The important thing is how one deals with problems, Sant says

The important thing when facing a problem is how one deals with it and how one is able to build on it for the future, Labour Leader Alfred Sant said in an address that was aired on the party's televison station, One TV, last night.

In a New Year message recorded before he was hospitalised last Thursday for surgery, Dr Sant made only a brief reference to his condition, saying he was having personal problems but insisted that the important thing is how one deals with problems.

In the last medical bulletin issued, Dr Sant's surgeon, Anthony Zammit, said his condition was "very satisfactory". That was a few days after he had what The Sunday Times reported to be a malignant tumour removed from part of his intestines.

Labour's message for this year is one of hope that the Maltese could build a country that is always better, he said.

Last year was a year of challenges, of difficulties, but it also full of things that were welcomed by the Maltese.

The country had to learn from its experiences, to build on its achievements and understand how those things that were not done well enough could be improved.

Over the past year the will to change had grown among the Maltese, who wanted the country to be better able to face today's challenges in a way that sustained their quality of life in the economic, social and cultural spheres, even because too many European countries were leaving Malta behind.

"... the Labour party is confident that the Maltese are able to develop a future for themselves that reflects the achievements of the past years, during which, despite facing big challenges, the country emerged victorious," he said.

For this to happen, the country has to build on the things that make it a nation and on its assets, he continued.

"The people want change to take place in a tranquil manner where everyone is given the opportunity to do his or her best."

In this context, he referred to Labour's regional development plans and insisted that more importance must be given to education, particularly the primary sector where too many children were not being given the opportunities they deserve.

All these are things are achievable, Dr Sant said.