The Malta Council for Science and Technology is working is identify research projects which can be carried out in Malta by CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.

He told a business breakfast organised by the Nationalist Party as part of the 45th anniversary celebrations of the country’s independence, that he had asked senior officials at CERN to consider the possibility of conducting research projects in Malta. The indications were positive and the MCST was working to identify such projects.

Dr Gonzi stressed the importance of coordination for the best use to be made of research and innovation to be made.

Maltese people, he said, had shown that through creativity and innovation, it was capable of swimming against the currents.

For although in theory it was not supposed to survive in a globalised world, because it was creative and innovative Malta had one of the best social services system around the world, free education, a very good health system that was free and a good quality of life.

The country’s economy was transformed from one based on manufacture to one based on services.

Dr Gonzi said it was a shame that there were not enough resources in the sector and Maltese students who wanted to specialise had to continue with their studies abroad and ended up working in foreign countries.