MEPs David Casa and Simon Busuttil said yesterday people had started reaping the fruit of EU membership and the budget was proof of this.

"Thanks to EU membership, the economy is built on solid foundations and can create jobs while raising the standard of living," the MEPs said.

Mr Casa said the positive results announced by the Prime Minister should help people across the board ranging from employees to self employed, from youths to pensioners.

Dr Busuttil said the budget confirms that the decision taken by the Maltese people to join the EU was the right one and was bearing fruit in sectors such as education, roads, the environment, agriculture and fisheries, where the government's budget is enhanced with EU funds.