Gonzi gushes about €1.1 billion EU budget triumph
Despite the slight snag of Malta's 2013 budget Lawrence Gonzi was all smiles about the €1.1 billion secured for the 2014-2020 multi-annual financial framework.
The Nationalist Party seems to be building on the positive momentum of the PM's €1.1 billion EU budget triumph.
Lawrence Gonzi received a raucous reception whilst addressing a packed tent in Birkirkara, a district containing the likes of Tonio Fenech, Charlo' Bonnici and Beppe Fenech Adami.
Playing to the crowd, Gonzi saluted his predecessor and Birkirkara resident Eddie Fenech Adami. This was greeted with jubilant cries of "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie."
"What we are living through today is fruit of the good choices made in the past. The last time we made a wrong choice was in 1996 when our country chose Labour. This led to the collapse of the government after just 22 months," Gonzi said.
Gonzi explained the nuts and bolts of the EU's fund allocation, saying that Malta is no longer an objective one region but a region in transition. This should have resulted in less funds being granted to the island than in the multiannual financial framework of 2007-2013.
"We went to the EU's budget negotiations knowing that there was less money on the table due to the austerity gripping Europe. The fact that we were among the best performers in the EU's economy made it even harder to justify the need for more funds for Malta," Gonzi said.
Gonzi promised to use the €1.1 billion wisely in order to target the three main pillars of the PN's plan, namely job creation, healthcare and education.
The PM also made reference to the tripling of University fees in Britain. He said that the increase in fees have led to less students attending University there. On the other hand, student levels at the University of Malta are at record highs according to Gonzi.