Political leaders' message to diplomatic corps

President George Abela said the past year brought unprecedented challenges to the European Union during the annual exchange of New Year Greetings with the Diplomatic Corps.

"The economic and financial crisis in the eurozone is still the source of serious concern. Many economists are forecasting a return of recession to Europe this year. One can only express
the hope that 2012 will set the Euro on the road to recovery and bring renewed confidence that will see the eurozone countries beleaguered by debt out of their problems and away from a recession," Abela said.
 
In regards to the measures aimed at solving the crisis in the eurozone, Abela said these measure may be "unpalatable but are considered essential." He said "Many individuals and families will be hit by cuts in public expenditure but one hopes that the necessary measures will be taken in a way that will cause the minimum distress possible to those who are already in dire straits, especially the unemployed and those at risk of poverty."  

 In his address to the diplomatic corps, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi spoke about the Arab Spring and Malta's role in the Libyan conflict. "Our most direct and immediate response in Malta was towards the humanitarian crisis."

"These actions were also a spontaneous expression of the way Malta has traditionally conceived and applied its regional and neighbourly responsibility in her role as nurse of the Mediterranean," Gonzi said.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi called for bigger efforts within the UN framework to resolve the situations in Palestine and Syria. "In their turn the revolutions in North Africa have influenced developments in other countries of the Middle East, including Syria. Inevitably these events are also affecting the intricate factors constituting the core Middle Eastern problem of Palestine."

"The situation in Syria is especially preoccupying in both its political and its humanitarian implications.   While the political equation in Syria is not as clear cut as it was for example in Libya, the evidence of breaches of human rights and of flouting of humanitarian law that are occurring there is overwhelming,"Gonzi said.

On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict the Prime Minister said Malta continues to see the role of the international community lying in the direction of creating the conditions where an independent and viable Palestinian state exists side by side with a secure Israel. 

The Opposition leader Joseph Muscat also addressed the diplomatic corps in an event organised by the Labour party. He said Labour is ready to take the responsibility and revealed that a new Labour government would separate the European affairs portfolio from that of the Foreign Affairs minister. This will give the opportunity to the Foreign Affairs minister to concentrate on relations with China, the US and Africa whom Muscat described as "strategic partners".

Muscat said a new Labour government would provide continuation to the current administration's policies in regards to the EU. "There will be a seamless transition if Labour is elected to government in the coming months."