Labour leader promises seamless transition

A Labour government would split the Foreign Affairs Ministry to have somebody focusing on European affairs, Joseph Muscat told diplomats yesterday.

Dr Muscat said this would be the “two-pronged approach” a Labour government would adopt in its foreign policy.

“We will have someone directly and politically responsible for European affairs, giving the Foreign Minister the time to develop relations with countries in other continents such as the US, China, Africa and the emerging economies,” he said when he exchanged New Year greetings with the diplomatic corps.

Drifting from his prepared speech, Dr Muscat said Labour would continue following policies adopted by the present government on European issues.

“There will be a seamless transition if Labour is elected to government in the coming months,” he said.

He said Labour’s “key desire” for 2012 was stability. Just like the US, France and China were facing their Presidential elections “Malta too has its share of choices”, which was why the focus on national issues had to continue. Labour, he said, was “being prudent” in the way it was expressing itself and would not “play petty politics”. It was ready to shoulder responsibility and take decisions, he said.

The party had “a very concrete plan” which it would present in the coming weeks and months but the national interest would always come first, he said.

Dr Muscat said the stability and financial health of the eurozone was of utmost importance to Malta. The opposition was in favour of the fiscal pact but against the proposed financial tax.Malta should continue to participate in organisations such as the 5+5 and a prospective Labour government would further strengthen bonds and cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.