Recent terror events should not be translated into a clash of civilisations, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today.

Addressing the diplomatic corps at the exchange of New Year greetings at Castille, Dr Muscat deplored last week’s attacks in Paris saying that, in the face of such events, people had to stay united and hold strongly to common values.

“There should be no space in our societies for hate speech, retaliation or prejudice towards any given religion or ethnicity. There can be no room for those who foment disquiet and conflict on presumed religious or racial grounds.”

Photo: Jeremy Wonnacott, DOI

The Prime Minister also referred to the situation in Libya and said that Malta would continue to play a constructive role to ensure that this unsettling chapter in Libyan history was overcome as early as possible for the benefit of the Libyan people.

“It is regrettable that the several rounds of peace talks led by the United Nations have been cancelled despite the unwavering efforts being made to bring the parties to the negotiations’ table.

“As we continue to appeal to all sides to lay down their weapons and seek dialogue, the international community must sustain its endeavours to continue to be proactive with Libya and its authorities,” he said.

“Unless the situation improves, we could in the short term be looking at the collapse of the Libyan State and its institutions. This is a scenario that we Maltese, as traditional and close friends of the Libyan people, hope never to witness.

“Malta will continue to play its role in supporting those efforts geared at an all-inclusive dialogue that duly addresses the aspirations and concerns of all segments of Libyan society.

“We shall continue to do this not out of any national ambition or agenda but out of a genuine commitment to see Libya rise on its feet and give its people the stability and serenity they so rightly deserve,” Dr Muscat said.

The Prime Minister also referred to the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November, which Malta is hosting and said the government was working in full gear in preparation.

It was also preparing for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which Malta would hold in the first half of 2017.

Dr Muscat’s speech in full can be read in the pdf link below.