Malta has just hosted the 5+5 Summit. This is Malta’s contribution to encourage dialogue and improve relations among our neighbours thereby reducing tension in our volatile neighbourhood. A truly wonderful initiative – well done, Malta!

However, in their eagerness to embarrass Lawrence Gonzi with the visiting dignitaries and their entourages during the summit, the Socialists thought of putting up recycled billboards showing Dr Gonzi covering his eyes along the routes of the visiting dignitaries.

This gesture by the infantile Labour Party only served to remind all how the Socialists never change. Rather than acting statesman-like in the interest of our country, they put up billboards which, when you think about it, give Dr Gonzi an unintended pat on the back.

How? If the Prime Minister, with his eyes shut, is able to manage the economy so well in these turbulent times – enviously low unemployment, continuing investment both in the educational and health fields, record tourist arrivals, with Malta keeping its positive credit ratings – prompting EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to exclaim that Malta is truly an example for other EU countries, then one can only wonder what Dr Gonzi, with eyes wide open, rid of the petulant and infantile behaviour of some of his backbenchers and in less turbulent economic times, can achieve for this country!