Month: July 2025

F’Ruma, fejn qed jipparteċipa fil-Ukraine Recovery Conference, il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela għamel indirizz b’messaġġ ta’ solidarjetà u appell qawwi favur il-waqfien permanenti tal-ġlied. Din il-konferenza, li ġabret mexxejja internazzjonali, fosthom il-Prim Ministru Taljana Giorgia Meloni, il-Kanċillier Ġermaniz Friedrick Merz, il-President tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea Ursula von der Leyen u l-President tal-Kunsill Ewropew Antonio Costa, iffukat fuq l-irkupru u r-rikostruzzjoni fit-tul tal-Ukrajna wara l-gwerra.

Waqt l-intervent tiegħu fis-sessjoni plenarja, il-Prim Ministru Abela tenna s-sostenn umanitarju ta’ Malta għall-poplu Ukren. Huwa kompla billi fakkar kif sa mill-bidu tal-gwerra, Malta kienet dejjem fuq in-naħa tal-paċi u t-triq favur id-djalogu madwar il-mejda. Qal li dan pajjiżna għamlu bil-fatti permezz tal-irwoli ta’ responsabbiltà li okkupa f’diversi fora multilaterali, filwaqt li kompla jipprovdi għajnuna umanitarja u wera s-solidarjetà mal-poplu Ukren sabiex jikseb il-ġustizzja mistħoqqa.

“Il-qawwa straordinarja tal-poplu Ukren tkompli tispirana biex nibqgħu naħdmu favur il-paċi, li hi ċ-ċavetta tal-prosperità u naħdmu lejn ir-rikostruzzjoni ta’ dan il-pajjiż Ewropew. Malta toffri s-solidarjetà sħiħa tagħha u se tkompli tappoġġja l-isforzi kollha li jwasslu għal ġustizzja, stabbiltà u l-bini mill-ġdid tal-istat Ukren,” sostna Dr Abela.

Waqt id-diskors tiegħu, il-Prim Ministru enfasizza l-impenn ta’ Malta biex tgħin fl-irkupru u fl-iżvilupp ta’ infrastruttura reżiljenti, fosthom fil-qasam tal-enerġija, li ġie attakkat b’mod sistematiku fl-aggressjoni mir-Russja. Dr Abela tkellem ukoll dwar l-importanza u l-ħtieġa ta’ koperazzjoni bejn il-Gvernijiet u s-settur privat fl-isforz li l-Ukrajna terġa’ tqum fuq saqajha wara l-aggressjoni Russa. Semma wkoll l-irwol ta’ Malta fil-promozzjoni tal-ġustizzja internazzjonali, u rrefera għall-ftehim importanti li ġie ffirmat ftit tal-ġimgħat ilu bejn l-Ukrajna u l-Kunsill tal-Ewropa waqt il-Presidenza Maltija tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa li stabbilixxa t-Tribunal Speċjali dwar ir-Reat ta’ Aggressjoni kontra l-Ukrajna.

Fil-kuntest tal-Presidenza Maltija tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa, il-Prim Ministru fakkar ukoll kif pajjiżna tella’ fuq l-aġenda l-impatt li ħolqot il-gwerra fuq tfal Ukreni u qal li dan kollu ġie diskuss hekk kif pajjiżna qed jippresiedi l-Kumitat tal-Ministri tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa. Il-Prim Ministru temm jgħid li Malta tibqa’ vuċi kostanti favur il-paċi kif għamlet mal-komunità internazzjonali fl-aħħar snin meta kienet fil-Kunsill tas-Sigurtà tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti u bil-Presidenza tal-OSCE. Saħaq li hemm sforzi importanti li qed isiru mill-Istati Uniti u l-Unjoni Ewropea flimkien mal-Ukrajna u dan għandu jkompli jsir biex ma jibqgħux jintilfu ħajjiet ta’ ċittadini.

Intant fil-marġini tal-konferenza f’Ruma, il-Prim Ministru Malti kellu laqgħa mal-President tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea Ursula von der Leyen, il-Prim Ministru Taljana Giorgia Meloni u l-Prim Ministru Grieg Kyriakos Mitsotakis fejn iddiskutew it-tisħiħ tal-kooperazzjoni strateġika mal-Libja.

Hekk kif issa ssoktaw il-laqgħat tal-Kunsilli Lokali tat-Tfal, il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela żar il-Kunsill ta’ Wied il-Għajn fejn it-tfal kellhom l-opportunità jiddiskutu miegħu temi kurrenti fosthom l-ambjent u l-ħarsien tal-annimali fost oħrajn.

