Joseph Muscat looking at 2017 as eventful ‘in a positive way’

The Labour Party was “excited” about Malta taking on the Presidency of the European Council, according to its leader Joseph Muscat, who added that there was no blueprint on how a small country could go about such a responsibility.

"There will be a lot of new work which we do not have a blueprint for. Malta is much smaller than even the smallest EU countries and the presidency will be a challenge," said Muscat.

The Labour leader was addressing a media and social partners gathering at the party’s headquarters. He reiterated that, despite the Presidency and all the commitments it brings with it, the government will remain focused on the needs of the country.

"It is our responsibility to keep working to improve the life of the people. We must remain the government of change," he said

Muscat hailed the results achieved by the government over the past years, emphasizing results he said were achieved in the energy sector.

"Had it not been for our reforms, many people would not have been able to heat up their homes this winter," said Muscat. "We are proud of the work we have done and we will continue to speak our mind, whatever the issue.”

He thanked union members and other representatives from constituted bodies for their contribution to the government's work.

"We managed to find good convergence in many of the issues we tackled this year and I am convinced that we will continue to do so over the next year," he concluded.