PM hails de Marco's 'crucial' Presidency

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday described President Emeritus Guido de Marco as the model for all those who wanted to enter politics with the aim of doing their best for the good of the country.

As President of Malta, Prof. de Marco had managed to unite the people at a time when the country had to decide whether to become a member of the European Union. "It was a Presidency that was particularly crucial in a most historic moment," Dr Gonzi recalled.

Speaking during a brief ceremony at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, in Valletta in honour of Prof. de Marco, the Prime Minister and leader of the Nationalist Party called on the people to look forward to the future with courage.

He said that if one were to take a good look from the Upper Barrakka one would realise how many projects were going on around Grand Harbour, projects which, he said, were worth a total of Lm170 million.

Earlier, Prof. de Marco recalled how it was the courage and determination of the PN that enabled it to cope with the onslaughts on liberty and democracy.

Remembering former Prime Minister Gorg Borg Olivier, who led Malta towards independence and who was renowned for his integrity, Prof. de Marco said that Dr Borg Olivier had told a meeting in Dingli Street, Sliema that independence meant independence for all the Maltese irrespective of their political beliefs. It was also independence for future generations.

The PN leaders and supporters had risked their lives at a time when the party was in the opposition and wanted to celebrate independence.

"Dr Borg Olivier who knew how to make the best use of time for the good of the country and of the party had attained independence for Malta without bloodshed and in friendship with the British government with whom the independence agreement had been negotiated...

"The Nationalist Party has moulded the history of modern Malta," Prof. de Marco said.

While years back the Maltese were divided, now they were united in one opinion, that Malta's place was within the EU. But even this took place within the ambit of a healthy debate that embraced diverse opinions, Prof. de Marco explained.

He commended the Prime Minister for his sheer dedication and integrity and wondered publicly how Dr Gonzi had gone on with his work without a proper break since he was appointed to that high office earlier this year.

Dr Gonzi presented Prof. de Marco with a collection of CDs tracing the history of the PN.

The activity was organised by the PN as part of its activities marking the 40th anniversary of Independence.