The Labour Party will be conducting its own analysis of the financial implications for Malta as a result of the European Union's budget for 2007 - 2013, party leader Alfred Sant said yesterday.
Addressing members of the diplomatic corps during a reception at the party headquarters in Hamrun, Dr Sant said: "We are glad that a compromise was found to resolve the budgetary deadlock that had developed. Away from the hot words launched by the government about the outcome of the European Council decisions, Labour will be conducting its own analysis of the financial implications for Malta. The outcome of this analysis will be made public".
Labour's main focus will be oriented in favour of an EU financial policy that gave priority to the creation of new jobs through the promotion of economic growth.
The opposition believed that the government's fiscal and financial strategy should at this stage of the economic cycle target growth above anything else and that was why it differed with the government on the decision to adopt the euro as soon as possible.
The MLP, he said, fully supported, and was an integral part of, the efforts being made by the Party of European Socialists to put job creation and social solidarity at the core of the EU's financial programming in the coming years.
Dr Sant also referred to the problem of illegal migration saying Malta had already contributed a lot to help solve the humanitarian challenges raised by the phenomenon.
"However, it should be clear that policies to tackle the arising problems as implemented by larger states cannot apply well to a small island like Malta.
"We have no hinterland. There are very clear limits to our restricted resources. Per capita, the intake of irregular immigrants in Malta is already high compared to that of other members of the EU.
"In no time at all, the whole issue could become a crisis affecting Malta's internal security.
"To complicate matters, popular concerns raised by the whole issue of immigration are being manipulated by certain quarters to fuel racism among Maltese citizens.
"Labour will stand against racism in all its forms, both here and elsewhere. We believe that Malta should give its fair share in international efforts intended to solve the problems caused by irregular migration. However, we need cooperation and support."
Dr Sant said that from its partners in the EU, the MLP expected full solidarity in helping Malta carry the burdens it had to assume.
From its friends and neighbours to the south, the MLP expected a greater commitment to use all available means to curtail the irregular movements of people.
The whole question of irregular immigration should be part of a Mediterranean policy and of a north/south policy that addressed the challenges of economic cooperation and development, he said. Dr Sant promised that Labour would steadfastly cooperate with all measures intended to combat terrorism.
Malta, he said, should constantly seek to promote contacts and developments at all levels with its friends who are not EU members.
With neighbours and friends Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria, Labour had pioneered over the years the development of cooperation projects that were constructive and creative.
"By a natural extension, Malta should act likewise with regard to all other Arab states, not least the Gulf states, and with a special mention going to Palestine.
"In no way, though, should such a stance serve to diminish rather than strengthen our relations with Israel, which has every right to secure borders and a peaceful future."
More had to be done to ensure closer cooperation between Malta and the US, not just on a formal diplomatic level. There should also be deeper economic contacts as well as greater exchanges in the cultural and educational spheres, on a citizen-to-citizen basis.
Dr Sant also spoke about Malta's relationship with China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and Canada and said Labour will support all attempts to strengthen such relationships.