Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in a televised message to mark his government's first year in office said the government was committed to making the country a success by giving priority to the people's interests.

Delivering his slick message from a workshop in Corradino, Dr Muscat said that a year ago the government had set out to make the country stronger and more united. It set out to make this a land of opportunity where the people had confidence in their abilities and achieved their ambitions. 

He thanked the people for giving him and his colleagues the opportunity to work and pointed to various government achievements including deficit reduction, an increase in the number of people in gainful employment, and an improved credit rating.

This government, he said, had reduced taxes and would reduce electricity tariffs. It had raised student stipends, was giving refunds of vehicle registration tax and was introducing free childcare.

The government, he said, was pro-business and would work with all those who wished to work with it.

He underlined the importance of social justice as a way for fair distribution of wealth. Priority would be given to the health sector, and the government would take the decisions which others failed to take.

He referred to the civil unions law and said this was an example of equality because this country did not discriminate between its people.

The country, he said, would continue to attract investment, as it was doing through the Individual Investor Programme, which would attract €1 billion.

Much more work remained to be done. Major challenges remained and results could not be obtained overnight, Dr Muscat said.  The priority for the government was to make the country a success while remaining close to the people.

The message started and ended with the singing of the National Anthem by children in brightly coloured clothes in the Manoel Theatre.