DIARY OF EVENTS 2004 JANUARY - doi photography competition

DIARY OF EVENTS
2004
Important Note: Dates hereunder do not denote the actual dates on which
the respective events occur, but refer to the dates on which they are reported
in the local print media, which is normally on the morrow.
JANUARY
• 1 January 2004 Finance Minister John Dalli described the process leading to the award of the Lm25
million medical equipment contract to INSO as a long, transparent and strong one. The Italian firm, Mr
Dalli said, had the lowest bid, at 63,915,397 euro, and was 90% compliant with the tender documents.
• 1 January 2004 ‘The Voice of the Mediterranean’ radio station, set up jointly by Malta and Libya 20
years ago, went on air for the last time. Government was forced to close down the station after the Libyan
Government failed to pay its share of the funding, running up arrears of nearly Lm1 million.
• 1 January 2004 In a statement issued by the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs, Refugees
Commissioner Charles Buttigieg said that refugee status was last year awarded to 53 persons, involving 34
cases, and humanitarian status was granted in another 226 cases involving 328 persons. Mr Buttigieg said
that, since January 2002, 75 persons had been recognised as refugees and 439 given humanitarian
protection.
• 1 January 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the turnover index in industry in the third quarter
of 2003 increased by 3.95% to 104.89, from 100.90 in 2002. The employment index and the wages and
salaries index registered an increase of 1.66% and 4.97% respectively.
• 1 January 2004 The National Statistics Office said that an updated statement on Malta's international
economic and financial transactions in the third quarter of 2003 disclosed a deterioration in the current
account balance of Lm5.4 million, from a net surplus of Lm18.7 million in the September 2002 quarter to
Lm13.3 million in the same period last year.
• 1 January 2004 Most businessmen interviewed for a business survey by the GRTU, Association of
Retailers and Traders, reported that sales this Christmas season were very much on the same lines as last
year. The greater part of those interviewed sell television sets and hi-fi appliances, jewellery, footwear,
wearing apparel and gifts.
• 1 January 2004 Police historian Eddie Attard said that if one were to go by the number of murders, Malta
was one of the safest countries to live in last year because no homicides were committed. Malta's average
murder rate for the past 30 years was of six murders a year, placing the island in the ‘very low’ category.
The last murder committed in Malta was on August 12, 2002.
• 1 January 2004 The Civil Protection Department appealed for humanitarian aid for the victims of the Iran
earthquake. The Department said that it had made arrangements to send a container with blankets and
towels to the earthquake area.
• 1 January 2004 The January 2004 issue of the tourist magazine Malta & Gozo Day-by-Day highlights the
attractions of the Maltese Islands for visitors in the winter months. Now entering its third year of regular
publication, the magazine provides essential information on the Maltese Islands in English, German,
French and Italian.
• 2 January 2004 President and Mrs Guido de Marco received the leaders of the country for the annual
official exchange of greetings, at the Palace, in Valletta. The dignitaries present included Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami accompanied by his Cabinet; Archbishop Joseph Mercieca and Auxiliary Bishop

Annetto Depasquale; the Acting Leader of the Opposition Charles Mangion, and Chief Justice Vincent
Degaetano.
• 2 January 2004 Archbishop Joseph Mercieca said that the Government and the Opposition should have
one reality guiding them - to work for the good of the country in diversity. Mgr Mercieca was addressing
representatives of the political parties and other personalities who called on him and on Auxiliary Bishop
Annetto Depasquale to exchange New Year's greetings, at the Archbishop's Palace, in Valletta.
• 2 January 2004 According to a report by the Registrar of Trade Unions, there was a drop in the number of
members of Trade Unions and Employers' Association for the 2002/2003 period. There were 95,021
members for the period July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003, compared with 95,722 in the same period the
previous year, a drop of 701.
• 2 January 2004 According to the Meteorological Office, last month was 0.6°C colder than the December
average for the past 30 years, with a mean maximum temperature of 16.4°C. The temperature on
Christmas Eve reached 8.8°C, making it the coldest December day since records started being kept. The
lowest temperature reached during the night was 6.1°C on December 18.
• 3 January 2004 President Guido de Marco thanked all those who were involved in the organisation of ‘L-
Istrina’ for their time and commitment, and the people for their generous contributions. Lm1,022,479 were
raised at the end of a live TV transmission lasting just over 12 hours.
• 3 January 2004 A report drawn up by the Council of Europe's European Audio-visual Observatory that
looks at cinema trends in the EU acceding states placed Maltese cinema attendance first amongst the ten,
with an average 2.7 visits a year. Slovenia at 1.39 visits, and Hungary at 1.32 visits, placed 2 nd and 3 rd
respectively.
• 3 January 2004 The Health Promotion Department, together with the Campaign for Awareness on
Radiation Emissions (CARE), have issued an information leaflet on the safer use of mobile phones.
Health Promotion Department Director Mario Spiteri said that the intention was not to alarm mobile users
but to encourage them to adopt a more sensible and precautionary approach.
• 3 January 2004 Enemalta Corporation announced that the rise in the price of diesel (+7.6%) and
kerosene (+3%) was due to the upward fluctuations on the international markets between October and
December 2003, combined with the increase in the rate of VAT in the case of diesel.
• 4 January 2004 President Guido de Marco presented the gold medal of the Malta Society of Arts,
Manufactures and Commerce for 2003 to writer and literary critic Oliver Friggieri, at Palazzo De La Salle,
in Valletta. Prof. Friggieri was chosen by the Society's Council in recognition of his "outstanding
contribution to Maltese culture in Malta and abroad". Youth and the Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett
attended the event.
• 4 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami addressed dignitaries, the media, and Party
employees at the traditional New Year's reception, in Pietà. Dr Fenech-Adami referred to Malta's
upcoming EU membership on May 1, saying that the New Year would not be an easy one. Change always
brought its share of difficulties, Dr Fenech-Adami said, but every new venture created several new
opportunities. "Let's all do our best to get the most out of membership," he told those present.
• 5 January 2004 Australian oil-drilling company Hardman Resources NL announced that it has decided to
abandon the oil exploration scheduled to take place off the South East coast of Malta after it had failed to
attract potential investors to form a joint venture. The company said that it was surrendering its licence.
Hardman Resources held an 87.6 per cent interest in Blocks 4 and 5 offshore Malta.
• 5 January 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that indications for the first quarter this
year were not healthy. However, he believed in a recovery by the end of the year, starting from the second
quarter. Dr Zammit Dimech was interviewed by The Times newspaper.
• 6 January 2004 The Fifth Protocol relating to Economic, Technical, and Financial Assistance between the
Government of Malta and the Government of the Republic of Italy entered into force on 5 th January 2004.
On the day, the Italian Government officially notified the Malta Government that the text of the protocol
had been published in the Italian Government Gazette on the 31 st December 2003 (legislation no. 359 of
Italian Government Gazette, issue no. 302).

• 6 January 2004 Minister for Tourism Francis Zammit Dimech has reconstituted the Malta Tourism
Authority Board for 2004. The Board is now made up of Dr. John C. Grech (Chairman), Victor Borg,
Samuel Mifsud, George Micallef, Kevin Decesare and Hans Cauchi. The elected members are Winston J.
Zahra (MHRA), Joe Borg Olivier (FATTA), and Joe Cappello (Air Malta). Lino Farrugia and Victor
Gruppetta represent ‘other sectors providing travel and tourism services’.
• 6 January 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit visited the site of excavations being
carried out in Vittoriosa in an attempt to find the foundations of a 16 th century clock tower that was hit and
badly damaged by bombs in April 1942. Mr Zammit said that, if the tower’s foundations are found, the
possibility of rebuilding the tower on its original site would be evaluated and considered, if this is
technically possible.
• 6 January 2004 The Department of Information announced that ‘The Government Gazette’ is now
available online and in real time. The entire contents of each issue of the Gazette can be viewed on the
same day and time of publication of the printed version.
www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspage.asp
• 7 January 2004 Malta Enterprise, which is replacing the Malta Development Corporation, the Malta
External Trade Corporation and the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise, has come into being.
The agency is headed by Chief Executive Officer Philip Micallef and chaired by Joe Zammit Tabona.
Malta Enterprise can be reached at 2144 1888 or by e-mail at info@maltaenterprise.com
• 7 January 2004 The Government has denied Simed's claim that its offer for the supply of Mater Dei
Hospital's medical equipment was cheaper than that of INSO, the company awarded the contract. It
stressed that INSO's total quoted price, including the price of a five-year maintenance and service
programme, was €87.08 million, while Simed's totalled €94.35 million. The Government was reacting to
statements made by Simed's Senior Representative Ferry Dubbers.
• 7 January 2004 The Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force is to recruit some fifty men and women in a
fourth intake of the five-year-old force. Volunteers will be trained in infantry operations, light rescue,
point security, and disaster relief. They will also receive basic soldiering skills and drill and handling of
weapons.
• 8 January 2004 New employment regulations that have just come into force give more protection to new
or expectant mothers and to young people. Regulations related to maternity lay down that, pregnant
employees, employees who have recently given birth, and breast-feeding employees now have their
employment assured. The regulations on young persons, put into effect through a legal notice, prohibit
work being done by children.
• 8 January 2004 According to statistics released by the National Statistics Office, almost half the people
employed between 2000 and 2002 were covered by collective agreements. The statistics cover all the
collective agreements filed at the Employment and Industrial Relations Department.
• 8 January 2004 A report prepared by IBM for the European Commission shows that the cost of a 10-
minute telephone call from a fixed line in Malta to the US is almost six times higher than the average for
EU member states and acceding countries. The cost of a 10-minute call to the USA is €12.27 when the
European average is €2.12.
• 8 January 2004 The Civil Protection Department and the St John's Ambulance Brigade co-ordinated an
effort to send blankets to earthquake victims in Bam, Iran. Over 6,000 blankets and bedding items were
collected and sent over. "We were overwhelmed by the public's generosity," Environment Department
Director Peter Cordina said.
• 8 January 2004 The Malta Community Chest Fund handed over Lm44,000 in financial aid to 86 families
who suffered considerable damages in the floods that hit Malta on September 15 last year. The
presentation was made by the President and Mrs de Marco, at the Palace, in Valletta.
• 8 January 2004 The Meteorological Office announced that the year 2003 was the second wettest since
records began to be kept in 1947. A total of 899.1mm of rain fell last year, second only to 1951 with its
record of 955.6mm.

• 9 January 2004 Malta International Airport donated the sum of Lm2,500 to the Malta Community Chest
Fund. MIA Chairman Michael Hoeferer, accompanied by CEO Peter Bolech, presented the cheque to
President Guido de Marco.
• 9 January 2004 Minister for Youth and the Arts Jesmond Mugliett inaugurated the workshop entitled
‘Benefits of Non-Destructive Analytical Techniques for Conservation’. He said that it is the duty of
politicians, researchers and all those involved in the safeguard of cultural heritage to strive so that
conservation reaps the benefits of research. 150 participants from 19 countries took part in the workshop.
• 9 January 2004 Carmelo Abela MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, attended the 17 th
Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. The aim
of the Conference was to maintain, foster and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of Speakers
of Parliaments and to promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various
forms.
• 10 January 2004 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government was hoping that
proposals on pension reform would start taking shape by the middle of this year. Dr Gonzi was standing in
for Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami during the traditional New Year Exchange of Greetings with the
Diplomatic Corps at Auberge de Castille. Dr Fenech-Adami could not attend because he was indisposed.
Audio and video recordings of the exchange of greetings can be found at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audiorecording-pm%2009-01-04.asp
• 10 January 2004 President Guido de Marco exchanged New Year greetings with the diplomatic corps, at
the Palace, in Valletta. The President said that Malta would be joining the EU on May 1 as a united
country, as one people who had decided to cast their destiny and their future with the European Union.
• 10 January 2004 In his address to the President, the Apostolic Nuncio, Felix del Blanco Prieto, who is the
Dean of the diplomatic corps, referred to 2003 as a year which reserved a great dose of preoccupation and
sorrowful events. At the same time, he said, the Maltese adherence to the European Union could not be
neglected.
• 10 January 2004 While exchanging greetings with the diplomatic corps at the Casino Maltese, in Valletta,
Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that, in addition to the opening of an embassy in Budapest, the Government
would continue to expand its missions abroad this year. Dr Borg also looked forward to the opening of
additional missions in Malta, starting with the Spanish Embassy.
• 11 January 2004 The Home Affairs Ministry said that, during 2003 the number of illegal immigrants in
detention had been reduced from 900 to 300. The Ministry said that a total of 700 migrants had been
repatriated in 2002 and 600 last year, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of liri.
• 11 January 2004 Malta International Airport Chairman Michael Hoeferer told The Sunday Times
newspaper that four cruise liners are to start using Malta for turnarounds in the next two years. Mr Hoeferer
said that the first cruise liner, belonging to Mytravel, is to start using Malta for turnarounds in May, with a
further three cruise ships anticipated in 2005.
• 12 January 2004 According to a survey appearing in the latest issue of the Consumers' Association's
‘Holiday Which?’ magazine, and published in The Guardian, Malta is considered to be one of the best
value holiday destinations. The survey looks at prices for staples such as accommodation, eating out, carhire,
petrol, and general sundries in 21 European countries.
• 13 January 2004 The Malta Communications Authority said that it is seeking expert assistance from a
European body working in the field of postal regulation with a view to setting up a postal regulatory
framework for Malta. The Authority said that the assistance would be funded by the European Union.
• 13 January 2004 The Chairman of the Malta Transport Authority, Charles Demicoli, held out prospects
for an overhauled public transport system by the end of this year. Writing in the Authority's annual report,
he said that the Authority had made great progress and was now a functioning entity that was delivering.
• 13 January 2004 A Malta Communications Authority audit of about 60 mobile phone base-stations has
shown emission levels of electromagnetic frequencies to be well within the internationally accepted limits.

• 14 January 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, called on the Government
and the Opposition to submit a formal reaction to proposals made by former President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici
on the updating of the standing orders of the House. Addressing a House Business Committee meeting, Mr
Tabone said that he still had not received a formal reply from either of the parties.
• 14 January 2004 HSBC Malta Chief Executive Officer Christopher Hothersall donated Lm18,600 to the
Foundation for Educational Services. Mr Hothersall said that the HSBC Group wanted to support the
foundation in its continued efforts to combat illiteracy.
• 14 January 2004 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has approved the re-development of the
Ta' Qali crafts village and the surrounding gardens. The development will see the old Nissen huts serving
as workshops being replaced with modern business outlets.
• 15 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced at the end of a cabinet meeting that
Foreign Minister Joe Borg would be the only government nominee for the prestigious post of European
Commissioner. On his part, Dr Borg said that it was an honour for him to accept the nomination. Dr Borg
will be the first Maltese to join the College of Commissioners, which is the EU equivalent of a Cabinet of
Ministers.
• 15 January 2004 The Prime Minister also said that Richard Cachia Caruana, his personal assistant, is
indicated to become Malta's first Permanent Representative in Brussels. The Prime Minister said that a
final decision by Cabinet is yet to be taken. Mr Cachia Caruana was Chief Negotiator in the Government-
EU accession talks.
• 15 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that he would soon be meeting the trade
unions and employer associations, members of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development,
to discuss the economic situation with them. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at the close of a cabinet
meeting.
• 15 January 2004 The European Commission has allocated €26.9 million to Malta for rural development
purposes for the period 2004-2006. EU funding for the rural development for the new member states is at
€5.76 billion in current prices for 2004-2006. The allocations for each new member state are based on the
amounts contained in the declaration included in the act of accession.
• 15 January 2004 A report issued by the Malta Communications Authority shows that in the third quarter
of last year fixed line telephony subscribers numbered 205,582, while mobile telephony subscriptions
increased to 280,847. The report says that cable TV subscribers amounted to 118,290, while internet
subscriptions reached 72,962 at the end of September.
• 15 January 2004 According to figures released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union,
the population of Malta has hit the 400,000 mark. The landmark was reached following a population
increase of 5.7 per thousand in 2003.
• 15 January 2004 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has launched a document highlighting
its vision for the future. Entitled Vizjoni, Missjoni u Valuri, the document states that the Authority was
working to ensure a good quality life in harmony with the natural, cultural, and urban environment.
www.mepa.org.mt
• 15 January 2004 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is making available Lm54,000 in grants
for the restoration of timber balconies in Floriana and Valletta.
• 16 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami appointed Mr Charles Mizzi and Mr Vince
Cassar permanent secretaries. Mr Mizzi will serve at the Education Ministry and Mr Cassar at the Youth
and Arts Ministry. Dr Fenech-Adami also presented letters of re-appointment to Permanent Secretaries Joe
Ebejer, in the Social Policy Ministry, Paul Zahra, in the Finance and Economic Affairs Ministry, and Louis
Naudi, in the Tourism Ministry.
• 16 January 2004 The Prime Minister appointed Mr Godfrey Scicluna as Head of the Security Services. Mr
Scicluna had been Acting Head for the past six months.
• 16 January 2004 President Guido de Marco paid an official visit to Victoria, Gozo. He described Malta's
sister-island as the ‘cradle of architecture in the world’. During his visit, Prof. de Marco was presented with
donations in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund.

• 16 January 2004 The public-private partnership Environmental Landscapes Consortium planted olive
trees at Europa Nursery, in Wied Incita, to mark its first anniversary. Finance and Economic Affairs
Minister John Dalli and Environment Minister George Pullicino attended the tree planting ceremony.
• 16 January 2004 Six Italian firms have filed 16 submissions for the construction of arterial roads around
Malta to be funded by the fifth Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol. Out of the protocol’s total of 75 million
Euro the sum of 30 million Euro has been allocated to road construction.
• 16 January 2004 The Department of Information announced that Acts passed by Parliament in 2003, and
Legal Notices issued in the same year, are to be made available on CD as from next month. The first CD
covers 19 parliamentary Acts and the second contains 448 Legal Notices. Further information may be
obtained from the site http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspressreleases-acts&notices.asp
• 16 January 2004 Malta International Airport reported positive results for December with international
passenger movements standing at 131,244, an increase of 3.2 per cent over December 2002. December
showed increases in all areas of activities at the airport, MIA said.
• 16 January 2004 In a survey on financial crime carried out for the European Commission, respondents
were asked to list their top concerns about fraud. In Malta, 86 per cent of those surveyed mentioned
corruption, 77 per cent indicated circulation of counterfeit currency, 69 per cent mentioned defrauding the
state, including through income tax and VAT evasion, and 66 per cent cited commercial fraud.
• 17 January 2004 The Finnish Government is proposing to restrict access of workers from the new EU
members in the first two years of enlargement. Under the Bill, workers from the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia would only get a job in Finland if a Finn
cannot fill the position. Malta and Cyprus are the only two countries from among the 10 acceding countries
that are excluded from the draft law.
• 17 January 2004 During the Informal Meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in Galway,
Ireland, the Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry for Social Policy, Francis Agius, took part in the
first consultation of the new Irish Presidency. The modernisation of the social security system, and the
need to provide productive, longer-lasting and better-paid jobs was discussed.
• 17 January 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Finance and Economic Affairs Ministry, Edwin
Vassallo, said that feedback from the business sector showed that sales during the post-Christmas period
were very positive. The Parliamentary Secretary also announced that the number of licences issued by the
Trade Licensing Unit last year amounted to 1,628. Mr Vassallo was meeting business owners in Valletta.
• 17 January 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that full-time staff employed with Local
Councils had increased from 230 in the year 2001 to 238 the following year. Part-time employment also
increased by 6.7 per cent.
• 17 January 2004 Former Public Broadcasting Services CEO Tony Mallia passed away aged 61. Mr Mallia
is survived by his wife Mary Grima, son Alex, and daughter Madeleine.
• 18 January 2004 Air Malta Chairman Lawrence Zammit said that the company's present situation was no
longer tenable. Mr Zammit said that, if the company failed to change the working practices that had been
valid 20 years ago, the present dismal situation would just get worse. Mr Zammit was speaking at the
official inauguration of the company’s first Airbus A320 (9H-AEF).
• 18 January 2004 The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi,
who stood in for Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, and by IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt.
Reading out a speech prepared by Dr Fenech-Adami, Dr Gonzi said: "The past three years were the first
years that Air Malta registered a loss. Malta's need to have a national airline cannot justify the company's
unsustainable situation."
• 18 January 2004 In his speech, IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that Air Malta had to focus on
its commercial goals and reduce its dependence on travel operators to become a European airline that
exploited its new possibilities. "In the light of such harsh competition we have to be able to curb the
internal operating costs and concentrate on the company's core business," he said.

• 19 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Maltese people had decided at last
year’s referendum and general elections that Malta should not stand alone in the midst of a troubled sea but
should join the EU. In this way Malta had acquired the tools to continue moving forward. Dr Fenech-
Adami was speaking at a political activity in Gozo.
• 20 January 2004 President Guido de Marco received a delegation from the Little Sisters of the Poor, at the
Palace, in Valletta. Prof. de Marco said that the Little Sisters were very dear to his heart since he lived so
close to their Home in Hamrun and he had visited them so many times.
• 20 January 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry for Social Policy, Francis Agius, was
received by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, at the Vatican. During the meeting, Dr. Agius explained to His
Holiness that the Maltese Government is committed to provide equal opportunities for persons with
disabilities. Dr. Agius added that, in the near future, an Active Ageing Programme would be launched.
• 20 January 2004 Mr Charles Polidano, who is Director Strategy and Planning at the Office of the Prime
Minister, told ‘The Times’ newspaper that the White Paper on the Public Service is calling for more
accountability at all levels of the public service structure. Mr Polidano said: “The main tenet to bear in
mind when going in for such reform is that a balance needs to be struck between accountability and rights.”
• 20 January 2004 More than 200 scientists recently met in Rome at an EU conference on ‘The Role of
Research in Combating Antibiotic Resistance’. Michael Borg, Chairman of the National Antibiotic
Committee, who represented Malta at the conference, said that the problem of antibiotic resistance is
particularly relevant in the local setting.
• 21 January 2004 During a joint press conference with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, at Palazzo
del Quirinale in Rome, President Guido de Marco said that the excellent relations existing between Malta
and Italy go beyond the usual good neighbourly co-operation. He said: “Our relations are set in history,
shaped by geography, and well-rooted in linguistic and cultural ties.” The Maltese President was on an
official visit to Italy.
• 21 January 2004 A report on the 10 new member countries' state of preparedness for accession to the
European Union welcomed the fact that all political parties in Malta now unreservedly support
membership. The report, prepared by the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, states: "Malta,
politically united on that basis, will be able to make a success of integration into the Union for the good of
all concerned.”
• 21 January 2004 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the number of families in which both
parents worked was growing, as were the number of single parents in employment. Dr Gonzi was
addressing a seminar on the balance between family and work, organised by the National Family
Commission.
• 21 January 2004 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi said that the
Government was expected to launch consultations with the social partners over pension reforms at the end
of the month. He said that the Government was committed to ensuring that pensions would remain
guaranteed for future generations. Dr Gonzi was speaking at a party activity in Mellieha.
• 21 January 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, there were 8,175
registered unemployed persons with the Employment and Training Corporation in December. Of the total,
6,606 were males and 1,569 were females.
• 21 January 2004 The Ministry for Youth and the Arts announced that it had received over 90 registrations
from various architects, teams and agencies interested in taking part in the competition for the design of the
Mnajdra and Hagar Qim Heritage Park. Most of the registrations of interest came from Europe, but there
were others from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Americas.
• 21 January 2004 The University of Malta and Heritage Malta signed a collaboration agreement
establishing formal co-operation between them. The agreement will identify areas where the University
and Heritage Malta can work together for the benefit of dissemination of academic knowledge and a
deeper appreciation of the national heritage.
• 21 January 2004 Maltacom Group presented its financial statements for the period ending September 30,
at a stockbrokers’ meeting. The company’s profitability was up 23 per cent, excluding exceptional items,
and its operating profit increased by 24.6 per cent. Incoming Chairman Sonny Portelli said that it was

important for the public to be aware that there were enterprises in Malta that were delivering a healthy
bottom line.
• 21 January 2004 The Maltese National Commission for UNESCO launched an interactive CD-Rom on
the National Library. The CD is the first in what is planned to be a long series on Maltese historical sites.
• 22 January 2004 Italian Deputy Premier Gianfranco Fini welcomed President Guido de Marco on behalf
of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was indisposed. Mr Fini stressed that between Malta and Italy
there exist several familiar interests that will become even more common as from next May, “an important
appointment with history”.
• 22 January 2004 President Guido de Marco had discussions with Mr Fini at Palazzo Chigi, the Italian
Prime Minister’s office. President de Marco said that Italy had, throughout the years, demonstrated with
Malta a strict collaboration and co-operation in so far as political, economical, social and cultural ties were
concerned.
• 22 January 2004 Environment Minister George Pullicino launched the Enhancement Livestock Premium
Scheme, which is replacing the original Dairy Compensation Scheme, set up in October 2002. Mr Pullicino
said that the scheme, which would serve to promote local milk and beef, was being introduced to be in
conformity with the EU Common Agricultural Policy.
• 22 January 2004 Air pollution statistics released by the National Statistics Office show that road transport
was one of the major air pollutants in the Maltese Islands. At present vehicle density in Malta stands at
1.52 persons for each private vehicle.
• 22 January 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that experts in the tourism sector were
forecasting an increase of three per cent in tourism in Europe and an international increase of around eight
per cent. Dr Zammit Dimech said that there were indications that the tourism sector in Malta would start
catching up in the second quarter of the year.
• 22 January 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli said that the Government would be
doing everything in its power to kill off excessive bureaucracy. Mr Dalli was addressing the main
commercial and industrial associations that submitted proposals on the Public Service White Paper, calling
for efficiency to allow businesses to work.
• 22 January 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt inaugurated HSBC Bank Malta’s new internet
banking service. Dr Gatt said that there was much more room for take-up in internet banking: to date only
10 per cent of Maltese citizens and only 37 per cent of enterprises use online banking services. "We will
partner with banks to improve these to 50 per cent and 75 per cent respectively by end-2004," Dr Gatt said.
• 22 January 2004 EU Director General for Employment and Social Affairs, Odile Quintin, and
Parliamentary Secretary Dolores Cristina officially opened an artistic and photographic exhibition in
Brussels to illustrate the country's social, employment, and economic landscape.
• 22 January 2004 The National Statistics Office said that tourist arrivals last year had reached 1,126,601, a
0.6 per cent drop over 2002. In December, tourist arrivals numbered 54,690, a drop of 0.7 per cent when
compared to the same month the previous year.
• 23 January 2004 President Guido de Marco’s intensive State Visit to the Republic of Italy came to an end
with an official departure ceremony held at the Palazzo del Quirinale where he was bid farewell by
President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. The President then proceeded to Vatican City, where he was received for
an audience by His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
• 23 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that, the challenges that the country is facing
call for urgent action, and the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development has a role to play to
lead to an agreement on a national agenda. Dr Fenech-Adami was delivering the opening speech during a
one-day conference called ‘A Public Service for the 21st Century’, at the Westin Dragonara Resort, in St
Julians.
Video and Audio recordings of the Prime Minister’s Opening Speech can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%20publicserviceact.asp

• 23 January 2004 A survey by the National Statistics Office has established that the Maltese are earning
more, they are deeper in debt, and working women are having fewer children. The NSO said that its survey
analysed disposable income and borrowing and the hypothesis that a declining birth rate was related to
various socio-economic factors.
• 23 January 2004 Heritage Malta Chairman Mario Tabone announced plans for the setting up of a
National Museum of the Social History of the Maltese Language. Dr Tabone said that the museum would
endeavour to explain how the development of the Maltese language was reflected through the historical
and social vicissitudes of Malta.
• 24 January 2004 President Guido de Marco closed a seminar organised by the Malta Business Centre in
Milan. The seminar, called ‘Malta beyond the Postcards - Realities and Development Potential’, was
introduced by the Maltese Ambassador to Italy, Edward Melillo, and was addressed by Dr John C. Grech,
Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority; Mr Joseph Zammit Tabona, Chairman of Malta Enterprise; and
Joseph F. X. Zahra, Bank of Valletta Chairman.
• 24 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami presented letters of appointment to Dr Janet
Mifsud as the first Commissioner for the Promotion of Equality, and to Ms Sina Bugeja, Executive
Director of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality for Men and Women. The Department
of Women in Society has now been absorbed within the National Commission.
• 24 January 2004 During a press conference, the Malta-EU Information Centre announced that it would be
launching two educational events. The first event is a national quiz for secondary school students aimed at
increasing awareness among Maltese future generations on the European Union and its policies; the second
is the third edition of the MIC stage for Maltese journalists in Brussels.
• 24 January 2004 The Government is planning to enact legislation to curb the proliferation of spam.
Towards this aim, IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt launched a Green Paper called ‘Addressing
Spam Together’. Comments, reactions, and suggestions to the Green Paper may be addressed to
nisco@gov.mt till March 5.
• 24 January 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that total fish landings last year increased by
129,355 kilograms (+13.7 per cent) from the previous year's 940,864 kilograms. The increase was mainly
due to the rise in landings of dorado (+46.0 per cent), tuna (+25.3 per cent) and shrimps (+26.7 per cent).
On the other hand, swordfish and stone bass landings dropped by 29.6 and 30 per cent respectively.
• 25 January 2004 President Guido de Marco was conferred with an honorary degree in political sciences at
the Università degli Studi di Palermo. There, he delivered a lectio magistralis on the search for peace in
the Mediterranean, in which he argued that the Mediterranean's richness lay in its diversity. “This must be
the starting point when seeking any peace,” said Prof. de Marco.
• 25 January 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority embarked on a new drive to attract tourists from Italy,
with a poster campaign highlighting Malta's European origins and character. And in a further boost to the
cause, Touring Club Italy is to publish a special edition of its travel books dedicated to Malta and Maltese
cultural riches.
• 26 January 2004 President Guido de Marco was made honorary citizen of the Sicilian town of Monreale.
Prof. de Marco was also conferred with a degree Honoris Causa by the Accademia Siculo-Normanna.
• 26 January 2004 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in an interview with The Times newspaper
that he had warned the new GWU section committee that it should not expect ‘a single comma’ of the
collective agreement to be renegotiated. Dr Gonzi said that he remained convinced that the 'yards could
break even by the end of the seven-year plan, as long as workers embraced the new working conditions.
• 26 January 2004 Finance Minister John Dalli took part in a meeting of the European Council for
Economic and Financial Affairs focusing on the possibility of creating more jobs within the European
Union, as well as on the conclusions of a report by former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok. Mr Dalli said
that the Government would be discussing the contents of the report with the social partners before taking a
position at the spring EU summit.
• 26 January 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that Malta's tourist arrival rate in a year -
1.2 million compared to a population of 400,000 - was the highest in all European states. Dr Zammit
Dimech was speaking at the Intercontinental Hotel, St Julian's.

• 26 January 2004 Malta Enterprise Chairman Joe Zammit Tabona announced in an interview with The
Times newspaper that a pharmaceuticals company and an electronics firm were preparing to open factories
in Malta within weeks. Mr Zammit Tabona said that the agency had also received 10 new applications
from manufacturing firms, and another 20 firms were expected to submit applications soon.
• 26 January 2004 A new print and television advertising campaign launched by the Malta Tourism
Authority in the UK focuses strongly on the close relationship between Britain and Malta, as well as the
unique welcome that is extended to visitors from the UK.
• 27 January 2004 European Parliament Secretary General Julian Priestly said that the EP was facing
problems in the recruitment of qualified Maltese linguists as translators. He said that this, however, does not
call into question the status of Maltese as an official language. Mr Priestly was speaking to journalists
taking part in an EP/EU seminar on the EP and enlargement.
• 27 January 2004 The travel section of the New York Post carried a two-page spread on Malta. In the
article, journalist Andrea Bennett mentions the year-round temperate climate, ancient culture, and low
prices as being the main factors that make Malta attractive to Americans.
• 28 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that it was important for Malta to invest in
its own marine research programme in order to address specific local needs, priorities and opportunities,
and secure benefits from the broader international efforts. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at a seminar on
‘Marine Research Trends and Related Development’, held by the International Ocean Institute-Malta
Operation Centre, in collaboration with the Malta Council for Science and Technology.
• 28 January 2004 President Guido de Marco and Mrs de Marco presented financial aid, specialised
equipment, and white goods, amounting in value to Lm45,894, on behalf of the Malta Community Chest
Fund. A total of 107 individuals and 14 philanthropic institutions in need benefited from the donations.
• 28 January 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that figures released by the Federation of
English Language Teaching Organisations show that the teaching of English as a foreign language in 2002
attracted over 60,000 persons, or 7.3 % of total tourist arrivals from non-English speaking countries. Dr
Zammit Dimech was addressing the annual general meeting of Feltom.
• 28 January 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, tourist departures for November 2003 were
estimated at 65,781, marking a decline of 6.4%, or 4,502 tourists, when compared to the same month in
2002.
• 28 January 2004 The Education Ministries of Malta and Holland have entered into a cooperation
agreement in the field of education and training. The agreement, which is effective until the end of this
year, was signed by Education Minister Louis Galea and his Dutch counterpart, Rienko Wilton.
• 28 January 2004 Foreign Minister Joe Borg participated in the General Affairs and External Relations
Council of the European Union held in Brussels. The discussions in the GAERC focused on several issues
including the situation in Georgia, the Middle East Peace Process, the follow-up to Secretary General
Solana’s visit to Iran, the Western Balkans, and the preparation for the International Conference on
Afghanistan.
• 28 January 2004 The January issue of the European edition of Stars & Stripes, the official publication of
the US Military Forces and their families, features an article on Gozo. It outlines the pleasures of
holidaying in Gozo in winter as well as the joy of diving in its waters and picnicking in the countryside.
• 29 January 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami spoke of the benefits of EU membership and
how the process of restructuring was finally gaining momentum. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking about
Malta's future as an EU member, at a seminar for journalists entitled ‘The Broadening Horizons’,
organised by The Malta Press Club in conjunction with the European Journalism Centre.
• 29 January 2004 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has decided to suspend the right
of the Maltese and Irish delegations to vote in plenary sittings and committee meetings. This decision
follows a resolution adopted last September stipulating that national delegations must contain at least one
representative of each sex.

