Focused on continuing to provide stability in a safe Malta that remains a top priority to elevate the quality of life of families – Prime Minister Robert Abela in a meeting on the latest international developments.
In a meeting on the latest international developments, Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that as a country we will continue to move forward implementing the Government’s work where we provide stability, certainty and peace of mind but also focused on a contingency plan to continue protecting families. At the Auberge de Castille where updates were given including by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg, Robert Abela stated that our country is safe and as a Government we have the experience of turning an international challenge into an opportunity. He said that the fact that our country is neutral and does not have military bases, our security remains crucial for us to continue attracting investors and tourists.
Dr Abela explained that the situation will continue to be evaluated hour by hour but the main goal must remain to continue to elevate the quality of life of families and implement the Malta 2050 Vision. He stressed that our country’s priorities remain the same but focused on remaining the shield of families and businesses in a time of geopolitical challenges around us.
Also participating in the meeting were Ministers Silvio Schembri, Byron Camilleri, Miriam Dalli and Clyde Caruana, Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana, Permanent Secretary Christopher Cutajar and the Head of the Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister, Colonel Mark Mallia.
It was stated that as of now, the latest information shows that 215 people have requested assistance from our country’s Consular Directorate, with 169 of them located in the United Arab Emirates. The remaining people, many of them located in Qatar, another country affected by the war in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East. Details were also given of evacuation plans for Maltese citizens as soon as airspace in these countries opens. The discussion was also linked to the Government’s plans regarding economic impacts and it was stated that in the energy and fuels sector, our country has diversification and hedging agreements that are ensuring stability together with the Government’s policy of continuing to subsidize to meet the impacts. There was also mention of the protection of digital infrastructure and monitoring of the supply chain, which is not estimated to have any impacts because it is already operating in circumstances where the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal are affected.
Photo: DOI
