpayer.

“We have also discovered that the world does not revolve around the European Union and there are opportunities in the Mediterranean and project ourselves as a member of the global community.”

Describing himself as an “incurable optimist”, Muscat said being Maltese made him more ambitious. As a member state of the European Union, Malta however needed a Europe which attracted investment.

“We are in favour of discipline and flexibility and against austerity and rigidity. I believe in a Europe that inspires nations and attracts investment. Our markets can do so much more if the EU adopts a common sense approach. With its optimism, Malta has the vocation to influence and attract investment to the EU.”