• 29 January 2004 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the Government was working on a national
action plan on employment that was expected to be completed by June this year. Dr Galea was addressing
a General Workers' Union conference on ‘Lifelong Learning’, at the Jerma Palace Hotel, in Marsascala.
• 29 January 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the number of cruise passengers who visited the
Maltese Islands last year went up by 40,410 over the previous year, to 389,456 from 349,046 in 2002. In
December last year, the number of cruise passengers went up by 4,177 over 2002, to 10,828 from 6,651.
• 29 January 2004 The Armed Forces of Malta hosted a visit by the Federal German Border Police
(Bundesgrenzschutz) in which 12 police officers and one civilian lecturer participated. The delegation
visited the Maritime Squadron and the Air Squadron Base.
• 29 January 2004 China Today, which is China's most popular English daily, published a full-page feature
on Malta entitled ‘Island Interlude in Malta’.
• 30 January 2004 The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security
Cooperation in Europe, Bruce George, started an official visit in Malta. Mr George met Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami at Auberge de Castille. Later, he met Maltese MPs Jason Azzopardi, Fredrick
Azzopardi, and Anglu Farrugia, who are members of the Assembly, and had a meeting with Mr Speaker.
• 30 January 2004 President Guido de Marco told EU journalists that, "Malta in the EU has to underline its
Mediterranean dimension, which is what would make it relevant". He said that Malta in the EU would not
be just a ‘tag’, but a European nation that would underline the Mediterranean dimension. Prof. de Marco
was speaking at the second session of a seminar organised by The Malta Press Club.
• 30 January 2004 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that non-compliance with Occupational
Health and Safety regulations would soon be penalised by administrative fines. Dr Gonzi was speaking at
a meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency's regional project manager responsible for the
implementation of the Agency's safety standards in the European region, Jozef Sabol.
• 30 January 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli said that the setting up of Malta
Enterprise was a step taken to generate more jobs and wealth in the economy. "Malta
Enterprise is an organisation that is customer driven and where a ‘can do', proactive, problem-solving
attitude prevails," he said. Minister Dalli was speaking during the presentation of the Malta Enterprise
Awards for Achievement.
• 30 January 2004 The Central Bank left the central intervention rate unchanged at three per cent. The
decision was taken by Governor Michael Bonello at the end of the Monetary Policy Advisory Council
Meeting. The Advisory Council is due to meet again on February 26.
• 31 January 2004 President Guido de Marco presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Anthony J.
Vella as Magistrate. Present for Dr. Vella’s swearing-in, besides members of his family, were Prime
Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Tonio Borg, Chief Justice Vincent
de Gaetano, Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet, and the Courts Registrar.
• 31 January 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli said in Parliament that Italian
investigators had cleared Malta of any involvement in the Parmalat case after inspecting records here. The
Maltese institutions had opened their books and records and given all possible assistance to the Italian
investigators, Mr Dalli said.
• 31 January 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli said that consumer rights could not
be limited to the relationship between the consumer and the shopkeeper, but must also be extended to all
the services that are offered so that these may be more efficient. Mr Dalli was speaking during a visit to
the Consumer and Competition Division, in Santa Venera.
• 31 January 2004 Provisional figures supplied by the National Statistics Office indicate that the capital
goods group registered an increase in its employment index of 7.74 per cent, from 97.07 to 104.58, and an
increase in its wages and salaries index of 6.6 per cent, from 106.21 in November 2002 to 113.22 in
November 2003.
• 31 January 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, in September 2003 there
were 13,166 unemployed persons, as against 10,160 in September 2002. The unemployment rate stood at

8.2 per cent, compared with 6.4 per cent in September 2002, and 6.3 per cent in September 2001. The
figures are based on the Labour Force Survey.
• 31 January 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the inflation rate went up
to 1.30 per cent in December, compared with a rate of 1.13 per cent in November. In December 2002, the
rate stood at 2.19 per cent.
• 31 January 2004 Speaker Anton Tabone laid on the Table of the House of Representatives the
Performance Audit - Managing Procurement of the Road Construction and Restoration Contracts. The
report reviewed eleven contracts with final costs of Lm3.3 million, out of a total of Lm19.0 million capital
expenditure on roads infrastructure, managed by the then Roads Department during the period 2000 to
2002.
• 31 January 2004 King Juan Carlos of Spain visited the Malta Tourism Authority stand at Fitur, the major
tourism fair held in Spain. In a run-up to the fair, the leading Spanish newspaper El Pais ran a full-page
feature about Malta, accompanied by a photo of the Maritime Museum overlooking the sea.
FEBRUARY
• 1 February 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli told The Sunday Times newspaper
that the Government had not postponed any payments in order to cut back the 2003 deficit to Lm105
million - Lm3 million less than projected in his Budget speech last November. Last summer Mr Dalli
revealed that the Government was expecting the deficit to spiral up to Lm135 million. This forecast was
later revised downwards to Lm108 million last November.
• 2 February 2004 Tourism Minister said that the Government would be presenting its proposals for a
tourist development in Dock One in Cospicua by the end of this month. Dock One was passed on to the
Government by the Drydocks as part of its debt restructuring agreement.
• 3 February 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Cabinet had discussed the issue of
criminal justice, which went beyond the jury system, and the Government would be looking at what other
countries had done in this regard. Dr Fenech-Adami was addressing journalists following a cabinet
meeting.
• 3 February 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said the Government had already started
thinking of publishing a White Paper proposing changes in both civil and criminal cases before the
previous day's acquittal of Meinrad Calleja. "We have to look at the criminal justice system as a whole, not
just at the jury system,” Dr Borg said.
• 3 February 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli said that Malta Enterprise's main
brief was to assist investors to get a competitive edge: "If an industry is not competitive we have to find
out what we can do to make it competitive, but one cannot make promises that will be impossible to
honour." Mr Dalli was speaking at the launch of new support services by ME.
• 3 February 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that Air Malta now had a new strategic plan
aimed at exploiting its new status as a European, rather than just as a national, carrier. Minister Gatt was
speaking at the opening of a five-day seminar on Airbus air transport, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sliema.
• 3 February 2004 The Government and the Malta Union of Teachers signed an agreement that groups the
top education officials into managerial grades, the aim being to ensure more effective and autonomous
schools. Education Minister Louis Galea and MUT President John Bencini said the agreement was
expected to improve the quality of education.
• 3 February 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority launched a new advertising campaign in Italy with posters
and billboards highlighting Malta's European origins and character. The posters and billboards, which are
set to run between March and June 2004, will be put up in Milan, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Venice and
Bari.

• 3 February 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, the annual volume of fresh vegetables
passing through the organised markets in 2003 dropped by 4.4% over the previous year, to 38,058 tonnes.
On the other hand, the annual volume of fresh fruit increased marginally by 2.1% to 2,113 tonnes.
• 4 February 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said during a visit to Fort St Angelo
that works being taken in hand formed part of an overall upgrading of the fort as part of a master plan for
Vittoriosa by the Cottonera Rehabilitation Committee. Works on the lower part of the fort are expected to
be completed by mid-April.
• 4 February 2004 An in-service training course has been introduced for lecturers in the Faculty of Arts at
the University of Malta as part of the University's post-graduate diploma in translation and interpretation.
The course was inaugurated by British High Commissioner Vincent Fean and University Rector Roger
Ellul Micallef.
• 4 February 2004 The National Statistics Office said that in the fourth quarter last year, the number of
mobile telephone subscriptions reached 289,992, an increase of 4.5 per cent over the same quarter in 2002.
As a result, these added up to 72.5 per 100 persons, from 69.7 in the same period last year.
• 4 February 2004 The former Italian Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Vittorio Sgarbi, wrote a front
page article entitled I Gioielli di Malta, tra Caravaggio e Tiziano (The jewels of Malta, from Caravaggio
to Tiziano) in the prominent Italian newspaper Il Giornale. In his article, Mr Sgarbi speaks very highly of
the Island and its artistic treasures.
• 5 February 2004 Past presidents of the United Nations General Assembly met for an extraordinary
meeting, at the Palace, in Valletta. President Guido de Marco, who occupied the presidency of the UN
General Assembly between 1990 and 1991, said: "A strong United Nations means more peace in the
world; a weak UN, much less peace."
• 5 February 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami discussed with EU President Romano Prodi
Malta’s nomination of Foreign Minister Joe Borg as Malta's first EU Commissioner. Prof. Prodi expressed
satisfaction at Dr Borg's nomination.
• 5 February 2004 The EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Michel Barnier, told journalists in Brussels
that he would be making a proposal to the Commission in connection with Malta's request for financial
assistance following last September's devastating floods. A technical committee of the Commission has
already recommended that Malta receive compensation.
• 5 February 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that he would be stepping down as
leader of the Nationalist Party. He said, however, that he had no plans yet to vacate his office at Auberge
de Castille. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking in Brussels following a meeting with European Commission
President Romano Prodi.
• 5 February 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said in Parliament that, at the end of last year,
Enemalta was owed Lm12.6 million by domestic clients and small businesses, and Lm17.7 million by
large business concerns. The information was given in reply to a parliamentary question.
• 5 February 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said in reply to a parliamentary question
that Malta intends to express its interest to host the EU agency for the control of external borders. Dr Borg
said that other countries had already shown an interest and the decision would eventually be taken by the
highest organs of the EU.
• 5 February 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social Policy, Dolores Cristina, said that
Malta has proposed 26 human capital investment actions for co-financing by the European Social Fund.
Ms Cristina outlined the main thrusts of Malta's human capital investment strategy at a recent seminar in
Brussels on the ESF, cohesion policy and European employment strategy.
• 5 February 2004 The National Statistics Office said that administrative records at the Employment and
Training Corporation showed that, in September 2003, the number of people registered as unemployed
amounted to 7,942, or 5.5 per cent. The Labour Force Survey statistics showed 13,166 unemployed in the
same month and an unemployment rate of 8.2 per cent.

• 5 February 2004 The Water Services Corporation Chief Executive, Anthony Rizzo, said that, over the
past ten years, the WSC cut its water leaks by 66 per cent, from 3,000m 3 per hour in 1994 to 1,000m 3 per
hour this year. Targets are to bring this figure down to 300m 3 per hour by 2006.
• 6 February 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami told the European People's Party congress in
Brussels that he would be stepping down as leader of the Nationalist Party. Addressing the congress, EPP
President Wilfred Martens said that Dr Fenech-Adami's leadership had changed Malta's political and
sociological landscape, and that this had earned him great respect internationally.
• 6 February 2004 The Council of Presidents of the General Assembly of the United Nations expressed its
concern over continuing challenges and uncertainties in the international situation and their impact on
efforts for sustainable development and the maintenance of international peace and security. In a
declaration, the Council reiterated its concern at the situation in the Middle East.
• 6 February 2004 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced a new family-oriented initiative
which, he said, was the result of new industrial and employment legislation. The measure allows public
officers to be allowed time off work for urgent family reasons, sickness, or accidents that require the
immediate presence of the employee.
• 6 February 2004 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea launched a White Paper on a new
regulatory framework for the telecommunications markets. The White Paper proposes amendments to the
Telecommunications (Regulation) Act and the Malta Communications Authority Act. www.mtc.gov.mt.
• 6 February 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli said that Malta needed to go beyond
lip service in the debate over competitiveness. The bottom line in the area of competitiveness was that
Malta had labour hours that the country wanted to sell for the highest price. Mr Dalli was addressing a
symposium on ‘Maximising Malta's Competitiveness Potential’.
• 6 February 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that the state energy agency, Enemalta
Corporation, would be appointing a new Chief Executive Officer later this month. He said that Enemalta
lacked effective management and had been without a Chief Executive Officer for a number of years.
• 6 February 2004 Chiefs of police from accession countries met representatives from Ireland, which
currently holds the EU Presidency, the Netherlands, the European Commission, Europol and the European
Police Academy, Cepol. They discussed future cooperation, strengths and weaknesses of the current
system and opportunities and threats for future police cooperation.
• 7 February 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami received two messages congratulating him on his
70 th birthday: one from British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the other from Danish Prime Minister
Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
• 7 February 2004 The Maltese Government aligned itself with the EU declaration which recognises the
significant steps taken by the Libyan Government in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction. The Government augured that Libya's commendable efforts over the past
weeks will serve as a stepping-stone leading to its early and full integration in the international
community.
• 7 February 2004 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its deepest regret at the loss of life incurred in
the explosion in the Moscow Metro in what appears to be a terrorist act. The Ministry said that the
Government and the people of Malta expressed solidarity with the Government and the people of the
Russian Federation and extended their condolences to the bereaved families.
• 7 February 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that cruise liner operators have cancelled
cruiser calls in Malta in view of the tax-free shopping issue. He said that there were also indications that
others did not include Malta in their Mediterranean cruises for the same reason. Dr Zammit Dimech was
addressing a group of journalists from a number of European countries, at the Hilton business centre.
• 7 February 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that, in the period January - November 2003,
total exports went down by 3.1 per cent, to Lm841.4 million from Lm867.9 million. Total imports for the
same period increased by 3.7 per cent, to Lm1,172.7 million from Lm1,131.2 million for the same period
of 2002.

• 8 February 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced his decision to step down as Leader
of the Nationalist Party after 27 years at its helm. Addressing a press conference at Party Headquarters in
Pietà, he said that he believed the time was ripe to initiate the process leading to his succession. On
Saturday 7 th , Dr Fenech-Adami turned 70.
• 8 February 2004 The Under-Secretary of State at the Italian Ministry for Cultural Property and Activities,
Nicola Bono, compared the friendship between Malta and Italy to the relationship between the works of
Maltese architect Glormu Cassar and Calabrian painter Mattia Preti. Mr Bono was speaking at the
initiation of two restoration projects at St John's Co-Cathedral.
• 9 February 2004 President Guido de Marco said that the friendship between Malta and Libya can lead to
Libya’s friendship with the EU. Prof. de Marco was speaking to Col. Muammar Gaddafi, at Sirte, in
Libya.
• 9 February 2004 Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi said that Libya will be having a member of its
family within the European Union once Malta joins the EU next May. Col. Gaddafi was speaking to
Maltese journalists accompanying President de Marco on a state visit to Malta’s North African neighbour.
• 9 February 2004 According to European Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler, the EU was prepared
to accept different implementation methods for Malta's agriculture sector. Speaking to reporters in
Brussels, Mr Fischler said that Malta's preparations in the agriculture and fisheries sector was proceeding
well and this sector would be geared up for membership in May.
• 10 February 2004 President Guido de Marco continued his state visit to Libya with a private meeting with
Libyan Prime Minister Shukre Ghanemm. The two discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle
East, and the Euromed process in the context of an enlarged European Union and the Mediterranean, with
Malta acting as the link between the two.
• 10 February 2004 Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent a message of best wishes to Prime Minister Edward
Fenech-Adami on the occasion of the latter’s 70 th birthday.
• 10 February 2004 Malta's detention policy and facilities for illegal immigrants was the subject of a
Council of Europe report on human rights. The report calls for an alternative to detention and severely
criticises the conditions under which the immigrants are kept. The report was drawn up by the Council of
Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Alvaro Gil-Robles, following his visit here last October.
• 10 February 2004 Replying to the Gil-Robles report, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg
emphasised that the arrival of 1,680 illegal immigrants in 2002 was equivalent to half the number of births
per year in Malta. If these 2,000 individuals were to have been released at once, he said, this would have
triggered off chaos in the employment and housing sectors. Dr Borg was addressing a news conference.
• 10 February 2004 The Planning and Priorities Co-Ordination Directorate within the Office of the Prime
Minister issued a call for proposals for projects under the Structural Funds – European Regional
Development Fund and European Social Fund. The call closes on 18 th March, 2004.
• 10 February 2004 The Maltese Islands were featured in leading Czech and Slovak magazines and
newspapers, following press activities carried out in both countries by the Malta Tourism Authority.
• 10 February 2004 The Department of Information has produced two compact discs containing the 19
Acts of Parliament and 448 Legal Notices issued in 2003. The discs are available from the Sales Office of
the Department of Information, 3 Castille Place, Valletta. Further information may be obtained from the
same department at info.doi@gov.mt
• 11 February 2004 Russian Ambassador Valentin Vlasov attended the inauguration of a plaque on the
grave of Boris Edwards at Ta' Braxia cemetery. Mr Edwards was a Russian sculptor who spent some time
in Malta during the Bolshevik revolution. Among other works, he modelled the Sette Giugno monument at
the Addolorata Cemetery.
• 12 February 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that the problem of illegal
migration had to be treated in a collective and integrated manner, with all Mediterranean countries
cooperating fully, especially through surveillance at sea in the region. Dr Borg was meeting a delegation
of the Italian Parliamentary Committee on immigration, Europol, and Schengen.

• 12 February 2004 The head of the Italian parliamentary delegation, Alberto di Luca, discussed with
Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg the formation of a common repatriation policy through the
signing of an agreement with African states, and assistance and incentive programmes for the illegal
immigrants' country of origin.
• 12 February 2004 Standard & Poor’s credit rating agency lowered Enemalta’s long-term corporate credit
rating to BBB+ from A-. S&P credit analyst Monica Mariani said that the ratings actions result from
Enemalta’s weaker-than-expected financial performance in the fiscal year ended 30 th September 2003, and
also reflect the Company’s weak liquidity, which has necessitated explicit government support.
• 12 February 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that the whole justice process
needed to be reformed. Dr Borg said he hoped that a White Paper would be published this year for a wide
reform in civil and criminal procedures. The Minister was addressing a seminar organised by the Chamber
of Advocates on the reform in the Family Law.
• 12 February 2004 The Government said that Transend Worldwide Ltd, a shareholder in Maltapost Ltd,
had agreed to relinquish the management of the company by September. A new team of executives will be
appointed by Maltapost over the coming months, and a call for applications to fill top management
positions is expected to be issued soon.
• 12 February 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that a study on Gozo Channel ferry tariffs
was being held and a revision of the fares was not being excluded. Dr Gatt was replying to parliamentary
questions.
• 13 February 2004 Two Ambassadors presented their diplomatic credentials to President Guido de Marco
in separate ceremonies, at the Palace, in Valletta. Tajeddine Badou is the new Ambassador of Morocco,
and Christian Valentin Colteanu is the new Ambassador of Romania.
• 13 February 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami took part in a meeting of the International
Christian Democratic Party, in Madrid. Dr Fenech-Adami was invited by the President of the Christian
Democrat and People’s Parties International, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.
• 13 February 2004 Malta's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Joseph Licari, defended
Malta's record on human rights and its treatment of illegal immigrants during a meeting of the Committee
of Ministers' deputies in Strasbourg. Dr Licari referred to the report by the Council's Commissioner for
Human Rights, Alvaro Gil-Robles.
• 13 February 2004 The Italian Parliamentary Committee on Immigration criticised Malta’s detention of
illegal immigrants. Committee member Pietro Tidei said that, although Malta was a very densely
populated island, it was acting too rigidly with illegal immigrants and was being heavy handed by holding
them in detention for up to two years.
• 13 February 2004 Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi inaugurated the
new HSBC refurbished operations centre in Qormi. Dr Gonzi said that HSBC’s presence in Malta had
proved to be a catalyst for change in the banking and financial sector. Present for the inauguration were,
amongst others, Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli, and US Ambassador Anthony Gioia.
• 13 February 2004 Air Malta is the only airline from the 10 new European Union members included in a
‘White List’ of airlines considered exceptionally safe by the French Civil Aviation Directorate General.
The airlines on the list are those that fulfil European security standards.
• 13 February 2004 According to the latest figures released by the National Statistics Office, the proportion
of tourists coming to Malta for business purposes has increased. Last year, business travellers made up
8.1% of all departing tourists, compared to 5.5% in 2002. Holiday tourists accounted for the highest
proportion of departing tourists in 2003, comprising 83.7%, down from 90.7% in 2002.
• 14 February 2004 President Guido de Marco opened the Diplo Foundation's Second International
Conference on Intercultural Communication and Diplomacy, at the Coastline Hotel. The conference
focused on the increasingly important issue of communication between different organisational and
professional cultures in diplomacy.
www.diplomacy.edu/conferences/IC2/default.asp

• 14 February 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg expressed surprise at the critical
remarks on illegal immigrants made by a visiting Italian Parliamentary Committee on immigration. The
comments made by the committee during a news conference were completely out of line with what was
discussed during a meeting a day earlier, Dr Borg told The Times newspaper.
• 14 February 2004 A recent Dutch edition of Maxim Magazine ran a double-page full colour spread on
Malta. The article highlighted outdoor leisure activities, the local nightlife, and beaches. Malta was also
publicised in the Dutch newspaper Te Voet, which gave prominence to outdoor activities and the
Countryside Walks project implemented by the Malta Tourism Authority.
• 14 February 2004 Youth and the Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett launched this year’s edition of the
Carnival programme. Mr Mugliett said that, through the holding of this carnival, Malta was continuing a
470-year-old tradition.
• 14 February 2004 Microsoft Senior Director Detlef Eckert said that Malta can provide a leading edge in
IT, and its size makes it a perfect springboard for new initiatives. Dr Eckert, who is responsible for the
implementation of the Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Initiative in Europe, Middle East and Africa,
was in Malta for discussions with the Government in connection with its e-government ambitions.
• 15 February 2004 The duo Julie and Ludwig placed first in the Song for Europe festival with their
rendition of the song ‘On again…Off again’. The winning song was composed by Philip Vella and penned
by Gerard James Borg.
• 16 February 2004 ‘Flight to Oblivion’, a film based on the true story of the Egyptair hijack which took
place in Malta in 1985, is scheduled to start filming in Malta and Canada this summer. Malta-born Mario
Azzopardi will direct.
• 17 February 2004 The President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, started a three-day State Visit to Malta.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting with President Guido de Marco at the Palace, in Valletta, Prof.
Vike-Freiberga said she hoped that her visit to Malta would be the first of a series within the new EU
context.
• 17 February 2004 President Guido de Marco stated that the country believed it was an asset to form part
of the European family. "It gives us a sense of stability and of moving together with a common foreign and
security policy. Joining Europe means having common interests, concerns and heritage," he said. Prof. de
Marco was replying to a question by the Latvian press.
• 17 February 2004 President Guido de Marco hosted a state dinner in honour of the President of Latvia
and Prof. Imants Freibergs, at the Palace, in Valletta. In a speech, President de Marco noted the smallness
of Malta and Latvia. He said, however, that Malta had always maintained that, “Size is only relative to the
visions we project and the initiatives we take”.
• 17 February 2004 In her address, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga described Latvia and Malta as fellow
travellers in the common journey to EU membership. She said that, following membership, “the two
countries will need to cooperate more closely in the achievement of common goals and in the defence of
common interests”.
Video and sound recordings of the addresses by President de Marco and the Latvian President can be
accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%20prelatvia.asp
• 17 February 2004 Ambassador Saviour Gauci presented his Letters of Credence to Hu Jintao, President
of the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony took place at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing.
• 17 February 2004 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi announced that,
following tight measures introduced by the Department of Social Security in December 2003, there was a
sharp drop in expenditure in sickness benefits. Dr Gonzi was officially launching a training event on the
Co-ordination on EU Social Security Schemes for employees of the Department of Social Security.
• 17 February 2004 Following lengthy negotiations, Maltco Lotteries Limited were awarded the Licence to
operate National Lottery Games in terms of Part IV of the Lotteries and Other Games Act, 2001. Maltco
Lotteries Limited has as its shareholders the Greek international lottery operator, Intralot, and two Maltese
companies, the Players’ Group and Associated Supplies Limited.

• 17 February 2004 The Ombudsman condemned the practice of handcuffing illegal immigrants who
needed to leave their detention centre and insisted that these people were not criminals. Mr Sammut's
comments were made in a report he drew up on illegal immigrants in Mount Carmel Hospital.
• 17 February 2004 Col. Carmel Vassallo is to take over as Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, as
from 1 st March. He will be replacing Brigadier Rupert Montanaro who is retiring, having served as
Commander since 1996.
• 17 February 2004 The Prime Minister appointed Joseph R Grima as Principal Permanent Secretary with
effect from 5 February 2004. The role of the Principal Permanent Secretary is to provide leadership to the
Public Service, to uphold ethical values, and to promote the improvement of service standards.
• 17 February 2004 According to figures issued by the National Statistics Office, a total of 13,559 new
vehicles, ranging from private cars to agricultural vehicles, were registered in 2003. Last year’s figures
show an increase of 1,075 new licences over the figures for 2002.
• 18 February 2004 On the second day of her State Visit, Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga met
Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant. The Prime Minister and Mrs
Fenech-Adami hosted a luncheon in honour of the President and Prof Imants Freibergs. Video and sound
recordings of the addresses by the Prime Minister and the Latvian President can be accessed at
www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%20pmlatvia.asp
• 18 February 2004 According to media reports, the Cabinet has approved the appointment of the Prime
Minister's head of secretariat, Richard Cachia Caruana, as Malta's first permanent representative in
Brussels. Mr Cachia Caruana was the Chief Negotiator in Malta's membership accession talks and has
been Dr Fenech-Adami's Personal Assistant since 1987.
• 18 February 2004 Malta has reached an agreement with the European Commission to allow a large
variety of local products to enter the EU without any restrictions related to standards. Under the
agreement, if a product is certified as reaching the necessary standards by the local authorities, it will not
have to go through the verification process in an EU country. The agreement was negotiated by the Malta
Standards Authority.
• 18 February 2004 Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee, Justice and
Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that Malta will offer to host the European Border Control Agency
which the EU plans to set up to fight illegal immigration through the management of the Union's external
borders. The committee was discussing illegal immigration.
• 18 February 2004 Education Minister Louis Galea said that a national action plan for employment is
currently being prepared by a core committee that includes representatives from various ministries. Dr
Galea told a news conference that the National Action Plan, popularly known to EU member states as
NAP, is the key instrument of the European employment strategy. www.etc.org.mt/nap
• 18 February 2004 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that the current low prices on the international oil
market have led the Government to decide not to renew, for 2004, the agreement with Libya for the supply
of petroleum and oil products to state energy corporation Enemalta, and their payment in kind through
Maltese products and services exported to Libya. Dr Borg was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 18 February 2004 Parliamentary Secretary Dolores Cristina announced that the Maltese National
Commission on the Abuse of Drugs, Alcohol, and Other Dependencies has entered into a twinning project
with a company from the Netherlands. The project, known as the EU Twinning Light Project, is due to
draw up a national report on the drug situation in Malta.
• 18 February 2004 MITTS Ltd, on behalf of the Prime Minister's Office, and a Maltacom/Melita cable
consortium have entered into an agreement to provide fifty-nine government ministries and departments
with the latest high-speed fibre optic network. The new network, which will be known as Magnet II, is
expected to be in place by September, with Magnet II being fully commissioned by January 1, 2005.
• 19 February 2004 The European Commission announced that EU Commissioner Joe Borg will be serving
with Commissioner Poul Nielsen who is responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid. The
Commission said that the Commissioners from the ten new member states will be full members of the
college and will play a full and active role in the decision-making process.

• 19 February 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli said that new stock control
procedures that would help give a clearer picture of the country's financial situation were being drawn up.
Mr Dalli was speaking during the presentation of certificates to participants on a course in general
financial and cost management accounting.
• 19 February 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said that the Malta Resources
Authority was working on a reform of the electricity sector, the regulation of utilities, exploitation of
renewable energy, and regulation of mineral resources. Minister Zammit was speaking at the launch of the
Authority's new Board of Directors.
• 19 February 2004 'Holiday Which?' magazine voted Malta as the best-value holiday destination in
Europe. The magazine, which is published by the UK Consumers’ Association, conducted a survey of
prices in 21 European countries. Malta emerged as the best value destination overall, followed by Turkey,
the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
• 19 February 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority announced that, in 2003 its destination website was
visited by 1.5 million visitors, compared with one million visitors in 2002. www.visitmalta.com is
available in five languages: English, Italian, French, German, and Chinese (a concise version).
• 20 February 2004 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi made a brief and unexpected stop in Malta.
The Italian Premier’s personal plane, carrying Mr Berlusconi himself as well as Maltese Prime Minister
Edward Fenech-Adami and his delegation, brought the two Prime Ministers back from Greece where they
had attended a meeting of the European People’s Party, in Athens.
• 20 February 2004 Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi received the
British Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, Chris Pond. During their
meeting, Minister Gonzi and Mr. Pond exchanged views on employment and social protection policies,
particularly in view of the ‘Lisbon Agenda’ and the upcoming Spring European Council.
• 20 February 2004 The Central Bank Quarterly Review noted that, during the third quarter of 2003, the
Central Bank's external reserves continued to expand with high liquidity persisting in domestic financial
markets. Inflation dropped further in the face of weak demand and rising unemployment. Lower growth
forecasts for the euro area suggested that economic activity in Malta would continue expanding at below
its potential rate.
• 20 February 2004 Education Minister Louis Galea said that more young people were continuing their
education beyond secondary school. Statistics showed that, 3,500 students were receiving vocational
training, another 5,000 were studying general subjects at post-secondary level, and another 7,500 full time
students attend University. Dr Galea was addressing an ETC forum entitled ‘The School to Work
Transition’.
• 20 February 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that Lufthansa would be
operating a direct service between Stuttgart and Malta from April to October, and Lauda Air would be
operating three weekly flights from Vienna this summer. Minister Zammit Dimech was speaking at St
Julians.
• 20 February 2004 Air Malta launched its direct scheduled flight service between Catania and London
Gatwick. Air Malta said that these flights were possible as a direct result of Malta's EU membership. The
airline will now be allowed to carry revenue-generating passengers between European Union countries,
without the passengers having to start or end their journey in Malta.
• 20 February 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority office in Switzerland, Air Malta, Radisson SAS Bay
Point Hotel, and leading Swiss trade magazine Schweizer Touristik hosted 40 Swiss travel agents for a
weekend in Malta.
• 20 February 2004 The Ministry for Social Policy, together with the European Commission, held a 12-
day-long exhibition in Brussels. All candidate countries were asked to set up an exhibition of the country's
social, employment, and economic landscape so that the European Commission's employees would be able
to familiarise themselves with the candidate country’s profile before EU enlargement.
• 21 February 2004 European Commission Vice President Neil Kinnock paid a courtesy call on President
Guido de Marco. He also met Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, with whom he discussed the Island's

preparedness, and that of the Commission to take in the 10 new members. Mr Kinnock said that, of the
areas which Malta had not yet finalised, none was of huge significance and none was insuperable.
An audio recording of the Prime Minister and Mr Kinnock addressing the press can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/video+audiorecording%20-%2020-02-04kinnock.asp
• 21 February 2004 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy, Lawrence Gonzi, and Dolores
Cristina, Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry for Social Policy, met the National Commission for the
Promotion of Equality between Men and Women. The commission members were presented with
government policy following the establishment of the Gender Equality legislation.
• 21 February 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that Information and Communication
Technology was the single most effective way to change government structures. Dr Gatt was speaking at a
seminar on ICT at the Hilton, organised by Megabyte, HP and Microsoft.
• 21 February 2004 The Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister, George Pullicino, said that following
the Government’s intervention, the EU is making the Island's small fields a special case. As a result, many
more Maltese farmers are now eligible to benefit from crop rotation. Mr Pullicino said that, as a result of
negotiations with DG Agri, and thanks to Commissioner Franz Fischler's intervention, the EU also reduced
the minimum field size.
• 21 February 2004 Transport Minister Censu Galea addressed a news conference to announce radical
changes in the traffic accident reporting scheme. The new system, to come into effect on March 1, allows
wardens to step in for the Police and draw up sketches of traffic accidents. Justice and Home Affairs
Minister Tonio Borg said that the idea behind the new scheme was to divest police officers of traffic duties
so they could concentrate on crime.
• 21 February 2004 Customs Director General John Mifsud said that, as from May 1, the Customs
Department would be accountable to 24 Customs administrations in the EU. It would form part of a team
of 25 countries to protect the EU frontier. Mr Mifsud was welcoming Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela
on a visit to the Department.
• 21 February 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that, in January, the inflation rate stood at
1.57 per cent, up from 1.30 per cent in December 2003. In January 2003, it stood at 1.79 per cent.
• 21 February 2004 Malta was promoted in a number of Dutch magazines, including Joie de Vivre, Privè,
Magriet and Yes. The journalists and photographers who contributed to these publications were brought
over to Malta by the Malta Tourism Authority's Amsterdam office and were hosted by MTA in
collaboration with Air Malta.
• 22 February 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, called for multilateralism
as the surest safeguard of global solidarity and collective security. Mr Tabone was speaking at the Fourth
Conference of Presidents/Speakers of Euro-Mediterranean Parliaments, held in Malta.
• 22 February 2004 Anthony De Bono, General Manager International Affairs of the Maltacom Group, was
appointed vice-Chairman and member of the Bureau of the Telecommunications Development Advisory
Group. The TDAG has the key role of setting priorities, formulating strategies, and preparing budget
implementation. It is also responsible for the execution of the ITU's development sector operational plan.
• 23 February 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt inaugurated the first phase of a new power
distribution centre for the north. Minister Gatt said that the centre had been planned 11 years ago as part of
a national plan that included the building of the Delimara Power Station, a distribution centre at Marsa,
and a plan to link all distribution centres to the two power stations.
• 23 February 2004 The half-yearly publication Architecture Mediterranéenne is to dedicate some 200
pages to some of Malta's modern architectural gems, the way they materialised, and the people behind
them. The Marseille-based magazine is sold in 65 countries and is also distributed to specialised
institutions like the European Commission, embassies, and UNESCO.
• 24 February 2004 According to a comprehensive Eurobarometer survey, support for EU membership in
Malta is at its highest in five years. The Maltese also placed among the most optimistic people in the
survey on perceptions carried out in the 10 EU acceding and the three candidate countries, Turkey,
Romania and Bulgaria.

