Although people were now living better than they used to 15 years ago, Malta needed a culture of innovation and creativity in all sectors, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
Speaking at a mass meeting at the Granaries in Floriana to commemorate the country's 41st year of independence, Dr Gonzi urged the Maltese not to take heed of the many Cassandras who spelt doom and gloom all the time.
Change is part of the process of life and people should not be afraid of it, he said.
"Independence must have been a tough decision for people 41 years ago. By declaring independence they made a statement they could fend for themselves and no longer needed the British Empire to support them. And Gorg Borg Olivier had the courage, vision and conviction to work for what the he believed in," Dr Gonzi said.
"Eddie Fenech Adami, the leader who followed, strove for work, freedom and justice and was not afraid to face challenges and give the country the dignity it deserved. The country rose up to the challenge and people prospered," Dr Gonzi said.
EU membership was the next logical step, and again it had to be a PN government to broaden everyone's horizons while others only tried to dishearten people.
Nothing came without a sacrifice. Even the new roads that were inaugurated the day before yesterday: "16 km of roads in 16 months, costing Lm16 million under a Prime Minister who has been there just over 16 months!," Dr Gonzi said half jokingly.
"Some patience, some sacrifice, but now they're done," Dr Gonzi said.
On the other hand, there was Dr Sant who wanted to make people forget the record deficit and the uncertainty that prevailed when he was Prime Minister.
"There are still two-and-a-half years to go to elections. There is still a lot to be achieved between now and then, but change fills us with courage and confidence. The government will continue to carry out reforms where these are needed. The results of the reforms we started are beginning to show. Unemployment is down, employment up, deficit is half of what was registered by the Labour government and foreign direct investment is increasing," he said.
The government will continue to take the decisions that had to be taken on all fronts.
"Had we been afraid to take decisions to build a new power station, we would have jeopardised industry, tourism and everything that depends of energy, and continued to pollute Marsa.
"We know there are genuine people and organisations who argue against our ideas, but these too have to weigh what they believe in against the national interest," Dr Gonzi said. Dr Gonzi referred to the illegal immigration issue and urged people to bear in mind that those who were landing here were victims of torture, discrimination and persecution.
"We can close our eyes to the Christian values we hold dear and listen to those who say human rights are secondary to the national interest," Dr Gonzi said. The government was putting pressure on the EU leaders and its voice was now being heard, he said.
PN secretary general Joe Saliba said those who forget history would do so at their own expense. Today, people are living better than they used to under socialist governments, but the PN was not satisfied and wanted to keep improving peoples' standard of living.
He urged people to understand what the government was doing and that the pain that some were feeling were the pangs of birth, of a new life, of a better future.