President sees erosion of values as too high a price for progress

The erosion of traditional values is part of the price that is being paid for progress, President Eddie Fenech Adami said yesterday.

Speaking before the presentation of the Republic Day honours and awards at the Palace in Valletta, Dr Fenech Adami said the effect of this erosion could be seen and felt among families and youth.

"We need to make a collective effort to halt this erosion. Otherwise, we imminently risk facing a situation similar to building a new storey while simultaneously dismantling the very same foundations," he said.

Referring to the country's constitution, which he described as "the creed of a nation", the President said this should not be amended without just cause. However, Dr Fenech Adami said, the constitution should not be static, but should reflect the realities of the day.

Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of Malta as a republic and Dr Fenech Adami said that although 30 years are considered as "merely a passing breeze in a country's annals", this hardly applied to the last 30 years of Malta's history, during which the country firmly established itself as a sovereign state, radically overhauled the economy, took great strides in the health, social and education sectors, rid itself of its developing status and is today regarded as an economically, socially and politically developed nation.

"Today, we have earned ourselves, within the international community, the reputation of a trustworthy and peace-loving country. As of May 1 this year, our voice in the international arena has been strengthened further as a direct result of our membership of the European Union," he said.

Every year on Republic Day the President, on behalf of the government and the Maltese people, pays tribute to a number of Maltese people who distinguish themselves in different fields of endeavour by appointing them to the National Order Of Merit, the Xirka Gieh ir-Repubblika, or presenting them with the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika. Honorary membership can be conferred to nationals of other countries, while Maltese citizens who acted with exceptional bravery can be awarded the Midalja ghall-Qlubija, even posthumously.

Malta's first European Commissioner, Joe Borg was appointed an officer of the National Order Of Merit, while archaeologist David H. Trump was appointed an honorary officer. Simonds Farsons Cisk managing director Louis A. Farrugia, Prof. Joseph Ganado, internationally recognised specialist in civil and comparative law, who is also a member of the Strickland Foundation's council, and pianist Cynthia Turner were appointed members.

Anne Cachia, who worked to promote the welfare of victims of domestic violence, and popular children's books writer Trevor Zahra were awarded the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika.

The ceremony followed the President's review of an Armed Forces of Malta guard of honour in Palace Square, followed by a march past.