• 24 February 2004 Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister George Pullicino announced pre-accession
EU grants of €1 million to farmers to restore retaining walls and for the setting up and strengthening of
producers' associations. The money was part of the package for agriculture obtained by the Government
during negotiations for membership.
• 24 February 2004 Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono met the Regional Projects Committee, set up for
the programming period 2004-2006. The Regional Projects Committee is responsible for the selection and
prioritisation of all projects in Gozo to be funded under the Structural Funds (€8.5million).
• 24 February 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that gross earnings from tourism in 2003
amounted to Lm261 million, an increase of six per cent over the same period the previous year. During the
January-December 2003 period, per capita expenditure increased by Lm14.4 to Lm231.6 from Lm217.2
per capita recorded during the previous year.
• 25 February 2004 German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder paid a short visit to Malta following a two day
tour of Turkey. During his visit, the German Chancellor paid a courtesy visit to President Guido de Marco,
and had meetings with Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, and Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant.
• 25 February 2004 Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Mr
Schroeder said that Germany looks forward to cooperating with Malta in the EU. Dr Fenech-Adami
thanked Chancellor Schroeder for having found the time to visit Malta, and said that the country looks
forward to 1 st May when Malta becomes a member of the EU.
Video and audio recordings of the joint press conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%2024-02-04shroeder.asp
• 25 February 2004 The EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, Frits Bolkestein, cautioned Malta
against a hasty introduction of the Euro. He was speaking during a news conference following a meeting
with Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli. Commissioner Bolkestein is responsible for the
internal market, taxation, and customs union.
• 25 February 2004 President and Mrs Guido de Marco presented financial aid, specialised apparatus, and
white goods, in all worth Lm58,156, to individuals in need and to philanthropic institutions. A total of 168
individuals and 19 philanthropic institutions benefited from the donations. The donations were given on
behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund.
• 25 February 2004 The Director of Information issued a letter to media editors, in the light of reports made
in the local press regarding the appointment of Principal Permanent Secretary. The letter referred to the
objections raised by Ms Helena Dalli, MP, about the appointment of Mr J R Grima as Principal Permanent
Secretary, and said that the Government had not acted in excess of its powers in appointing the Principal
Permanent Secretariat.
• 25 February 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg participated in the General Affairs and External
Relations Council of the European Union held in Brussels. The discussions focused on several issues,
including EU-Russia relations, Iran and the Middle East, the follow-up to Troika’s visit to Afghanistan,
India and Pakistan, the Western Balkans, and the preparations for the next European Council.
• 25 February 2004 The Chairman of the EU Military Committee for the last three years, General Gustav
Hagglund, paid a short visit to Malta at the invitation of the Armed Forces of Malta. During his stay, Gen.
Hagglund met the Prime Minister, who also holds the Defence portfolio, and the Minister of Foreign
Affairs. He also visited the headquarters of the Armed Forces of Malta.
• 25 February 2004 Malta International Airport presented 500 trees worth Lm2,500 to be used for Foresta
2000, the forestation project in Mellieha. Foresta 2000 is an initiative of Birdlife Malta, Din l-Art Helwa
and the Park Section within the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment.
• 25 February 2004 According to a Eurobarometer survey carried out in autumn last year, the Maltese read
fewer newspapers than anybody else in the 13 EU accession and candidate countries. The Maltese also
have the lowest trust in the media and opinion polls among the 13 countries.
• 25 February 2004 The National Statistics Office said that, in January 2004, there were 8,794 registered
unemployed with the Employment and Training Corporation. Of these, 6,942 were males and 1,852 were
females. The NSO said that in January 2003, there were 7,879 registered unemployed, that is, an increase
of 915.

• 25 February 2004 Carnival came to a grand finale after a defile through Valletta, dances in Freedom
Square, and a parade down St Anne Street in Floriana. Carnival now makes way for the forty days of Lent,
a time of abstinence and spiritual discipline.
• 26 February 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, met a parliamentary
delegation from the German Bundestag. The two sides discussed the possibility of a more structured
dialogue between the parliamentary institutions in Malta and Germany.
• 26 February 2004 Figures compiled by Agenzija Appogg show that cases of child abuse increased
significantly during 2003. Cases tackled by the agency’s social workers increased by over 25%, from
1,386 to 1,734.
• 26 February 2004 Finance Minister John Dalli said in reply to a parliamentary question that Malta's
foreign debt stands at Lm72.6 million. Mr Dalli said that the sum is spread over 15 loan agreements.
• 26 February 20004 The Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia, Naceur Mestiri, called on the
Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry for Social Policy, Francis Agius. Mr. Mestiri said that the Tunisian
Government welcomes the fact that Malta will join the European Union next May. He said that this step
would be of great help to countries in the South of the Mediterranean.
• 26 February 2004 Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo said that a Legal Notice removing all
remaining levies on 300 food, beverages, and tobacco products has been published and will come into
effect on May 1. Government had introduced levies to protect local production.
• 26 February 2004 Six worker/directors are attending a seminar in Athens, Greece, to promote transnational
cooperation between board level representatives within the EU member states and acceding
countries. Malta is taking part through the Workers' Participation Development Centre of the University of
Malta.
• 27 February 2004 The Fourth Conference of Presidents/Speakers of Euro-Mediterranean Parliaments was
held in Malta on the 20 th and 21 st February 2004. The Final Declaration of the conference took
consideration of the political and security partnership, the economic and financial partnership, the social,
cultural and human affairs partnership, and the role that parliamentary institutions can play in the Euro-
Mediterranean region.
• 27 February 2004 According to a report by the European Commission, Malta is likely to lose its
‘Objective 1’ status after enlargement, as the accession of Eastern European countries will mean the
Island's income per head would no longer be below 75 per cent of the EU average. The report, by
Commissioner Michel Barnier, put forward the Commission's ideas on the future of the EU's policies to
reduce economic and social disparities between richer and poorer regions.
• 27 February 2004 Ron Klancnik, Chief of Communications of the World Tourism Organisation, said that
Malta could act as a splendid bridge to North Africa and the Middle East. Thanks to the prominent role it
plays in world tourism and World Tourism Organisation events, Malta has really proved that size does not
really matter, he said. Mr Klancnik was addressing the first Mediterranean World Travel Conference,
convened in Malta.
• 27 February 2004 According to figures published by the National Statistics Office, the value of total
imports in 2003 rose by Lm52.3 million or 4.3 per cent to Lm1,279.8 million, from Lm1,227.5 million in
2002, while the value of total exports went down by Lm30.7 million or 3.2 per cent to Lm930 million,
from Lm960.7 million. The visible trade gap last year widened by Lm83 million to Lm349.8 million, from
Lm266.8 million in the previous year.
• 27 February 2004 The Central Bank of Malta left the central intervention rate unchanged at three per
cent. The decision was taken by the Governor, Michael C. Bonello, at the end of the Monetary Policy
Advisory Council. The council is due to meet again on March 26.
• 27 February 2004 Ambassador Edward Melillo told Italian industrialists that, as member of the EU,
Malta can further develop into a hub for business activity in the Mediterranean and as an ideal base for
international companies. Mr Melillo was addressing a seminar organised by the Unione Industriale di

Modena. The area excels in the biomedical, mechanical engineering, food-processing, textile, and
automobile sectors.
• 27 February 2004 Dr John C. Grech, President of the foundation for national competitiveness,
Competitive Malta, said that the Maltese economy needed to be competitive by being efficient at all times.
Dr Grech, who was addressing a Phoenicia - Malta Business Weekly business breakfast, said that if Malta
positioned itself well, there was a lot of space for it.
• 27 February 2004 Various Dutch publications gave publicity to Malta as a tourist destination, following a
promotional campaign organised by the Malta Tourism Authority's Amsterdam office. These include BG
magazine, sport and recreation newspaper Rondom Sport, and AllerHande.
• 28 February 2004 President Guido de Marco said that, whilst political belongingness and party affiliation
would certainly characterise the dynamics of the selection of Malta's Members of the European
Parliament, the Maltese people's rationale should be guided by the national interest within a European
context, rather than by fragmentation of party politics. Prof. de Marco was speaking at the opening of the
Institute for Maltese Studies, at the University of Malta.
• 28 February 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that, the new premises of the agency
‘Appogg’, in Guardamangia, was a symbol of Maltese solidarity at its best. “Our society is built on a
number of values, but the one that stands out the most is the genuine interest in those who needed help and
the dedication to improve the life of those in need,” he said. Dr Fenech-Adami inaugurated the Centre in
the presence of Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi.
• 28 February 2004 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said it made sense for the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
countries to dedicate their diplomatic resources to defining a set of practical confidence-building
measures. Dr Borg was speaking on the theme ‘Europe and the Mediterranean, A New Policy for the Old
Neighbours?’ at the 12 th Jean Monnet seminar, in St Julians.
• 28 February 2004 The European Investment Bank (EIB) launched its first bond issue in Maltese liri. The
issue, for Lm10 million, is being fully underwritten by the Bank of Valletta and carries a coupon of 3.8 per
cent per annum. It matures in 2009. Finance and Economic Services Minister John Dalli described the
bond as yet another milestone in the development of Malta's financial markets.
• 28 February 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that recurrent revenue in January this year
totalled Lm48.5 million, while total expenditure amounted to Lm68.4 million. The NSO said that the
structural deficit in the period under review amounted to Lm19.9 million, a drop of Lm6.9 million from a
shortfall of Lm26.8 million for the same period last year.
• 28 February 2004 A press release issued by the Department of Information advised businessmen that
Legal Notice No. 100, regarding the removal of levies on the importation of food and beverages, appears
on the DOI website and may be accessed at:
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/legalnotices/2004/02/LN100.pdf
• 28 February 2004 The Foreign Ministry advised Maltese citizens against all travel to Haiti in view of the
trouble in that country. The Ministry said that Maltese nationals who were currently in Haiti were strongly
advised to leave the country immediately, if they could do so safely.
• 29 February 2004 Dr Lawrence Gonzi is poised to become Leader of the Nationalist Party, and Malta's
next Prime Minister, after he garnered the majority of the votes during the Party General Council.
Following the elimination of Dr Louis Galea who placed third, runner-up Mr John Dalli decided to
withdraw from the race after Dr Gonzi obtained 59.3% of the votes cast. This leaves Dr Gonzi as the sole
candidate to contest the second round of the election, due to take place on Wednesday 3 rd March.
MARCH
• 1 March 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that, over the coming months,
fourteen airlines are to start operating to Malta or to increase their flight frequency. Dr Zammit Dimech
said that the number of tourist arrivals in January was marginally higher than in the same month last year,
and the planned increase in air capacity appeared to confirm projections that tourism to Malta would start
recovering this year.

• 1 March 2004 A report in The Economist says that Malta managed to get the best EU membership
conditions from Brussels during its accession negotiations. The report, entitled ‘How the rich and tiny
manage to win the most privileges’, says that workers from tiny Malta will be allowed into existing EU
countries without any restrictions since they are deemed unlikely to disrupt labour markets.
• 1 March 2004 An informative meeting organised and hosted by the Anti-Fraud Coordinating Service of
the EU Anti-Fraud Service was held at Project House, in Floriana. The Internal Audit Investigations
Directorate has been designated as the Malta Anti-Fraud Coordinating Service for DG Olaf and is
responsible for the coordination of all the activities and initiatives concerning the fight against fraud.
• 2 March 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt announced that the second eEurope+ Progress
Report shows that Malta has more homes connected to the internet - 49 per cent - than any other EU
acceding country. The survey was carried out among the 10 countries joining the EU in May, as well as
candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Dr Gatt was addressing a press briefing.
• 2 March 2004 Minister for Youth and the Arts Jesmond Mugliett launched the official programme of
activities to celebrate Malta’s accession to the European Union. He described the occasion as ‘an artistic
festival that reflects the richness and diversity of Maltese culture, as well as the diversity of the cultures of
the countries that make up the EU’. Mr Mugliett was addressing a press conference at the Mediterranean
Conference Centre. http://www.malta-celebrates-eu.com/
• 2 March 2004 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea said in reply to a parliamentary
question that there were 119 incidents involving Maltese-flagged vessels last year, including two vessels
which sank off Greece and in the Black Sea, respectively. The Minister said that nine crewmen on five
Maltese-flagged ships had died in incidents and another three had gone missing.
• 2 March 2004 Mr Jagdish Koonjul, Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) which
represents 40 states in the United Nations, inaugurated a workshop organised by the Commonwealth
Secretariat and the University of Malta. The three-day workshop focussed on economic vulnerability and
resilience building of small states, and was held at the University, Gozo Centre.
• 3 March 2004 President Guido de Marco said that the solution to make this world a better place lay in the
consolidation, revitalisation and reform of the United Nations, making it an agile institution apt to respond
efficiently to the challenges facing the world at the dawn of the new millennium. Prof. de Marco was
addressing a lecture on a Second Generation United Nations, at St Petersburg State University, in Russia.
• 3 March 2004 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that Malta and Lithuania held similar views regarding the
next enlargement of the EU on May 1. Both countries believe that a final solution to the EU constitution
treaty would be found by the end of this year. Dr Borg was fielding questions from reporters following a
joint news conference with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Antanas Valionis, in Malta on a brief visit.
• 3 March 2004 Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis said that Malta and Lithuania were the best
prepared out of the 10 accession states and that EU aid will push economic development forward. He
noted that, like Malta, whose geographic position is that of a border to North African countries, Lithuania
was a border in Eastern Europe to such countries as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Maldova.
• 3 March 2004 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that he was very satisfied with the portfolio assigned to him
as European Commissioner and he had no reservations about it. Indeed, said Dr Borg, that portfolio was
among the preferences he had indicated to EU Commissioner President Romano Prodi. The Minister was
replying to a parliamentary question.
• 3 March 2004 Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that Malta expects to have an income of €724,200 per year
from the member states of the European Economic Area and Norway over the five years following EU
membership. He said that the multilateral component would yield €384,000, while the bilateral component
with Norway would yield €340,200 per year. Dr Borg was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 3 March 2004 Transport and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that the Malta Maritime
Authority is equipped to carry out inspections on only 15% of the ships stopping over at Malta. "However,
there are plans to double the personnel and increase the inspectorate's human resources in the near future
so as to ensure compliance with maritime safety laws and to reinforce the inspectorate.” Dr Galea was
speaking at Le Meridien Phoenicia, in Floriana.

• 3 March 2004 The MIA Annual Statistical Review shows that Malta International Airport registered an
increase of 8,000 passengers in 2003, halting the decline it had been experiencing since 2000. MIA's CEO
Peter Bolech said that the company performed well last year, considering that the travel and tourism
industries were yet again hit by external negative influences such as SARS and the war in Iraq.
• 3 March 2004 The National Statistics Office published a food survey that analysed what foods are
consumed by the Maltese based on data gathered between 1990 and 2002. The analysis shows that,
whereas private households were spending 86 cents of every Lm1 they earned in 1990, this went up to 99
cents by 2002.
• 4 March 2004 Dr Lawrence Gonzi became the new Leader of the Nationalist Party after obtaining 808
votes, or 94.06%, of the total 859 votes in the second round of the election. The result was announced by
Dr Joe Borg, the Chairman of the Party Electoral Commission.
• 4 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said he intended to resign from Prime Minister and
Parliament as soon as the Party deputy leadership contest was concluded. Looking back at the changes the
country had gone through under his leadership, Dr Fenech-Adami said that he had been at the forefront in
difficult situations. “This does not mean I did not err. But I always did what I believed and thought was
right.”
• 4 March 2004 In his first speech as Nationalist Party Leader, Dr Lawrence Gonzi said he hoped that the
way of making politics will change from a confrontational one to one based on dialogue. Dr Gonzi said
that the Government would continue to create jobs, work with social partners and voluntary organisations,
but would also govern and take the decisions that had to be taken. The environment would be moved to the
top of the agenda, "even if this means taking difficult decisions," he added.
• 4 March 2004 Ms Saida Chtioui, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, paid a
courtesy call on the Acting President of Malta, Dr. George Hyzler, while on a visit to Malta. She also met
the Prime Minister, Dr Edward Fenech-Adami, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Borg, and Minister for
Gozo Giovanna Debono. Ms Chtioui also addressed a special session of the Foreign and European Affairs
Committee.
• 4 March 2004 Minister of Education Louis Galea launched a major review of the MATSEC examinations.
The Minister suggested that the SEC exams could be made compulsory so that every school-leaver would
be in possession of a certificate showing the academic level attained and skills learned.
• 4 March 2004 Brigadier Rupert Montanaro, outgoing commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, and his
successor, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, made a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at Auberge de Castille,
in Valletta. Brigadier Montanaro was appointed AFM commander in 1996 and was in military service for
42 years. Brigadier Vassallo, 49, has been deputy commander since 1996 and has served in the AFM for
27 years.
• 4 March 2004 British High Commissioner Vincent Fean visited Our Lady of Victory church and the
Palace, in Valletta, where a team from the Wall Painting Department of the Courtauld Institute of Art of
the University of London is at work.
• 4 March 2004 The Maltese Islands were featured in a number of leading magazines and newspapers in
Belgium and Luxembourg, following promotional activities by the Malta Tourism Authority Brussels
office. Journalists brought over to Malta on press trips were hosted by the MTA in collaboration with Air
Malta.
• 4 March 2004 The Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure has launched works to avoid a repetition of
the damage caused by last September's flooding at Qormi and Burmarrad. The work includes the building
of a number of bridges, widening of other watercourses, and the pulling down of constructions which
hindered the flow of the water.
• 5 March 2004 Newly-elected Nationalist Party Leader Lawrence Gonzi accepted Opposition Leader
Alfred Sant’s invitation to a meeting at MLP Headquarters, in Hamrun. “It is a good start in my new post,"
Dr Gonzi said on his arrival. Dr Sant congratulated Dr Gonzi, who, on his part, referred Dr Sant to his
inaugural speech, in which he expressed his wish to try to make another leap in politics through the toning
down of partisanship.

• 5 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami warned that Eurosceptics will have a field day if
agreement on the European Constitution is not reached by the European Parliament elections in June. The
Prime Minister was speaking during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Peter
Medgyessy, in Budapest. Later on, Dr Fenech-Adami inaugurated Malta's first Embassy in Budapest, in
the presence of Malta's first resident Ambassador to Hungary, Noel Buttigieg Scicluna.
• 5 March 2004 National Statistics Office figures show that the full-time gainfully occupied population
stood at 137,017 persons in October 2003, a decrease of 737 compared to October 2002. In October 2003,
registered unemployment amounted to 8,249 or 5.7 %, compared with 5.3 % in October 2002.
• 5 March 2004 Parliamentary Secretary Francis Agius told the EU EPSCO Council in Brussels that
removing the opt-out clause from the Working-Time Directive would reduce the flexibility of Malta's
labour market and could result in job losses. Dr Agius was representing Social Policy Minister Lawrence
Gonzi.
• 6 March 2004 Ms Lidia Barreiros, Director of the European Commission's Directorate General for
Development, advised non-government organisations to organise themselves into a national platform and
coordinate their efforts with established NGOs in Europe in order to have a better chance to obtain funds
from the EU. The advice was given during a public dialogue on the theme ‘The EU's Development and
Humanitarian Aid Policy’, held at the Old University, in Valletta.
• 6 March 2004 Minister for Tourism Francis Zammit Dimech said that relations with China are today
based on trade and tourism. He said that Chinese merchant ships are making use of our Freeport facilities
and Chinese tourists coming to Malta are on the increase. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking at the
inauguration of an exhibition by Ms Na Yuan, organised by the Malta-China Friendship Society.
• 6 March 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt told reporters that he saw a wave of opportunities
for the Freeport once Malta joins the EU. He said that, operating from an EU country on the periphery of
southern Europe, the Freeport stands to become a stepping stone into the continent. This would provide a
change to the traditional perception that the Freeport was a link into North Africa.
• 6 March 2004 Ombudsman Joe Sammut announced that a survey commissioned by his office shows that
Maltese people consider the Ombudsman's office to be the most credible institution in the country, beating
the media, politicians, and even the Catholic Church. Almost eight out of 10 respondents said that the
Ombudsman is a credible institution, while seven out of 10 believe that his investigations are effective.
• 6 March 2004 Parliamentary Secretary Dolores Cristina voiced concern that information and
communications technology might create a new form of discrimination through lack of access. "This may
be the 21st century, but when it comes to ICT, the gender divide shows no signs of closing," she said. Ms
Cristina was addressing a workshop entitled ‘A Forward Look at the Knowledge Society in Malta: Gender
Perspectives and Implication’.
• 6 March 2004 National Statistics Office figures show that, in October-December 2003, total sales by a
sample of 451 manufacturing enterprises amounted to Lm262.2 million, an increase of 3.4 per cent on the
same period the previous year. In this period, the radio, TV, communications equipment manufacturing
sub-sector enhanced its sales performance by 3.5 per cent to Lm125.7 million, from Lm121.5 million in
the previous year.
• 7 March 2004 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that a decision will be taken on whether to
site two landfills near the Neolithic temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra after the Government takes into
account the views of all the experts on this matter. Dr Gonzi was fielding questions during his first news
conference as Nationalist Party Leader.
• 7 March 2004 Youth and the Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett said that around 750 million people were
expected to watch Malta's EU accession celebrations on May 1, as broadcast by EBU. Mr Mugliett said
that the programme will present a showcase of our best aspects of culture, heritage, and talent, while at the
same time celebrating our country's history as a mirror of European history.
• 8 March 2004 Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said that it was important for the EU to continue
working closely with countries and regions outside the Union, especially in the Mediterranean and in the
East. The Polish President was speaking at a meeting with President Guido de Marco at the Palace, in
Valletta, soon after his arrival for a two-day State Visit to Malta.

• 8 March 2004 During a State Dinner hosted by President Guido de Marco in honour of the President of
Poland and his wife, Prof. de Marco referred to Malta and Poland’s membership of the EU due on May 1.
“It is now only a matter of weeks before our countries’ date with destiny becomes a reality, a historical
date that will reshape the map of Europe. This time, however, it will not be the result of war and
aggression but caused by the sovereign will of the peoples; not because of hegemony but inspired by unity
in diversity.”
• 8 March 2004 In his speech, President Kwasniewski referred to the fact that the geographical position of
Malta and Poland facilitated meetings of different cultures. Malta epitomizes the whole richness of the
Mediterranean, he noted. “Poland, too, used to act in its part of Europe as a particular bridge between the
western and the eastern parts of the continent.” Video and audio recordings of the speeches delivered
during the State Dinner can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%20prepolonja.asp
• 8 March 2004 In a joint message by Prime Ministers Edward Fenech-Adami and Tony Blair on
Commonwealth Day the two leaders reflected on how the Commonwealth and the EU fit together. “Today
the values that we express through both the Commonwealth and the European Union are the same. A
belief that peace, justice and solidarity go hand in hand with prosperity and democracy.”
• 9 March 2004 During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Polish
President Aleksander Kwasniewski warned about the possibility of a two-tier Europe. "A two-speed
Europe means the integration of Europe by disintegration. Two-speed would mean divisions, and the
philosophy of this enlargement is to integrate the continent," Mr Kwasniewski said.
• 9 March 2004 During the press conference, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami spoke of the need for
tourism operators to be more interested in the potential of Malta as a tourist destination. "I underlined the
role of Malta as a hub and that entrepreneurs that are focusing on the Middle East or North Africa should
start looking more at Malta." An audio recording of the joint press conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%2008-03-04poland.asp
• 9 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said in a message for Commonwealth Day that,
though the Commonwealth united a wide diversity of peoples, cultures, and countries, there was still
inequality between and within the member countries. Some Commonwealth countries were still afflicted
by the scourge of the HIV/AIDs pandemic, deep poverty, and lack of opportunity for its youth, said Dr
Fenech-Adami.
• 9 March 2004 Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he did not see any need for quotas for
women's participation in public life. "We have to emphasise women's abilities first, before reserving posts
for them," Dr Gonzi said. The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking to members of the National
Commission for the Promotion of Equality for Men and Women, as part of Women's Day activities.
• 9 March 2004 Parliamentary Secretary Dolores Cristina said that there is still need to celebrate Women's
Day so that, at least for one day in the year, society could ponder the plight of women worldwide. "May
there come a time when commemorating Women's Day really becomes superfluous. But that day has not
yet come," she said. Ms Cristina was speaking at a business breakfast at Le Meridien Phoenicia.
• 9 March 2004 Environment Minister George Pullicino announced that, under new regulations, a vehicle
importer would continue to be associated with a particular vehicle until it was disposed of. When this
happened, the importer would foot the cost of collecting the vehicle and transferring it to authorised
treatment facilities. Mr Pullicino said that the regulation aimed to reduce waste from vehicles.
• 9 March 2004 The Government nominated Anthony Borg Barthet and Ina Cremona to the European
Courts of Justice. Dr Borg Barthet, the Attorney General, was nominated for the post of Judge of the Court
of Justice of the European Communities, while Dr Cremona was nominated to the post of Judge of the
Court of First Instance of the European Communities.
• 9 March 2004 The Maltese Government deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the agreement on the
participation of Malta and the other acceding states in the European Economic Area at the Office of the
Council Secretariat, in Brussels. The agreement was signed by the 10 EU acceding states on October 14.
• 9 March 2004 The Lm10 million 3.8 per cent bond issue by the European Investment Bank (EIB) was
oversubscribed. The issue, which opened at 8.30 a.m., closed at noon. Subscription lists had been
scheduled to close by not later than March 12. A spokesman said that the bond issue had received a very

strong response from institutional investors, and the take-up by the retail sector had also been very
satisfactory.
• 10 March 2004 Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat appealed to President Guido de Marco to urge the
United Nations and the Quartet Task Force to intervene to put an end to Israeli aggression and halt the
building of settlements and of the ‘apartheid wall’. The letter to the President was delivered by Palestinian
Ambassador Awad Yakhlef, at the Palace.
• 10 March 2004 Addressing the Ambassador, President de Marco condemned terrorism of any form
because this was a war against innocent people and nobody had a right to embark on such a mission.
"There has also been no headway on the road map and it is becoming less of a map and little of a road,” he
said.
• 10 March 2004 British Prime Minister Tony Blair has congratulated Dr Lawrence Gonzi on his election
as Nationalist Party leader. In a letter, Mr Blair told Dr Gonzi that the ties between Malta and Britain "are
unbreakable and are growing". He added that he was certain that under Dr Gonzi's leadership, Malta-UK
relations would continue to go from strength to strength at all levels - bilateral, EU and Commonwealth.
The letter was delivered to Dr Gonzi by British High Commissioner Vincent Fean.
• 10 March 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt announced at a press conference that the
Government is proposing a pact with unions for the next five to six years with the aim of helping Air
Malta stand on its own two feet. Dr Gatt said that the Government will inject a capital of Lm30 million
into the company and plough back the proceeds from the sale of the company's subsidiaries. The
Government is also taking upon itself a provisional loss of Lm14 million for AzzurrAir.
• 10 March 2004 Responding to requests made by the Maltese, French, and Spanish authorities, the
European Commission proposed to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund for grants to deal with disasters in
several regions. The College of Commissioners decided that Malta will receive over €960,000, or
Lm417,000, in compensation from the EU for the damage caused by the floods last September.
• 11 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami hosted a dinner in honour of President Guido de
Marco. He thanked the President for having won the admiration of many during his term and for having
served the country with dignity and intelligence. Dr Fenech-Adami also thanked Mrs de Marco for her
patience and her support throughout the President's entire career.
• 11 March 2004 Replying, the President said that, to be a President of all the Maltese, one had to
constantly rise above oneself. "The President's constitutional authority, which is his strength, derives from
the extent to which the President enjoys moral authority in the country. This moral authority has to be
won by each President." Video and audio recordings
of the speeches delivered during the dinner can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/video+audiorecording%20- pm+presmalta%20luncheon.asp
• 11 March 2004 President Guido de Marco made a visit to Agenzija Appogg, the social work agency. He
met members of the staff and was given an explanation of the various services offered by the agency,
including counselling, family-court services, the support line 179, the initial response service, child
protection, domestic violence, family therapy, and child fostering. Prof. de Marco ended his visit by
inaugurating a toy library at the centre, and donating toys on behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund.
• 11 March 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, began a four-day visit in
Egypt as guest of Ahmed Fathi Sourour, Speaker of the Egyptian People's Assembly. Mr Tabone was
accompanied by Government MP David Agius and Opposition MP Joe Mizzi.
• 11 March 2004 The National Statistics Office said that tourist arrivals in February 2004 amounted to
53,864, a drop of 1,875 tourists or 3.4 per cent over the same month last year.
• 11 March 2004 After helping in the purchase of equipment for airport security, the United States
Government is now to donate equipment for the detection of chemical contamination to the Civil
Protection Department. During a visit to the Civil Protection Department, in Ta' Kandja, US Ambassador
Anthony Gioia stressed the importance of cooperation between countries and described Malta as a "very
willing and recipient partner".
• 11 March 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that the Government looked forward
to helping the US in the fight against crime. Although Malta was a very small country, it was ready to help

other nations in the fight, he said. Dr Borg also mentioned that Malta had signed the United Nations
Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.
• 11 March 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Swiss office is launching an advertising campaign using
public transport in Zürich, Winterthur, and St Gallen, with the support of Air Malta. The campaign will
take the form of 35,000 flyers placed in 600 dispensers on buses and trams.
• 11 March 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said that water could no longer be
looked upon as a free good, as this would only lead to wastage. A pricing policy should provide incentives
to use water wisely, he said. Mr Zammit was speaking at a workshop on ‘A Water Policy for the
Future’, organised by the Malta Resources Authority.
• 11 March 2004 The IT and Investment Ministry has embarked on a project to eliminate the so-called
‘digital divide’. With Microsoft as an industry partner injecting a $60,000 grant for the first of a series of
10 such projects, the Government has teamed up with YMCA to make IT accessible to the residents of
Valletta who cannot afford to own, or are unable to use a computer.
• 11 March 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced at a news conference that the
Government intends to rebuild the lift which used to link the Valletta marina, opposite Customs House, to
the Upper Barrakka, close to the city centre. Dr Zammit Dimech said that the Government had decided to
issue a call for tenders for the work.
• 12 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami made a visit to the fuel storage depot at Has
Saptan, which lies 200 feet below ground and is connected through underground tunnels to Marsa and
Birzebbugia. IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt, who accompanied the Prime Minister, said that
Enemalta would be closing its fuel depot in Birzebbugia and would be using the Has Saptan depot instead.
• 12 March 2004 The VAT Department launched a campaign to inform traders, tax practitioners, and the
general public about changes to the VAT law that are to come into effect as a consequence of EU
membership. With Malta becoming part of the single market, importers bringing in items from the EU to
be sold in Malta will no longer have to pay VAT on importing the goods, but only when they sell them.
• 12 March 2004 Parliamentary Secretary Dolores Cristina launched a twinning project between Malta and
The Netherlands, as a result of which Malta will have an improved drug information system in place in six
months' time. The Twinning Light Project, as it is called, will be funded by the EU.
• 12 March 2004 The Armed Forces of Malta and Italian company Messrs Fincantieri Cantieri Navali
Italiani signed a contract for the construction and supply of an offshore patrol vessel. The multi-million
euro project is being undertaken with technical advice and assistance from the Italian Ministry of Defence,
and financed in its entirety from the fifth Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol.
• 12 March 2004 The National Statistics Office said that a total of 704,671 passengers had used the Malta-
Gozo ferries to cross the channel in the fourth quarter of 2003. The number represents an increase of
38,449 passengers spread over 4,166 trips.
• 13 March 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg said that Malta viewed increasing employment as the
key instrument to achieving social cohesion and avoiding poverty. "Labour market policies need to centre
on employment opportunities, encouraging work, and job creation," he said. Dr Borg was addressing a
meeting on ‘The role of our Chambers of Commerce in ensuring a smooth integration for commerce and
enterprise’.
• 13 March 2004 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that a telephone survey carried out in January
among 528 beneficiaries of social security across all benefits and age groups showed that 87.8 per cent of
respondents were either ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the level of service being provided at district
office level. Dr Gonzi was speaking at the launch of a Corporate Loyalty Discount Scheme between the
Ministry and the Westin Dragonara Resort.
• 13 March 2004 The Government announced that the Maltese Foreign Ministry had received an official
note from the Embassy of Belgium in Italy informing it of the decision by the Belgian Government to
appoint a resident Belgian Ambassador to Malta.

