The Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika could work together within a movement for progressives and moderates, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

Two new leaders, Dr Muscat and Arnold Cassola, yesterday met at the MLP headquarters in Hamrun.

Dr Muscat said there were a number of areas, primarily in the social sector, which provided a basis for common action by the two parties.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged there would always be issues where the two parties failed to see eye to eye.

Dr Cassola said the experience of the two parties in EU institutions should enable them to work in a collaborative spirit. He said he hoped that the political parties could agree on the nomination of the next President.

Dr Cassola also said Malta needed to address the problems caused by rising food and oil prices.