The 14 proposals for the sale of Malta Shipyards were a "very good sign", particularly in the context of the global economic downturn, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

He also found "encouraging" the new investment in a pharmaceutical factory, which will generate 100 jobs, and the inauguration of office space for foreign companies, while admitting that Malta was also getting some "worrying news".

Speaking at the Nationalist Party club in Msida, Dr Gonzi sent the message that the government was thinking about the workers of companies on a four-day week while the Labour Party (PL) was not.

The government was focused on the real issues, including jobs, wages and investment while the PL was the "party of confusion", aimed at distracting the public by raising other matters, such as party financing. The country had more urgent priorities involving issues that truly affected the Maltese, Dr Gonzi insisted. He called the opposition "big-headed" and "cheeky" in its attitude in Parliament. It repeatedly rebuffed offers and proposals on the running of the House, acting as though it were in government.

"Politics is not a toy that you play with as it suits you," he said.

On the country's immigration problems, Dr Gonzi questioned the seriousness and consistency of the Labour MEPs, who voted in favour of a European Parliament resolution calling on EU countries to accept potential terrorists from Guantanamo Bay.

Dr Gonzi said the reform of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority was in its final stages and would be presented to the Cabinet shortly as would that of the local councils.

Also addressing the event, Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino spoke about the EU's targets of a 20 per cent reduction on CO2 emissions by 2020. He said Malta would have to fork out €45 million for every 0.05 per cent it went off the target.