• 13 March 2004 President Guido de Marco was presented with the first copy of a proposed social pact
document by Union Haddiema Maghqudin General Secretary Gejtu Vella. Mr Vella said that the pact
would facilitate the necessary economic and social changes in a managed way.
• 14 March 2004 President Guido de Marco began a state visit to Kuwait. On arrival, Prof. de Marco said
that Malta could be an important European interlocutor with the Arab world through its membership with
the European Union. "I believe that Malta and the Arab world have a lot in common. By joining the EU,
Malta could strengthen the essential dialogue between Europe and the Arab world," he said.
• 14 March 2004 Nationalist Party Leader and Prime Minister-in-waiting Lawrence Gonzi ruled out the
introduction of divorce once he assumes his new job at Auberge de Castille. Dr Gonzi was replying to
questions poised by The Sunday Times and RTK journalists during a discussion programme on RTK radio.
• 14 March 2004 The Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, said that he
was eager to see the friendship between Malta and Kuwait flourish through greater cooperation on matters
such as business and tourism. He said that his country's doors were open to any Maltese entrepreneurs who
wished to generate economic investment between the two countries.
• 15 March 2004 President Guido de Marco said that his personal friendship with the Amir, which has been
nurtured over the years, should now be translated into better economic ties. "My visit here aims to
strengthen economic advantage. There are excellent opportunities we can exploit and the Kuwaitis have
expressed eagerness," he said.
• 15 March 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, announced that
experts from the Building Industry Consultative Council, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, Limestone Heritage,
and the University Architecture Students' Association, will work together to organise a course on the
traditional techniques of building rubble walls. Mr Pullicino was visiting restoration works in Buskett.
• 15 March 2004 The Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Tonio Borg, said that marriages between
citizens of different countries with their respective ideas on what constitutes a family, and what are the
rights and duties of the partners, is the day-to-day reality. “We can only attempt at reducing the sufferings
that the partners and their children go through when the family unit breaks down,” said the Minister. Dr
Borg was making the opening speech, at the Hague Conference on ‘Private International Law’, at St
Julians.
• 16 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami and Italian Defence Minister Antonio Martino
signed a memorandum of understanding, with an emphasis on cooperation between Italy and Malta. The
memorandum takes into consideration Malta's pledge to take part in EU-led operations, the problem of
illegal trafficking of migrants at sea, and the fight against terrorism and weapons of mass-destruction,
among other issues of common interest to Malta and Italy. An audio recording of the comments made after
the signing can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audiorecording%20-
%2015.03.04%20mem%20of%20understnding.asp
• 16 March 2004 The European Commission will be holding hearings with all the candidate Commissioners
of the 10 EU acceding countries in the European Parliament in Brussels from April 13 to 15. The
Commissioners will be subjected to two questionnaires, one dealing with questions of a general nature,
while the other specifically deals with the policy field of their portfolio. Dr Borg's portfolio is
development and humanitarian aid.
• 16 March 2004 The World Bank presented a report on pension reform to the Malta Council for Economic
and Social Development. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Finance and Economic Affairs Minister
John Dalli, and representatives of the constituted bodies, met at the Mediterranean Conference Centre for
the presentation. The presentation is a technical one showing scenarios of how different systems would
impact the welfare system.
• 16 March 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt tabled the financial estimates of Enemalta, along
with the Corporation's Annual Report 2003. Enemalta expects to make a loss after tax of Lm3.3 million in
the current financial year, up from Lm1.6 million in the financial year which ended on September 30,
2003.
• 16 March 2004 The Union Haddiema Maghqudin presented a copy of its Social Pact to Malta Council for
Economic and Social Development chairman Victor Scicluna. UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella

maintained that the pact, drawn up after consultation with a number of focus groups, was the way forward.
The 52-page document discusses how competitiveness could be enhanced, how to improve the efficiency
of the labour market, and how to promote innovation.
• 16 March 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Tony
Abela, said that it was envisaged that Maltco Lotteries would be taking over operations from the Lotto
Department by September. Dr Abela was speaking at a seminar organised in Malta by the European State
Lotteries and Toto Association. Last month, the Government gave Maltco Lotteries a seven-year operating
licence.
• 16 March 2004 According to a survey carried out by the Federation of European Employers, the median
hourly earnings of a Maltese employee ranks 27 th in Europe, but ranks third among the acceding countries.
The survey was conducted in 46 European countries.
• 16 March 2004 Statistics released by Eurostat show that life expectancy in Malta is the highest among
acceding countries. Men in Malta have a life expectancy of 76.1 years, while women have a life
expectancy of 81.2 years.
• 16 March 2004 Malta International Airport announced that it had registered an increase in its activities
during the first two months of 2004. MIA said that aircraft movement, as well as cargo activity, had
increased.
• 17 March 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs, Carmelo
Mifsud Bonnici, said that it is only through dialogue and the sharing of common experiences that we can
arrive at “a new road which can lead to diminish the anguish of our peoples and set a clear pediment for a
legal regime to which we can all agree”. Dr Mifsud Bonnici was addressing the ‘Judicial Conference on
Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues’, at St Juians.
• 17 March 2004 A government statement said that Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami was in Libya the
previous week on the invitation of the Chairman of the Corinthia Group. While in Tripoli, Dr Fenech-
Adami paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Abulrahman Shalgam, Economy and Trade Minister
Abdel Qader Al Kheir, and Deputy Prime Minister Al-Bughdadi.
• 17 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami nominated five persons to the European Economic
and Social Committee. The nominees represent the employers, the trade unions, and civil society.
• 17 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami said that the Union Haddiema Maghqudin had
become a protagonist by drafting a social pact document and expressed the hope that other unions and
social partners would take UHM’s cue, because such a pact was the key to success. Speaking at the
Union's general conference, Dr Fenech-Adami said that the setting up of the Malta Council for Economic
and Social Development had been a step in the right direction.
• 17 March 2004 Central Bank Governor Michael C. Bonello said during the UHM’s general conference,
that Malta had reached a good standard of living, but this was now under threat from slow growth, now at
under-3%. Malta was practically at a standstill, while other countries were progressing, said Mr Bonello.
• 17 March 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that the government deficit in 2003 stood at
Lm175.6 million which, at 9.7% of GDP, is more than three times over the three per cent benchmark for
joining the eurozone. Malta will be submitting data on deficit and debt to the EU Commission twice a
year: on March 1, with an update submitted on September 1.
• 17 March 2004 The Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment said that Malta already has efficient
monitoring systems to check food imported from non-EU countries. The Ministry was reacting to a
Reuter’s report that said that, with just six weeks before accession, the new EU members were behind on
this issue.
• 17 March 2004 Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister George Pullicino said that the Malta
Environment and Planning Authority was hopeful that, by July, it will be able to declare the first marine
conservation area in the Maltese Islands. The proposed area spans 11 kilometres from Rdum Majjiesa to
Ras ir-Raheb in the Northwest.
• 17 March 2004 Statistics issued by the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Affairs, Edwin Vassallo, showed that a total of 1,280 consumer complaints were dealt with by the

Customer and Fair Competition Division last year. Another 95 cases were still pending at the end of the
year. The greatest number of complaints was related to household goods.
• 17 March 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Tony
Abela, said that Bibbly Line Group, a US company that owns a floating hotel, had decided to donate used
furniture, linen and blankets to the Maltese Government. "The items will be used at detention centres,"
Notary Abela said.
• 17 March 2004 A film co-produced by Canada's Kiss Me Productions, Ashdale Films Malta Ltd, and the
UK Film Services Ltd, entitled ‘Clarion's Call’, started shooting in Malta, with filming expected to go on
for five weeks.
• 18 March 2004 President Guido de Marco bestowed Malta's highest honour, Xirka Gieh ir-Repubblika, on
EU Enlargement Commissioner, Günter Verheugen. Prof. de Marco said: "Our intentions to bestow this
honour on you stem from the gratitude we would like to express for the great effort you put into the
painstaking enlargement process. Your work is very much appreciated by the people of Malta.” Mr
Verheugen said that he was sincerely moved by the award of such an honour.
• 18 March 2004 Mr Verheugen said that the European Commission will fully exploit the expertise of
Foreign Minister Joe Borg to establish relations with the countries of the southern Mediterranean. "For the
EU to prosper, its neighbours should prosper, and Malta has an important role to play in establishing a
political bridge between Europe and the southern Mediterranean countries," he said. An audio recording of
the comments made by President Guido de Marco and Mr Günter Verheugen to the press can be accessed
at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audiorecording%20-%2017.03.04%20verheugen.asp
• 18 March 2004 Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government's plans for the
rehabilitation of Cottonera were aimed at boosting the area's social and economic potential as a tourist
attraction. "The idea is to generate business and to pave the way for more job opportunities by attracting
tourists to this gem that is Cottonera," Dr Gonzi said. The Minister was visiting the Vittoriosa Armoury
where the Government's master plan for Vittoriosa is displayed for public viewing.
• 18 March 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that Enemalta agreed in principle on the
setting up of facilities for alternative sources of energy but experts had expressed doubts on the viability of
wind farms in Malta. He said that the experts were of the opinion that, contrary to popular perception,
there was not enough wind in Malta. Dr Gatt was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 19 March 2004 President Guido de Marco was conferred with the Membership of Honour and Insignia of
the Valencian Association of Graduates and Doctors in Journalism. In an address, Prof. de Marco
expressed deepest condolences and solidarity with the Spanish people and the families of the victims of
the terrorist attacks in Madrid.
• 19 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami was presented with a copy of the Union Haddiema
Maghqudin’s proposal for a social pact.
• 19 March 2004 According to a study by the National Office of Statistics entitled ‘Social Protection in
Malta’, spending on social protection in 2002 amounted to Lm312 million, approximately 18 per cent of
the Gross Domestic Product. The report, which has taken 18 months to prepare, says that the Maltese
social system is cost-effective and able to provide a reasonable level of social welfare and health services
together with income security.
• 19 March 2004 Finance and Economic Affairs Minister John Dalli attended an international conference in
Bratislava, Slovakia, discussing economic reforms in transition economies and in countries joining the
European Union. Taxation and the reform of social systems were among the issues on the agenda. In
Bratislavia, Mr Dalli delivered a speech on the global economic competitiveness of an enlarged EU.
• 19 March 2004 Education Minister Louis Galea launched a debate on the strategic master plan for state
schools drawn up by the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools. According to the plan, the Government will,
over the next six years, invest more than Lm60 million for building, refurbishing, and maintaining primary
and secondary schools, special schools, and other educational institutions.
• 19 March 2004 Youth and the Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett called for a proper foreign marketing
strategy linked to Maltese culture. He said that the Ministry and Heritage Malta have plans to expand the

Fine Arts Museum. Minister Mugliett said that the private sector had shown a lot of interest in running
cafeterias and souvenir shops close to historical sites.
• 19 March 2004 According to figures issued by the National Statistics Office, in February the inflation rate
stood at 1.70 per cent, up from 1.57 per cent in January. In February 2004, the Retail Price Index went up
by 0.03 per cent to 102.23, from 102.20 in the previous month.
• 19 March 2004 The first wave of information pages in the languages of the new member states were
published on the European Union's website Europa. They were presented during a press event organised
by EU President Romano Prodi, on the occasion of the first visit to Brussels of the Commissioners-
Designate from the 10 countries due to join the EU on May 1.
• 19 March 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Social Policy, Francis Agius, launched
‘Active ageing’, a new initiative set to promote greater participation by the elderly in society. Dr Agius
said that ‘Active ageing’ would enter into partnership with local councils and the Church to ensure genuine
consultation and participation on new initiatives.
• 19 March 2004 The British High Commission and the Institute of Maltese Journalists held a seminar
entitled ‘The Media in an Enlarged EU for journalists from all local news organisations’. The seminar
was chaired by Director of Information Emanuel Abela.
• 20 March 2004 Dr Tonio Borg obtained 510 or 61.1 per cent of the votes cast at the election for Deputy
Leader of the Nationalist Party and passed on to the second leg of the contest. Dr Francis Zammit Dimech
won 295 votes (35.3 per cent) and was eliminated.
• 20 March 2004 German Ambassador Georg Merten visited the Palace in Valletta where restorers from the
Conservation Faculty of the University of Dresden are restoring the Perez d'Aleccio fresco in the Throne
Room, and the painted wooden ceiling of the Paladini Room. Valletta Rehabilitation Project coordinator
Ray Bondin accompanied Mr Merton.
• 21 March 2004 In the second leg of the election for Deputy Leader of the Nationalist Party, Dr Tonio
Borg polled 737 votes, which adds up to 90.1 per cent of the votes cast. There were 857 eligible votes, of
which 818 were cast and 15 were declared invalid. There were 66 ‘No’ votes.
• 21 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami announced that he would be resigning his post as
Head of the Government on Tuesday 23 rd . Dr Fenech-Adami made this announcement when speaking to
party councillors, at Pieta.
• 21 March 2004 Lufthansa's Chairman and Chief Executive Wolfgang Mayrhuber congratulated Prime
Minister Edward Fenech-Adami on the historic accession of Malta to the European Union on May 1.
• 23 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami bid farewell to the House of Representatives. In a
statement that ended just over 35 years of a public career as MP, Leader of the Opposition, and Prime
Minister, he likened his leaving the political scene to a runner handing over the baton in a relay race, with
the baton being "a commitment for Malta to achieve success within Europe". Video and audio recordings
of the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%20pm%20resignsparliament.asp
• 23 March 2004 Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant congratulated the Prime Minister on his retirement
from political life. He said that, despite any personal and political differences he and his party had with Dr
Fenech-Adami, now that he was announcing his retirement from political life, it was appropriate to wish
him well. Dr Sant then crossed the floor to shake Dr Fenech-Adami's hand.
• 23 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami led his last Cabinet meeting, after which he
addressed a news conference giving the final details of his planned resignation from Prime Minister. He
announced that the Cabinet meeting over which he had just presided was the 560th Cabinet meeting since
1987. An audio recording of the Prime Minister's statement can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/video+audiorecording%20-%2022-03-04.asp
• 23 March 2004 Foreign Minister Joe Borg signed a friendship and general cooperation agreement
between Malta and the Principality of Andorra. The agreement seeks to promote bilateral discussions, as
well as cooperation, in various fields including education, culture, science, and information technology.

• 23 March 2004 To mark World Water Day, the National Statistics Office published information on the
water supply in the Maltese Islands. The data indicates that water production from desalination plants
between 2001 and 2003 amounted to 56.9 per cent, followed by pumping stations (26.4 per cent),
boreholes (16.6 per cent), and springs (0.1 per cent). Water production for Gozo is mainly derived from
groundwater sources by means of borehole abstraction.
• 24 March 2004 Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami called on President Guido de Marco at the Palace,
in Valletta, and handed him his letter of resignation, which the President accepted. Dr Fenech-Adami
thanked the President for the cooperation he had always shown. In turn, President de Marco augured Dr
Fenech-Adami success and hoped he would continue ‘advising the country’.
Video and audio recordings of Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami submitting his letter of resignation
to President Guido de Marco can be acceded to at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audiorecording%20-%2023.03.04pmletterresignation.asp
• 24 March 2004 Dr Lawrence Gonzi was sworn in as the new Prime Minister in the presence of his wife,
his three children and his parents. President Guido de Marco told Dr Gonzi: "Dr Fenech-Adami has left
you a legacy which I am sure you will see grow and evolve. Continue living and practising your sound
principles." Dr Gonzi said: "I love my country and believe in it." Video and audio recordings of Dr
Lawrence Gonzi taking the Oath of Office as Prime Minister can be acceded to at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspage.asp
• 24 March 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced the formation of his new Cabinet which is
now made up of twelve Ministers and seven Parliamentary Secretaries. It includes all the incumbents, as
well as three new faces, namely Dr Michael Frendo, Mr Tonio Fenech and Ms Helen D’Amato.
Substantial parts of the ministry portfolios have been juggled, and Dr Gonzi has decided to integrate
Finance within the Prime Minister’s own portfolio.
• 24 March 2004 At the press conference, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi also announced the formation of
four new committees within his Cabinet: There will be a committee for the environment, one on social
policy, another one on competitiveness, and a committee on national projects. The Prime Minister said that
the committees are meant to optimise the use of resources and create a better synergy between Ministries.
Video and audio recordings of the Prime Minister’s press conference can be acceded to at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/video+audiorecording%20-
%2023.03.04pressconference%20.asp
• 24 March 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Zurich office issued 10,000 copies of a new 20-page
brochure in German. The brochure, targeted at the Swiss market, is entitled Ferienformel 2004 (Holiday
Ideas 2004).
• 25 March 2004 In his first televised ‘Message to the Nation’, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi spoke on
his 10-point plan for Malta and underlined the importance of dialogue with all sectors of society. "I would
like you to help me and I would like you to do your part as this is the only way how the challenges we
have ahead of us can be successfully overcome," he said. Audio and video recording of the Prime
Minister’s Address can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%2024.3.04%20xandira%20linnazzjon.asp
• 25 March 2004 The Government announced that the Government would be nominating Dr Edward
Fenech-Adami as the next President, succeeding Prof. Guido de Marco, whose term expires on April 4.
The issue was on the agenda at the new Cabinet's first meeting, on Tuesday 23 rd .
• 25 March 2004 Heritage society Din l-Art Helwa hosted President Guido de Marco to dinner at Torri
Mamo, the historic fortified country-home restored and managed by the heritage organisation. DLH
Executive President Martin Scicluna thanked Prof. de Marco for the unswerving support he had shown the
organisation during his many years as patron. President de Marco spoke of the work Din l-Art Helwa has
carried out since its foundation in 1965.
• 25 March 2004 Malta secured a two-year transition period for the implementation of EU wine-labelling
regulations, allowing local winemakers to continue displaying the vintage year and grape variety on the
labels of wine made from imported grapes. The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Rural Affairs and
the Environment, Philip von Brockdorf, explained that, "The derogation will allow local winemakers to
continue operating as they do now, and to compete in a liberalised market."

• 25 March 2004 Moody’s Investors Service underlined the need for substantial fiscal improvements if
Malta wants to adopt the Euro in 2008. The credit rating agency said that the main challenge facing the
Island was the budget deficit, now at 9.7 per cent of GDP. It also noted that the Budget for 2003 did not
provide for significant cost cutting, and public finances were still overburdened by generous social
security benefits.
• 25 March 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that there were 8,830 registered unemployed
with the Employment and Training Corporation in February this year, made up of 6,971 males and 1,859
females. In January the number was 8,794.
• 25 March 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the total number of cruise passengers in February
2004 was down by 501 to 353, from 854 during the same month last year. The NSO said that the greatest
proportion of cruise passengers, 43 per cent, were aged 60-69 years, 21.5 per cent were aged 50-59 years,
and 19.5 per cent were aged 70-79 years.
• 26 March 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta's strategic position could help to
strengthen security measures in the Mediterranean. "Malta can contribute towards combating terrorism
with the sharing of intelligence and by controlling what is passing through the area in the Mediterranean."
Dr Gonzi was addressing the press during the European Council meeting in Brussels, which adopted a
declaration on terrorism.
• 26 March 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi gave notice to the Clerk of the House of Representatives
of motions to thank outgoing President Guido de Marco, and for the House to appoint Dr Edward Fenech-
Adami to succeed him. The motions are due to be debated on Monday 29 th .
• 26 March 2004 According to the Commission for the Administration of Justice, the Government needs to
appoint at least three more judges to ease the backlog of pending court cases. Presenting the Commission's
fourth report, covering the period October 2002 – September 2003, President Guido de Marco, Chairman,
said that ‘temporary’ and long-term solutions had been identified in the report to reduce the backlog of the
thousands of pending cases.
• 26 March 2004 On behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund, President Guido de Marco and Mrs de
Marco presented financial assistance, specialised apparatus, and white goods to individuals in need and to
various philanthropic institutions. The donations, worth Lm66,235, were received by 152 individuals and
18 philanthropic institutions. The presentation ceremony took place at The Palace, in Valletta.
• 26 March 2004 The Minister of Health, the Elderly and Community Care, Louis Deguara, said that
studies carried out in 2002 and 2003 had confirmed the existence of certain problematic health behaviour
trends among Maltese adolescents. He noted an increase in the incidence of smoking and alcohol
consumption as well as problems of obesity and physical inactivity.
• 26 March 2004 According to provisional data issued by the National Statistics Office, the total industry
turnover index increased by 26.39%, from 86.14 in January 2003 to 108.87 in January this year. The
employment index decreased by 1.89%, and the wages and salaries index by 1.20%.
• 27 March 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that European Union rules should be applied in a
flexible way that suits Malta's realities. Dr Gonzi was referring to the priorities listed by the European
Council for the improvement and implementation of the Lisbon Strategy, at the conclusion of the EU
summit, in Brussels.
• 27 March 2004 French President Jacques Chirac sent a message of congratulations to Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi, expressing his wish for French-Maltese relations to remain at their ‘excellent level’.
• 27 March 2004 The Central Bank of Malta again left the central intervention rate unchanged at three per
cent. The Governor noted that, with the Bank's external reserves position remaining stable, and a slight
increase in the premium on the Maltese lira, official interest rate levels currently provide sufficient support
to the exchange rate peg.
• 27 March 2004 According to figures released by the National Office of Statistics the Government
managed to reduce its expenditure and increase its revenue in February, compared with the same month
last year, resulting in a smaller increase in the deficit. Recurrent revenue increased by 1.1 per cent to

Lm100.9 million, while total expenditure went down by 6.1 per cent to Lm132 million. This means that
the shortfall was Lm31.2 million, compared with Lm40.8 million in February last year.
• 27 March 2004 Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, announced his
intention to have an officer to co-ordinate the Government corporate environmental responsibilities. He
said that the first task would be the co-ordination of a focal person on environmental matters from all
Ministries. Mr Pullicino was addressing a seminar themed ‘European Union and Corporate
Environmental Responsibility’.
• 27 March 2004 Malta and Cyprus have been exempted from a £50 fee being levied by the UK on Eastern
Europeans who go to the UK to work. The regulations will apply to workers from Poland, Latvia,
Lithuania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Estonia, and will be in place for at least five
years.
• 27 March 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry of IT and Investment told The Times newspaper that Air
Malta is to cut allowances for staff travelling on business abroad by up to Lm70 per day as part of its drive
to cut costs. The allowances for travel abroad, excluding hotel accommodation, would now be set at Lm30
for every member of staff. Around Lm347,000 was spent on these allowances last year.
• 29 March 2004 Mario Andrea Guaiana, Director General of the Italian Customs, said that Malta would
form part of the southernmost frontier of the European Union: "Italy used to be the southernmost border of
the EU, but now it is Malta. That is why Maltese Customs have such an important role." Mr Guaiana was
speaking at Customs in Valletta in the presence of Customs Director John Mifsud.
• 29 March 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi praised his predecessor and justified the Cabinet's
decision to appoint Dr Edward Fenech-Adami as the next President. He said that, if we ask who we want
to represent us, and what we wish to see in the person, the answer would be ‘someone who lived, and did
not just speak about, principles’. Dr Gonzi was speaking at San Gwann.
• 29 March 2004 Education Minister Louis Galea said that educationally, economically, socially, politically
and intellectually, it makes sense to offer students the best possible English language teaching. “On the
eve of EU accession, we are aware of the great assets we can offer as a nation to the European Union and
one of these assets has to be the bilingual situation that exists locally,” he added.
• 30 March 2004 The House of Representatives unanimously approved a motion of thanks to President
Guido de Marco at the end of his term. The Opposition did not speak during the debate, but the motion
was approved nem com, that is, without opposition. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who was the only
speaker, said that the motion was not a formality but an expression of sincere appreciation by both sides of
the House.
• 30 March 2004 The House of Representatives elected Dr Edward Fenech-Adami as President to succeed
Prof. Guido de Marco. The Prime Minister underlined Dr Fenech-Adami’s qualities and said that his
choice to serve as President was inevitable as Malta joined the EU. Dr Sant countered that Dr Fenech-
Adami, as former Prime Minister and Party Leader, was a divisive element. The motion was approved
after a division, with 33 government votes in favour and 29 opposition votes against.
• 30 March 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt launched an electronic service for the Malta
Council for Arts, Science and Technology. Thanks to the new service, individuals may register for parttime
courses at MCAST, the third e-government service linked to education. The other services are e-
exams, where students may apply and register on line for their exams, and e-libraries, which is an
electronic public library catalogue.
• 30 March 2004 Bank of Valletta and Heritage Malta signed an agreement whereby BoV committed just
under Lm200,000 for the conservation and presentation of the Tarxien temples over the next eight years. A
project team consisting of representatives from the Bank and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has
prepared a draft preservation proposal and improved access for Tarxien temples.
• 30 March 2004 After months of preparations, Air Malta’s first Fare 4U low-cost, no frills flight to
London Stansted took off with 134 seats sold out of the 144 available. Air Malta’s chief operating officer,
Joe Cappello, said recently that three quarters of the Fare 4U flights are already sold for the next three
months and a number of peak flights for July and August are full.

• 30 March 2004 Mr Chris Grech is the new chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority, replacing Dr John C
Grech. Though a relative newcomer to the MTA, Mr Grech, 40, has held several positions with a tourism
connection in the past.
• 30 March 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority’s Vienna office was voted one of the most efficient tourist
boards in Austria for the second time running by Euro City, a leading consumer travel magazine in Austria
having a circulation running into 70,000 copies.
• 30 March 2004 The filming of ‘Gods and Goddesses’, a BBC docu-drama about Greek gods and
goddesses, was completed last week. Location work was carried out in Morocco, Mgarr ix-Xini and
Fungus Rock in Gozo, and Comino.
• 31 March 2004 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo congratulated Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on his
appointment.
• 31 March 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government would be on the look-out for
structural obstacles that could restrain the labour market from achieving optimum results. One way to do
this would be to ensure flexibility, he said. Dr Gonzi also touched on the need to look at the wageformation
system. The Prime Minister was addressing an FOI conference on the SMEs on the theme
‘Repositioning our SMEs in the Global Market’.
• 31 March 2004 At the FOI conference, John Camilleri, Chief Executive of the Employment and Training
Corporation, in a speech delivered by Felix Borghe, said that the employment barometer in January
showed that over a quarter of employers face skill shortage or recruitment problems. He said that a third of
employers feel that the shortages are due to a lack of the necessary qualifications.
• 31 March 2004 At the FOI conference, British High Commissioner Vincent Fean said that the High
Commission in Malta was working to help SMEs at three levels - directly, through the FOI and the
Confederation of British Industry, and at Government-to-Government level. Mr Fean highlighted the
opportunities that would be provided by Malta hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting
next year.
• 31 March 2004 Malta Enterprise Chairman Joe Zammit Tabona lamented Malta's failure to attract any
new UK business to Malta since IT-firm Crimsonwing four years ago. Mr Zammit Tabona said that the
UK was investing heavily overseas, but not in Malta. Malta Enterprise was therefore meeting regularly
with the High Commission, he said. Mr Zammit Tabona was addressing the FOI conference.
• 31 March 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi officially launched SPIC 159, a telephone-based Social
Policy Information Centre. Dr Gonzi said that, by embarking on the new project, the Ministry for the
Family and Social Solidarity, formerly the Social Policy Ministry, was living up to its mission since it was
boosting the level of service for which it existed. Present for the launch were Family and Social Solidarity
Minister Dolores Cristina, IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt, and Parliamentary Secretary Helen
D'Amato.
• 31 March 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, had a meeting with a
delegation from the European Affairs Commission of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The
delegation, currently visiting Malta, was headed by the Commission's vice President, Nino Strano (Forza
Italia), whilst that of the Senate was headed by the Commission's vice President, Antonio Girgatti
(Alleanza Nazionale).
• 31 March 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, said that the Ministry
had at its disposal around Lm34 million to invest in roads over the next two years. He said that the bulk of
the money came mainly from the Fifth Italian Financial Protocol, EU cohesion funds, Gozo's regional
funds, and the budget allocated by the Government. Mr Mugliett was addressing stakeholders in the roads
industry, during a seminar organised by the Malta Transport Authority.
• 31 March 2004 According to a Labour Force Survey, the results of which were published by the National
Statistics Office, unemployment dropped by 570, or 0.3 per cent, in the last quarter of 2003. The
unemployment rate for the December quarter stood at 7.9 per cent. The LFS is an enquiry which is carried
out on a quarterly basis, using a random sample of 2,500 private households.
• 31 March 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority was presented with the Silver Award in the Destination
Marketing Organisation (Region) category of the European Chinese Tourists Welcoming Awards 2004.

The award was given in recognition of the MTA's marketing and promotional efforts within the Chinese
market.
APRIL
• 1 April 2004 To mark Freedom Day, President Guido de Marco and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi
laid wreathes at the foot of the Freedom Monument at Vittoriosa. Dr Gonzi also accompanied Prof. de
Marco for a tree-planting ceremony at San Anton Palace. Freedom Day was also celebrated in Gozo
where Minister Giovanna Debono placed flowers beneath a commemorative plaque at Independence
Square, in Victoria.
• 1 April 2004 The Freedom Day regatta open competition in Grand Harbour was won jointly by
Cospicua and Marsamxett. Both the Cospicua and the Marsamxett oarsmen amassed a total of 68
points each. Vittoriosa came third with 32 points.
• 1 April 2004 A report by the World Bank entitled ‘The Maltese Pensions System, An analysis of the
current system and options for reform’, was handed to social partners at the Malta Council for
Economic and Social Development a few weeks ago. The report was drawn up by Anita Schwarz,
Alberto Musalem, and Tatyana Bogomolova.
• 1 April 2004 Malta's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Joseph Licari, signed the
Civil Law Convention on Corruption. The Council of Europe approaches the subject from three legal
angles - criminal, civil and administrative.
• 1 April 2004 Malta was accepted to participate in the European Centre for the Development of
Vocational Training of Trainers network. This was announced at the sixth annual CEDEFOP TT net
conference, held in Thessaloniki, Greece.
• 1 April 2004 The Maltacom Group said in a company statement that the group had made a pre-tax
profit of Lm20.6 million during 2003, up from Lm13.5 million in the previous year. This represents a
return of 28.1 per cent on average shareholders’ funds and of 15.8 per cent on the average total assets
employed. Earnings per share for the year amounted to 12c9 (2002: 9c5).
• 1 April 2004 Mr Paul Galea, from the Malta Tourism Authority, represented Malta at the first
Commonwealth Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ministers at the conference
underscored the importance of tourism for export generation, job creation, and the promotion of greater
socio-cultured understanding and peace.
• 1 April 2004 The National Audit Office called on the Government Property Division and the Ministry
of Finance to draw up a strategy to settle outstanding debts related to land acquired by the Government
from private owners. Such a strategy, NAO said, should address issues relating to budget allocations
and the prioritisation of debts.
• 2 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received messages of congratulation from Finnish Prime
Minister Matti Vanhanen, the President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, the Secretary of the
Libyan General People’s Committee Shukri Muhammed Ghanem, Greek Prime Minister Kostas
Karamanlis, Korean Prime Minister Goh Kun, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• 2 April 2004 President Guido de Marco launched Momentum II, a collection of excerpts and speeches
he delivered during the last two years of his Presidency. A panel of speakers at the launch
included Pier Ferdinando Casini, the Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, who came from
Italy purposely, and Rev. Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott, former Rector of the University of Malta.
• 2 April 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, stressed the
importance of safety in all spheres of life, but particularly on the road. Dr. Galea was speaking at
MCAST on the occasion of World Health Day 2004, dedicated to ‘Road Safety’. Ms Helen D’Amato,
Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care, was also present for the event.

• 3 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi held a meeting with the media on the current issues in
the country. During the conference, Dr Gonzi touched upon or answered questions on the age of
retirement, the deficit, the national debt, landfills, the shipyards, the Presidency, and electoral reform.
The initiative is set to be a regular monthly meeting. An audio recording of the Prime Minister’s media
briefing can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/audiorecording%20-%2002.04.04%20pm-media.asp
• 3 April 2004 Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister George Pullicino said that the Ministry is
planning to set up an authority on organic farming in line with European Union regulations. He also
announced the setting up of a committee to draft a strategy for organic agriculture. Mr Pullicino was
speaking at Ghammieri, in Marsa, where he launched various EU assistance schemes for farmers.
• 3 April 2004 Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina said that the lack of affordable
and quality day-care services had to be addressed in order to reconcile work and family
responsibilities. "Moreover, further specific measures are necessary so as to ease the 'double shift'
currently imposed on working women," she said. Ms Cristina was speaking at the opening of the threeday
European Conference on ‘Women and Men in an Enlarged Europe’, at the Corinthia San Gorg
Hotel.
• 3 April 2004 Malta's heritage, architecture, culture and gastronomical delights are featured in the
magazine Qui Touring Speciale mondo – Malta. Peppered with bright and colourful pictures, the
magazine also includes an interview with President Guido de Marco.
• 3 April 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority, with 10 members of the local Destination Management
Companies Directorate, organised a trip for 47 conference and incentive organisers from Italy, the UK,
Holland, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Austria. The underlying theme of the
activities was ‘The Order of the Knights of St John’.
• 4 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the drawing up of Malta's first National Action
Plan on Employment had highlighted that, no progress in achieving the overall EU Lisbon strategy
goal of full employment could be registered unless an aggressive programme of equal opportunities
between men and women is implemented. Dr Gonzi was addressing the conference ‘Women and Men
in an Enlarged Europe’, held in Malta.
• 4 April 2004 Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina said that the responsibility of
gender equality could not be assigned only to one portfolio, but was the responsibility of the
Government as a whole. Equality was an education, economic, health, and environmental concern; a
concern for competitiveness and investment promotion, said Ms Cristina.
• 4 April 2004 The European Commission Director-General for Employment and Social Affairs, Odile
Quintin, said that she was confident that words would translate into action. She added that clear
progress, particularly in the reconciliation of work and family life, had already been registered over the
years and the gender gap has been diminishing. Ms Quintin was making the closing speech at the
conference ‘Women and Men in an Enlarged Europe’.
• 4 April 2004 President Guido de Marco unveiled a giant bronze statue of Aeneas, at the Lower
Barracca Gardens, in Valletta. The statue, which is nearly 5 metres high and 2.5 metres wide, was
donated to the Maltese Government by the Società Dante Alighieri, under the patronage of Italian
President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.
• 5 April 2004 Dr Edward Fenech-Adami, 70, entered a new phase of his long political career and made
history by becoming the first Prime Minister to be appointed President. Addressing guests gathered at
the Palace's Grand Council Chamber, he said: "I have accepted to serve the Maltese people as the
Nation's President. I am well aware that there are those who disagreed with my nomination,
nevertheless I guarantee that I shall do all that is in my power to be truly worthy of this Office."
• 5 April 2004 The University of Malta's Faculty of Arts, together with the Embassy of the Delegation
of the Commission of the European Communities, and the Education, Youth and Employment
Ministry, is organising a Master's course in conference interpreting. The selected candidates will be
sent to a European University, where the one-year course will be conducted.

