Nationalist Party leader Lawrence Gonzi unofficially launched the party's European parliament election campaign yesterday as he told supporters to vote for the party that was more consistent on EU policy.

Speaking at the PN club in Birkirkara, Dr Gonzi said the PN had been consistent in upholding its Christian and democratic values and that was why it had taken a stand in favour of European Union membership years ago.

"The party will soon present a number of candidates for the upcoming electoral appointment. They are people who endorse the values of the Nationalist Party and represent its constancy," the PN leader said.

Dr Gonzi said that as from the coming week, the PN in government would take stock of the pressing issues facing the country. "We will work in the best interest of the country, even if this entails taking difficult decisions. This is the message that the government will put across, now and in the four years to come".

He said the government would be working to take full advantage of the opportunity that European Union membership will provide.

The PN, Dr Gonzi added, has gone through a period of renewal where there were no winners or losers. "The party emerged as the only winner throughout this democratic process. I want to see the country renewing itself in the same way."

Accompanying Dr Gonzi was the PN's newly-elected deputy leader, Tonio Borg, who promised he would support the leader throughout.

"This is a new leadership that founds itself on the values of Eddie Fenech Adami," Dr Borg said.