Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects of the Republic of Malta
Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects of the Republic of Malta
12/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/13/2025 05:21
PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Speech by President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono on the occasion of Republic Day
We have completed fifty-one years since, following Independence, in nineteen seventy-four, our Parliament declared Malta a Republic.
We have entered our fifty-second year; in the life of a nation, fifty-two years are a very short span of time.
Malta is still young.
During these years, when we have taken control of our own destiny, Malta has embarked on a path rooted in the core precepts of its Constitution.
In the international sphere, we have seriously adhered to Article One, sub-article three, which states Malta's neutrality; however, alongside this neutrality, we have committed ourselves to active efforts aimed at achieving "peace, security, and social progress among all nations."
Layer upon layer, we have established a reputation for consistency, transparency, and honesty in our diplomatic relations with foreign countries. Above all, today, it is not only widely accepted that Malta poses no threat to any nation, that Malta is committed to fostering agreement and advancing international social progress, but we have substantively demonstrated this commitment. Additionally, Malta is highly trusted for the way it honours agreements it enters into.
This is why our history in the international sphere is characterised by significant accomplishments. I will only mention a few examples - the initiation of the concept of the seas as the Common Heritage of Humankind, a notion that subsequently served as a reference point in relation to outer space, mineral ocean resources, and more broadly, the protection and sustainability of other resources that should be of benefit to all humanity, without distinction.
In nineteen eighty-eight, at the United Nations General Assembly, Malta tabled a resolution that highlighted the issue of climate change.
As a result of this resolution, this challenge is now being taken up seriously, and steps are being taken towards drafting international treaties in this respect.
It appears an appropriate moment to recall that it was through Malta's insistence that peace in the Mediterranean as a precondition for peace in Europe was entered in the Helsinki Final Act. Now that, following the recommendation of Prime Minister Robert Abela, the European Commission has appointed a Commissioner for the Mediterranean, we must persist in our efforts to ensure that the Mediterranean Agenda becomes, and remains, an integral part of the European Agenda.
It is our collective responsibility, along with that of other Mediterranean nations, to actively work towards ensuring that the Mediterranean is no longer regarded merely as a region on the periphery of three continents, away from the focus it deserves.
Malta must not only persist in its efforts to turn the Mediterranean into a region of peace and security for the inhabitants who populate its shores, but it is also necessary to intensify these efforts, with strong determination in order that peace and security in and across the Mediterranean forms part of the international agenda.
The 28th of November commemorated the thirtieth anniversary of the Barcelona Process. It is essential that Malta utilises the trust Malta holds among the other nations in this region. These nations are directly concerned than distant more ones that there is stability in the Mediterranean region, and also further south on the African continent.
The deep wound caused by the situation in the Middle East, must be addressed from multiple perspectives, beyond the direct interventions by key international actors.
We have to contemplate the potential for examining the roles of religious organisations, youth organisations, and women's organisation, as a means of fostering sentiments of peace and diminishing the cycle of retaliation and reprisal that has persisted to date.
This thought emerges because one of the most troubling concerns arising from the situation in the Middle East is the acute preoccupation that the suffering caused and the hardness ensuing therefrom, do not bode well for the peaceful coexistence of the two peoples, should the two-state solution ever materialise.
I cannot fail to mention the work carried out over the six-month period from May to November, when Malta, for the fourth time in its post-Independence history, presided over the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
This Presidency coincided with a period of concerning international challenges. It commenced in May, at a time when there was scant indication that Russian aggression against Ukraine might diminish; democracy facing threats due to various circumstances: authoritarianism is experiencing a rise!
In some countries, it appears that the space available to civil society is diminishing, or even that civil society is gravitating towards the far right; attacks that endanger the international order, so painstakingly built after two world wars; erosion of trust among nations.
Against this background, Malta based its Presidency on the principles of international law and the values of the Council of Europe. Three Ministerial Conferences and more than fifty other meetings were organised - all with the aim of strengthening the four chosen priority areas, namely:
a) Support for Ukraine, with emphasis on justice and accountability, including the notable signing of an agreement between the Council of Europe and Ukraine to establish a special tribunal on Russia's aggression;
b) The protection and best interests of children;
c) Combating discrimination and promoting equality and human dignity;
d) Support for youth, and safeguarding democracy and the Rule of Law.
In a tangible gesture, Malta showed its support by making a voluntary contribution of eight hundred thousand euros to the Council of Europe to assist, among others, the Parliamentary Assembly in initiatives combating sexual violence, cybercrime, child sexual abuse, and promoting equality and dignity for diverse genders.
In connection with the theme of youth participation, a space at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg was modernised and named The Malta Lounge - a living symbol of the vision Malta upholds, dedicated to involving the generations growing up today who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
The Office of the President undertook two visits to Strasbourg within this period, during which I addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and, I also addressed, the European Court of Human Rights. Several conferences were convened at Verdala Castle.
Malta's membership of the Council of Europe over the past sixty years has yielded concrete benefits for Malta and its citizens. As a result of judgments issued by the European Court of Human Rights in cases brought by Maltese citizens, reforms have been implemented in critical areas, including judicial independence, access to justice, and legal aid and representation.