• 6 April 2004 Messages of congratulation were sent to President Edward Fenech-Adami from around
the world. Messages also continued to arrive for Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
• 6 April 2004 Rockwell Schnabel, the American Representative to the EU, spoke briefly about Malta-
US business links. He said that several US companies were looking closely at the new EU member
states, and it was therefore important for the country to introduce attractive taxation measures to attract
investors to Malta. Mr Schnabel was speaking at the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise premises,
in Valletta.
• 6 April 2004 Former Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici was nominated as Malta's
representative to the European Court of Auditors. Prof. Bonnici, 51 and an economist, studied at the
University of Malta and at the Simon Fraser University in Canada. Last year, he was appointed one of
the Government's observers in the European Parliament.
• 6 April 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, heaped praise on
Customs officials who seized millions of liri worth of counterfeit cigarettes in a major swoop at the
Malta Freeport. Mr Fenech said that the Customs Department was now sharing information with other
countries, which facilitated the seizure of such smuggled goods.
• 6 April 2004 The National Statistics Office said that turnover in manufacturing industry registered an
increase of approximately Lm1 million between 2001 and 2002. Between 2002 and 2003 it increased
by Lm36.4 million or 3.67 per cent, from Lm991.7 million in 2002, to Lm1,028.1 million in 2003.
• 6 April 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Milan office initiated a billboard campaign in the city.
The campaign, which has already been launched in a number of other Italian cities, highlights Malta's
European origins and character, with its beauty, art, culture, history and European Union membership
status.
• 6 April 2004 Enemalta Corporation announced new fuel prices ‘to reflect increases on the
international fuel market’. The price of unleaded petrol and kerosene on the international markets has
increased by seventeen per cent and eight per cent respectively, while diesel has increased by four per
cent.
• 7 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami said in an interview that his family, and particularly his
wife, had been against his appointment to the post of president. He said that he had suggested that
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi should try and find someone else for the post, even after his
nomination had been approved by Cabinet.
• 7 April 2004 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Tonio Borg, and
Jurgen Storbeck, Director of the European Police Office (Europol), signed an agreement that will
enhance the cooperation between Malta and the European Union in combating international crime. Dr
Borg said that the signing of the agreement will undoubtedly help Malta fight against organised crime
with the Island becoming the southern frontier of the EU on May 1.
• 7 April 2004 Minister of Education, Youth and Employment Louis Galea launched the ‘Manual for
Gender Sensitive Vocational Guidance’. The manual, published by the ETC, gives an overview of the
impact gender can have on our development, and how gender tends to shape our expectations of
ourselves and of others throughout our life in the family, at school, and at work.
• 7 April 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that within
the last two years, a total of 30 turtles have been nursed back to health and released to their natural
habitat. Mr Pullicino emphasised Malta’s commitment to protect this vulnerable species by its
adherence to a number of conventions and treaties.
• 7 April 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the registered unemployment at the Employment
and Training Corporation amounted to 8,277 last November, giving an unemployment rate of 5.7%. In
November 2002, it was 5.4%, and in October 2003 it was 5.7%. ETC records in November 2003
indicated a decrease of 476 persons in the labour supply over the preceding month.
• 8 April 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that the four unions representing workers at
Air Malta - the General Workers' Union, the Pilots' Union, the Engineers' Union and the Cabin Crew
Union - had been sent a ‘draft agreement’ based on negotiations that they have been involved in

separately. Addressing a news conference, Dr Gatt said that the draft presented a solid basis for an
agreement.
• 8 April 2004 The Regional Committee in the European Parliament voted in favour of an amendment to
its report on cohesion. The amendment relates to a clause that deals with disadvantaged regions,
including island regions. As things stood before the amendment, island states such as Malta and
Cyprus were excluded from the definition. The amendment was moved by Josef Bonnici who has
Observer status in the EP, through UK MEP John Purvis.
• 8 April 2004 The European Commission has recommended that Malta streamline the tax-benefit
system interaction and reduce taxation on labour, to strengthen incentives to work and improve
competitiveness. This was one of a series of country-specific recommendations adopted by the
Commission to help Malta overcome the three main challenges it faces in completing the 2003-2005
Broad Economic Policy Guidelines which constitute the EU medium-term economic policy strategy.
• 8 April 2004 The Malta Business Bureau, which is the joint office of the Malta Federation of Industry
and the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, launched the publication ‘A Practical Guide to
Unlocking the EU Funding Maze’. The guide, which is also available on-line, is a practical tool to
explain the myriad of EU funding opportunities available.
• 8 April 2004 The Valletta cruise terminal, part of the Viset consortium's Valletta Waterfront project,
was awarded three international commendations by the ‘Dream World Cruise Destinations’ magazine.
The awards are a result of a survey conducted among cruise liner managements, ship-captains and
passengers.
• 8 April 2004 The UK leading travel trade newspaper ‘Travel Weekly’ recently issued 24,000 copies of
a Malta supplement with the newspaper. The magazine featured articles on the movie industry in Malta
and the movie map which is found on the Malta Tourism Authority's destination website.
• 9 April 2004 Good Friday
• 10 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received a message of congratulation from the
Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon. The Prime Minister of Hungary, Peter
Medygessy; the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Fradkov; the Prime Minister of
Portugal, José Manuel Durao Barroso; and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Vladimir Spidla,
also sent their congratulations.
• 10 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami received a message of congratulation from Chinese
President Hu Jintao.
• 10 April 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, attended an
informal meeting of the Ministers responsible for land transport of the 15 EU member states and the 10
acceding countries, in Dublin. Mr Mugliett outlined the Government's road transport policy in the next
five years, aimed at making Maltese roads safer for all.
• 10 April 2004 The National Statistics Office reported that Malta's Gross Domestic Product increased
nominally by Lm26.5 million or 1.6 per cent to Lm1,712.2 million in 2003, when compared to the
previous year. In real terms the GDP contracted by Lm25.2 million or 1.7 per cent to Lm1,419.6
million.
• 10 April 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Paris office launched a giant poster campaign in the
Paris Metro. The MTA is also carrying a regional daily press campaign in Lyon and Marseilles.
• 11 April 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea set up a working group to
examine and report on the situation concerning the financial and other resources available to statefunded
post-secondary and tertiary educational institutions in Malta and Gozo. Dr Galea said that the
group will also recommend appropriate short- and long-term measures that should be taken to secure
the financial sustainability and efficacy of these institutions.
• 12 April 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, Michael
Frendo, emphasised that national parliaments had an important role in communicating Europe,
especially in disseminating information about their work in the scrutiny of the EU acquis and in its
adoption of natural laws transposing EU directives. Dr Frendo was addressing a ministerial conference

on ‘Communicating Europe’, organised by the Irish Presidency of the European Union in Wicklow,
Ireland.
• 12 April 2004 The youth section in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment, in
collaboration with the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology, is in the process of setting up a
Youth Information Centre. Youth information work is now a widely recognised part of youth work in
many European countries and there are over 7,000 youth information centres and points all over
Europe.
• 13 April 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, made an official
visit to Libya. During his visit, Mr Dalli met Prime Minister Shoukri Ghanem and Foreign Affairs
Minister Abdel Rahman Shalgam. During the meetings, bilateral, political and economic relations
between Malta and Libya were discussed in the light of developments in both countries.
• 13 April 2004 The National Statistics Office said that total environmental protection expenditure
incurred by all 68 Local Councils increased marginally from Lm2,832,314 in 2001 to Lm2,846,838 in
2002 – an increase of 0.01%. Increases were registered in bulky refuse collection, cleaning services,
maintenance of countryside, parks and gardens; and road and street cleaning.
• 14 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government's top priorities over the
coming years were to invest in health care, education, personalised social services and in a strategy
against poverty and exclusion. Dr Gonzi said that the greatest challenges were to stimulate the
economy, create work, attract investment and boost the country's finances. Dr Gonzi was addressing
the press exactly a year since the new Government took over the administration of the country.
• 14 April 2004 During the same press conference, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, for the
country to progress, relations between the Government and the Opposition had to continue improving.
The Opposition's role in the drawing up of a social pact and in welfare reform was very important, and
possibilities for the Opposition’s contribution in these sectors were, and would remain, open, he said.
An audio recording of the press conference can be acceded at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/audiorecording%20-%2013.04.04%20lewwel%20sena%20ta%20hidma.asp
• 14 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed satisfaction that the Maltese army had
recruited a force to aid in EU humanitarian missions. He said that their share in such missions would
make the entire nation proud of its soldiers. Dr Gonzi was speaking at Luqa Barracks during the
graduation ceremony of twenty army cadets who successfully endured the AFM's recruitment course to
form part of the Rapid Reaction Force.
• 14 April 2004 Dr Joe Borg, Malta's nominee for European Commissioner, underwent his first official
hearing at the European Parliament. Speaking in Maltese, Dr Borg first made a 10-minute introductory
speech, and then spoke about his vision of an enlarged EU. His speech was followed by what Dr Borg
himself described as "intensive" questioning from representatives of various political groups in the
European Parliament.
• 14 April 2004 The Ministry for Information Technology and Investment said that the Government had
agreed to review the Data Protection Act’s fee structure which shall be for one year, and also extend
and simplify the notification process from April 15, 2004 to July 14, 2004.
• 14 April 2004 Maltacom Chief Executive Officer Stephen Muscat announced that the company is still
waiting for the Malta Communications Authority's feedback on its proposals to restructure its tariffs.
Mr Muscat was speaking during a meeting for stockbrokers and the media on the recently-published
Maltacom financial results for 2003.
• 14 April 2004 Malta and Libya agreed on procedures for the introduction of a visa for citizens of the
two countries, to come into force on May 1. The new regulations will not apply for Maltese presently
residing in Libya and who do not have an opportunity to return before May 1. For these, the regulations
will become applicable on July 1.
• 15 April 2004 Dr Edward Fenech-Adami received more messages of congratulations upon his election
as President of Malta. The messages included one from the Leader of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,
Colonel Muammar Gadhafi, and one from Vàclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic.

• 15 April 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said that all new buildings will
have to be adequately insulated in order to save energy, according to proposed legislation. The
Minister was addressing a conference, on ‘Renewable and Efficient Energy: The Cost-savings Home’,
organised by the Building Industry Consultative Council.
• 15 April 2004 Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, announced that the
Commonwealth Secretariat has just approved the provision of consultancy services to professionals
working with children. Ms Cristina said that this facility was granted after Agenzija APPOGG
submitted a detailed proposal to the Commonwealth Secretariat, outlining the various specialist areas
of consultancy needed.
• 15 April 2004 Customs Director Alfred Mifsud said that there will be a diversion of traffic of goods to
the Island for various reasons once Malta joins the EU. The Parliamentary Secretary at the Office of
the Prime Minister, Tony Abela, said the Government wanted to ensure that no one abused the new
system and that no rogue businessmen find a way of flooding the market with goods to the detriment of
business people who stick to regulations.
• 15 April 2004 Malta Enterprise participated at the Tripoli International Fair, an international event
held annually in the Libyan capital. Maltese exhibitors at the Malta Pavilion expressed satisfaction at
the number of contacts generated and the increasing interest by Libyan businessmen.
• 15 April 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that, over the past four years, an average of
43,500 people have been living in jobless households. The NSO said that this figure represents 11% of
the total population.
• 15 April 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, tourism dropped 1.6% in the first quarter of
this year over the same period in 2003. A total of 167,390 tourists came to Malta in the first quarter - a
drop of 2,783. However, in January alone, earnings from tourism was estimated at Lm16.8 million - an
increase of Lm2.6 million over the same month last year.
• 16 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami paid a courtesy visit on Archbishop Joseph Mercieca.
Dr Fenech-Adami expressed his gratitude at the good relations that exist between the Church and the
State in Malta. Mgr Mercieca agreed that cooperation was necessary between the Government and the
Church. The Archbishop presented the President with a copy of the diocesan synod documents.
• 16 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, despite the restructuring currently in progress
in all sectors, the employment situation was showing signs of improvement. Dr Gonzi, who was
speaking in Zejtun, also touched on the construction industry, saying it too was showing important
recovery indications.
• 16 April 2004 Max van den Berg, the acting Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on
Development and Cooperation, in his report on the hearing of Nominee European Commissioner Joe
Borg, wrote that Dr Borg was judged to have given a "convincing impression" of his aptitude for the
post during his hearing before the European Parliament. Mr van den Berg continued that Dr Borg was
less convincing on his expertise in development cooperation, the area he will be assigned to.
• 16 April 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that the scheme introduced
by the Malta Tourism Authority, licensing two- and three-star hotels and apart-hotels to offer bed-andbreakfast
for the first time, was aimed at raising standards in these same establishments. The Minister
said the regulations were based on the industry's request for more flexibility.
• 16 April 2004 Mr Justice Carmel A. Agius was elected Chairman of the Rules Committee of the
Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal, based in The Hague. At present, Judge Agius is also President of Trial
Chamber II of the tribunal, as well as a member of its bureau.
• 16 April 2004 Speaking during the annual seminar organised by the Institute of Financial Services,
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, said that the Government was still
determined to bring the deficit down to 3% of the GDP. Mr Fenech said that major reforms would be
needed to achieve this.
• 16 April 2004 The National Statistics Office said that wages and salaries per head registered a
continuous increase from 1995 to 2003. The NSO said that last year, when compared with 2002, the

index of wages and salaries per head registered a constant increase during all four quarters: by 11.94%
in quarter one, 9.97% in quarter two, 7.67% in quarter three, and 7.16% in quarter four.
• 16 April 2004 Malta featured in the French TV programme Racines et des Aîles, on France 3, which
has a viewership of five million. The programme, featuring locations such as Grand Harbour, the
Grandmasters’ Palace, the Three Cities, Mdina, and Gozo, was also broadcast on satellite and cable TV
station TV5. The television crew was hosted by the Malta Tourism Authority, with the support of Air
Malta.
• 17 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received more messages of congratulations. These
included messages from the President of Indonesia, the Prime Minister of Slovenia, the Prime Minister
of the Netherlands, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the Prime Minister of Poland, the Prime Minister of
Qatar, the Prime Minister of France, and the Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• 17 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi visited the German factory UWT International Ltd, set
up in Malta three years ago. Dr Gonzi said that it was very clear that UWT was geared to be
competitive, not just in a local market, but also in a global sense. The Prime Minister said that
competitiveness was a national project for Malta. "We want this Island to be competitive. We have a
skilled workforce that can deliver. Our assets are our workforce, and our workers are our single
resource."
• 17 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi inaugurated the new premises of AG Investments
Group, in Mill Street, Qormi. The new premises, covering almost 1,000 square metres on three floors,
house the three companies of the group - Zammit Trading Ltd, A.G Packaging Systems Ltd, and Zamco
Caterware Ltd.
• 17 April 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit inaugurated a new Lm50,000
lighting system for Fort St Angelo. Mr Zammit said that the fort deserved all the attention it was being
given since it was one of the most important forts of the Island.
• 17 April 2004 A government statement said that pharmaceutical registration fees should not be used as
an excuse for Maltese agents to put up prices. It said that medicine registration aims to ensure that all
products on the local market are efficient, of good quality, and not harmful to people's health.
• 18 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami laid a wreath at the Siege Bell Monument in Valletta.
The wreath-laying ceremony and an ecumenical service were organised by the George Cross Island
Association on the 62 nd anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta.
• 18 April 2004 Education Minister Louis Galea said that the terms of reference for a Higher Education
Commission to assist the Government update its direction and strategy in the sector were currently
being finalised. The Minister said that students would also be involved in the discussion on the
stipends system. Dr Galea was speaking during the national students' congress, organised by
organisation Insite.
• 18 April 2004 EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne said that the 10 new
member states which will join the Union on May 1 were "on course" to meet the EU's food safety
measures. The Food Chain and Animal Health standing committee approved proposals that will give
transition periods of between three months and one year to allow the completion of upgrading work to
establishments in Malta, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
• 19 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami launched the book ‘Malta Before History’ as part of
the run-up to the celebrations marking Malta's accession to the EU, at the National Museum of
Archaeology, in Valletta. A host of distinguished authors and experts who contributed to the
publication delivered talks on the occasion.
• 19 April 2004 Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion Minister John Dalli attended a meeting of
Foreign Ministers of the European Union, in Tullmore, Ireland. The two-day meeting discussed the
situation in Kosovo and the deteriorating situation in Iraq and the Middle East, as well as the EU's
strategy for the Mediterranean and Middle East.
• 19 April 2004 Malta Enterprise Chairman Joe Zammit Tabona said that the introduction of travel visas
between Malta and Libya will alter the way in which most Maltese businessmen work. Mr Zammit
Tabona said that Malta Enterprise was "envisaging some two months of teething problems".

• 19 April 2004 Maltese responsible for various aspects of airport security attended the US Governmentsponsored
week-long airport security training programme at Malta International Airport. The course,
conducted by instructors from the US Government's Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, was
designed to train participants in a wide range of airport security issues, including analysis of cargo and
travel documents, and ensuring aircraft security.
• 19 April 2004 Maltese families and tourists visited the Couvre Porte wartime shelter during an openday
organised by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and Vittoriosa Local Council. Along with the refurbished
one-and-a-half-kilometre-long wartime shelter, visitors could enjoy a re-enactment by members of a
UK historical contingent dressed up in period uniforms.
• 20 April 2004 The Government condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantissi, in
Gaza. In a statement, Government said that the strategy of assassination could not be justified under
any circumstances, and would only foster hatred and violence.
• 20 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received messages of congratulations on his
appointment from Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky, European Commissioner for Enlargement
Gunter Verheugen, and from Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
• 20 April 2004 Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion Minister John Dalli said that no tentative
date had been fixed for a visit to Malta by Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi. Mr Dalli also said that
Libya had not yet ratified the investment guarantee agreement with Malta. Mr Dalli was replying to
parliamentary questions.
• 20 April 2004 Speaker Anton Tabone and Members from both sides of the House of Representatives
congratulated Government MP Michael Asciak following his swearing-in as Member of the House. Dr
Asciak was returned in the casual election held to fill the seat vacated by Dr Edward Fenech-Adami.
• 20 April 2004 The Governor of the Central Bank, Michael C. Bonello, insisted that a higher proportion
of budgetary resources needed to be devoted to wealth-creating activities. In a statement forming part
of the CBM Annual Report, tabled in Parliament, Mr Bonello welcomed the Government's intention to
bring the fiscal deficit down to three per cent of GDP by 2006 - a precondition for early adoption of the
Euro.
• 20 April 2004 The Government announced that it intended to start discussions with the General
Workers' Union and with Sea Malta shareholders with a view to privatising the national shipping line.
The Government is the majority shareholder of Sea Malta, with 31 per cent of the company belonging
to private shareholders.
• 20 April 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea and Edwin Vassallo, the
Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-Employed, launched standards that define the
manufacturing procedures and authenticity of artisans' products. The standards are established by the
Malta Standards Authority, the Malta Crafts Council and the Small Business and Crafts Directorate.
• 20 April 2004 Noted archaeologist Colin Renfrew lamented the fact that Malta's unique prehistoric
heritage, boasting the oldest free-standing buildings in the world, has virtually gone unnoticed
overseas. "The prehistoric cultures of Malta have certainly not achieved the worldwide recognition
they merit," said Lord Renfrew, who was in Malta for the launch of the book, ‘Malta Before History’,
and who penned the foreword to the book.
• 20 April 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, ten per cent of the
population, or 14,000 households, possess a second dwelling for private use, with the highest number
being in Gozo. The results show that Maltese prefer to own their property rather than rent, with house
ownership standing at 76.2 per cent in Malta and 94.9 per cent in Gozo. 22.4 per cent rent their
accommodation.
• 21 April 2004 United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan sent a message of congratulations to Dr
Lawrence Gonzi on his appointment as Prime Minister.
• 21 April 2004 The Government and the four unions representing workers at Air Malta met and agreed
to carry on with their talks this week. The four unions last week submitted counter-proposals to the

Government's six-year plan aimed at cutting costs and lifting the airline out of its difficult financial
situation.
• 21 April 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that the
number of patents registered at the local office is expected to increase from the current 200 a year to
3,000 over the next five years. This will follow the updating of local law that will allow patent seekers
to apply locally for international patents. Mr Galea was speaking at the opening of a conference
entitled ‘Malta and the European Patent Convention’.
• 21 April 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea inaugurated a stamp
exhibition, ‘The Maltese Stamp as a Work of Art’, at the National Museum of Fine Arts, in Valletta, as
part of the official activities being held to mark Malta's accession to the EU. The exhibition features
the original art designs which were eventually used for stamp issues.
• 22 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami received more messages of congratulations from
prominent personalities. The messages came from the President of the European Commission, Romano
Prodi; French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin; and Günther Verheugen, EU Commissioner
responsible for Enlargement.
• 22 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received messages of congratulations from his
counterparts in Mauritius and Romania, Paul Raymond Berenger, and Adrian Nastase respectively.
• 22 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami was presented with the official EU flag that is to be
used in the April 30 activities. The two youth representatives who made the presentation had taken the
Maltese flag to the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, who, in turn, presented them with
the EU flag.
• 22 April 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt announced a one-off increase in passenger fares
on the Gozo ferries and a staggered increase in vehicle rates. Dr Gatt said that the Government would
be increasing its subsidy to the company, from Lm5.7 million to Lm6.6 million a year, and liberalizing
Gozo Channel’s Sa Maison route.
• 22 April 2004 The Minister of Health, the Elderly, and Community Care, Louis Deguara, said in
Parliament that the Government was in agreement with the decision of the Administrative Commission
on Social Security for Migrant Workers on the introduction of the European Health Insurance Card. Dr
Deguara, said, however, that in view of the preparatory work required, the Health Ministry had
formally requested a transition period for Malta to introduce the system by the end of next year.
• 22 April 2004 The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines has chosen Malta Freeport to serve as its
hub port in the Mediterranean, following its decision to commence trans-shipment operations in the
region. Malta Freeport Chairman Mark Portelli said that the new service is expected to generate a
throughput of about 150,000 TEUs annually, representing more than 10 per cent of the Freeport's
existing business.
• 22 April 2004 Groups of students visited the grand exhibition of reproductions of the works of
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, at the Caraffa Stores, in Vittoriosa. Caravaggio Foundation
Chairman Tonio Fenech said that a television crew will be in Malta to film a documentary about the
exhibition.
• 22 April 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius,
addressed the Council of the EU meeting on the Common Agriculture Policy reform, in Luxembourg.
Dr Agius said that olive trees in Malta have an environmental and social value, given Malta's
‘Objective One’ status and the very dry climate.
• 22 April 2004 The National Statistics Office reported that a total of 792 working men and 103 working
women had suffered an injury in the course of their work in the first quarter of 2004. Many of the
occupational injuries are reported to have occurred in the manufacturing and construction sectors.
Many of the claimants for the injury benefit in the early months of 2004 work in the Grand Harbour
districts.
• 22 April 2004 The Broadcasting Authority decided to revise the current format of its audience survey
and has entrusted the National Statistics Office with the compilation of the relevant statistical
information. The survey will no longer be limited to one week of broadcasting per six months, but will

e ongoing. The first quarterly report is expected to be published some time in October or November
this year.
• 23 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami received messages of congratulations on his
appointment from Pope John Paul II, US President George W Bush, Portuguese President Jorge
Sampaio, and Slovak President Rudolf Schuster. President Bush also congratulated Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi on his appointment.
• 23 April 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that Air Malta could no longer continue to
support the tourism industry if it continued to be burdened with the ‘horrific disincentive’ of losing
more money the more flights it operated. He said that Air Malta must operate routes that return profits,
cut its operational costs and increase its sales if it were to survive. Dr Gatt was speaking at the
inauguration of the 11th edition of AMITEX - the Air Malta International Travel Exhibition.
• 23 April 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that, as from May 1, Malta stands to
benefit from increased intra-European travel. He said that EU membership also meant that it will be
much easier for low-cost airlines to operate to and from the Island. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking at
the inauguration of the 11th edition of AMITEX.
• 23 April 2004 Environment Minister George Pullicino said that the temporary storage facility for
domestic waste built next to the Maghtab dump should start operating on May 1. The site has enough
space to store up to one year's worth of municipal solid waste generated in the Maltese Islands, for a
period of three years," Mr Pullicino said.
• 23 April 2004 Minister for Competitiveness and Communications Censu Galea said that the final draft
of the national broadband strategy for Malta, drawn up jointly by the Malta Communications Authority
and the IT and Investment Ministry, had been presented to the National Information Society Advisory
Council. Mr Galea was attending the Informal Ministerial Conference on broadband technology, held
in Dublin.
• 23 April 2004 The Minister of IT and Investment, Austin Gatt, said that fifteen employees had been
laid off from Interprint, in an 11th hour attempt to save the company from closure. Dr Gatt was
addressing the company’s Board of Directors. In September 2003, the company owed its creditors
Lm829,000, which is being covered by the Government through MIMCOL. The Government is the
sole shareholder of Interprint.
• 23 April 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that 106,202kg of fresh fish was landed at the
fish market in the first quarter of the year. This is an increase of nearly 50 per cent over the same
quarter last year. The wholesale value of fish landings in the first three months of 2004 was
Lm208,149, an increase of Lm19,805 (+10.5 per cent) from Lm188,344.
• 24 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami read out one of the stories found in Father Giuseppe
Delia’s collection of legends to some three hundred children gathered at St James Cavalier. The event
was held in celebration of World Book Day.
• 24 April 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that the document ‘A National Broadband
Strategy’, which is a joint initiative of the IT and Investment Ministry and the Communications
Authority, aims to propel Malta into "the champions' league" of broadband technologies in the next
five years. Dr Gatt was speaking to reporters at the end of a meeting of the National Council for IT
Strategy.
• 24 April 2004 An assessment mission from the Directorate General Transport and Energy of the
European Commission assisted by the European Maritime Safety Agency rated as positive Malta's
efforts to align its maritime policies with the European Union. The mission said that most of the
commitments of the maritime action plan prepared by the Malta Maritime Authority had been fulfilled,
or would be fulfilled by May 1.
• 24 April 2004 The Governor of the Central Bank, Michael Bonello, said that the Maltese lira was well
suited for the early introduction of the Euro but pointed out that this was futile unless the financial
criteria were met. Mr Bonello was being interviewed by The Times newspaper after addressing a
symposium on EMU and the new EU member states, held by the University in collaboration with the
European Association of Development Research.

• 24 April 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Finance Ministry, Tonio Fenech, said that significant
advantages could be derived from membership of the euro area. He said that business and industry
would save on transaction costs and reduce exchange risks while also benefiting from financial market
integration. Price transparency would also reduce relative price distortions and increase competition,
Mr Fenech said.
• 24 April 2004 Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina said that the principle of social
inclusion often meant working across disciplines and departments. “It is only through a client-centred
approach that we may enhance the quality of service that the Government offers to a wide spectrum of
users," she said. Ms Cristina was speaking on the occasion of the handing-over of two apartments to
the Richmond Foundation by the Housing Authority.
• 24 April 2004 The Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment has set up a committee to draw up
a strategy for organic farming for Malta. The Committee, made up of various NGOs and chaired by the
Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, will be studying a
report by two Italian experts from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari.
• 24 April 2004 US Ambassador Anthony Gioia said that, thanks to the course given by the US Coast
Guard, Malta is on the right track to ratify the ISPS code. Mr Gioia defined the training course as the
latest example of close Malta-US cooperation to improve maritime and port security.
• 24 April 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the private sector spent
over Lm17 million on books, newspapers and magazines last year, an increase of 34 per cent from the
Lm13 million spent in 1993. In contrast, the importation of printed material last year stood at 3.9
million items, a drop of 14 per cent over the previous year.
• 24 April 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the rate of inflation
reached 1.75 per cent in March 2004, up from a low of 1.05 per cent in October 2003. The inflation
rate stood at 1.70 in February 2004 and at 1.46 per cent in March 2003. In March 2004, the Retail
Prices Index went up by 0.42 per cent to 102.66 from 102.23 in the previous month.
• 25 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the challenge of addressing the social,
environmental, and economic factors which are all relevant to sustainable development was
stimulating. Dr Gonzi said that the challenge for every country, including ours, is to create economic
opportunities without damaging its natural resources. The Prime Minister was addressing an all-day
conference, ‘Towards a strategy for the sustainable development’, held at the Hotel Corinthia San
Gorg.
• 25 April 2004 Closing the conference, Environment Minister George Pullicino emphasised the need
for collective participation in devising a strategy for sustainable development for the Maltese Islands.
Mr Pullicino said that ethics and a strong political will were necessary if Malta were to take good
decisions that took account of environmental, social and developmental issues together.
• 25 April 2004 The Government, the Public Broadcasting Services, and the General Workers Union
signed three agreements, bringing down the workforce from 183 to 64. The agreements deal with the
redeployment of workers and the introduction of early retirement schemes, and a new collective
agreement. The agreement includes radical changes in shifts and the elimination of half-days in
summer.
• 25 April 2004 Mr Paul Mifsud, currently Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Resources and
Infrastructure, has been appointed by the UN Secretary-General as co-ordinator of the secretariat of the
UN Environment Programme's Mediterranean Action Plan, based in Athens. The UNEP MAP serves
as the secretariat for the Barcelona Convention (1975) on the prevention of pollution in the
Mediterranean.
• 26 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami said that St Publius was a Maltese, Malta's first
bishop, a representative and administrator of the Roman Empire, and a civil administrator of Malta.
This, said Dr Fenech-Adami, should help the Maltese understand better the intimate link in Malta
between the civil and Church administrations. The President was speaking at the Vilhena Band Club,
in Floriana, on the occasion of the feast of St.Publius.
• 26 April 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami laid a wreath during a ceremony at the Pietà Military
Cemetery to mark the 89th anniversary of Anzac Day. The remembrance service was organised by the

Australian High Commission and the Royal British Legion to commemorate the Australians and New
Zealanders who died in action at Gallipoli in 1915 and in subsequent military actions.
• 26 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received a message of congratulations on his
appointment from Kazakhstan Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov.
• 27 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received messages of congratulations from Sri Lankan
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mexican President Vicente Fox, and New Zealand Prime
Minister Helen Clark.
• 27 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, in the presence of Resources and Infrastructure
Minister Ninu Zammit, inaugurated the Upper Barrakka garden following an embellishment
programme that cost Lm250,000. The work included the planting of fifty new trees, new paving, new
benches and street furniture, and the installation of a new lighting system. The work also involved the
restoration of the garden's 22 monuments and marble plaques.
• 27 April 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, said that in
February and March the Government of Argentina had protested through two notes verbal over Malta's
and other countries' participation in a Commonwealth parliamentary conference in the Falkland
Islands. Mr Dalli said that the protests were made in the context of the dispute between Argentina and
Britain over sovereignty over the Islands. The Minister was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 27 April 2004 The US Embassy in Malta has been in touch with the Maltese Government to discuss
ways in which the two countries can benefit from new opportunities in sectors like trade and
investment in view of the impending lifting of US sanctions on Libya. "Certainly the entire region
should benefit from increased security and reduced political tensions as a result of Libya's decision to
dismantle its weapons of mass destruction programmes," a spokesman for the US Embassy said.
• 27 April 2004 The Union Haddiema Maghqudin's social pact document was discussed at a round table
conference involving trade unions, constituted bodies, independent consultants, government ministers
and representatives of political parties. The 52-page document Social Pact for Malta proposes that
social partners should establish and agree upon a limit on wage increases over the next two years and
that the Government should make a commitment not to increase direct or indirect taxation.
• 27 April 2004 The Government has launched the e-procurement framework, aimed at increasing
transparency and achieving better value for money for the Government in its procurement expenditure.
The Central Information Management Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister has for the past
year been investing in the development of an e-procurement framework and a supporting e-
procurement software system. The e-procurement system is available on the procurement website.
www.cimu.gov.mt/documents/e-procurement_framework.pdf
www.e-procurement.gov.mt
• 27 April 2004 Lombard Bank Malta's commemorative issue of limited edition silver ingots, marking
Malta's accession to the EU, sold out in a matter of days. The Bank said the success of the limited
edition of 2,000 pure silver ingots encouraged it to mark other momentous and historical events with
similar issues in the future.
• 28 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received a message of congratulations from the Prime
Minister of Jamaica, PJ Patterson.
• 28 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received representatives of the General Workers' Union
and the Union Haddiema Maghqudin in separate meetings at Auberge de Castille. The GWU
delegation, headed by General Secretary Tony Zarb, reiterated its stand that the Government must seek
dialogue with the social partners in order to create more jobs. UHM General Secretary Gejtu Vella told
Dr Gonzi that the Union would work towards social dialogue.
• 28 April 2004 Minister for Competitiveness and Communications Censu Galea stated that, “A
successful development of new technologies and their respective integration into practical applications,
aided with a workforce constituted of a vastly improved knowledge base, is crucial for future
competitiveness.” Mr Galea was addressing the last informal meeting of the EU Council before
enlargement.

• 28 April 2004 Addressing a public lecture at the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, in Valletta,
Edward Thorpe, who is Accession and Policy Officer of AGE - the European Older People's Platform
– said that the over-50s are finding it increasingly difficult to find a job. Mr Thorpe was in Malta at the
invitation of the National Association of Pensioners.
• 28 April 2004 A report drawn up by the World Economic Forum entitled 'The Lisbon Review 2004',
says that Malta is outperforming a number of EU countries in areas like the information society and
social inclusion. The report, however, shows Malta lagging behind in areas like sustainable
development and innovation, and research and development. The WEF has ranked Malta in fourth
place among the EU accession countries, after Estonia, Slovenia and Latvia.
• 28 April 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, had discussions
with a monitoring team from the Merchant Shipping Directorate. The team found that a constantly
higher number of inspections had been carried out since 2000, with 70% of trading ships currently on
the Maltese register being inspected, compared to 40% four years ago.
• 28 April 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that surveys carried out by the
Malta Tourism Authority show that British tourists (85%) are the most likely to return on a holiday to
Malta, followed by 78% of Germans, 72% of Italians and 50% of the French. Dr Zammit Dimech was
speaking at the launch of Malta International Airport's new company logo and corporate identity.
• 28 April 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's London office launched an outdoor advertising
campaign aimed at boosting sales for this summer. The three-week campaign features a new
advertisement on 2,025 double-decker buses across the UK.
• 28 April 2004 The partners of the Nissos project, consisting of 11 organisations from the five island
territories of Malta, Aland Islands (Finland), Saaremaa (Estonia), Iceland and the Scottish Isles, met in
Malta for a workshop at the Jerma Palace Hotel. The Nissos project aims to study successful smallscale
manufacturing in small island territories.
• 28 April 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that, in March 2004, there were 8,420
registered unemployed with the Employment and Training Corporation, compared with 7,564 the same
month in 2003. The unemployment rate in November 2003 stood at 5.7% of the labour supply,
unchanged from the previous month.
• 28 April 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the number of cruise passengers in the first three
months of this year was down by 62% over the same period last year. The number of cruise passengers
went down from 7,178 to 2,753. In March this year, the number of cruise passengers went down by
1,947 over the same month last year to 2,400 from 4,347.
• 28 April 2004 The Malta Cruise Network participated in the Seatrade Cruise Convention in Miami,
the largest convention in the world for the cruise liner industry. Over 800 cruise liner representatives
along with participants from 105 countries, including Malta attended the exhibition.
• 28 April 2004 The Central Bank of Malta issued a gold coin to mark Malta's accession to the European
Union. The gold proof coin, which is legal tender in Malta for the value of Lm25, was struck at the
Royal Mint in the UK. www.centralbankmalta.com mcdc@centralbankmalta.com
• 29 April 2004 During a visit to the Malta Dairy Products plant in Hamrun, Prime Minister Lawrence
Gonzi was shown the plans for the restructured dairy. The MDP has invested Lm1.3 million in the
company and a current Lm2 million modernisation project is being implemented in conjunction with
Austrian and Italian companies specialised in this sector.
• 29 April 2004 Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, inaugurated a new road
constructed by VISET Malta p.l.c., as part of the Valletta Waterfront Regeneration Project. Addressing
the media, Minister Mugliett praised VISET for designing and constructing the road to high standards.
The road was designed in a way so as to avoid any impact on the structure of the Floriana and Valletta
Bastions.
• 29 April 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that workers of the government-owned
Industrial Projects and Services Limited would be redeployed to the private sector, under a new
agreement between the Government and the Federation of Industry. Thanks to the arrangement, the

482 ex-shipyard workers will be retrained and employed by the private sector over a three-year
transition period.
• 29 April 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that the
Government has identified a stretch of land at Tal-Kus, between Ghajnsielem and Xewkija, to be used
as a permanent transfer station of waste on its way from Gozo to Malta. Gozo produces between 25
and 50 tons of waste daily, depending on the time of year.
• 29 April 2004 The Director General of the British Council, David Green, said that the council uses the
arts to project the UK of 2004. As far as Malta is concerned, Mr Green said, the older generation
already has "very good" connections with the UK.
• 29 April 2004 Bank of Valletta signed a three-year agreement with the Maltese American Chamber of
Commerce. Through this agreement, Bank of Valletta is being recognised as the Chamber's official
bank and sponsor.
• 29 April 2004 Education Minister Louis Galea said in reply to a parliamentary question that the
Government has no immediate plans to raise compulsory school age to 18, from the current 16.
• 29 April 2004 Air Malta has set up a base in the UK to operate charter flights from Birmingham and
Manchester to a number of European destinations, mainly in Greece and Spain, between May and
October. The project, he said, was being seen as another opportunity to capitalise on intra-European
activities made possible by Malta's EU membership.
• 30 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received a message of congratulations from the Prime
Minister of Singapore, Goh Chok Tong.
• 30 April 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed the hope that the European Parliament
elections campaign would steer away from partisan politics. However, Dr Gonzi urged the electorate to
reflect deeply on which party had remained consistent in its foreign policy and to elect those candidates
that would best serve the country in the European context.
• 30 April 2004 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg approved the
credentials of the changed Parliamentary Delegation of Malta, which now includes the Parliamentary
Secretary for the Elderly Helen D'Amato. During the same session, Government MP Jeffrey Pullicino
Orlando took up his position as vice-President of the Assembly.
• 30 April 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea inaugurated the
National Laboratory of Metrology, at the Business Incubation Centre, in Kordin. Mr Galea said: “We
are the newest and by far the smallest National Metrology Institute in the world.”
• 30 April 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that the second agreement between the
Government and Microsoft has been concluded. Dr. Gatt was speaking at the launch of the National
Informatics Competition sponsored by the Ministry.
• 30 April 2004 Dwejra, which is considered to be of significant ecological, geological and historic
importance, is to become a coastal heritage park. The project is being undertaken in partnership by the
Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the World Wildlife Fund in Italy, and Nature Trust
(Malta) through EU funding under its LIFE Programme.
• 30 April 2004 The Minister for Resources and Infrastructure Ninu Zammit presented warrants to a
group of 58 new engineers. Most of the engineers were graduates of the University of Malta.
• 30 April 2004 The Department of Civil Registration announced that passports issued in Malta will
bear the words Unjoni Ewropea on the front cover. Any passport issued before May 1, the Department
said, would remain valid until its expiry date. The Passport Office can be contacted on e-mail
civil.registration@gov.mt
• 30 April 2004 Dr Tony Abela, the Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, said
that new Customs procedures on imports had been drawn up following consultation with all the
stakeholders, including the VAT Department, Customs, the commercial sector, and the National
Statistics Office.

