Illegal immigration is country's 'biggest challenge'

Illegal immigration is still the country's biggest challenge and Malta expects the full support of its European partners to come up with concrete solutions, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

Addressing members of the diplomatic corps and media at the Nationalist Party headquarters, Dr Gonzi said he expected the full support of all countries to tackle the immigration problem.

"Even though it is an enormous challenge, we have to keep in mind that, first and foremost, these people are human beings," the Prime Minister said. He also referred to the recent nomination of Malta's next President. "The Nationalist Party was always at the forefront and prepared to take decisions while keeping the country's needs in mind - one of these decisions is to nominate George Abela for President."

The former Labour Party deputy leader's nomination reflected the country's political maturity, he said. He spoke about the importance of values, such as work and the family, for the Nationalist Party.

"The government has always adopted policies that create more jobs - we value and treasure strong work ethics in Malta," he said. Important decisions needed to be taken in 2009 to help strengthen the economy, he said.

The government would reform or regenerate any sectors carried over from the past that were no longer suited to the country's economy, said Dr Gonzi.