The Maltese had to stand side by side and remain united during turbulent times, President George Abela said yesterday during an official visit to Swieqi.

The stronger the turbulence, the more we need to remain united in our diversity, locally and nationally, Dr Abela said.

The President said he could not delve into the political controversy when asked by The Times on what the priorities of the government and the opposition should be in view of the prevailing political scenario.

His message, he insisted, was one of unity.

“We should never forget the national communitarian spirit that our country experienced on Boxing Day when we all got together for L-Istrina.

“We need to respect each other as a nation and maintain our communitarian unity,” he said, a message he also extended to those gathered outside the locality’s parish church.

Addressing the locality’s representatives earlier, Dr Abela insisted on the need to maintain a communitarian identity in a fast-paced environment.

The Swieqi hamlet was a young and ever-growing one but despite this and the lack of a “traditional village feeling”, its inhabitants still radiated a strong sense of community.

The value of unity was what distinguished the Maltese from other nationalities. The Maltese remain united irrespective of any distinctions, Dr Abela said.

“Let’s not hurt each other because wounds take time to heal. We have to lead by example all the time, in all our diversity,” the President urged.

The visit was one in a chain that the Presidential couple carry out every month in different localities across Malta.

An enthusiastic community hailing from Tal-Ibraġ, Swieqi and Madliena welcomed Dr Abela and the First Lady offering them souvenirs, good wishes and broad smiles.

The Swieqi United football club even gave the President a personalised shirt and the girl guides made a donation in aid of the Community Chest Fund.

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