An innovative and competent Malta

The year 2005 has exposed many reasons for us as a nation to look back with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude and to learn our lessons. It presented us with opportunities that brought out the best in us, our solidarity, propensity for growth and development, ingenuity and resilience. Other situations challenged us, questioning our solidarity, and indicating areas needing further development and effort.

The events of this past year have renewed my confidence that, as a people, we are equipped to face the future with optimism and success. In a year sadly marking our world with conflict, terrorism and natural calamity, the Maltese people have proven their resourcefulness and integrity.

Hosting the leaders of Commonwealth countries, businesses, youth and civil society, Malta acted as a bridge between nations and cultures, once again practising solidarity and hospitality at their best.

Our desire to reach out to those in need is proof of the ideals and values we treasure as a people. Malta's development aid organisations were among the first to rush to the assistance of tsunami-stricken countries such as Sri Lanka, assisting in building permanent houses for the victims, rehabilitating medical facilities, refurbishing schools and more. Our innovation and competence managed to beat the resources and complexities of major international aid organisations.

At the same time, our solidarity and generosity have also been challenged by the unusually large number of people arriving in Malta seeking help and refuge. Undoubtedly, the political, economic and cultural facets of asylum-seeking and irregular immigration are many and related. I will not allow myself to deny the sentiments of fear and concern expressed by many when faced with the phenomenon of irregular immigration. Yet, I feel encouraged that increasingly more Maltese are overcoming their fears and facing this challenge in a mature way. We need, in 2006, to continue moving forward in facing this challenge at all levels of diplomacy but also in the depths of our hearts to ensure that we overcome the danger of blinding phobias when encountering other people from different cultures.

What are the main challenges for 2006 and beyond? Will we meet these challenges and develop the necessary new approaches?

In all of Malta's successes in 2005 we have shown ourselves to be an innovative and competent country. We now need to enshrine these two fundamentals in our constitution as a nation. In all that we think, plan, and do, we need to dare to be innovative and ensure to be competent. We need to build on our successes by realising our strengths in innovation and competence. We want 2006 to distinctively brand Malta as an innovative and competent country.

The knowledge of our beautiful and unique identity, and the many successes we achieved over the years, fills me with confidence that 2006 promises success! Our local heritage, apart from our beautiful natural and historical sites, includes the character of our community, displayed through the dedicated work of many people within their families, communities and the voluntary sector. These make our society one that is indeed caring, but also responsible and participant. Such elements, together with continuous education for all, are based on a culture of dialogue and interpersonal interaction.

The ever increasing international collaboration is teaching us that fostering this culture of dialogue is the process that makes the difference between sterile governance and more sustainable, effective forms of governance. The extremely positive consultation processes that we experienced during the Djalogu (dialogue) sessions in Castille, the pre-budget document, the White Papers on pension and justice-related reforms, the national reform programme and others compel us to further engage in more of these processes in 2006.

The year 2006 augurs all too well for the development of our economy, the advancement of our education services, the continued development of each one of us and the improvement of our environment and heritage. We have made these three pillars the foundations of an innovative and competent Malta.

Indeed, consultation at all levels is what complements central action and will help, for instance, to maximise the benefits from the €805 million secured for Malta in the next EU budget. This achievement cannot be attributed only to the efforts and capabilities of our officials but is also a confirmation of the hard work of the Maltese people. Now, our challenge is that we use this year in order to hit the ground running on January 1, 2007. To this end, preparations in 2006 will be intensified through dialogue and consultation between the government and all citizens in order to continue improving the quality of life in our islands.

On this note, I would like to convey my deepest thanks to all Maltese who, through your efforts, commitment and perseverance have lived up to the exciting yet demanding circumstances of the past year. Above all, I thank all those of you whose hard work and efforts do not make the headlines, often going unacknowledged. In view of our nation's achievements, your efforts certainly do not go unnoticed. Your dedication will make 2006 an even greater success. And it is your dedication that will secure an innovative and competent Malta in 2006 and beyond.