Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today that he would like the number of national days reduced to two from the current five.

Speaking at the foot of the Freedom Monument at a Labour Party activity, he did not specify the days he was referring to, but he said he wanted Labourites to love Independence Day as much as they loved Freedom Day, and he wished to see Nationalists love Freedom Day as much as they loved Independence Day.

The other days, he said, would remain holidays and retain their dignity, but as a first step, the number of national days should be reduced to two and, he was sure, within this generation, agreement could be reached on a single day.

In his short address Dr Muscat paid tribute to Dom Mintoff - this being the first ceremony since his passing away.

Dr Muscat said the late prime minister, like all the other prime ministers, had worked hard for the best of the country. He had forged a country based on European institutions and European principles.

Everyone made mistakes, but it was Dom Mintoff who introduced the separation between Church and State, who ushered in new civil liberties and equality.

However, in celebrating Freedom Day, Dr Muscat said, one should not seek to copy the past, but create a new future. One should turn a new page, a page of unity. Independence Day, he said, would be celebrated in the same way as Freedom Day.

All should have the courage to work together on the creation of new institutions and structures, including a new Constitution. One should not hide behind the majority he enjoyed, but rather extend his hand to the majority. Minorities should not feel like foreigners in their own country.

Dr Muscat also spoke on the need of creating a government which was accountable but which had a business-like approach, which did not create bureaucracy, but rather created effective and efficient processes which rewarded those who wanted to work and achieve results.