A Nationalist government would never allow a situation whereby new University graduates did not find jobs as was happening in other countries, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi pledged yesterday.

“Our electoral programme will ensure that Malta remains competitive,” he said, adding he was determined to ensure the country never reached the state of other countries where many new graduates did not find a job or had to settle for underpaid jobs due to the global financial crisis.

He was speaking during an event at Valletta Waterfront yesterday evening, the first in a series of meetings with young people.

Answering questions from the floor, Dr Gonzi said he would ensure there was the necessary infrastructure to allow growth in the creative arts.

“I hope to continue seeing innovation and creativity grow and this will be possible if there is a Nationalist government after March 9,” he said.

As an example, he said he was working on a system that would allow bands to use school auditoriums after hours to practise.

He said that, despite its size, Malta had always proven itself. “We are not better than others but we are not inferior. It’s not about the size of the country but about the size of the idea,” he said, referring to tenor Joseph Calleja’s international success.

Dr Gonzi urged young people to enter the world of politics so that they could make a difference.

He said Malta had moved forwards thanks to the energy of their generation. Young people, he added, had an important role to play in the social sector.