President confident of a positive 2009

President Eddie Fenech Adami said yesterday that despite troubles ahead, he was confident the New Year would be a positive one for the Maltese and the Gozitans.

In his traditional address to Maltese and Gozitans residing abroad, Dr Fenech Adami insisted that the national standard of living was of a satisfying level, which was on par with that of other European member states.

Malta had also made good progress in terms of political development. This development led to Malta having a vote among the 27 countries that form the European Union.

Dr Fenech Adami said Malta's integration with the EU also took a step further this year when, on January 1, the island adopted the euro.

Maltese citizens, he added, not only benefit from Maltese citizenship but can also claim European citizenship.

Since Malta forms part of the Schengen zone, travel between a number of member states is free.

This development, Dr Fenech Adami insisted, facilitates opportunities for all Maltese citizens and for those who travel to Malta.

Malta needs to look to the future however.

Dr Fenech Adami pointed out that, as from the end of 2008, Malta is experiencing a "stormy" period, which was also hitting many countries around the world.

Dr Fenech Adami emphasised that Malta is well equipped to bear the brunt of the financial crisis thanks to, among things, its strong currency.

Malta's sole natural resource are its people who, he said, have strong values that enable them to meet the future head-on.

It was true that the world would be facing troubled times, however, Dr Fenech Adami said he was confident that the coming year would be a positive one for the Maltese and Gozitans living here and living abroad.