There has been no approach by the government for the Independence Day wreath-laying ceremony to also involve the opposition, a Labour Party spokesman said today.

Opposition leader Joseph Muscat last year and also on previous occasions, called for a joint ceremony headed by the President.

However, as in previous years, only the President and the Prime Minister took part in the official wreath-laying ceremony at the foot of the Independence Monument in Floriana this morning.

Dr Muscat laid flowers on behalf of the Opposition shortly afterwards.

In 2008, when the issue was also raised, the government had said that the Leader of the Opposition was not invited to the official Independence Day wreath-laying ceremony in terms of an agreement reached between then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and then Opposition Leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.

According to the agreement, wreaths on monuments are laid by the President and the Prime Minister on Freedom Day and on Independence Day.

Government and Opposition officials lay wreaths on June 7 and September 8 while the President gives out Ġieħ ir-Repubblika medals on Republic Day on December 13.

President Abela, who this morning also presided over a ceremony during which three Consuls were honoured with the National Order of Merit, made indirect reference to the issue, saying the time had come to updated the directives issued in 1990 about how national feasts are celebrated.

The consuls who were decorated were Thomas Stoecker, Joseph Micallef and Krystyna Mari Mikilanka.

PONTIFICAL MASS

Earlier, Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona led a Pontifical Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral which was attended by, among others, the President, Dr Gonzi, Dr Muscat, the Chief Justice and former Presidents.

Other members of the Judiciary stayed away, reportedly in protest over their working conditions (see separate story).

An AFM Guard of Honour formed up outside St John's before the Mass. It then marched to the Independence Monument, where a gun salute was fired during the official wreath-laying ceremony.

The PL spokesman said the Opposition was also renewing its calls for talks 'without pre-conditions' for Malta to have a National Day.

Malta at present does not have a national day but celebrates a number of 'national feasts' which mark milestones in its history.

See also:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110921/local/Discontent-among-judiciary-over-work-conditions.385619

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