The European Commission has recognised the government's efforts to better tackle money-laundering and corruption, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Sunday.

Speaking during a short telephone interview on the Labour Party’s One Radio, Dr Muscat said that in the country-specific recommendations for the 2018 European Semester, issued for each member state last week, the Commission recognised the government’s efforts in tackling money-laundering and corruption.

“While we note the recommendations, the government is committed to keeping healthcare free and to continue increasing pensions while not raising the retirement age,” Dr Muscat said.

In its report, the Commission warned on Wednesday that governance shortcomings in anti-corruption framework may adversely affect Malta business climate and weigh negatively on investment.

READ: Investors may be deterred by shortcomings fighting corruption - EU

It also called for a strengthening of the governance framework by enhancing the national supervision of internationally-oriented financial businesses licensed in Malta, by ensuring the effective enforcement of the anti-money Laundering framework and by continuing to step up the fight against corruption.

During the interview, the Prime Minister went on to laud the launch of a €10,000 grant for parents who adopt children from abroad, describing this as one of the most precious electoral manifesto pledges the party had made.

On the IVF amendments bill, Dr Muscat asked the Opposition why its leader Adrian Delia had opted to not allow a free vote for the second reading, as was the case in the first one.

He also expressed satisfaction that Transport Minister Ian Borg had this week unveiled a €55 million project to upgrade the road network in the central areas, noting that such changes brought about improvements to people’s lives.