President George Abela touched on a number of themes, including the general election, the economy, immigration, solidarity and family values, in his last Christmas message.

The past year, he said, was dominated by the general election, preceded by a campaign which was intense, but civil, free and open. He said he was particularly struck by a meeting he hosted after the election between new Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his predecessor Lawrence Gonzi, during which both showed the responsible way how a smooth transition of power could take place, setting an example for the future.

Internationally, he said, economic woes continued to buffet the world, including the eurozone, of which Malta forms part. Malta had managed to do relatively well. The economy recorded modest growth and continued to create jobs. However, there could be no let-up on Malta's part, and Malta needed to take its decisions wisely and prudently.

At both the government and individual level, instead of continuing to speak of the deficit, there was need to get used to focusing on savings and not spending beyond one's means. 

Dr Abela expressed his regret at the continued instability in Libya and Syria.

MIGRANTS ENRICH SOCIETY

On migration, he said the government had done well in appealing, along with other countries, for the EU to translate its words into deeds so that concrete action could be taken to avoid, as far as possible, tragedies such as the one off Lampedusa. 

All agreed that Malta, because of its limitations, could no,t on its own, shoulder the burden of migration. However as a people known for their hospitality and solidarity, the Maltese should always show respect to the human dignity of the migrants.

"They need to be recognised more as being a resource, rather than a threat." The integration of such persons would enrich the Maltese identity and make society more multi-cultural.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Turning to the environment, Dr Abela said the general environment unfortunately paid the price for development, and this often manifested itself in fewer open spaces.

This underlined the need for sensitivity in the way decisions were taken in order to achieve a balance between sustainable development and environmental protection.

There was need for further investment in education for better appreciation of the environment and Malta's heritage. In the interests of the common good, one needed to be more responsible and give future generations a country that was better than the one which had been inherited.

THE FAMILY

Dr Abela said the family unit remained the most essential element of society. Families provided the best moral, emotional and economic environment for raising the young.

It was a duty for the country to continue to strengthen families.

Marriage and the family were institutions which represented values that were both traditional and progressive. These were values which did not diminish with time, they did not depreciate with wear and tear, but remained as valid and relevant as they had always been. This, however, did not impinge on the civil rights which the minorities were entitled to and which should always be safeguarded.

Near the end of his address, Dr Abela stressed that a healthy society had to be built on the highest ethical and moral values of honesty, integrity, solidarity, unity and social justice.

Social justice could not take place without a fair distribution of wealth, catering in particular for those most in need such as persons with disabilities, the sick, the unemployed and those at risk of poverty.

Dr Abela thanked all those who contributed to society through voluntary work and expressed his best wishes to the country.

Read the full text in Maltese on pdf below.