Gonzi says Selmun Palace will only be sold if it remains as a hotel

Speaking at the PN’s club in Sliema, Gonzi said Air Malta needs Selmun Palace to be sold as part of its restructuring process. “My wish is to find someone who is serious, committed to keep the building as a hotel. I am not ready to sell it if the buyer intends to turn it into a block of appartments or apply for a permit to add a couple of stories to the hotel,” he said.

Gonzi said that if no one comes forward to buy a hotel and keep it as one, “I would prefer to pull it down.”

He added that whatever happens to the hotel, “our priority is to make sure that the 58 workers find work as soon as possible, even if their work at the hotel is terminated.”

Gonzi said that Air Malta’s situation was not only worrying its employees and Selmun's, but the whole country. “We have other businesses and factories who need Air Malta to function, especially those who use the airline to import and export their cargo.

“Air Malta is a strategic instument of extraodinary importance. I believe the Maltese understand and join government in doing everything possible to save the airline.”

He said that government must find €77 million to make good for the loss made last year and that forecasted for this year. “The restructuring process is needed if we want to see our national airline back on its feet and making profit in four years’ time in a sector which is highly competitive,” he said.

“Amongst the decisions taken, we need to reduce the workforce. That’s why we have the voluntary retirement scheme, and this is why we are incentivising it. Like we have done with the Dockyard workers, we are helping these workers to take this necessary step and try to relieve its impact as much as possible.

“Anything that is causing Air Malta to lose must be removed.”

He added that seven years ago, “everyone had recognised that Air Malta was facing problems. But when oil prices exploded and foreign airlines were closing down, Air Malta was still running.”

On immigration, Gonzi said that one had to remember they are “all human, the difference just lies in the colour of their skin.” He said they are victims of “grievous situations which lead them to risk their lives and that of their own children to flee the country.

“I will never accept to turn my back on them. I have my principles, I was elected on those principles and I am not ready to throw them away, even if I know there are people who do not agree with me.”

He said that Malta is a democratic country where everyone is free to say what one wants. “There was a time when one could not be seen going around with a PN newspaper in his hands. They tell me to forget these incidents, that they are in the past. But how can I forget if those same persons sit in front of me everyday?”

He added that “looking forward”, the EU was trying to help Malta. “Out of 27 countries, Malta was the only one which was given a pilot project to help address the immigration problem. Are we happy with it? No. But the European Commission is already working on another pilot project.”

“We are not happy. We want more. In Malta we have 2,700 persons with a refugee statue. The EU must take them and help them integrate withing EU countries.” He added that there was good response to the call.

“But I insist more help needs to be given to Malta.”

Gonzi said the scenario in the Middle East is still worrying. “We are in contact with Benghazi and the Transitional National Council,” he said, adding that Malta was one of the five countries who are in constant contact with them.

Gonzi claimed that times will come when the change in the countries faced by uprising would lead for the coasts along the North Africa to prosper economically.

“After this storm passes and stability and economic progress is achieved, huge opportunities will come. Malta would then make sure not to lose any of these opportunities.”

On the Bisazza Street mixup and the some 60 parking spaces which will be lost to create a new bus route, Gonzi said government has found a “factual solution which will be announced in the coming days.”

He added government was also working on another big project to address the parking problem in Sliema.