PM, Sant urge solidarity

The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition yesterday had a common message to the public - embrace the virtue of solidarity at a time when the island prepares to make important choices on Malta's future.

In a rare show of consensus, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami and Dr Alfred Sant appealed for solidarity and calm in the light of the impending referendum on EU membership and the general elections.

"We have to be calm and not resort to malice. We have to look ahead towards the future of Malta with a sense of solidarity," Dr Sant said.

Dr Sant joined President Guido de Marco, who was accompanied by his wife Violet, Dr Fenech Adami and his wife Mary, and Archbishop Joseph Mercieca on Freedom Square, Valletta, to deliver the Christmas and New Year greetings as part of the Milied Flimkien campaign.

Also present were a number of foreign ambassadors who gathered to hear the greetings.

In his address Dr Sant made ample reference to Pope John XXIII's encyclical letter Pacem in Terris, which highlights the essential conditions and values for peace: truth, justice, love and freedom.

"I usually avoid speaking about religious topics but the message in this encyclical letter is still valid today," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Fenech Adami reviewed the past year and said that though there were problems, the spirit of dialogue reigned.

"We have to forget the reciprocal criticism and the political dialectic which separate us, and count our blessings. I feel in the past year we have managed to overcome problems through dialogue with our social partners," he said.

"We have to look ahead to the next year where the Maltese, in full freedom, will decide on the island's future - I am certain people will make the right choice," he said.

Dr Fenech Adami also said that at this time of year it was important to remember those in need.

"At this time we cannot but help think of Bethlehem and the grave situation in the Middle East," he said.

President de Marco also spoke about the cruelty of terrorism and its innocent victims.

"We are with the victims of terrorism and against such cowardly acts," he said.

Touching on the situation in Malta, Professor de Marco said the island was moving ahead and stressed that diversity in opinions was the sign of a healthy democracy.

"Despite our diverse opinions the island is united. I also believe we have to live the spirit of Christmas every day of the year," he said.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Mercieca said it was important to pull the same rope and be united in all we did.

He also stressed that those who organised fund-raising campaigns had to stop themselves from falling into the trap of competing on who collected more.

"Everyone gives according to their means".