Abela: 'All hands on deck' to protect Malta from Gulf war impacts
'At a time of global uncertainty, we remain firm, decisive in our actions, clear in what we want and united as a nation', PM assures
The government is "all hands on deck" to protect Malta from any consequences of the war in the Gulf, the prime minister told parliament on Monday.
"I want to assure everyone that I, as prime minister, and we, as a government, are all hands on deck," Robert Abela said.
The prime minister was speaking two days after a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, sparked a wave of retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.
"At a time of global uncertainty, we remain firm, decisive in our actions, clear in what we want and united as a nation. The people know that we stood by them in the biggest international challenges of the past six years, and this will continue to be the case," he said in a statement.
The prime minister reiterated Malta's call for a permanent ceasefire and dialogue.
He lauded Malta's neutrality in a troubled world but also pointed to the possible international economic consequences of the current conflict, particularly following the spike in oil prices.
The government, he said, had been wise to subsidise and stabilise power and fuel costs in Malta, enabling the economy to grow, and it would continue to do so, despite pressures.
He warned that Malta would take nothing for granted.
"We know that the current international situation can change everything. We therefore need to remain focused on the country's needs and ready to counter its impacts.
"I will guarantee that we will always be on the side of the people and ready for any economic consequences that may result."
Abela said some 130 Maltese nationals in the Gulf region had contacted Malta's offices seeking assistance to leave. Consular officials were in contact with them and gave them advice to seek precautions and not to leave their residences.
He said that in the past hours, Foreign Minister Ian Borg had expressed solidarity with the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah Al Nahyan and Qatari prime minister Mohammed Al Thani.
He also thanked them for providing accomodiation and making arrangements for Maltese stranded in their countries, including those whose visas had expired.
'Not a time for partisanship, but collaboration’: Borg
Opposition leader Alex Borg said the Opposition was offering its full support to the government. Now was not the time for partisanship, but for national collaboration and unity.
“We are living in a time which calls for seriousness and responsibility from all of us,” Borg said, adding that the safety of Maltese citizens stranded in the Middle East remained the highest priority.
“In moments like this, Malta must remain firm to its principles as a country pushing for peace that upholds international law and promotes diplomacy.”
He said every assistance should be given to Maltese people to return to Malta if they wished to.