The reforms resulting from the case of Joanne Cassar v. Malta have contributed to enhancing equality in our society regarding gender differences. These reforms have positioned Malta as the foremost leader in social rights for LGBTIQ+ individuals - a status that Malta has enjoyed for the past decade.
Allow me a brief parenthesis - strictly, an appeal - to examine the psychological and emotional state of suffering endured, especially by young people, who feel imprisoned in their own skins, and who wish to access gender-affirming medical interventions and other related cures.
I appeal-let us help them as we have been ready to help others in other situations. Let us not condemn them to a life lived with such a burden. To those who still harbour prejudices which overshadow sentiments of support, my message is one: these are our children too!
Our country has also recognised and acted upon court rulings concerning individuals' right to enjoyment of private property, especially in cases related to rent control laws, which were originally introduced with social aims in previous times, notably between the two world wars.
There was a substantial number of citizens who appealed to the European Court of Human Rights, to protect and safeguard their right to private property.
Not only was compensation awarded to property owners, but Malta did not stop at the fundamental rights of the European Convention on Human Rights; we moved further, towards rights found in the European Social Charter (even if these are not enforceable before the European Court for Human Rights), and assistance grants were given to ensure that those who faced the danger of ending up homeless toward their lives' end, do not live through that nightmare.
Different administrations have taken the people's right to decent housing seriously. It is true and worthy of appreciation that our leaders are sensitive to the concerns of certain sectors of the population, including young people and those experiencing changes in their civil status, who are facing housing difficulties.
The Church and the State are to be commended for their joint establishment of the Affordable Housing Foundation, which aims to address challenges associated with access to adequate housing for the populace.
Is enough being done? A lot has been done, but we must continue with our input in this field, especially aiming at the mitigation of market pressures on those in danger of falling behind.
The European Social Charter as revised in nineteen ninety-six, underscores the importance of decent housing in three Articles, dealing with action for different categories of people, at different stages of life.
Regarding the right to decent housing, analyses have already been carried out to determine the causes of homelessness. However, in my view, we must delve deeper and address matters before they escalate.
In this context, the analyses must be comprehensive; the causes are multifaceted, so are the age groups affected - including minors - with both Maltese and foreign individuals being impacted.
The European Social Charter lists economic, social, and cultural rights; these should be considered together with the rights emanating from the Convention on Fundamental Human Rights. For an individual to have the strength to claim political rights, an individual must not be living a life devoid of basic conditions - physical and mental health, employment that provides a dignified livelihood, and an adequate level of education for his children.
I am pleased to observe that in our country, there is synergy amongst social partners, between the two principal parties that together represent the people in Parliament, pertaining to rights and conditions that directly impact the daily lives of our citizens. Amongst these, there are the initiatives aimed at establishing a more equitable balance between work responsibilities and family life.
Measures aimed at mitigating the psychological and emotional impact of traumas on families, particularly during sensible moments associated with the generation of offspring; critical situations related to pregnancy and childbirth. In this context, I specifically refer to miscarriage and bereavement leave as measures aimed at alleviating the heartache accompanying these circumstances.
These are merely some of the measures that offer psychological and practical support during sorrowful times of grief. Carers' Leave and Urgent Family Leave are an acknowledgement that employees are being regarded as whole individuals, with social and familial obligations outside the confines of the workplace.
The introduction of these measures was not only supported by workers' unions, but also, and more importantly, acknowledge the empathy demonstrated by employers in their implementation.
Allow me to make direct reference to a particular word found in Article 1, sub-article 1 of our Constitution. This Article states that "Malta is a democratic republic founded on work and on respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual." I find it significant that the pertinent word here in our Constitution is "individual" - "individual" and not the collective noun "humanity".
When we place the individual at the centre of the aspirations that guide our actions, we build a society that, by its very nature, serves as a deterrent against the emergence of extreme socio-political movements within our country.
This is why it is essential that we understand clearly the economic realities of our nation; how the employment and career aspirations of the Maltese people have evolved; and the need for inclusion and integration within our society of those who are making Malta their home-those, whose children, will eventually be Maltese.
Analysis and response to the ongoing social changes within our environment are of utmost importance; the challenges are various, particularly those concerning infrastructure and services, deficiencies that are surfacing, partly due to the rising population. We must persist in our efforts to address these issues.
If citizens experience a sense of security in their daily lives, trust in the political and democratic processes increases, thereby reducing the risk of extreme right rhetoric, spreading in our midst as is happening other countries.
From an institutional perspective, the ongoing process of Court Reforms, initiated by the 2020 amendments relating to judicial appointments, is still ongoing. Infrastructure challenges are being addressed: a new building to house the Commercial Court, an additional hall for the Family Courts, a new hall for jury trials, a preliminary agreement for new premises for the Gozo Court, among other measures, as well as, an increase in personnel, on whom the Court and Justice Administration rely for efficient functioning.
The appointment of Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary deserves to be mentioned. Anyone with concerns regarding any member of the Judiciary may refer his concerns to the Commissioner. Anyone, including all citizens. This is a new mechanism that further highlights the dignity and integrity that are inherent qualities of the Judiciary, while also providing a path for scrutiny by citizens - in this way, bringing citizens who in their collectivity, constitute the state, closer to one of the three vital organs of the State.