• 30 April 2004 During a business breakfast organised by The Malta Business Weekly, EU Ambassador
Ronald Gallimore said that Libya's decision to open up to the world placed Malta in an "enviable"
position with its accession to the European Union. Thanks to the fine relationship enjoyed between
Malta and Libya over the years, EU countries would certainly listen to what Malta had to say about its
North African neighbour, noted Mr Gallimore.
• 30 April 2004 Figures published in a study called ‘Protecting Abused Children: The Maltese Context’
by Sara Soler from the Appogg research office show that child protection services last year received
20% more child abuse referrals over the previous year. The study was presented to over 200
professionals from various fields during a seminar organised by Appogg, chaired by Commissioner for
Children Sonia Camilleri.
• 30 April 2004 The Department of Social Security established an international relations unit to liaise
between the department's units handling claims under EU regulations and its counterparts in member
states. Queries or requests for information may be addressed to the International Relations Unit,
Department of Social Security, on e-mail iru.dss@gov.mt.
• 30 April 2004 Two Ambassadors presented their credentials to President Edward Fenech-Adami.
Maria do Cormo Allegro de Magalhaes is the Ambassador of Portugal, and Branko Lukovac is the
Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro. The President and Mrs Fenech-Adami later hosted the newlyaccredited
ambassadors to a luncheon at San Anton Palace.
• 30 April 2004 The Central Bank of Malta left the central intervention rate unchanged at three per cent.
The decision was taken by the Governor at the end of the Monetary Policy Advisory Council meeting.
• 30 April 2004 The European Central Bank and Eurostat have published, for the first time, statistics on
long-term interest rates for nine EU acceding countries, including Malta. These interest rates have been
defined jointly by the European Central Bank, the national central banks of the acceding countries, and
Eurostat. Further details are available from the ECB's website or Eurostat's website www.ecb.int
www.europa.eu.int/comm/eurostat
• 30 April 2004 A revised Electoral Register for General Elections and for Local Councils, as well as the
European Union Electoral Register, was published in the Government Gazette of the 27 th April, 2004.
• 30 April 2004 The National Statistics Office said that, in the first quarter, 7.6 million kilograms of
fresh fruit and vegetables passed through the official markets, an increase of 2.7% compared to the
same period last year. The wholesale value of fresh fruit and vegetables increased by 11.1% to Lm2
million.
MAY
• 1 May 2004 British Prime Minister Tony Blair sent a message of welcome to the people of Malta and
Gozo on the occasion of Malta's entry into the European Union. The message started off, “Ir-Renju
Unit jilqa’ b’ferh kbir lill-poplu Malti u Ghawdxi fl-Unjoni Ewropea” and ended with the word
"Prosit".
• 1 May 2004 Malta entered the European Union in a blaze of glory last night as the bloc embarked on
its biggest expansion in history. Millions of television viewers around Europe and the world tuned in to
a magnificent light display in Grand Harbour created by German light architect Gert Hof and Ross
Ashton’s projection of images from Malta's history projected onto Fort St Angelo.
• 1 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi marked the occasion of Malta’s membership with a 10-
second recorded message transmitted across the Grand Harbour. Dr Gonzi said: "This evening I am
proud to be a Maltese in Malta, and a Maltese in Europe.”
• 1 May 2004 The EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, started a
two-day visit to Malta. He expressed hope that enlargement would bring about more coherence to the
EU's decision-making process. "One would hope that the skills demonstrated in the accession
negotiations from the new members will add some vitamins to the general capability of decisionmaking
in the Europe of 25," he said.

• 1 May 2004 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that the Government's debt went
up by Lm145.7 million at the end of March, to Lm1,279.5 million, an increase of 12.9 per cent. The
structural deficit during the first quarter amounted to Lm58.2 million, an increase of Lm0.6 million
from a shortfall of Lm57.6 million for the same period last year.
• 1 May 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that Malta was no longer an exclusively
sand and sun destination. He announced that a third of the roughly 1.2 million annual visitors came for
the culture and history, for underwater diving, conferences and incentives, or to learn English. Dr
Zammit Dimech was speaking during a conference on tourism organised by the General Workers'
Union.
• 1 May 2004 Environment Minister George Pullicino has presented a national action plan on climatic
change that includes concrete measures that Malta would be taking to have an environmentally friendly
infrastructure. Mr Pullicino said that, as a signatory of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, Malta will be making the necessary changes to meet the challenges posed by a change
in climate.
• 1 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Francis Agius, was shown round the
Delicata winery and cellars in Marsa by Managing Director George Delicata. The two-year transition
period allowing local winemakers to continue displaying the vintage year and grape variety on labels
of wine made from imported grapes was among matters discussed.
• 1 May 2004 Bank of Valletta chairman Joseph Zahra announced that the bank had posted pre-tax
profits of Lm8 million for the six-month period ending March 2004, up by 25.1 per cent. The increase
in profits was matched by several other positive indicators, including a strong increase in loans (up 8.6
per cent), with customer deposits remaining stable in spite of the downturn in the economy.
• 1 May 2004 Mario C. Grech, Chairman of the Middlesea Group, announced consolidated group profits
after tax of Lm1.07 million (€2.5m) for the year ended December 31, 2003 (Lm1.14 million in 2002).
The Middlesea Board is recommending the payment of a dividend of 5c per share, totalling Lm625,000
(Lm568,750 in 2002).
• 2 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was among the leaders of the 25-nation bloc members
from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean who were present for the flag-raising ceremony which saw
the entry of 10 new members into the European Union. Children of immigrants to Ireland from the 24
other EU nations presented folded flags to the leaders, who handed them over to Irish army cadets, to
be raised to the strains of Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
• 2 May 2004 Archbishop Joseph Mercieca called for Malta's contribution to help Europe rediscover and
embrace its Christian roots. Mgr Mercieca was speaking at a High Mass celebrated at St John's Co-
Cathedral to mark Malta's accession to the EU attended by the President and Mrs Fenech-Adami and
the Acting Prime Minister and Mrs Tonio Borg, amongst others.
• 2 May 2004 In an address to mark Malta's accession to the EU, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said
that in the EU, the Maltese could live their identity in a full way, since the EU is a big family that
beautifully brings out the identity of every individual nation. "Our work has not stopped with
accession. It has just started," said Dr Gonzi.
Sound and video recordings of the Address can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-
%2001.05.04%20pmspeech.asp
• 2 May 2004 Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna fired for the first time the newly-installed noonday gun in a reenactment
at the Saluting Battery of the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The event was organised by FWA in
collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority. Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that
several rehabilitation and restoration projects had been carried out in Valletta in the last few years at an
investment of more than Lm13 million.
• 2 May 2004 The Maltese Mission to the European Union is now the Permanent Representation of
Malta to the EU following Malta's accession. The Permanent Representation will be headed by Richard
Cachia Caruana, Permanent Representative of Malta to the EU. The office can be contacted at Rue
Belliard 65-67, 1040 Brussels, Belgium, and on e-mail: maltarep@gov.mt

• 3 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that EU membership meant that the debate that had
lasted over 10 years and which had taken a lot of energy was now over. He spoke on the historic
significance of an enlarged Europe, of which Malta was proud to form part, and about the need to
reform the political debate to ensure that parties compete between themselves about who did most for
the country. Dr Gonzi was addressing a political activity in Ta' Qali.
• 3 May 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami visited the European Village in Palace Square, Valletta.
Twenty-one EU member states, two applicant countries, the European Commission, the European
Parliament and the Malta-EU Information Centre have mounted stalls there to promote their product.
Dr Fenech-Adami said the Maltese were today proud to become European citizens and were looking
forward to injecting their identity and culture into the EU.
• 4 May 2004 The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Ahani, was the first dignitary to visit Malta
since it joined the EU. In a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment, John Dalli,
the Deputy Minister expressed his hope for more cooperation with Malta and stressed the importance
of diplomacy between countries.
• 4 May 2004 Architect Vincent Cassar, who is the vice-Chairman of the international jury set up to
choose the winner of the international competition for the design of the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim
Heritage Park, announced that the winner was Walter Hunziger from Berne. The winning designs
include a tent-like transparent structure spanning some 50 metres over the prehistoric temples.
• 4 May 2004 Figures relating to telecommunications access released by the National Statistics Office
show that the number of internet subscriptions reached 80,453 in the first quarter this year,
representing an increase of 10,219 or 14.5 per cent over the same quarter in 2003. The number of
mobile subscriptions went up by 16,274 or 5.9 per cent. Cable television subscriptions edged upwards
by 3.6 per cent to 99,732 when compared to 96,240 in the first quarter of 2003.
• 4 May 2004 Commenting on the NSO figures, the Minister for Competitiveness and Communications,
Censu Galea, said: “With a state-of-the-art telecommunications sector in place, Malta within the EU
will have an added value to actively compete even more within the business sector and thus fostering
further prosperity and socio-economic stability.”
• 4 May 2004 The Malta Communications Authority approved Maltacom's application to drastically
reduce its international rates, but approved only minor changes to the local rates. The MCA said that it
had taken into consideration all the cost accounting and operational information provided by
Maltacom, as well as the various representations made by a number of interested parties and
stakeholders during the broad consultative process undertaken.
• 5 May 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami visited the UK stand at the European Village that has
been set up in Palace Square, Valletta. Dr Fenech-Adami was greeted by British High Commissioner
and Mrs Fean. The theme of the stand is ‘A Celebration of Ethnic Diversity in the UK’.
• 5 May 2004 A number of officials from the European Parliament took part in the debate on the
European Parliament organised by the European student organisation Aegee Valletta and the EP
Valletta office. Ron Evers from EP Valletta said the EP had wide powers that were being strengthened.
Mr Evers said that it was also the only democratically elected body of the EU.
• 5 May 2004 Maltacom demanded protection from the Malta Communications Authority over the
Voice-Over-Internet Protocol challenge. Maltacom is arguing that VOIP providers are offering the
public extremely cheap international rates by using its network and not contributing a cent. Maltacom
said this situation had to be rectified, and whoever was using the Company's lines should contribute to
its excess deficit.
• 5 May 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that recurrent revenue last year amounted to
Lm739.2 million and made up 95.9 per cent of the budget forecast for the year. NSO said that,
compared to the previous year, recurrent revenue increased by Lm19.4 million, or 2.7 per cent, and
total expenditure for 2003 (excluding contributions to the sinking fund and direct loan repayments)
amounted to Lm844.7 million, an increase of Lm37.2 million, or 4.6 per cent, over the Lm807.5
million expended in 2002.

• 5 May 2004 A Ministry for Gozo spokesman announced the temporary closure of the Gozo slaughterhouse
due to the fact that it did not comply with EU standards. He said that, for the interval, butchers
and farmers would be taking their produce to Malta.
• 6 May 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that, with Malta joining the EU and
becoming Europe's southern frontier, the state-of-the-art border security system donated by the US
Government for use at the Malta International Airport would be invaluable in the fight against
terrorism, organised crime, and illegal immigration. Dr Borg was speaking in the presence of US
Ambassador Anthony Gioia during the inauguration of the security equipment.
• 6 May 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt launched a national broadcasting policy which
aims to give Public Broadcasting Services a fresh start "within a sustainable financial environment". Dr
Gatt was speaking during a joint conference which was also addressed by Tourism and Culture
Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, whose portfolio includes broadcasting policy.
• 6 May 2004 The European Parliament approved EU Commissioners from the new member states. The
enlarged Commission included former Foreign Minister Joe Borg, who was assigned to work with the
EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson. The session also gave the
green light to former Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici to serve on the European Court of
Auditors.
• 6 May 2004 A number of MEPs pleaded with EU leaders to include a reference to Europe's Christian
heritage in the future European Constitution and to take into consideration the fact that many European
citizens were in favour of this reference. Those who addressed the news conference included Dr Mario
de Marco, from the European People's Party.
• 6 May 2004 Fitch Ratings, the international rating agency, assigned country ceiling ratings to the 10
new members of the European Union. Malta has been given a rating of 'A'. The new country ceiling
ratings are two notches above each sovereign's own long-term foreign currency rating. The country
ceiling ratings will replace the sovereign long-term foreign currency rating, as the effective cap on all
ratings within each country.
• 6 May 2004 The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion,
Gaetan Naudi, opened a workshop on the universality and implementation of the Chemical Weapons
Convention, co-hosted by the Government of Malta and the Organisation for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons, in Qawra. Representatives from countries of the Mediterranean region, Africa, the
European Union and Asia attended.
• 7 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi met representatives of women organisations in the first of
a series of meetings organised with representatives of civil society. Dr Gonzi stressed that, although
civil society had been contributing to the country's well-being for a long time, it was only recently that
its work had been recognised.
• 7 May 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea inaugurated the EUCEET II
General Assembly organised by the Department of Building and Civil Engineering at the University of
Malta on behalf of EUCEET. The Malta General Assembly is the second assembly for the EUCEET II
period. Attending the two-day working meeting were 92 participants from various universities and
technical institutes in 26 European countries.
• 7 May 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, attended a European
Union Presidency Ministerial Conference in Dublin, Ireland, with the theme ‘Guidance and Lifelong
learning – Future Directions’. Minister Galea emphasised the need of having national policy strategies
for the development of effective guidance services.
• 7 May 2004 The workshop on the universality and implementation of the Chemical Weapons
Convention, co-hosted by the Government of Malta and the Organisation for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons, was addressed by Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, Director General of the OPCW.
• 7 May 2004 Health Minister Louis Deguara stressed the importance of giving personalised service to
patients. Dr Deguara was speaking at the launch of two Quality Service Charters, one dealing with
patients needing treatment abroad, and the other with yellow card holders. The yellow card entitles
holders to free medicines.

• 7 May 2004 Joe Degabriele, who is the general manager of the dockyard facility Malta Super Yacht
Services, said that the facility would be launching its new brand name at the SEAS super yacht and
services show in Nice at the end of the month. Mr Degabriele said: “The facility is now established.
We are very confident about the future.”
• 8 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that the Government is to set up a unit to
monitor the operations of all its corporations and companies in a bid to eliminate waste. The unit, to be
set up in the coming weeks, will also guarantee that recruitment is in line with government policy.
Addressing a press conference, Dr Gonzi insisted that his Government was prepared to take tough
decisions even if they carried a political price.
An audio recording of the press conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%2007.05.04media.asp
• 8 May 2004 Malta and Austria signed an agreement on the representation of Malta by Austrian
consular authorities in granting visas for transit and short stays. Within the framework of this
agreement, Austria will represent Malta in granting visas for transit and short stays in Malta. The
agreement was signed during an official/private visit in Malta by Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang
Schuessel.
• 8 May 2004 Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel said that the EU should concentrate on the
substance of the European Constitution, then on the ratification by the Parliaments of the different
member states, and then on national referenda. Mr Schuessel said he believed that one way of avoiding
national referenda, which would be adding pressure on the process, was to have a Europe-wide
referendum. Mr Schuessel was speaking during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Lawrence
Gonzi.
• 8 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he and Mr Schuessel had discussed the
possibilities of extending bilateral relations. Addressing the joint conference, Dr Gonzi said that there
was a strong Austrian presence in the banking sector in Malta, and an Austrian company was involved
in the running of Malta's airport. He said that the discussions had also touched upon Malta's potential
as a base for the development of business opportunities in North African countries.
An audio recording of the joint press conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-
%2007.05.04schuessel.asp
• 8 May 2004 Chancellor Schuessel addressed the PN general council. He said that the EU was neither
hell nor paradise, but a most reasonable project in European history. However, Mr Schuessel said, it
was a shame that Europe's Christian values were not being mentioned in the discussions for the new
European Constitution. These values were what made Europe what it was today, concluded the
Chancellor.
• 8 May 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, participated in the
EuroMed mid-term ministerial meeting in Dublin. Mr Dalli said that discussions on a wide range of
issues had taken place, particularly the Middle East Peace process, Iraq, the EU Strategic Partnership
for the Mediterranean and the Middle East, as well as the European Neighbourhood Policy. Ministers
had also discussed political and economic reform in the Arab world.
• 8 May 2004 Bank of Valletta has invested €1.5 million in shareholding in the European Investment
Fund, a tripartite organisation involving the European Investment Bank, the European Commission,
and a number of European banks and financial institutions. EIF supports the growth and creation of
enterprises, through capital and guarantee instruments, using either its own funds or those available
within a framework of mandate entrusted to it by the EIB or the European Commission.
• 8 May 2004 A spokesman for the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry confirmed that Maltese citizens
can travel to all the other 24 member states using their ID cards. "The passport, however, is still needed
for people to move in and out of the European Union," he said.
• 9 May 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami received two messages from Palestinian President
Yasser Arafat, one to congratulate him on his appointment, and another expressing satisfaction at
Malta's EU membership. Palestinian Ambassador Awad Yakhlef presented the letter to the President at
the Palace in Valletta.

• 9 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, in just eight days since Malta joined the EU,
significant changes had already taken place. Bureaucracy was being whittled down, persons could
move freely around Europe, several food prices were down, and two Maltese representatives - Dr Joe
Borg and Professor Josef Bonnici – had been appointed to top EU posts. Dr Gonzi was speaking at the
end of the Party's two-day general council.
• 9 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi paid an official visit to Archbishop Joseph Mercieca. Dr
Gonzi spoke about Malta’s new reality as a member of the EU and emphasised the importance of
solidarity, which was so important to society. The Prime Minister also stressed the positive aspects of
the Maltese in their relations with one another.
• 9 May 2004 The third edition of the Malta Tourism Authority's Malta Fireworks Festival brought to a
close the celebrations for Malta's entry into the EU. Thousands of people crammed vantage points in
Valletta and around Grand Harbour to watch the display.
• 10 May 2004 The heads and members of different religions in Malta met at St John's Co-Cathedral for
‘the blessing of Europe’, an inter-religious musical celebration to mark Europe Day. The service,
which included the participation of President Edward Fenech-Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence
Gonzi, included a concert conducted by Swedish music director Manfred Honeck.
• 10 May 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami presented the Kerygma Movement Youth of the Year
Award for 2003 to drama teacher David Muscat, from Sliema. Mr Muscat, 25, was selected from
among 14 nominees by a selection board chaired by Dr George Abela. The President thanked the
founders and activists of Kerygma for the valuable work in helping young people find their role in life.
• 10 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the advantages of European Union
membership were already being felt by small enterprises. In fact, he said, a few days after accession,
small business owners were already commenting about the positive impact. Dr Gonzi was speaking
during a public discussion in Paola.
• 10 May 2004 Film Commissioner Oliver Mallia said that the production team responsible for the
filming of the epic movie ‘Troy’ spent Lm11.8 million while on location in Malta last year. Mr Mallia
said that the multiplier effect of audiovisual productions was such that every $1 spent generated $3 into
the economy. This fact, said Mr Mallia, highlighted the importance of attracting major productions to
Malta's shores.
• 11 May 2004 Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Gonzi attended a meeting of the Council
for Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Union, in Brussels. Dr Gonzi was accompanied
by Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech. The meeting was devoted to the management of healthcare
expenditure, broad economy policy guidelines, financial services, and the European Investment Bank’s
external lending.
• 11 May 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, announced three
new enterprise schemes which Malta Enterprise was launching to support small and medium-sized
enterprises. The schemes will be costing the corporation some Lm654,000. In addition, said Mr Dalli,
the corporation will be providing Lm1.2 million in guarantees to facilitate loans.
• 11 May 2004 Minister John Dalli informed Parliament that the Government has nominated President
Emeritus Guido de Marco for the post of President of the Commonwealth Foundation. Mr Dalli was
replying to a parliamentary question.
• 11 May 2004 Newly-appointed Attorney General Silvio Camilleri said that his main priority was the
organisation of the AG's office into an agency. "We need to address the new organisation and
distribution of work, particularly to deal with the exigencies of EU membership," he said. Dr Camilleri
explained that EU membership would have an impact on Maltese law, since EU regulations needed to
be implemented.
• 11 May 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, attended the flagship
gender equality conference of the Irish Presidency, entitled ‘New Horizons for Gender Equality’, in
Limerick, Ireland. Ms Cristina also addressed the Ministerial Meeting that followed, expressing
support for the setting-up of a European Gender Institute.

• 11 May 2004 Government has awarded the tenders for road works that are being funded by the 5 th
Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol. The expense on these works is expected to total €30 million (Lm12.5
million). The road works have been divided into three lots, each going to an Italian contractor, as
stipulated by the terms of the protocol. The Italian firms selected to carry out the works are: Ergon
Engineering, F.lli Anastasi Snc, and F.lli Basillotta Srl.
• 11 May 2004 British High Commissioner and Mrs Fean paid an official visit to Farsons Brewery at
Mriehel. They were welcomed by Farsons Group Chief Executive Louis A Farrugia and shown round
the brewery. “This is one of the most progressive, forward-thinking companies in these Islands, with
very clear ideas on how to take advantage of Malta's EU membership," said the High Commissioner.
• 11 May 2004 The Electoral Commission started receiving nominations for three forthcoming elections:
those for the European Parliament elections, to be held on June 12, and nominations for local council
elections, to be held on the same day. Nominations were also received for the casual election to elect a
new Member of Parliament to fill in a vacancy on the ninth district, following the resignation of Dr Joe
Borg to become a European Commissioner. Nominations in all three cases close on Wednesday 12 th
May.
• 11 May 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, tourism declined by 9.3 per cent to 65,019 in
March over the same month last year. In the first quarter, 164,739 tourists came to Malta, a decline of
3.2 per cent when compared with the 170,176 tourists in the same quarter last year. In the period under
review, total earnings decreased by Lm6.1 million or 9.8 per cent, to Lm56.1 million.
• 11 May 2004 The Governments of Malta and the United States are hosting a Global Trans-shipment
Controls Workshop between today and Friday 14 th , focussing on identifying ways in which countries
can strengthen their export control systems to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, their
delivery systems, related dual-use items, and advanced conventional arms. US Ambassador Anthony
Gioia is scheduled to open the conference.
• 12 May 2004 The Government has reached agreement with Hewlett Packard on a memorandum of
understanding to form a vertical strategic alliance, deemed by both sides as ‘extremely important’. In
effect, the agreement stipulates that HP will use Malta as a test base and a launching pad, and establish
the Island as a showcase for the company's world-renowned technologies. IT and Investment Minister
Austin Gatt and HP officials addressed the media at the end of their talks.
• 12 May 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech told European Culture Ministers
gathered in Berlin that Maltese art, architecture, and especially language were living evidence of how
European and Semitic dimensions co-existed in Maltese culture, which now formed part of the
enlarged European Union tapestry. Dr Zammit Dimech added that Malta would be working to make
use of its cultural heritage to attract tourists to the country.
• 12 May 2004 Ms Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust of England, Wales and
Northern Ireland, inaugurated the British cemetery, following a 10-year rehabilitation programme by
members of Din l-Art Helwa. The museum includes comprehensive information on burial places
scattered around Malta, a chronology that includes the Tarxien Temples, the Hypogeum, the catacombs
of Rabat and Bingemma, as well as information on Roman and Punic tombs.
• 13 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that tourism was one of his Government's
priorities. He said that a lot still had to be done for the country to better exploit and develop tourism,
but the Government was making an effort to reach high levels of efficiency. Dr Gonzi was addressing a
delegation of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association led by its president, Winston Zahra.
• 13 May 2004 The Prime Minister met a delegation from the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions. Dr
Gonzi said that the meeting provided an opportunity for the discussion of issues of national interest,
such as pension reform and the social pact.
• 13 May 2004 Following a walkabout at Zabbar, the Prime Minister said that small and medium-sized
enterprises were an important sector of the economy. He said that statistics issued recently showed
that, in the last five years, 2,200 new jobs had been created in the sector, especially in small shops.
"The Government always believed that SMEs could create employment," said Dr Gonzi.
• 13 May 2004 A spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office announced that the Government is to
increase the number of technical attachés at its Brussels Embassy by the end of this year in order to

cope with the EU Council working groups and committees held almost on a daily basis. The Permanent
Representation is currently manned by a staff of 25 people who, along with officials from the
Ministries in Malta, cover the main Council working groups.
• 13 May 2004 Six of the European Union's 10 new members, including Malta, were given notice by the
EU that their budget deficits exceeded the bloc's limits. European Economic and Monetary Affairs
Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said that Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Cyprus, Slovakia and
Malta are expected to provide the European Commission by May 15 with a realistic timeframe for
bringing the deficits below the EU limit.
• 13 May 2004 Prof. Jacqueline McGlade, who is the Executive Director of the European Environment
Agency, said that the unavailability of good Maltese language translators for EU-related business has
prevented Maltese from being present on the website of the European Environment Information and
Observation Network. The issue was discussed between a visiting EEA delegation and officials from
the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
• 13 May 2004 Government MP Josef Bonnici resigned from the House of Representatives and from the
European Parliament following his appointment as a member of the European Court of Auditors. His
letter of resignation from Parliament was read out by the Speaker, Anton Tabone, at the opening of the
day’s parliamentary debate.
• 13 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that ideally a discussion should be held between the
Government and the Opposition on the possibility of agreement on the designation of one national day.
Dr Gonzi said that the Government was prepared to hold such talks if the Opposition showed
agreement. The Prime Minister was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 13 May 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said in reply to a parliamentary question that
Malta is still owed $70,725,000 for the building of six timber carriers for Russia by Malta
Shipbuilding. Interest worth $50,718,261 is also due. The ships were built in the 1980s.
• 13 May 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that Palmer Johnson no longer had any
connections with Malta Shipyards. He said that super yacht repairs over the past year were carried out
by Malta Drydocks and Malta Shipyards. Dr Gatt was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 13 May 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the visible trade gap in the first two months of
this year narrowed to Lm39.5 million, from Lm56.4 million in the same period last year. The value of
total imports reached Lm91.5 million in January and Lm94.6 million in February. The value of total
exports for January 2004 shows a decline of Lm1.9 million, from Lm72.7 million in January 2003 to
Lm70.8 million, while total exports for February 2004 went up by Lm7.1 million to Lm75.8 million.
• 13 May 2004 Malta Enterprise Chairman Joe Zammit Tabona announced that ITS Transport Co. Ltd
had informed the corporation that it was no longer interested in producing electric vans in Malta. The
reason for pulling out of Malta was not disclosed.
• 13 May 2004 The Maltese duo Julie and Ludwig placed among the top 10 in the Eurovision Song
Contest semi-finals in Istanbul, keeping Malta in the race for the crown. The nine other countries
which made it were Serbia and Montenegro, The Netherlands, Albania, Ukraine, Croatia, Bosnia
Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Greece, and Cyprus.
• 14 May 2004 Mr Steinthor Palsson, who is the Local Chief Executive Officer of Actavis Ltd., formerly
known as Pharmamed, commemorated the launch of the company’s new corporate identity by
presenting a donation of Lm2,000 to President Edward Fenech-Adami in favour of the Malta
Community Chest Fund. Dr Fenech-Adami expressed his gratitude for the noble gesture.
• 14 May 2004 Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern practically ruled out the possibility of a compromise to
include a reference to Christian heritage in the EU constitution. Mr Ahern was addressing a joint press
conference with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi while on a three-hour working visit to Malta. Mr
Ahern’s visit forms part of a tour of new member states in preparation for the next Intergovernmental
Conference in mid-June.
• 14 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta wanted the 25 member states to come to
an agreement on the Constitution as it would consider this to be a historic achievement for the EU. Dr
Gonzi said: “We believe it would be an extremely positive step forward, and a message to Europe and

the whole world, at a time when, unfortunately, there is a certain amount of discontent or regional
upheaval in other parts of the world."
An audio recording of the joint press conference can be acceded to at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%2013.05.04ahern.asp
• 14 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi appealed to people registering for work to grab every
employment opportunity. He said that there should not be situations where employers did not find
workers to fill in vacancies. Dr Gonzi said that the country's economy was built on small enterprises,
which were creating new opportunities.
• 14 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi called on the candidates for local elections to work to
strengthen the social aspect in their locality, to see how councils could give an economic boost, and to
continue giving importance to the environment. Dr Gonzi said that councillors should appreciate the
responsibility people were placing on them and respect it.
• 14 May 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, who is the Minister responsible for Local
Councils, said that the Government believed in the principle of subsidiarity and wanted to decentralise
power. He said that the fact that the European Parliamentary elections and Local Council elections
were being held simultaneously had a particular significance since one of the main principles of the EU
was in fact subsidiarity.
• 14 May 2004 Malta and Spain agreed to work together in what is known as a ‘twinning light project’
within the framework of the European Social Fund's community initiative Equal. The contract
documents were exchanged by the Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, and
Spanish Ambassador Maria Rose Boceta Ostof. The twinning light project, which has been allocated
€72,000, will last for three months.
• 14 May 2004 Former journalist and media consultant Fr Joe Borg, psychology lecturer Mary Anne
Lauri, and Prof. Dominic Fenech, have been appointed to oversee editorial matters at Public
Broadcasting Services. The editorial board is entrusted with ensuring that PBS lives up to its mission
of serving the state's public broadcasting mission, providing a varied and high-quality range of
programmes in the fields of information, culture, education, and entertainment.
• 14 May 2004 The chairperson of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, Joanna Drake, said
that out of 4,746 occupational accidents last year, 571 or 12 per cent occurred in the construction
industry. Dr Drake said that the Government paid out around Lm5 million annually in sickness benefits
related to occupational accidents. Dr Drake was addressing a seminar, ‘Building in Safety’, to mark
European Week for Safety and Health at Work.
• 14 May 2004 Hewlett Packard and its Maltese partner Megabyte Limited have launched an HP-based
case study on how they delivered a world-first computer solution to the Malta Freeport as a leading
transhipment hub in the Mediterranean. The case study describes the installation of the new IT solution
which will support Malta Freeport's ambitious business objectives by enabling continuous operations
and high levels of customer service.
• 15 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, in recent years, the Government had
recognised the important contribution of civil society in line with the importance given to civil
societies by the European Union. "The upcoming laws shall continue to recognise the importance of
civil society," continued Dr Gonzi.
• 15 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Finance Ministry, Tonio Fenech, said that the
Government has submitted a report to the European Commission outlining a comprehensive plan of
how to rein in the budget deficit within a realistic timeframe. Mr Fenech was interviewed by The Times
newspaper.
• 15 May 2004 The Maltese Islands are being featured in one of France's most popular guide books, Le
Guide du Routard. The inclusion was made possible through an initiative of the Malta Tourism
Authority's Paris office, with the support of Air Malta. The guide will go on sale in 6,000 bookshops in
France, Belgium and Switzerland.
• 16 May 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that Malta was
committed to continue hosting the International Maritime Law Institute of the International Maritime
Institute for many years to come. The Minister said that the Government was also exploring new ideas

to ensure that the maritime sector developed further in Malta, and for Malta to remain at the forefront
of the global maritime sector.
• 17 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Vodafone’s initiative to establish the second
international gateway was a catalyst for further investment, both for businesses already operating in
Malta as well as for foreign businesses wishing to set up a business here, Vodafone’s new gateway will
have an initial capacity of 2.5 Gbits per second, split between voice and IP data
• 17 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the European Parliament elections in June
would not shift the Government's focus from the country's financial problems. Dr Gonzi denied that
problems would be shelved for yet another month to allow election fever to subside. Addressing a
televised press conference, the Prime Minister said that the Government would not cease working to
reach its targets to slash the deficit, according to a three-year deadline it has set for itself.
• 17 May 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, there were 270,056
licensed motor vehicles at the end of March. The NSO said that 202,608 or 75 per cent of these were
private vehicles, while commercial vehicles made up 44,726 or 16.6 per cent.
• 17 May 2004 The 2004 summer edition of the Dutch Bride & Bridegroom magazine dedicates eight
pages to Malta and Gozo, and recommends the Islands as an ideal destination for weddings and
honeymoons. Over 25 additional pages of the magazine cover five separate photo shoots, feathering
various locations around the Maltese Islands as backdrops.
• 17 May 2004 In the 49th Eurovision Song Contest, Malta, represented by popular duo Julie and
Ludwig, placed 12 th .
• 18 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed the hope that the Civil Service would soon
appoint its first woman Permanent Secretary. He said that there were still not enough women in
decision-making posts, although much had been done to strengthen the role of women in society. Dr
Gonzi was speaking at a meeting with the National Council of Women.
• 18 May 2004 British High Commissioner Vincent Fean presented a cheque for £500 to the Equal
Partners Foundation which brings together parents and professionals working within the disability
field. Ms Dolores Cristina, who is Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, attended the
presentation.
• 18 May 2004 Dr Michael Frendo, who is Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
and Investment Promotion, met British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw during a ministerial round table
on the European constitution, held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in London.
• 18 May 2004 Franco Galea took his place in the House of Representatives after taking the oath of
loyalty before the Speaker, Anton Tabone. Mr Galea was elected in a casual election to fill the seat
vacated by Dr Joe Borg, now European Commissioner.
• 18 May 2004 Government MP Clyde Puli was appointed President of the House Social Affairs
Committee, succeeding Helen D'Amato MP who was recently given responsibility for the Elderly and
Community Care.
• 18 May 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Strategic Planning and Research Division has obtained
European funding through EU pre-accession and post-accession financial programmes. The funding
will enable the MTA to complete a Tourism Skills Analysis and Employment Forecast for the years
2004-2008.
• 19 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told farmers that, during negotiations with the EU,
Malta had obtained the right to protect local agriculture if the market became flooded. The farmers had
expressed concern over a possible oversupply of fruit and vegetable imports now that Malta has joined
the EU.
• 19 May 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea stated that innovation and
investment in Research and Development is one of the key drivers to enhancing the overall
Competitiveness of Industry. Addressing the EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels, Minister Galea
said that Malta is making efforts at enhancing its R&D potential through the launch of a National
Research and Technology Development Initiative.

