The “irrational fear” of immigrants displayed by many is a matter of concern for President George Abela, who yesterday shared his misgivings with Archbishop Paul Cremona.
Speaking softly and barely audible to media representatives invited to the Palace in Valletta, where Dr Abela exchanged New Year’s greetings, the President noted there was little realisation that a number of immigrants would always be living in Malta.
It is important that the new president enjoys wide support from day one
“We have to at least shoulder our burden before we can expect other countries to help,” he said, acknowledging that the debate on immigration was often characterised by “the fear of fear”.
Dr Abela urged the Church to contribute more in the field of immigration, especially where children were involved.
Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna, who accompanied the Archbishop, said the Church was ready to offer the government a shelter for the 200 unaccompanied immigrant minors.
“We are working closely with Social Policy Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca to find a solution. She is preoccupied and we want to help the government on this issue,” Mgr Scicluna said.
After the tête-a-tête, Dr Abela received Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his Cabinet, the Speaker and MPs from both sides of the House, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, members of the judiciary led by Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri and other dignitaries.
Dr Abela welcomed the Prime Minister’s emphasis that one of the government’s priorities for the New Year will be to address poverty.
“From my experience with the Community Chest Fund poverty is on the increase in Malta and I hope tangible targets are set to start addressing the matter concretely,” Dr Abela said.
When addressing Speaker Anġlu Farrugia and MPs, the President insisted on Parliament’s autonomy and said parliamentary rules had to be updated.
Dr Abela also urged the country to use the national anniversaries in 2014 – 50 years from Independence, 40 years of being a Republic, 10 years as a member of the EU and 35 years since the last British forces left the island – to make institutional changes.
He noted the government’s drive to reform the justice system and singled out Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici for taking the bull by the horns but doing so in “a serious way”.
These greetings were Dr Abela’s last as President since his term comes to an end in April. This did not go amiss from yesterday’s occasion that was brought forward from its customary slot on New Year’s Day proper – in the Prime Minister’s words to make it more family-friendly for dignitaries.
Dr Abela hoped that the choice of the new president will enjoy the widest consensus possible.
“It is important that the new president enjoys wide support from day one, just like an aeroplane during takeoff,” he said in the presence of Dr Busuttil.
The dignitaries then visited the Archbishop in Valletta and Dr Muscat greeted representatives of the constituted bodies and people at Auberge de Castille.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com