Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this afternoon that the transition to the new year could be a case of out with the old and in with the new for Malta.

Exchanging greetings with President George Abela, he said society should analyse the past, not to reopen wounds, but to move forward as a united people.

The government, he said, was facing economic challenges and was overcoming them, but more could be done to bring about innovative investment and job creation.

There also needed to be clearer direction towards more civil rights and areas such as the decriminalisation of some drugs after discussion and study.

One of the priorities next year would be to stamp out poverty by providing the tools for those with a low income to get out of their predicament.

Another milestone next year would be the reform of the justice sector.

Dr Abela also pointed out how Malta celebrate a number of anniversaries next year, particularly those related to Independence Day (1964), Republic Day (1974), Freedom Day (1979) and EU membership (2004).

President Abela said history was the teacher of the future.

The wide consultation had on the reform of the justice sector should serve as a template of how reforms should be conducted and he urged the governemnt to move ahead, in the interests of justice and the people.

He also welcomed government action to tackle people at risk of poverty.

Dr Abela also greeted the Speaker and MPs from both sides of the House. He underlined the importance of parliamentary autonomy and said democracy demanded not only government formed of the majority in parliament but in full respect of minorities.

He said parliamentary rules needed to be updated, and the important national anniversaries  next year should serve as encouragement for such reforms.

The President with the Chief Justice and the members of the Judiciary.

The President also exchanged greetings with the members of the Judiciary.

Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri said this was another year where the judiciary was under massive scrutiny of the authorities and the public. That was how it should be.

The privilege of administering justice was a treasure lent by society and the judges had a duty to preserve it and make good use of it.

It was right that the people expected good behaviour without arrogance, with authority. Standards had to be high.

The Judiciary too expected to be treated fairly. It was not fair that the failures or alleged failures of some were attributed to all.

The Chief Justice cautioned against reaching hasty conclusions. He called for patience for facts to be verified before conclusions were reached, adding that the members of the judiciary were human, and made mistakes.