• 19 May 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, appointed Mark
Portelli as the new Chairman of the Malta Transport Authority, with Philip Incorvaja as Deputy
Chairman. Ivan Fsadni, Paul Cardona and Angele Giuliano are the other members, and Duncan Borg
Myatt is secretary. The new board's term of office expires on May 17, 2005.
• 19 May 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, said that the
Cabinet appointed Ambassador Salv J. Stellini as Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Steering
Committee that will oversee preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in
Malta next year. Minister Dalli was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 19 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, said that an
Organic Farming Committee was set up last month with the aim of establishing a strategy for Organic
Farming in the Maltese Islands. Dr Agius was distributing trophies during the Horticultural Fair, held
in San Anton Gardens.
• 19 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-Employed, Edwin
Vassallo, said that the management of registered street-hawkers in the localities of Qormi, Attard,
Zejtun, Birkirkara, Paola, Naxxar, Sliema and Birzebbuga was handed over to the respective local
councils in a process aimed at having better-organised markets. Mr Vassallo said that other street
markets would undergo a similar process in future.
• 19 May 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the Maltese population stood at 388,867 at the
end of last year, consisting of 192,934 males and 195,933 females. The total population, including the
foreign element resident in the Maltese Islands, stood at 399,867, with 198,099 males and 201,768
females. Since the last census taken in 1995, the population has gone up by 4.8% for the Maltese and
5.8% for the total resident population.
• 20 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and New Zealand Premier Helen Clark signed an
agreement on working-holidays through which young people can spend up to a year working and
travelling in each other's countries. The scheme provides for an annual quota of up to 50 young
travellers from each country to visit and undertake short-term employment. New Zealand has some
30,000 places available each year for working-holiday agreements with another 11 countries.
• 20 May 2004 New Zealand Premier Helen Clark said that New Zealand had developed very strong
arrangements with the EU. She added: "We know we can count on Malta as an old friend at the EU
table being well versed on what New Zealand's needs and interests are." Ms Clark was addressing a
joint press conference with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. An audio recording of the joint press
conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20- %2019.05.04%20clark.asp
• 20 May 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, said that the
Government places great value on the family unit. She said that Government shows its commitment in
this area through the provision of an increasing number of services and structures aimed at
strengthening intact families, while concurrently making provisions for assistance to families in
difficulty. Ms Cristina was speaking during a visit to the Cana Movement.
• 20 May 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, said that the
Government is to review the capital's traffic system with a view to introducing more pedestrian zones.
Mr Mugliett said that, up till last month, a total of 56,463 vehicles were licensed to enter the city.
“Something had to be done to respect Valletta's heritage,” he added.
• 20 May 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that the
communications sector in Malta is being continuously updated to reflect Malta's commitment towards
attaining an information-based socio-economic environment. He announced that Malta today had a
broadband penetration level of 7.7 per cent, exceeding those of the newly enlarged EU, which stands at
6.1 per cent. Mr Galea was addressing the Malta Communications Authority's annual conference.
• 20 May 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, invited students,
parents, teachers and all those involved in the education process to make suggestions on what changes
should be made to the Matsec system. The review board has launched a website where people can post
their reactions: http://www.cct.um.edu.mt/matsecreview

• 20 May 2004 A spokesman for the IT and Investment Ministry told The Times newspaper that,
following restructuring of the Public Broadcasting Services, seventy-nine employees had applied to
stay on at the company. PBS currently employs 164 people.
• 20 May 2004 According to a World Health Organisation survey of the European Union's 25 member
states, 46 per cent of all deaths in Malta were due to circulatory disease, with cancer in second place
with 24 per cent. The report compares each of the ten new member states with the average of the EU-
15.
• 21 May 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs said that Eritrea was
considered a ‘stable’ destination and there was ‘no evidence whatsoever’ of persecution when 220
Eritreans were repatriated in 2002. An Amnesty International report had claimed that a number of
deported Eritrean illegal immigrants had been tortured and killed on their return to their country.
• 21 May 2004 The Government said that it was committed to address the deficit "in a responsible
manner". It said that, over the past few days, it had looked into its recurrent expenditure and reduced
spending in areas which a detailed study had shown could take cuts. The statement comes in the wake
of an outcry over a decision to cut the Malta Tourism Authority's budget by Lm500,000.
• 21 May 2004 Gozo Channel Chairman Maurice Zarb Adami announced a range of frequent-traveller
incentives that will save customers up to 55 per cent of the standard fare. Speaking at a joint press
conference with IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt, Mr Zarb Adami said that the aim of the
schemes was to encourage people to travel to Gozo more often without suffering financially.
• 21 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-Employed, Edwin
Vassallo, said that the Small Business and Crafts Directorate has drawn up a report indicating problems
and issues that had been reported by people in business.
• 21 May 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that
as a result of joining the EU, the prices of various imported foods and beverages have gone
down by as much as 60 per cent when compared to prices in April.
• 21 May 2004 The Ministry of Health has rebutted claims that the price of medicine will go up
following the European parliament elections, on June 12. The Ministry said that the price of medicine
goes up by an average 12 per cent each year, as shown by government expenditure which had doubled
in the past eight years. It said no extra tax had been introduced on medicine, according to an agreement
reached between the Government and the European Union not to introduce VAT on pharmaceuticals
until 2010.
• 21 May 2004 Airport Value and Tax Free Shopping, a joint initiative between Malta International
Airport and the operators of its airside retail outlets, has sponsored the production of a DVD on Malta
to be used by the Malta Tourism Authority in its marketing initiatives. MIA's Chief Executive Officer
Peter Bolech presented the DVD to the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech.
• 21 May 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's posters being used in its advertising campaign in Italy
have won the Premio Agora for "best poster campaign in the tourism section".
• 21 May 2004 To celebrate Malta's EU accession, the Malta Tourism Authority's Milan office, in
collaboration with Malta Enterprise, Bank of Valletta and Air Malta, mounted an exhibition featuring
local artists entitled ‘A Leap into the Origins of Europe: Malta meets Milan’.
• 22 May 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami inaugurated the fourth edition of the 36-hour sports
marathon for charity organised by The Liceo Mikiel Anton Vassalli. in Tal-Handaq, Qormi. The
President conveyed his gratitude to all those involved in directing their efforts towards the Malta
Community Chest Fund and commented on the importance of such donations.
• 22 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government was determined to control and
cut its spending and to restructure its corporations and agencies. Dr Gonzi said that all government
authorities and agencies have been told to identify areas where costs can be reduced; in addition, a
restructuring programme was in hand in the most important corporations.

• 22 May 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, met United
States Secretary of State Colin Powell. The two discussed various international and regional issues,
including the political and economic dimensions of Malta, both within Europe and in the
Mediterranean, following EU accession.
• 22 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment
Promotion, Michael Frendo, called for a culture change in the business sector in order to absorb "the
realities of an open market". Dr Frendo was speaking at the First National Conference on Innovation
and Entrepreneurship, organised by Malta Enterprise.
• 22 May 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that the inflation rate had increased over the
first four months of the year, and in April stood at 1.86 per cent. The NSO said that the retail price
index went up by 0.64 per cent from the previous month and stood at 103.32.
• 22 May 2004 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority announced that, as soon as Malta
became a member of the EU, the authority had submitted 50 applications for environment-related
projects. If these bids are successful, MEPA stands to gain over Lm2.3 million for training, equipment
acquisition, promotion of environmental education, research and IT development.
• 23 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government was determined to govern by
consensus where possible, and with drive where there was no agreement. He said that he was insisting
that the necessary decisions were taken: "Let us compete on who can bring about the best changes, not
make a partisan issue out of change." Dr Gonzi was addressing a press conference.
• 23 May 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg insisted in a statement that the Maltese
Government was never in possession of any information whatsoever that the Eritreans repatriated in
September 2002 were in any danger. Dr Borg's statement came a day after the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees said it feared that the deportation of Eritreans in September 2002 could have
been "premature".
• 23 May 2004 A 38-year-old Rabat medical specialist, Joseph Cassar, has been co-opted by the
Nationalist Party executive to fill the seat vacated by Professor Josef Bonnici, who resigned from
Parliament after he was appointed to the European Court of Auditors. Dr Cassar contested last year's
general election on the 11th division, where the vacancy has been created.
• 24 May 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami inaugurated an Lm80,000 training ground belonging to
Melita Football Nursery, in Pembroke. The President said that sport was an essential part of education.
Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that the Government was giving priority
to sport, and therefore investing in it.
• 24 May 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that, although the first three months of
the year had been difficult for the tourism sector, the situation was expected to improve as from June,
partly thanks to the exposure Malta got when it joined the EU.
• 25 May 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech visited St George's Bay to view
the work done on the beach reclamation project. Dr Zammit Dimech announced that a call for tenders
for the development and lease of facilities there would be issued in the coming weeks. The facilities are
to include a catering outlet, showers, public toilets and a gazebo in the centre of the bay.
• 25 May 2004 Nationalist Party candidate Joseph Cassar, who was co-opted to the House of
Representatives to fill the vacancy created by Prof. Josef Bonnici, was sworn in as Member.
• 25 May 2004 According to a World Health Organisation report entitled ‘Ten Health Questions about
the Ten’, the incidence of respiratory, infectious and parasitic diseases in Malta is lower than in the
EU-15. The report shows that there were 68 cases of respiratory diseases per 100,000 people in Malta,
while the EU-15 average was 82; and the death rate from these conditions was 5.6 per 100,000 people
in Malta, as opposed to 7.3 in the EU-15.
• 25 May 2004 Figures published by the National Statistics Office show that the total industry turnover
index dropped by 5.40 per cent from 116.21 in March last year to 109.93 in March this year. The total
industry's employment index fell from 105.76 in March 2003 to 101.03 in the same month this year, a
drop of 4.47 per cent. The wages and salaries index registered an increase of 1.63 per cent in March
2004 over March 2003.

• 25 May 2004 For the seventh time over the past nine years, a film crew is in Malta to shoot episodes
from the popular Belgian TV series ‘Familie’. The series has been running uninterrupted for the last
thirteen years and is the second longest running series in Europe.
• 26 May 2004 The Government appointed Magistrate Abigail Lofaro to look into whether the process
leading to the deportation of the illegal immigrants was in line with the law and whether there was any
pressure to send them back to their country of origin. Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg
said that he stood by the Government’s decision to deport the Eritreans, and maintained that he had
nothing to hide.
• 26 May 2004 The Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Public Broadcasting Services signed an
agreement for an annual government grant of Lm500,000, to be used towards the financing of quality
cultural, educational, and social programmes which normally struggle to attract advertising. Minister
Francis Zammit Dimech said that the contract should lead to a leap forward in the quality of
programmes.
• 26 May 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that he saw no need for the task force on the
shipyards to meet any more once its terms of reference had been reached. The Minister said that the
aims of the task force had been to agree on a restructuring of the shipyards, a new collective
agreement, and a business plan. Now that those aims had been achieved, it was up to the management
of Malta Shipyards to run the 'yard, Dr Gatt said. The Minister was replying to a parliamentary
question.
• 26 May 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said in reply to a parliamentary question that
MPs are entitled to four free Air Malta economy class flight tickets every year (excluding travel on
parliamentary duties). He said that the tickets can be used on any route operated by Air Malta, other
than Moscow or St Petersburg. MPs have to pay airport tax and the Lm4 security tax, added the
Minister.
• 26 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment
Promotion, Michael Frendo, attended a ministerial session of the Intergovernmental Conference, in
Brussels. Dr Frendo said that the three main issues discussed at the meeting were the number of seats
in the European Parliament, qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers, and the reference to
Christian heritage in the European Constitution's preamble.
• 26 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-Employed, Edwin
Vassallo, presented a progress report on a series of initiatives dealing with the implementation of an
entrepreneurial policy. Mr Vassallo said that, while only half the initiatives launched by the
Government had been implemented, regulatory constraints on small businesses came principally from
entities such as the Police, the Trade Licences Unit, the Malta Transport Authority and Local Councils.
• 26 May 2004 The Consulate of the Czech Republic in Malta, together with the Maltese-Czech Society,
congratulated the Governments of the Czech Republic and Malta following a letter sent to the EU
Presidency by seven EU member states, including the two countries. The letter makes a strong call for
the inclusion of a reference to "Christianity's unique contribution to European civilisation and heritage"
in Europe's Constitution.
• 26 May 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, said that it was hard to
generate jobs during a time of restructuring. He expressed optimism that Malta could weather the
challenges and end up with a more competitive economy, as it had done in the past. The Minister was
giving the opening address at the annual general conference of the Malta Employers' Association, on
the theme ‘Generating Productive Employment: A National Priority’.
• 26 May 2004 Figures issued by the National Statistics Office show that total imports for the first
quarter increased by Lm5.3 million in value, or 1.7 per cent, to Lm310.8 million from Lm305.5 million
for the same period of 2003. The value of total exports went up by Lm14.2 million, or 6.4 per cent, to
Lm235.2 million from Lm221 million. In the first three months of 2004, the visible trade gap narrowed
by Lm7.8 million to Lm76.7 million from Lm84.5 million.
• 26 May 2004 German Ambassador Georg Merten inaugurated the touring exhibition ‘Renewables
Made in Germany’. The exhibition, which provides information on the many advantages of renewable
energy and shows a diversity of options for its use, is housed at the Mosta Technopark.

• 26 May 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Milan office held two special screenings of the epic boxoffice
hit ‘Troy’, which was partly filmed in Malta. The MTA rented out two cinemas, one in Rome
and another in Milan, and screened the film to five hundred Italian travel agents.
• 27 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi rejected the claims made by the Leader of the
Opposition that the Government planned to drastically reduce pensions following the June 12 th
European parliamentary elections. Dr Gonzi accused Dr Sant of wanting to undermine the consultation
process that was taking place in the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. The Prime
Minister was addressing a press conference at Auberge de Castille.
• 27 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received the Council of the Malta Union of Teachers,
led by MUT president John Bencini. In reply to the Union’s concern on unemployment among newlyqualified
teachers, Dr Gonzi said that, compared to other EU countries, Malta has the lowest rate of
unemployed graduates. Despite this, Dr Gonzi continued, unemployment must be dealt with: “Whether
there are 7,700 or seven people registered as unemployed, the situation must still be given the same
importance.”
• 27 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Maltese were pocketing the Lm9 million a
year that the Government used to earn from levies, and which have now been removed. Also, the fact
that VAT was being paid when items were sold and not when they entered Malta meant that "the
Government has also left 18 per cent of the value of the items in the coffers of the businessmen", Dr
Gonzi said. The Prime Minister was speaking during a walkabout in Republic Street, in Valletta.
• 27 May 2004 Air Malta and four trade unions signed a collective agreement that will lead to savings of
some Lm1.3 million a year for the company. The unions involved are the Association of Airline Pilots,
the Union of Cabin Crew, the General Workers' Union, and the Association of Airline Engineers.
• 27 May 2004 Chief Justice Vincent Degaetano and Attorney General Silvio Camilleri attended the
2004 Conference of Presidents of the Supreme Courts and Attorneys General or Prosecutors General of
the member states of the European Union, in Helsinki. The conference was organised by the Supreme
Court of Finland.
• 27 May 2004 According to statistics released by the National Statistics Office, the number of
registered unemployed in April amounted to 8,339, made up of 6,675 males and 1,664 females. This
translates into a decrease of 81 persons over March. However, on a year-to-year basis, there was an
increase of 859 persons on the unemployment register.
• 28 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi attended the launch of a CD by The Daniel Delicata
Memorial Association. The proceeds from the sale of the CD go towards the refurbishment of
children's wards. Dr. Gonzi spoke about the inestimable value of the joining of forces of the voluntary
sector and the Government to identify and prioritise services, in this case making a difference in sick
children's lives.
• 28 May 2004 The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, said that although the
tourism sector was still in troubled waters, it was slowly recuperating. The Minister was delivering the
opening address during the Annual General Meeting of the Hotel and Catering International
Management Associations.
• 28 May 2004 The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, announced that the
Conference and Incentive Travel sector was responsible for attracting to our Islands about 60,000
visitors yearly. CIT delegates make up 4% of all tourist arrivals and account for 7% of total gross
earnings from tourism. The Minister was addressing the ‘Generali Assicurazione’ conference.
• 28 May 2004 The Ministry for Tourism and Culture denied a media report that funds to Heritage
Malta had been reduced by Lm350,000. The funds in this year's estimates had actually been increased
by Lm460,000, the Ministry said, adding that the Government had also written off Lm99,000 in rents
owed to it until the end of 2003.
• 28 May 2004 According to a Eurobarometer survey, 62 per cent of the Maltese electorate will be
voting during the European parliamentary elections to be held on June 12. The Maltese survey was
carried out between May 5 – 12, on a sample of about 500. Two-thirds of the Maltese feel they have all

the necessary information in order to choose whom to vote for, by far exceeding the EU average of 35
%.
• 28 May 2004 The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, was presented with a copy of ‘Iz-Zifna ta'
Zmienhom’, a collection of short stories written by the Gozitan University of the Third Age students.
The short stories centre on experiences and impressions of Gozo in the old days. The Minister urged
more Gozitan citizens to follow courses at the university.
• 28 May 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, announced
that potato growers this year registered a record Lm1,282,502 from exports to Holland. This is
Lm611,384 more than that received last year. Dr Agius said that, since Malta was an EU member,
growers were no longer faced with quotas and were free to export unlimited varieties and amounts to
European countries.
• 28 May 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Product Planning and Development Directorate approved
a Lm2 million expansion application for the Mellieha Holiday Centre, better known as the ‘Danish
Village’. The expansion will enable the centre to venture into the business market and cater to
seminars and conferences.
• 28 May 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that the number of cruise passengers visiting
Malta in April had increased by more than 3,400 over the same month last year. In the four months
January-April, there was a fall in the number of visitors when compared to the same period in 2003.
• 29 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the pension debate would get going at a
national level once the discussions within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development
came to an end in June. Dr Gonzi was addressing associations representing the elderly.
• 29 May 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, said that a
development brief for Fort St Elmo's regeneration should be concluded before the year is out. He said
that the Government was keen to deal with the degeneration of the lower part of the fort with the
Cabinet Committee on National Projects making it a priority. Mr Mugliett was speaking at the launch
of the first World Music Festival.
• 29 May 2004 A meeting of the Central Bank's Monetary Policy Advisory Council left the central
intervention rate unchanged at three per cent after it considered that no developments had arisen since
the previous meeting that would justify a change in the bank's monetary policy stance.
• 29 May 2004 The National Statistics Office said that recurrent revenue during the first four months of
this year totalled Lm228.2 million. Compared to the same period last year, recurrent revenue increased
by Lm17.1 million, or 8.1 per cent. Concurrently, total expenditure amounted to Lm288 million, a
decrease of Lm3 million, or one per cent. The shortfall amounted to Lm59.8 million, compared to a
shortfall of Lm79.5 million reported for January-April 2003.
• 29 May 2004 A government statement said that the public had responded favourably to the latest
government stock issue of May 17, which amounted to Lm65 million. The Treasury received 5,506
applications totaling over Lm88 million. The Accountant General announced that all applications from
the public had been accepted. The remaining applications were allotted in order of the bid price
offered.
• 30 May 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami appealed to those with spare resources at hand - be it
time, money or expertise - to involve themselves in the noble task of removing barriers for disabled
persons. Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking at the seminar entitled ‘Supported and Independent Living’,
organised by the Maltese Federation of Organisations Persons with a Disability.
• 30 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government would implement the
safeguard clause it had negotiated with the EU if it were found that a large volume of imported
agricultural produce was unjustly creating an imbalance in the local market. The Association of
Farmers had called on the Government to implement the clause to protect the livelihood of local
farmers who were being forced to lower prices without being given time to restructure. Dr Gonzi was
answering questions following a news conference.
• 31 May 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that there were encouraging signs of an economic
recovery, including the fact that unemployment had gone down to around 7,700. Dr Gonzi said he

elieved that the key to success was in being optimistic, that the people would come together and pull
at the same rope. The Prime Minister was speaking at Mellieha.
• 31 May 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said at Mellieha
that the Government should not ask for the implementation of the safeguard clause negotiated in the
agriculture sector with the EU. Mr Pullicino said that the Government had been monitoring the
situation on the amount of imports and their effect on local produce since May 1, and from the
resulting data there was no need for "panic and alarm".
June
• 1 June 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, said that the
competent authorities have established that there has been no case of illegal importation or re-export of
parts used to make nuclear weapons. The Minister was replying to a parliamentary question following
a report in the Los Angeles Times on May 24 which alleged that Malta was on the route of illegal
export of such parts. The Minister said that the report was incorrect.
• 1 June 2004 Health Minister Louis Deguara said that, with a total of 73,000 smokers over the age of
18, Malta saw a total of 1,787 deaths attributable to smoking between 1999 and 2003. In the first two
and a half months of this year, until March 15, there were 93 deaths attributable to smoking, 66 males
and 27 females. Dr Deguara was addressing a news conference.
• 1 June 2004 As from today, all passengers travelling in the rear seats of cars are legally obliged to
wear a seatbelt. Passengers travelling in cars that are not factory-equipped with rear seat belts are
exempted from doing so.
• 2 June 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt warned that, should Malta Shipyards not achieve
its financial targets, the 'yard would be closed down and the workers dismissed. Minister Gatt said that
the company had reached its targets for the first quarter of this year and could even have made a
modest profit had a small minority of workers not hindered the introduction of new work practices.
• 2 June 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt announced that he had instructed Gozo Channel
to sell the mv Calypso. He told The Times newspaper that, since the introduction of the three new
ferries on the Malta-Gozo line, the mv Calypso had been held as stand-by vessel to be used when one
of the other ferries goes into dry-dock. By selling it, the company would be saving some Lm80,000 in
recurrent expenses, Dr Gatt said.
• 2 June 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment, John Dalli, told a meeting of the
Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee that he had met Libyan Ambassador Ali Nageem regarding
the visas issue. Mr Dalli said that, while there seemed to be no problems with the issuing of single
entry visas by Libya, multi-entry visas required invitations from the Libyan side.
• 2 June 2004 Road-works financed by the Fifth Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol are expected to start
next week. The contracts for the reconstruction of three arterial roads, awarded to Italian contractors as
stipulated in the Protocol, were signed in the presence of the Minister for Urban Development and
Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, and Italian Ambassador Alvise Memmo.
• 2 June 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, said in reply to a
parliamentary question that a total of 64 graduates were registering for work in March. Dr Galea said in
reply to another question that, during the same month, 135 foreigners were registering for work.
• 2 June 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment
Promotion, Michael Frendo, urged the European Union to further its capability to quickly deploy
peacekeeping forces in order to provide security as a bridge to UN peacekeeping, "as it did in
Operation Artemis in Africa ". Dr Frendo was speaking at the meeting of EU Development Ministers,
in Dublin.
• 2 June 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, is in Luxembourg
attending a meeting of the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers. The meeting, being held
today, is discussing the savings tax directive, which will enable the introduction of withholding taxes
on income from bank accounts belonging to EU citizens and held in other offshore account territories.

• 3 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami presented this year's Pope John XXIII Prize for
Kindness to Lyanne Lanzon in recognition of the care she takes of Maria, a fellow student who suffers
from cerebral palsy. Addressing guests for the presentation of the award at the Palace, in Valletta,
President Fenech-Adami said that solidarity was one of the leading cultural characteristics of the
Maltese.
• 3 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government would announce new
initiatives on the treatment of domestic waste in a few days' time. Dr Gonzi was speaking during a
European Parliament election campaign activity on the importance of the environment sector.
• 3 June 2004 The Minister of Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, launched the Eco-
Management and Audit (EMAS) and the ECO-label schemes, at a news conference at the Ministry.
Minister Galea announced that the Malta Standards Authority had been provided with €300,000 by the
Commission for the provision of training and the setting up of the necessary infrastructure in order to
ensure that these schemes are easily accessible.
• 3 June 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, appointed the first
social work profession board. Ms Cristina said that the overall purpose of the Board was to regulate the
practice and eligibility to practise social work in Malta.
• 3 June 2004 The Chairman of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, Victor
Scicluna, expressed the hope that the discussion on a tripartite social pact would be concluded this
year. Mr Scicluna said that the time had come to move to recommendations for action on a number of
issues among which were competitiveness, an oversized public service, and unsustainable welfare
services.
• 3 June 2004 Heritage Malta signed a collaboration agreement with University College London and its
Centre of Sustainable Heritage. The agreement seeks to establish common ground between the two
organisations, particularly as the centre will, in September, be launching a M.Sc. course in the built
environment: sustainable heritage.
• 3 June 2004 The Australian Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Gary Hardgrave,
announced that following changes in policy guidelines, children under-18 who were born after their
parent/s lost their Australian citizenship are now able to claim their birthright.
• 4 June 2004 Figures published by the European statistics agency Eurostat show that the Gross
Domestic Product per capita in Malta last year was 27 per cent below that of the EU25 average.
However, Malta still boasts the third highest per capita GDP among the 10 new member states and just
two percentage points below Portugal.
• 4 June 2004 According to Eurostat, the unemployment rate in the 25 EU member and accession states
was 9.1 per cent in April 2004, the same rate as in April 2003. The lowest unemployment rate was
registered in Luxembourg (4.2 per cent) and the highest in Poland (18.9 per cent). Fourteen countries
recorded an increase in their unemployment rate over a year, 10 a decrease, and one remained the
same. Malta registered an increase – from 7.9 per cent to 9 per cent.
• 4 June 2004 The first 250 tonnes of new potato varieties not subject to a levy or quota were exported
to the EU. Maltese farmers are able to export local potatoes without paying levies and without any
quotas in place now that Malta is a member of the EU. The Parliamentary Secretary responsible for
Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, announced that an order for a further 250 tonnes was
expected.
• 4 June 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, in the first quarter of this
year total manufacturing sales increased by Lm9.7 million, or four per cent, compared to a year earlier,
reaching Lm254.1 million. In the same quarter, employment in the manufacturing sector declined by a
net 1,577 employees to 19,773, while investment in manufacturing registered a net increase of about
Lm3.2 million to Lm14.2 million compared to Lm11.0 million in the same period the previous year.
• 5 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that during a meeting with the President of the
European Parliament, Pat Cox, the two had discussed a number of issues of interest to Malta,
especially the 12 th June election. Dr Gonzi said that the Maltese people now have the golden
opportunity to elect their representatives in the European Parliament. Dr Gonzi was speaking at a joint
press conference with Mr Cox, at Auberge de Castille.

• 5 June 2004 Addressing the conference, Mr Cox advised prospective Maltese Members of the
European Parliament to build networks, to build friendships, and build respect within the European
Parliament. “Then, at the end of the day, the people you consider as your friends will be there to help
you,” he said. Mr Cox was speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
• 5 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that on June 12 th the electorate should vote for the
most competent candidates. Dr Gonzi said that, while civil society and the social partners had been
called to work on the MEUSAC committee before accession, it would now be the duty of Maltese
members of the European Parliament to keep in touch with civil society in Malta.
• 5 June 2004 The Ministers responsible for European Affairs in the 25 EU counties appealed to
Europe's citizens to vote in this month's European parliamentary elections. “Europe needs a Parliament
that represents your diversity and expresses your ambitions, hopes and choices for the future. Make
your vote count. Don't let your future be decided for you,” the Ministers said. The Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, was one of the ministers who signed the appeal.
• 6 June 2004 The European Parliament, in conjunction with Gallup Europe and the European
Commission, published its second Eurobarometer survey. The survey shows that 69% of the Maltese
who responded had indicated unemployment as their primary concern. The protection of the
environment (48%) and the future of pensions (46%) were the next issues that should be given
attention during the campaign, the survey found.
• 6 June 2004 The Ministry of IT and Investment said that Gozo Channel had recorded an increase in
passengers and vehicles on its ferries since the new tariffs structure was introduced. The Ministry said
that the number of passengers in the first three days of June compared to the same period last year had
risen by almost 3,000 (10.4 per cent) while the number of vehicles was up by 718 (10.6 per cent).
• 7 June 2004 A public relations campaign initiated by the Malta Tourism Authority’s Milan office led
to several leading Italian magazines running prominent features about films shot in Malta. Popular
Italian magazine Oggi, for instance, recently featured a five-page full-colour spread about Brad Pitt’s
stay in Malta. The magazine also cited the cinema industry as being ‘the future of Malta’s economy’.
• 8 June 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, together with Prime
Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant, laid wreaths at the Sette Giugno
monument in St George's Square, Valletta, in remembrance of the four victims of the riot. A minute's
silence was then held in remembrance of the four victims.
• 8 June 2004 Mr Speaker said that it was important for Parliament to follow in the steps of the
Ombudsman and the Auditor General's offices, which have obtained autonomy in the administration of
institutions. He stressed that Parliament's administration should be let loose from the administration of
the executive and work on its own. Mr Tabone was speaking at the annual commemoration of the Sette
Giugno 1919 riots.
• 9 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the proposal for an interim engineered landfill
close to the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim Neolithic temples has been scrapped. Dr Gonzi said that, while
being sensitive to everybody's concerns, the final decision was based on expert advice. The Prime
Minister was addressing a press conference following a Cabinet meeting. An audio recording of the
conference can be assessed at http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/audiorecording%20-
%2008.06.04.asp
• 9 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi called on the electorate to vote for the best five
candidates in the European Parliament elections, adding that the country would win if the most
competent team of MEPs were elected. "The choice of candidates is of paramount importance and we
cannot afford to make a mistake in our choice," Dr Gonzi said.
• 9 June 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that, as a
member of the EU, Malta is committed to collaborate with all its Mediterranean partners to develop
further the concept of the motorways of the sea for the benefit of both the port and the shipping sectors
of the maritime industry. Mr Galea was speaking at the Posidonia 2004 worldwide maritime
exhibition.

• 10 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta has already started reaping the benefits
of European Union membership, even though only six weeks have passed since accession. "Malta has
already started growing in Europe and the next step will be taken on Saturday 12 th June, when five
Maltese candidates will be elected to the European Parliament," he said.
• 10 June 2004 The Government and Microsoft signed a strategic alliance agreement to support the
Government's information and communication technology initiatives in the country. The agreement,
valid for five years, was signed at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta, by IT and Investment Minister
Austin Gatt and Jean Philippe Courtois, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and
Africa.
• 10 June 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, told the
parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee that the Maltese Government was reviewing its decision to
close its embassy in Saudi Arabia. Mr Dalli also made a presentation on the meetings he had had with
US Secretary of State Colin Powell, and gave the committee details of his meetings in China.
• 10 June 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, said that Malta was
situated at exactly the point where the three continents of Europe, Africa and Asia meet; therefore, it
shared the perspective implied by the Director-General in his report on the World Commission on the
Social Dimension of Integration. Dr Galea was addressing the 92nd session of the ILO conference, in
Geneva.
• 10 June 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that architect Walter
Hunziker, who has been selected to design the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim heritage park, is proposing the
use of materials that provide filtered natural skylight conditions for the interior. Dr Zammit Dimech
was speaking at the presentation of prizes to the winners of the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra heritage park
design competition.
• 10 June 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the visible trade gap in the first four months of
this year narrowed to Lm107.2 million from Lm124.2 million in the same period in 2003. Imports went
down by 1.5 per cent, to Lm416.1 million from Lm422.5 million. Total exports increased by 3.6 per
cent to Lm308.9 million, from Lm298.3 million.
• 10 June 2004 The chairperson of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, Joanna Drake, said
that only 20 per cent of Maltese workers suffer from fatigue, compared to 41 per cent of workers in the
new member states and candidate countries, and 23 per cent in the EU-15. Dr Drake was quoting a
survey published by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
• 10 June 2004 Malta Enterprise took part in a seminar in Ancona, Italy, promoting investment and
trade opportunities in Malta. The seminar, organised by Confindustria Marche and Assindustria Pesaro
Urbino in collaboration with the Maltese Embassy in Italy, was chaired by Carlo Lucarelli, President
of Confindustria.
• 11 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami was presented with the letters of credence by Mrs
Victoria Guardia de Hernández, Ambassador of Costa Rica, and Anastassis Mitsialis, Ambassador of
Greece. The ceremony took place at The Palace, in Valletta.
• 11 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami said that the United Kingdom had proved its friendship
to Malta during the country's EU membership negotiations. “I am sure that just as the negotiations
phase served to strengthen our bilateral relations, so will membership provide us with many
opportunities to deepen and widen our friendly ties," the President said during a reception to mark the
official birthday of Queen Elizabeth, at the British High Commissioner's residence in San Pawl tat-
Targa.
• 11 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami heaped praise on former US President Ronald Reagan,
who recently passed away. Speaking to The Times, Dr Fenech-Adami said that President Reagan had
played a crucial role in defeating communism, bringing about the collapse of the Soviet Union and
ending the Cold War.
• 11 June 2004 A detailed World Health Organisation publication entitled ‘Health Policy and European
Union Enlargement’, together with a booklet called ‘Health Questions about the 10’, concludes that, of
the acceding countries, only Malta and Cyprus have patterns of health similar to the existing EU

member states. Malta is classified in the group of European countries with very low mortality of both
adults and children.
• 11 June 2004 The National Statistics Office said that art museums were the most popular type of
museums with visitors. These were followed by archaeology and history museums, military museums,
and monuments and sites. The least popular were maritime museums.
• 12 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami said that relations between Malta and Russia were
"excellent" and Malta's EU membership gave room for the relations to intensify. Dr Fenech-Adami
was speaking on the occasion of the National Day of the Russian Federation.
• 12 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi presented four new permanent secretaries with their
appointments at a ceremony at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta. The four officers are: Cecilia Attard
Pirotta, who will be taking office in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion,
Godwin Grima, in the Office of the Prime Minister, Anthony C. Mifsud, in the Ministry for Resources
and Infrastructure, and Charles Deguara, in the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs. Ms Attard
Pirotta is Malta’s first female Permanent Secretary.
• 12 June 2004 The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, hosted the first
meeting of the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee (MEUSEC) since Malta joined the European
Union. Mr Dalli heaped praise on the work of MEUSEC in the run-up to membership, and said that
now that Malta was an EU member, it was equally important for the committee to remain abreast of all
the developments taking place within the EU.
• 12 June 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, visited works
taking place on the road linking Mtarfa to Mosta, part of a big road reconstruction project using funds
allocated under the fifth Financial Protocol between Malta and Italy. A total of Lm12.5 million is
earmarked for the three-phase project.
• 12 June 2004 At a seminar held by the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity and the European
Commission, Minister Dolores Cristina said that her Ministry was drawing up an action plan to tackle
poverty and would listen to the suggestions of people working with vulnerable groups. "This shows our
commitment to target our policies at specific groups to achieve maximum effect," she said.
• 13 June 2004 Voters in Malta joined some 350 million voters in the 24 other EU nations to elect the
732 Members of the European Parliament. For the EP election, the whole of Malta and Gozo for the
first time constituted a single district. The Department of Information is publishing the official results
of the elections on its website at http://www.doi.gov.mt
• 13 June 2004 Some 700 Italians residing in Malta voted for their country's European Parliament
candidates at the Italian Embassy, in Floriana. The French and the German Embassies, as well as the
British High Commission, used a postal voting system as well as proxy voting.
• 14 June 2004 The Malta Labour Party won the first European Parliament elections held in Malta with
48.4 per cent of first-count votes. The Nationalist Party won 39.8 per cent, Alternattiva Demokratika
polled 9.3 per cent, and the Independents 2.6 per cent.
• 14 June 2004 Commenting on the result, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the people had
made a choice that had to be respected and the Government would seek to work together with all the
Maltese MEPs in Malta's interests. Dr Gonzi said that the first message he read in this election's
outcome was that the electorate wanted the Government to work better.
• 14 June 2004 Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationalist Party Lawrence Gonzi promised that his
Party would analyse the European Parliament election result in detail. Dr Gonzi reiterated, however,
that his Government was prepared to take certain decisions in the national interest even if there was a
political price to pay. The Prime Minister was addressing a news conference transmitted on NET
television.
• 14 June 2004 Labour Leader Alfred Sant said that the Malta Labour Party had succeeded to make a
difference. "These elections have now shown that the Labour Party is the biggest party in Malta. This
fills us with courage. What we have been telling the country is now being better understood."

