The forthcoming amendments to the Marriage Law, which will allow same sex marriage, were a demonstration of the government's commitment to equality for all, the prime minister said this morning.

Speaking in a One Radio interview, Joseph Muscat said he was pleased that both parties agreed over this law.

The amendments would be made to the 1975 Marriage Law to ensure that there was only one form of marriage, whether it was between heterosexual couples or others, Dr Muscat said.

The 1975 law, he recalled, had been progressive and highly controversial, having introduced civil marriages. He was very proud that this law was now being improved further.

(Speaking in another interview later, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said the PN was backing the amendments because it was recognising a reality which already existed. Indeed, it had also promised this in its own electoral programme).

EU presidency was a source of pride

Dr Muscat said Malta's presidency of the EU, which is now ending, was a source of pride for all involved.

“The country rose to the occasion politically, technically and logistically,” Dr Muscat said.

The comments he had received were that Malta showed it did not have an inferiority complex and performed better than many other countries, he said.

The next challenge, he said, was when Valletta became the European Capital of Culture next year.