Legal framework planned for NGOs

The government is drafting a White Paper on trusts and voluntary organisations in order to provide a legal framework for the numerous NGOs in society.

Addressing representatives of youth organisations at the Nationalist Party headquarters yesterday morning, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that in recent years the government had recognised the important contribution of civil society in line with the importance given to civil societies by the European Union.

"The upcoming laws shall continue to recognise the importance of civil society," he said.

Dr Gonzi was flanked by the PN candidates for the European parliament elections of June 12.

The Prime Minister said that the first, unprecedented step that led to the inclusion of civil society in the country's decision-making process was the establishment of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

He said the PN was inviting youth organisations to speak to its EP candidates.

The media was asked to leave when the youth representatives started expressing their views.