Il-Prim Ministru wera s-sodisfazzjon li fi żmien sena mill-bidu tal-implimentazzjoni tal-proġett RIGHTS, illum pajjiżna għandu Kunsill Lokali tat-tfal f’kull lokalità kif ukoll fuq il-livelli reġjonali. Huwa saħaq li l-ideat u l-aspirazzjonijiet tal-ġenerazzjonijiet iż-żgħar mhux biss jirriflettu bidla pożittiva għall-futur, iżda għandhom ukoll il-potenzjal li jissarfu f’azzjonijiet konkreti li bihom nistgħu nkomplu intejbu Malta tal-lum. Huwa żied jgħid li l-Gvern se jibqa’ impenjat sabiex ikompli jagħti vuċi lit-tfal u liż-żgħażagħ b’hekk inkomplu nsostnu demokrazija dejjem aktar moderna u li toffri opportunitajiet li jissarfu fit-tisħiħ tal- ħiliet u l-aspirazzjonijiet tagħhom.

Matul din il-laqgħa pparteċipat ukoll il-President Emeritu Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Hija qalet: “Huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon kbir li l-Prim Ministru jerġa’ jiltaqa’ ma’ tfal u żgħażagħ membri tal-Kunsilli Lokali sabiex jisma’ direttament mingħandhom l-aspirazzjonijiet u t-tħassib tagħhom. Din l-inizjattiva tfisser ħafna, għax permezz tagħha l-politika ta’ pajjiżna qed tinbena wkoll fuq il-vuċi tas-soċjetà żagħżugħa tagħna. Hija xhieda ċara ta’ rieda politika soda li tassew temmen fid-demokrazija parteċipattiva u fil-bini ta’ pajjiż aktar inklussiv u ġust.”

Iffurmat minn 11-il tifel u tifla, dan il-Kunsill Lokali tat-tfal jiltaqa’ regolarment biex jiġu diskussi temi u inizjattivi li t-tfal jixtiequ li jaraw it-twettiq tagħhom, u li finalment jissarfu f’futur aħjar għal kulħadd. Apparti minn laqgħat ta’ diskussjoni u proposti li jgħaddu għall-kunsiderazzjoni tal-Kunsill Lokali, it-tfal jipparteċipaw ukoll f’bosta attivitajiet li jagħtuhom lok jesprimu l-kreattività tagħhom.

The kids, aged between 11 and 14 years old, are part of the Malta ESG Alliance (MESGA)

Prime Minister Robert Abela, together with the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Malta Vision 2050 Implementation and Coordination Ronald Mizzi, welcomed 11 kids at Castille, as part of a MESGA delegation. They put forward proposals towards the Malta Vision 2050, based on the 17 SDGs. They were accompanied by CEOs coming from the founding members of MESGA.

Prime Minister Robert Abela remarked that the main aim of the Malta Vision 2050 is for our kids to have a sustainable future and for generations to come. “The proposals received today, are a valid contribution to the Malta Vision 2050 and compliment the daily ongoing efforts in this regard. I congratulate the role of MESGA for bringing together CEOs and the future generation, which is a clear example of mutual collaboration in preparation for the future.” 

Minister Clifton Grima stated that, “This discussion is a clear example of how education does not only take place in a formal setting, or through books, but also by having kids around the same table with decision makers, contributing to their own vision of the country. Malta Vision 2050 puts education in its central strategy towards sustainable economic growth and better quality of life, and these concrete proposals coming from such a young age, truly help us address today’s challenges in preparation for what’s next.”

Permanent Secretary Ronald Mizzi highlighted that the received proposals are astonishing coming from kids. “In the light of the various discussions and meetings currently being held as part of the consultation process, these proposals are very valid, and well researched, despite the fact that are being put forward by 11–14-year-olds.”

The kids also presented the publication ‘Isimgħuna’ to the Prime Minister, which groups the proposals from last year’s conference, which proposals have also been presented at the United Nations. Prime Minister Robert Abela presented the kids with a certificate of recognition, of their submissions, towards the Malta Vision 2050 as part of the ongoing consultation process.

MESGA has been founded in 2022, aiming to enhance efforts towards the 17 SDGs, on the local level. MESGA brings together, companies and their management, and kids, and is committed towards sustainable economic growth, environment protection, social equity, and good governance.

This initiative will enable many families to achieve homeownership by acquiring property at a price that is 30% lower than the prevailing market rate

Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that a call for proposals will be issued to commence construction on a new affordable accommodation project. The initiative will lead to the development of approximately 260 residential units, aimed at individuals who do not qualify for Housing Authority assistance but still require support to become homeowners. Through this scheme, beneficiaries will have the opportunity to purchase property at prices approximately 30% below market value. The project is being implemented by the Foundation for Affordable Accommodation, a collaborative initiative between the Government and the Church.

