Prime Minister Joseph Muscat met Renzo Piano in Paris to discuss the architect’s Valletta project. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Changes to Renzo Piano’s Valletta project could be on the cards as Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday revealed he had discussed the possibility of “what could be done differently” during a meeting with the Italian architect in Paris.

However, the Government yesterday refused to elaborate on Dr Muscat’s comment and questions sent to the Office of the Prime Minister in the morning remained unanswered.

Dr Muscat met the world-renowned architect at his Paris studio on Tuesday but the media was only officially informed about the visit in a press release sent two days later.

When asked why the media present with him in France had not been informed about it, Dr Muscat said this was not a public meeting. The previous government had had such meetings, he said.

He said they spoke about “what could be done differently” and exchanged thoughts on how to develop the project.

Thursday’s press release said Mr Piano explained to Dr Muscat the concept behind the project, the original brief and future plans.

It said the Government planned to carry out extensive consultation regarding how the project should be developed.

Since the Labour Party was elected, it has hinted that the current plans for the City Gate project, unveiled in June 2009, were not final.

The project involves the construction of City Gate, the new Parliament building and the roofless theatre on the site of the Old Opera House.

Mr Piano has found several objections since his contact with Malta started in 1985.

In 1988, he presented his guidelines for the master plan for Valletta, which included the idea that Valletta no longer needed closed doors in the 20th century, but an invitation into it.

The proposal did not go down too well with the public, and although the Cabinet of the day had originally approved the project in 1990, it decided to drop it due to growing criticism.

During a press conference a month ago, Infrastructure Minister Joseph Mizzi said he planned to review the layout plans of the Renzo Piano Parliament after finding there was not enough space to house the offices of the 14 ministers and eight parliamentary secretaries and all the parliamentary committees.

He later assured the public that Government would use the new Parliament building.