Let us give this mechanism time to put its remit into practice and, if practice and experience indicate the necessity for revisions or amendments, we should do our utmost to better its operations.
Within the Commission for the Administration of Justice, efforts are being made to better equip this Commission with improvements, where premises and personnel are concerned, so that it fulfils its mission more effectively and efficiently.
Between November 2024 and November 2025, Parliament approved 44 Acts-of which 37 passed with consensus, and the remaining seven were approved by division. In my opinion, it is desirable that amendments to the Constitution enjoy as wide a consensus as possible.
The first few months of the coming year, the Chief Justice attains statutory retirement age, and hence his mandate will expire. The appointment of Chief Justice requires the approval of a vote of not less than two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives.
Although Article 96, Sub-Article 3 states that, in the absence of a two-thirds majority in favour of the appointment of a new Chief Justice, the incumbent shall remain in office until a resolution secures the support of no less than two-thirds of the House, it is important that agreement is reached on a person capable of fulfilling this role, rather than relying on this saving provision.
Our country does not lack suitable and capable individuals who possess the essential qualities to serve the people in these roles - we do have persons on whom consensus can be reached.
I augur discerning discussions leading to agreement. Agreement is a sign of maturity and of unity in the leadership of our country.
The Auditor General and the Deputy Auditor General are also nearing the end of their mandates. Furthermore, their mandates expire at the same time. Their concurrent appointment gives rise to an anomalous situation, one that the Constitution, specifically in Article 108, sub-article 9, paragraph A, explicitly endeavours to prevent - I refer to the circumstance whereby, in the absence or vacancy of Auditor General, the Constitution provides that the Auditor General's role is fulfilled by the Deputy Auditor General.
The mandates of these two officials should not commence and terminate at the same time.
Gozo remains one of the most vital assets of our archipelago. As time passes, we are becoming increasingly aware how essential it is to protect Gozo from the challenges that rapid modernisation and swift progress bring - challenges that are gradually impacting the island in both direct and indirect ways.
The small size of the island of the Three Hills renders each decision inherently more delicate. We have to be prepared to make various sacrifices for the benefit of future generations. We must acknowledge that in Gozo, investments, construction, tourism, and any other economic activities have more pronounced effects. Every step forward must be taken with the aim of safeguarding Gozo's identity, character, and unique traits.
We must have a clear and sustainable vision-one that benefits not only Gozo but also benefits the Maltese Islands as a whole.
This is essential: Belief in a specific vision for Gozo, should in no way be interpreted as a vision that isolates Gozo from the broader vision for the country.
This is particularly relevant when considering the value of Gozo as part of the future vision of the tourism industry of the Maltese Islands.
Today, around 35% of the Gozitan economy is directly or indirectly linked to tourism. Tourism is the strongest source of income generation for Gozitan families.
The sustainability of tourism in Gozo depends on the authenticity of the experience offered. If this is lost, tourism suffers - Gozo suffers, and the Maltese tourist industry also suffers, for the authentic and diverse experience Gozo offers, enriches what the Maltese Islands offer on the tourism market.
Therefore, a broad and long-term vision is required: promoting clean energy, maintaining a balance between development and nature, encouraging further sustainable mobility, and raising quality standards - while recognising the crucial importance of connectivity for the daily life of Gozitans and for the Gozitan economy.
Fellow Maltese and Gozitans,
We have come a long way. The first Article of our Constitution, hammers that "Malta is a Democratic Republic founded on work". We no longer witness the phenomenon of citizens knocking at the doors of politicians in search of work or exiling themselves because no work opportunities exist for them in our country.
Work, labour, is the backbone of dignity for humankind; however, we must be ever-vigilant to maintain equilibrium in our society so that new social classes do not materialise, and above all, we don't have a society of have and have not.
As we reflect on what we have lived through, and on what we aspire to build together as a nation, united in a spirit of inclusion and progress, we must look ahead with maturity of mind, and hearts inspired by the values that make our country unique: dedication, solidarity, mutual respect, and resilience and wisdom in confronting challenges. These are the pillars upon which we must shape our vision for the common good. You, the people, are a living monument to the way in which our country is capable of excelling, despite its small size.
I urge that we continue working to strengthen the bonds that unite us. A unity that recognises that the future depends on what we do in the present-on how capable we are of instilling in our young people respect, ethics, a sense of justice, with honesty, as an indispensable value underlying all their undertakings.
I wish to see a Malta that persistently and confidently continues to make its voice heard in the most significant multilateral forums, guided by a vision of peace and security across every region of the world, and one that upholds the values of humanity and mutual respect within the international community.
Above all, I aspire to a Malta, where every Maltese, Gozitan, and international resident feels that his identity, culture, and aspirations are comprehensively protected. I thank you for your contributions, your daily endeavours, and above all, for the loyalty towards Malta, our motherland --- let us cherish her, let us love her, and in this way we shall deserve to be called her children.
Viva Malta Repubblika!
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