This project is aimed at individuals and couples with low to middle incomes, specifically individuals earning up to €33,000 annually and couples earning up to €38,000. The Foundation for Affordable Accommodation is launching an expression of interest for the design and development of new housing units in Ħal Kirkop, Fgura, St Julian’s, and Marsaskala. In each of these four localities, the Government has transferred public land to the Foundation, some of which had originally been passed from the Church to the State in previous years. The call is targeted at developers capable of delivering innovative and sustainable housing solutions that meet high-quality standards.

During the press conference, Prime Minister Robert Abela noted that this project fulfils an important social objective by providing a better future for 260 families. He described the initiative as an innovative model that reinforces the Government’s mission to ensure that everyone has access to a home. While expressing satisfaction that official statistics indicate that 85% of Maltese and Gozitans are homeowners, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s ongoing commitment to making housing more affordable and accessible for all.

Dr Abela noted that this initiative builds upon a series of other Government measures aimed at supporting homeownership. These include assistance for first-time buyers, who are now benefiting from increased stamp duty savings, a €10,000 grant spread over a ten-year period, and an additional scheme offering up to €9,000 for those investing in sustainable property. In total, first-time buyers, the majority of whom are young people, can receive up to €30,000 in support through various Government schemes.

The Prime Minister also referred to other major reforms that the Government has implemented in the housing sector, providing support to tenants while also ensuring fairness for property owners. Many families who were at risk of eviction due to pre-1995 rental agreements are now receiving assistance. He also referred to the New Hope Scheme, which is offering individuals with health conditions the opportunity to become homeowners. The Prime Minister concluded by stating that, through these initiatives, the Government is offering families renewed hope, greater security, and an improved quality of life.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna welcomed the launch of the Foundation’s next phase, describing it as a “tangible expression of our society’s enduring commitment to social and economic justice.  Access to safe and dignified housing is not just a material concern, but a moral one. Every person, regardless of income, deserves a place to call home”. The Archbishop emphasised that, through its active role in the Foundation and its previous donation of land intended for social purposes, the Church is contributing in a concrete and meaningful way to advancing social justice for those priced out of the property market.

Addressing the press conference, the Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation Roderick Galdes stated that this project marks another important step in turning the dreams of many families into reality. He highlighted a number of Government schemes, such as the 10% Deposit Scheme, Equity Sharing, Social Loan, New Hope, and Sir SID Darek, through which the Housing Authority has supported nearly one family every two days in becoming homeowners. Minister Galdes emphasised that, despite these encouraging results, the Government remains firmly committed to expanding affordable housing initiatives. He noted that this commitment is reflected in the decision to transfer four public land sites to the Foundation for Affordable Accommodation to enable the development of this project. “Through this initiative, we are recognising the hard work of our families and supporting them in fulfilling their aspirations to become homeowners,” the Minister concluded.

Foundation for Affordable Housing CEO Dr Jake Azzopardi stated that this is an innovative and sustainable initiative which ensures that whoever works in Malta can afford a home. Dr Azzopardi added that the model guarantees buyers an affordable path to homeownership and builders a fair return on their investment without room for speculation.

Further information about this initiative is available at affordablehousing.mt. Full details on eligibility and how to benefit from the scheme can be found on the same website.

Il-Ħamis filgħaxija, fil-Palazz tal-Girgenti, ittellgħet b’suċċess ir-raba’ edizzjoni tal-kunċert ‘A Night at the Palace’, bis-sehem tal-Orkestra Filarmonika Nazzjonali. Waqt il-kunċert inġabru donazzjonijiet b’risq il-programm ‘Strong Minds’ ta’ Special Olympics Malta.

Il-programm ‘Strong Minds’ joffri tagħlim li jwassal għal żvilupp ta’ ħiliet ġodda biex l-atleti jadattaw għal ċirkostanzi differenti li jiltaqgħu magħhom. Bid-donazzjonijiet, Special Olympics Malta se tkompli ssaħħaħ dan il-programm biex tkun tista’ toffri iktar inizjattivi, fosthom screening tas-saħħa mentali tal-atleti biex ikun hemm sistema iktar robusta li tidentifika riskji fi stadju kmieni u tirreferi lil min ikollu bżonn għand professjonisti fil-komunità.

Il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela, flimkien ma’ Dr Lydia Abela u binthom Giorgia Mae, iltaqgħu ma’ bosta familji li attendew għal din is-serata mużikali b’għan nobbli, u rringrazzjawhom għall-ġenerożità tagħhom lejn il-programm ‘Strong Minds’ li jħalli tant ġid.

Waqt il-kunċert, l-Orkestra Filarmonika ta’ Malta taħt id-direzzjoni tal-Maestro Aurelio Belli, flimkien mal-kantanti Amber, Richard Edwards u Gloriana Arpa Belli, wasslu lill-udjenza xogħlijiet mużikali ikoniċi minn films u musicals rinomati.