President, PM send message to Maltese abroad

President Eddie Fenech Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday transmitted their best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all Maltese and Gozitans living abroad.

Dr Fenech Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed their satisfaction at the outcome of last month's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) "which offered an opportunity for the Maltese to show their true colours".

"It was a success and we are glad to have shown who we really are. We really managed to show who the people are. It is a population who knows the meaning of hospitality, who know how to host others and, in particular, how to host foreigners," Dr Fenech Adami said. He added that this year the country had been through moments of joy, such as CHOGM, and moments of sorrow such as the loss of employment and the death of five Qrendi teenagers.

He looked towards the New Year as presenting a new challenge.

In a separate address, Dr Gonzi said that CHOGM showed Malta to be a competent, hospitable country that nurtured the values of peace and solidarity.

He spoke about the importance of collaboration between countries and, while speaking about irregular migration, he added that just like the Holy Family found shelter in Bethlehem, the Maltese must work to offer shelter and protection to those in need of a better future.