Thursday, 1st January 2009 - 10:45CET

Country's leaders receive greetings

Archbishop Paul Cremona (left) and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca were among those who gave their New Year greetings to President and Mrs Eddie Fenech Adami this morning. The President was also visited by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, ministers, parliamentary secretaries and other MPs. (Photo: Matthew Mirabelli)

The country’s leaders are this morning receiving New Year greetings from well wishers - the President at the Palace in Valletta, the Prime Minister at Castille, the Opposition leader at the party’s headquarters in Ħamrun and the Archbishop at the Archbishop’s Palace in Valletta.

During his visit to President Eddie Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who was accompanied by ministers and parliamentary secretaries, said Dr Fenech Adami was the first President of Malta as an EU country.

He said that the people’s values, determination and ability to work together would make this year an excellent one for Malta.

Dr Fenech Adami said that this year had been a difficult one with the country going through great political and constitutional developments, especially since it had to take on board massive EU legislation.