The budget the government is presenting tomorrow is based on the values of responsibility, sustainability and solidarity.

Speaking in Lija, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this was the first budget of this legislature and the first since Malta joined the Eurozone. It came at a moment of international crisis, defined by international analysts as an international storm. It was the first of five budgets that would lead to the next PN victory.

The Prime Minister said that following consultation, a formula had to be found that ensured that the country remained strong in this scenario.

So tomorrow’s budget was to be based on - responsibility to strengthen the country and keep making it attractive to foreign investors while promoting measures that safeguarded the environment; sustainability of the economy, education and the environment; and solidarity towards families who needed help.

Dr Gonzi said it was useless to postpone decisions that had to be taken in the interest of the country.

“This is a time for responsibility. Irrespective of your colour or belief this is a moment when decisions have to be taken and it is not a time for scenes, empty talks and useless manifestations,” he said.

On employment, the Prime Minister said there were genuine cases of people who were unemployed or working a reduced week. His message to these people was to remain strong. He promised that the government would continue working to increase and strengthen jobs and said that in the past 21 years, the PN has created 37,000 full time employment posts in the private sector.

Dr Gonzi said that Malta was surviving the current international financial crisis due to past decisions his party had taken.