• 14 June 2004 Alternattiva Demokratika Chairman Harry Vassallo said that he was overjoyed by his
Party's showing, since it had increased the number of votes by a factor of 10. "The Maltese have given
a lesson in democracy. This was a big victory for the Greens and the opening of a new era in local
politics."
• 14 June 2004 The Maltese and Italian armed forces held the 11th edition of the Canale military
exercise in the sea around and airspace over the Maltese archipelago. The exercise was aimed primarily
at enhancing cooperation in search and rescue, control and inspection of merchant ships suspected of
illegal activities, control of illegal migration by sea and maritime explosive ordinance disposal, and
recovery operations.
• 14 June 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, attended a
meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, in Luxembourg. The meeting discussed the strategy required to
restore peace in Iraq, the Middle East and the Balkans. It also tackled pending issues on the EU
Constitution so as to adopt a final position ahead of the European Council meeting.
• 15 June 2004 Malta has once again bucked the trend to retain its reputation for huge election turnouts,
this time in European elections marked by widespread voter apathy and protest voting. Where average
turnout for the historic vote hit a record low of 44.2%, the turnout in Malta was 82%. Ron Evers, the
European Parliament representative in Malta, hailed the high turnout here, saying it showed a strong
commitment to the democratic process and the issues the parties stood for.
• 15 June 2004 Chris Burston, who is the team leader of the ‘Family Poverty and Financial Exclusion
Division’ of the UK's Department for Work and Pensions, said that social benefits were important for
providing the minimum to people in need, but they were definitely not the answer to poverty.
• 15 June 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that there were 8,794 registered unemployed
with the Employment and Training Corporation in January this year, that is, an increase of 915 over the
same month last year. The NSO said that administrative records of the ETC for January this year
indicated a drop of 175 persons in the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons over the previous
month.
• 15 June 2004 A Tunisian delegation led by Zouhair Eskander, Head of Cabinet of the Minister for
Justice and Human Rights, had discussions with a Maltese delegation led by Attorney General Silvio
Camilleri. The talks focused on two proposed bilateral agreements dealing with Extradition and
Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters, at the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs.
• 15 June 2004 Air Malta announced the introduction of new bases in Birmingham and Manchester to
operate its regional charter flights launched in April. A company spokesman told a press conference at
Manchester airport that the airline will fly from Manchester, Birmingham and other regional airports to
destinations in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
• 16 June 2004 The five persons who will be representing Malta at the European Parliament were
elected following over three days’ counting at Ta’ Qali. They are Simon Busuttil and David Casa on
behalf of the Nationalist Party, and Joseph Muscat, John Attard Montalto, and Louis Grech, on behalf
of the Malta Labour Party.
• 16 June 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, said in reply to a
parliamentary question that, before buying air tickets, the Foreign Ministry sought quotations from Air
Malta and a private agency and bought the tickets from the cheapest source. Mr Dalli said that, as a
result, the Ministry was not only getting a better service but it had saved over Lm5,000 in two months.
• 16 June 2004 The outgoing Libyan Ambassador, Ali Nageem, met the Parliamentary Foreign and
European Affairs Committee. Mr Nageem thanked the Committee for its invitation and said that it was
an honour for him to be the first Ambassador to attend such a meeting with the Committee, which
reflected not only the good relations between Malta and Libya but also his good personal relations with
the members of the Committee.
• 16 June 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion, John Dalli, agreed with Mr
Nageem that relations between the two countries were based on the reality of two neighbour states
which had always supported one another. Mr Dalli said that Malta’s EU membership should be
beneficial to Libya as there was now a country in the EU that was sensitive to Libya's culture and
understood its sufferings.

• 16 June 2004 The French Court of Appeal dropped all proceedings initiated against the Malta
Maritime Authority and its Executive Director, Lino Vassallo, in connection with the Erika disaster.
The Court of Appeal in Paris ruled that the MMA was an extension of the Maltese state and, therefore,
the administration of the Malta Flag was covered by the states' ‘immunity of jurisdiction’.
• 17 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that early next week he expected to contact the
Opposition to discuss the representation of Maltese MEPs on the various committees. He said that he
had no doubt that the Maltese MEPs would be working in their country's interests. Dr Gonzi was
addressing journalists before leaving for Brussels to attend an EU summit.
• 17 June 2004 A document drawn up by the Irish Presidency for discussion at the EU summit proposes
that Malta should have a sixth seat. If the proposal is accepted, it would have to be ratified by the EU
member states before coming into effect in at least three years' time.
• 17 June 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt told Parliament that Malta Shipyards had won
an important ship conversion contract involving a cruise-liner. Dr Gatt said that a representative of the
company that owned the cruise-liner had held meetings with him and with GWU General Secretary
Tony Zarb, and the GWU had taken a ‘very positive step’ when it withdrew industrial action directives.
• 17 June 2004 Australian High Commissioner Richard John Palk and the Permanent Secretary at the
Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, Joseph Ebejer, signed a revised bilateral agreement on
social security between Malta and Australia. This followed a number of amendments to Australian
social security legislation introduced since the 1990 accord was signed. The Minister for the Family
and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, attended the signing.
• 17 June 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that the EU
proposal of a ‘Single European Sky’ is an added value in the attainment of a fully functioning network
facilitating Europe's economic growth and international competitiveness. Mr Galea was delivering the
opening address of the conference European Sky Network, held in Malta by the European Commission.
• 17 June 2004 Malta and the United States signed an agreement promoting more cooperation in
effectively combating illicit maritime drug traffic. The agreement allows law enforcement officers of
one country to request permission to board and inspect a suspect vessel flying the flag of the other
country when this vessel is in international waters.
• 17 June 2004 The chairman of the European and Foreign Affairs Committee, Jason Azzopardi, said
that Standing Order 120 stipulated that MEPs had the right to attend meetings and participate in
discussions of the European and Foreign Affairs Committee but had no vote or the right to propose
amendments or motions. “The MEPs' participation in the Committee is a practical way to bring about
synergy between MPs in the Committee and the MEPs,” said Dr Azzopardi.
• 17 June 2004 Opposition MP John Attard Montalto resigned from the House of Representatives after
having been elected a Member of the European Parliament. Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg
congratulated all five newly-elected MEPs, particularly Dr Attard Montalto who was the only MP to
have been elected MEP. Opposition Deputy Leader Charles Mangion thanked Dr Attard Montalto for
his sterling work. The Speaker, Anton Tabone, associated himself with both sides of the House.
• 17 June 2004 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that, in May this year, the
Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) increased by 0.11 per cent over the previous month and
by 3.01 per cent over the same month last year to 104.63.
• 17 June 2004 A Japanese television crew led by ‘mystery hunter’ Kana Tanaka was in Malta to film
material for a quiz/documentary about the Islands in the series ‘Amazing World Discoveries’ (Sekai
Fushigi Hakken), shown on Tokyo Broadcasting Systems. The Malta programme will feature the
theory of Atlantis and provide information about historical sites.
• 18 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami was presented with letters of credence by Lenin
Magigwane Shope, High Commissioner of South Africa, and Carlos Alejandro Barros, Ambassador of
Uruguay. The ceremony took place in the Ambassadors’ Room at The Palace, in Valletta.
• 18 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed "cautious optimism" that agreement would
be reached on the European Constitution, including the sixth seat for Malta. Dr Gonzi warned,

however: “The European Constitution is one package. One cannot say there is agreement on anything
unless there is agreement on everything." The Prime Minister was speaking at the end of the first
session of the Intergovernmental Conference.
• 18 June 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that the Government will be looking
into ways of changing the law on dangerous substances to make a distinction between drug users and
drug traffickers. In his message for ‘World No Drugs Day’, the Minister said that the drug problem was
affecting many young people in a number of countries, both rich and poor, and it also exists in Malta.
• 18 June 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, met a visiting Chinese
delegation headed by Deng Nan, Vice Minister of Science and Technology. The two sides discussed
the implementation of an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation signed between Malta
and China in 2002.
• 18 June 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, paid on official visit to
Tunisia as guest of Fouad Mebazzaa, Speaker of the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies. During his visit,
Mr Tabone was accompanied by Dr Michael Asciak, a member of the Foreign and European Affairs
Committee, and Opposition Whip Joe Mizzi, who is also a member of the House Business Committee.
• 18 June 2004 Italian Ambassador Alvise Memmo called on the Parliamentary Secretary for
Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius. Dr Agius thanked Dr Memmo for his full cooperation in the
restructuring of the vegetable market which is being financed under the Fifth Italian Protocol at a cost
of €1.4 million.
• 19 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi hailed the new European Constitution as "the most
important agreement the EU has ever had". Dr Gonzi expressed "huge satisfaction" that the
Government's main aims had now been reached. “We finally have the sixth seat in the European
Parliament and Malta has a right to cohesion funds as an island state. The only disappointment was that
there was no reference made to the Christian heritage.” The Prime Minister was speaking to the media
as soon as the agreement was reached.
• 19 June 2004 Canale 2004, the annual aero-maritime exercise involving Maltese and Italian military
units, ended with a series of simulated operations inside Grand Harbour. The exercise entailed
coordinated tactical manoeuvres by vessels covering an area of 10,000 nautical square miles around
Malta. AFM commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo said that Canale 2004 was one of the most
important training exercises of the AFM.
• 19 June 2004 Work on the reconstruction of the second and third lots of arterial and distributor roads
funded under the 5 th Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol started this week with the scarifying of two parts
of Zebbuġ Road which leads from Rabat to Qormi. The work forms part of a Lm12.5 million project
which is due for completion in November 2005.
• 19 June 2004 The National Statistics Office reported that the retail prices index went down in May by
0.18 per cent to 103.13 over the previous month. The NSO said that the food items index decreased by
1.28 per cent to 101.50 from 102.82 in April as a result of average price drops in respect of biscuits and
rusks, pasta, fresh or chilled fish, unprocessed potatoes and fresh vegetables. Average price increases
were registered in respect of fresh fruit.
• 19 June 2004 The Lancet medical journal listed Malta among the top ranking 26 countries with very
low adult and child mortality. The report, which was the first attempt to assess the overall impact of the
environment on child health, states that about 100,000 yearly deaths among children and adolescents
up to 19 years are caused by outdoor and indoor air pollution, unsafe water, lead, and injuries.
• 20 June 2004 On his return from the EU summit on the European Constitution, Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi said that it had been an uphill struggle to secure Malta's sixth seat in the European
Parliament. Dr Gonzi said that Government had lobbied hard with all European leaders to explain that,
with five MEPs, Malta could not operate effectively in the Parliament.
• 20 June 2004 In a letter addressed to former Maltese Prime Ministers Dom Mintoff and Karmenu
Mifsud Bonnici, Arhi Palosuo, who is an adviser to EU Commission President Romano Prodi, assured
Mr Mintoff and Dr Mifsud Bonnici that the implementation of the principle of neutrality is a matter for
the Maltese Government and outside the competence of the European Commission. The letter referred
to another letter dated April 29 which the two ex-Prime Ministers had sent to Mr Prodi.

• 20 June 2004 Cottonera Rehabilitation Project executive co-ordinator Ray Bondin presented the draft
master plan for Cottonera to stakeholders. The plan was drawn up by Israeli architects Giora Solar and
Arie Rahamimoff and commissioned by the Cottonera Rehabilitation Project within the Resources and
Infrastructure Ministry. The final report is to be presented to Cabinet in September and, hopefully,
approved, said Mr Bondin.
• 21 June 2004 The local council elections were won by the Malta Labour Party, which obtained an
absolute majority of 50.2 per cent and elected 68 councillors. 68 councillors were also elected for the
governing Nationalist Party, which obtained 46.4 per cent of the votes. Alternattiva Demokratika
obtained 1.5 per cent of the total votes cast and elected one councillor. The independent candidates
netted the remaining 1.9 per cent, and elected three councillors.
• 22 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Parliament that the Constitution agreed at the end
of the EU Inter-Governmental Conference was "very acceptable" for Malta and a happy compromise
between the often contrasting positions of member states. Dr Gonzi explained the salient points of the
Constitutional Treaty with respect to Malta's requests in a statement in the House of Representatives.
• 22 June 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, toured the new
Hal Far plant of Trelleborg Dowty Malta, manufacturer of premium 'O' Rings. Mr Galea described the
company as a clear manifestation that, through the right input, the Maltese workforce can act
competitively within a global economy.
• 22 June 2004 The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, spoke of Malta's
excellent relations with Austria and said that Austrian investment in Malta was on the increase. He said
that seven Austrian banks and six Austrian companies were operating in Malta. Dr Zammit Dimech
was speaking during a visit to Burgenland which took place on the initiative of Malta International
Airport.
• 22 June 2004 The Embassy of Malta in Berlin is participating in a number of promotional activities in
Berlin and surrounding areas this summer. Most of the events centre round a number of Sommerfests,
during which Malta’s attractions as a holiday destination are highlighted.
• 22 June 2004 Government MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando led a Parliamentary delegation to the Third
Part of the 2004 Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, held in Strasbourg
between the 21 st and 25 th June 2004. The delegation is made up of MPs Robert Arrigo, Joe Debono
Grech, and Joseph Falzon.
• 22 June 2004 A senior officials’ meeting of the ‘4+5’ Conference of the Ministers of the Interior of the
Western Mediterranean was held in Malta on June 15-16. Delegates from Algeria, France, Italy, Libya,
Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia finalised the text of the official Tunis Declaration, which
is to form the basis of the agenda of the 10th Ministerial Conference, to be held in Tunisia.
• 23 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that a government scheme for the importation of
yachts had yielded Lm4.3 million in revenue up to the 11 th June. He said that 438 sea-craft had been
registered under the scheme. Dr Gonzi was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 23 June 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg announced that legislation allowing civil
servants up to a certain grade to retain their job if elected to Parliament is under consideration. Dr Borg
was addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary House Business Committee. At present, the practice is
for civil servants to give up their job for the period they serve in the House.
• 23 June 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, launched the
National Focal Point for Drugs and Drug Addiction, a development which is the fruit of the twinning
project set up earlier this year with the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Malta now will be
in a position to monitor, for the first time, the drug situation in its entirety and to have an independent
assessement of the current status based on sound science.
• 23 June 2004 According to the National Office of Statistics, the number of cruise liner passengers
visiting Malta last month was 30,740, a fall of 24,112 from May 2003. The number of cruise
passengers arriving from the United States rose by 2,354 to 6,622. Other increases in arrivals were
recorded in the Austrian (+31), Canadian (+467) and Greek (+20) markets, among others.

• 23 June 2004 In May 2004, there were 8,104 registered unemployed with the Employment and
Training Corporation, a decline of 235 over April. Of these, 6,542 were males and 1,562 were females,
and 627 of the unemployed were registered in Gozo. On a year-to-year basis, there was an increase of
783 persons on the unemployment register.
• 23 June 2004 According to the Telecommunications Market Review for the period October 2003 to
March 2004, just published by the Malta Communications Authority, just over 73 per cent of Malta's
inhabitants have a mobile phone subscription. At the end of March, mobile phone subscriptions
increased to 291,380. The document can be downloaded from the MCA website at
http://www.mca.org.mt
• 23 June 2004 President Emeritus Guido de Marco will be leaving Malta today to attend the 15th
annual Crans Montana forum being held in Switzerland. He is to address one of the plenary sessions of
the forum, entitled ‘Revisiting Multilateralism: Which order for the World?’ Prof. de Marco will be
one of eight participants at the Crans Montana forum who will be receiving the Prix de la Foundation
2004.
• 24 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami and Mrs. Fenech-Adami presented, on behalf of the
Malta Community Chest Fund, various donations to philanthropic associations and individuals. The
donations, consisting of financial aid, specialised apparatus, and white goods, totalled the sum of
Lm40,200. President Fenech-Adami said that the work of the MCCF is an expression of solidarity,
“which is the main characteristic of the Maltese nation”.
• 24 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, on the basis of estimates of the Commissioner
of Inland Revenue, Lm83.9 million is due in income tax for the years of assessment 1999-2004. Dr
Gonzi was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 24 June 2004 The European Commission formally adopted the strategies for the structural funds
programmes for the ten new member states which, together with cohesion fund allocations, will make
more than €24 billion available to the 10 new member states between 2004 and 2006. Malta will get
€63.2 million to pursue a policy of strategic investments and measures to improve business
competitiveness and promote rural development and fisheries. There will be specific support for Gozo.
• 24 June 2004 The EU Committee for Agricultural Structures (STAR) formally approved the Maltese
Horizontal Rural Development Plan. STAR said that the programme is worth €33.6 million, from
which the EU will finance €26.9 million for the period 2004-2006. The remaining contribution will
come from Malta. "The plan aims to tackle specific handicaps Maltese agriculture is facing due to its
geophysical status and to ensure that the agriculture sector does not only provide fresh and quality
produce but also enhances conservation of Malta's unique rural landscape,” the Committee said.
• 24 June 2004 The EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Franz
Fischler, said that the rural development plan would help Maltese farmers to integrate agriculture and
environment as an essential element for the evolving tourism sector and to meet EU quality standards.
Mr Fischler said: “The future strategy for Maltese farmers is to build a new and direct relationship with
the consumers through a high quality supply, and to widen their horizons by opting for alternative
crops and export.”
• 24 June 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Business and the Self-Employed, Edwin Vassallo, said
that, following changes in importation patterns resulting from EU accession, the situation seemed to
have stabilised and consumers were opting for quality products, including those produced locally. The
craze to buy foreign products had died down, Mr Vassallo said.
• 25 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami said that, while there is no doubt about the EU's
success in the economic field, and to a large extent in the social sphere as well, the EU still has to come
into its own as a political force that can make it an authoritative voice heard in international relations.
Dr Fenech-Adami was speaking after a meeting with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, in Rome.
• 25 June 2004 The European Commission called on Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta,
Poland and Slovakia to get their public deficits in line with EU rules by 2008. On the basis of the
Commission's recommendations, the ECOFIN Council (composed of the EU's Finance Ministers) is
expected to adopt, on July 5, an opinion on the convergence programme drawn up by the Maltese
Government for 2004-07 and recommend further steps.

• 25 June 2004 Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom said that the European Commission is
determined to take "all the necessary action" in line with existing EU legislation and procedures should
the hunting regulations in Malta be flouted. In a letter sent to BirdLife Malta, Ms Wallstrom said that
EU legislation should have been implemented and enforced from the first day of EU membership.
• 25 June 2004 The National Youth Council launched a pilot project to involve young people in the
decision-making process of their respective localities. Involving 11 local councils, the KNZ project is
meant to encourage young citizens aged between 14 and 18 years to come up with concrete proposals
for eventual implementation in their localities.
• 25 June 2004 Thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed between the Government and Bank
of Valletta, small businesses will now be able to get micro-loans to help them restructure or expand
without the need for a business plan. Bank Chairman Joseph F.X. Zahra said that the micro-loans are
directed towards small businesses employing up to 10 people and are for a maximum of Lm5,000.
• 25 June 2004 Magistrate Silvio Meli was elected to the Council of the Association of European
Competition Law Judges during the Association's third annual conference, held in Paris.
• 26 June 2004 During a private audience with President Edward Fenech-Adami, the Pope urged the
Maltese to play a vital role in upholding the ‘profoundly Christian identity’ of Europe now that Malta
had taken its ‘rightful place’ in the EU. The Pontiff was addressing Dr Fenech-Adami who was on a
state visit to the independent state of the Vatican.
• 26 June 2004 During his state visit, President Fenech-Adami also had a private meeting with the
Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, and later met Fra Andrew Bertie, the Prince and
Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta.
The Grand Master presented the President with the Order’s highest honour - the collar of the Order
Promerito Melitensia of the Order of Malta.
• 26 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he felt no need to call a referendum on the EU
Constitution and envisages no problems in its ratification. “In essence,” said Dr Gonzi, “the Maltese
have already expressed their opinion in a democratic process that involved both the EU referendum as
well as the general elections campaign.” The Prime Minister was being interviewed by The Times
newspaper.
• 26 June 2004 Lateral thinker Edward De Bono opened the World Centre for New Thinking, located at
Villa Bighi, in Kalkara. The Minister for Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, who
delivered the inaugural speech, said that the Government was supporting the initiative of the De Bono
Foundation as it felt that the centre could be Malta's contribution to the EU and the world.
• 27 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, during the past months, the Government had
made a concerted and consistent effort to address the budgetary deficit. The strategy, said Dr Gonzi,
focuses on maximising revenue flows, controlling expenditure, and addressing in a decisive manner all
those government entities that have been consistently loss makers or were in danger of becoming major
loss makers. The Prime Minister was replying to questions by The Malta Independent on Sunday.
• 27 June 2004 Statistics concerning government finance, published by the National Statistics Office,
show that the structural deficit has been cut from Lm104.6 million as at 31 May 2003 to Lm85.8
million at the end of last May, a decrease of almost Lm20 million. Government revenue increased by
Lm21.6 million, while total expenditure increased by only Lm2.3 million.
Government debt, however, rose by Lm161.7 million, from Lm1,175.9 to Lm1,337.6 million at the end
of May 2004.
• 28 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the latest economic indicators were cause for
optimism. Dr Gonzi said that government revenue was in line with plans, the number of people
registering for work in consistent decline, and consumer spending remained at the expected levels. The
country had embarked on a road that would lead to an improved quality of life, said Dr Gonzi. The
Prime Minister was inaugurating the 47th edition of the International Fair of Malta.
• 28 June 2004 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion said that Libya has pledged
that Maltese citizens applying for a visa would not need to have an "invitation" to visit the country

efore the document can be issued. The decision by Tripoli, said the Ministry, meant that there would
be ‘full reciprocity’ in the way the two countries processed applications leading to the issue of visas.
• 29 June 2004 The Maltese Government informed the Irish Presidency that it supports the nomination
of Portuguese Prime Minister José Manuel Durao Barroso as the new President of the European
Commission. EU leaders will convene for a council meeting in Brussels to confirm the nomination of
the new president.
• 29 June 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in his capacity as Minister of Finance informed the
House of Representatives that the Government is to appropriate Lm18.6 million over and above the
estimates approved in the Budget for this year. Amendments to the Financial Administration and Audit
Act, approved by Parliament, provide that the Government may appropriate funds not exceeding 10 per
cent of the total sum appropriated for the financial year in the Budget.
• 29 June 2004 IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said in reply to a parliamentary question that Air
Malta had brought 542 persons to Malta on cheap fares to enable them to vote in the European
Parliament elections. Dr Gatt said that the airline will bill the Government Lm31,807 as a result.
• 29 June 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, said that the
Government was closely monitoring the market for local fresh produce every day in order to determine
whether it should implement the ‘safeguard clause’. However, said Dr Agius, the situation was slowly
stabilising.
• 29 June 2004 Addressing the annual general meeting for milk producers, Parliamentary Secretary
Francis Agius said that Malta Dairy Products is investing in modern equipment and technology worth
Lm2 million to ensure fresh milk distribution every day. Dr Agius said that the quality of fresh milk
had improved and become more competitive, to the benefit of both the consumer and the herdsman.
• 30 June 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami said that, as a member of the European Union, Malta
looks forward to intensifying its economic, political and social ties with the United States. "With
prospects opening both to the south and to the north of Malta, there is much scope for increased ties
between our nations," he said. Fenech-Adami was speaking during a reception on board the USS John
F. Kennedy to mark American Independence Day.
• 30 June 2004 European Union leaders nominated Portuguese Prime Minister José Manuel Durao
Barroso as European Commission Chief after a special summit lasting barely half an hour.
Commenting on Mr Barroso’s appointment, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said: "He has the capacity
to carry on from where Romano Prodi left off in leading the EU in this new era of enlargement, which
is a major challenge."
• 30 June 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, attended the
meeting of the Council of Environment Ministers, held in Luxembourg. The Minister said that Malta
opposed the draft council decision concerning the placing on the market of a maize product (zea mays
L.line NK603) genetically modified for glypostate tolerance, and voted against the proposal.
JULY
• 1 July 2004 The Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU, together with the European
Commission, celebrated Malta Week, in Brussels. The event, attended by 250 guests, was held to
promote Malta, its culture and its history among Commission employees. Present for the event were
Michael Frendo, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion,
European Commissioner Joe Borg, and Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta's Permanent Representative to
the EU.
• 1 July 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion,
Michael Frendo, addressed guests present for Malta Week. Dr Frendo said that, communicating Europe
to its citizens is one of the most important challenges facing the EU today. "The Mediterranean,
particularly North Africa and the Middle East, constitutes in itself another important challenge for the
Union,” said the speaker.

• 1 July 2004 The Vice President of the European Commission, Neil Kinnock, expressed satisfaction
that Malta has joined the EU. He said that, as a member, Malta will be able to play a bigger role in the
development of Europe. Mr Kinnock was speaking at the opening of Malta Week, in Brussels.
• 1 July 2004 Addressing guests present for Malta Week, European Commissioner Joe Borg spoke about
his experiences so far as a Commissioner. Dr Borg said that it was very satisfying for him to see how
well represented Malta was in the European institutions and the role it was therefore able to play in the
decision-making processes of the EU.
• 1 July 2004 President Emeritus Guido de Marco said that a greater awareness of Mediterranean issues
by the EU may help in bringing about a true peaceful solution to the Middle East problem. Prof. de
Marco was speaking after his participation in the 15th annual Crans Montana Forum in Switzerland,
where he was one of eight international personalities who were awarded the ‘Prix de la Fondation
2004’.
• 1 July 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced the new ‘Catering
Establishments Regulations’, which are to come into force on 1 st January 2005. The regulations replace
the outdated rules that used to be covered by the Hotels and Catering Establishments Act of 1967, and
make provision, for the first time, for areas like staff training, service, customer toilets, and fire safety.
• 1 July 2004 A labour force survey held by the National Statistics Office showed that the total number
of employed people in the first quarter of the year was estimated at over 148,600 and 18.9 per cent of
these were between 15 - 24 years old. The survey showed that the mean age of employed males stood
at 40 while that of females was 34. The unemployment rate stood at 7.2 per cent; the mean age of
unemployed males being 32 and that of females 25.
• 1 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi inaugurated the International Fair of Malta and was
shown round the Malta Pavilion which, this year, expands on the theme ‘Bis-Sahha tas-Shubija’.
Organised by the Department of Information, the pavilion projects the five sectors in which Malta will
benefit from EU funds, namely, investment in environment and transport, tourism and other areas;
strengthening competitiveness; agriculture and fisheries; developing people; and Gozo’s special needs.
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/tradefair2004/tradefair.asp
• 1 July 2004 The European Commission has declared kunserva to be a traditional, well-defined Maltese
product, stating that tomatoes used in its production should be eligible for EU aid. John Magro,
Managing Director of Magro Brothers (Foods) Ltd, which has a 65 per cent share of the tomato
processing market, welcomed the regulation and said that it was ‘very important for Maltese tomato
producers and even for the processing industry’.
• 1 July 2004 Go mobile and AC Cars reached a marketing and co-branding agreement to exhibit the
first AC sports car to be produced in Malta sprayed in go mobile’s traditional orange and blue livery.
Go mobile Chief Executive Officer Juanito Camilleri said that the agreement with AC Cars reflected
the company’s philosophy of promoting and associating itself with initiatives that are taking place in
Malta.
• 2 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government had gross revenue of Lm57.8
million from VAT in the first four months of the year, of which Lm8.5 million were paid out in
refunds. Dr Gonzi was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 2 July 2004 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Tonio Borg,
participated at the 4+5 Conference of the Ministers of the Interior of the Western Mediterranean
(CIMO), in Tunis. During the meeting, Dr Borg proposed a common multilateral extradition agreement
and the setting up of a joint rapid response force to meet natural and accidental calamities, which are
quite numerous in the Mediterranean region.
• 2 July 2004 The European Commission approved two proposals on the environment which have been
described as important for Malta. The first proposal, aiming to reduce sulphur in ships' fuel, affects
Malta because the country lies in the middle of one of the most important shipping routes. The second
proposal will lead to uniformity, by 2015, among member states in the classification of bathing waters.
• 2 July 2004 Newly-elected MEP Simon Busuttil was in Brussels to take part in the first meeting of the
European People's Party (EPP) after the June 12 elections. The meeting was attended by the heads of
delegation from all 25 EU countries. Dr Busuttil was participating as the head of the Maltese

delegation in the EPP. The meeting discussed the participation of MEPs in the 20 different committees
of the European Parliament.
• 2 July 2004 According to the publication ‘Structures of the Taxation Systems in the EU’, released by
Eurostat, Malta's rate of direct taxation stood at 36.1 per cent, above the EU25 average of 33.1 per
cent; on indirect tax Malta scored 42.5 per cent, compared with 34.8 per cent for the EU25. Malta's
social security contributions in 2002 were 21.4 per cent of the total tax burden, below the EU25
average of 32.1 per cent.
• 2 July 2004 Air Malta Group made a loss of Lm25.8 million in the financial year ending July 31,
2003, including losses of Lm8.86 million from its core business of passenger and cargo operations and
Lm14.2 million from AZZURRAairSpA.. This was revealed by Company Chairman Lawrence Zammit
who told a press conference that prospects for the current financial year were more or less the same.
Concrete results of the rescue plan, designed to reduce operating costs, would start to appear in the
year after that, said Mr Zammit.
• 2 July 2004 Sea Malta met the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security and
officially received the International Ship Security Certificate from Bureau Veritas. The ISPS code is a
mandatory regime imposed as an after-effect of the September 11 events in New York.
• 3 July 2004 Malta joined the EU's 24 other member states in a common campaign to promote the
benefits of diversity and to inform society on new rights and obligations to battle discrimination on the
place of work. Themed ‘For Diversity against Discrimination’, the European Commission's campaign
is intended to combat the different roots of discrimination in all member states.
• 3 July 2004 Censu Galea, Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, headed a delegation on
a two-day visit to Germany for talks on maritime affairs with the German Minister for Transport. The
two Ministers agreed that, in order to protect European shipping, it was important that decisions taken
at EU level do not drive ship owners to third country flags.
• 3 July 2004 President Emeritus Guido de Marco said that Malta's MEPs will not be making history
solely because they are the first five politicians elected to represent Malta in the European Parliament,
but also because they will be approaching politics from a different angle to that followed so far in
Malta. Prof. de Marco was speaking in his role as Chairman of the Strickland Foundation, which held a
reception in honour of the five MEPs. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was among those who attended.
• 4 July 2004 Mr John Dalli handed in his letter of resignation from the post of Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Investment Promotion to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. Mr Dalli said he intends to stay
on as an MP ‘to continue to build on what the Nationalist Party had achieved’. Accepting Mr Dalli’s
letter of resignation, Dr Gonzi said: "I think the situation unfortunately developed in a way where both
of us concluded that Mr Dalli could not continue to occupy the post of a Minister."
• 4 July 2004 Dr Michael Frendo, Parliamentary Secretary within the Foreign Ministry, was sworn in as
Foreign Minister in a ceremony at the Palace, in Valletta. Dr Frendo was one of the Government's
representatives on the Convention for the Future of Europe. The post of Parliamentary Secretary at the
Ministry has now been abolished.
• 4 July 2004 The Investment Promotion portfolio, previously pertaining to the Foreign Affairs
Ministry, is now under the responsibility of the Ministry of IT and Investment, which has now been
renamed the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology.
• 4 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government was on track with its
projections for the reduction of the deficit this year, and had taken measures to control public
expenditure at all levels. Dr Gonzi was speaking to The Sunday Times newspaper ahead of the
ECOFIN Council meeting. Malta is one of six new EU member states warned by the European
Commission over its government finances.
• 4 July 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea announced that the Bill for the
Employment Action Plan has just been completed and will be reviewed by the Government soon. The
Minister said that wide consultation will also be held within the Malta Council for Economic and
Social Development and the Parliamentary Committee for Social Affairs. Dr Galea was addressing the
second national youth conference ‘Job Creation for Young People’.

• 5 July 2004 An American professor who has conducted studies on a Malta-produced extract of the
prickly pear has found that the extract has medicinal use and can help prevent hangovers. Jeff Wiese,
Associate Professor of Medicine at Tulane University Health Sciences Centre, in New Orleans,
published the results of his study in the ‘Archives of Internal Medicine’.
• 6 July 2004 The EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council approved Malta's plans to trim the fiscal
imbalance by 3.6 per cent by 2007. The Council asked the Maltese Government to indicate by not later
than November 5 th the detailed measures it intends to implement during 2005 with a view to rein in the
deficit.
• 6 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed satisfaction that Ecofin had accepted the
Government's ‘ambitious but attainable’ programme. Dr Gonzi announced that, in the coming weeks,
the Government will be publishing a White Paper on pension reform after discussing it with the Malta
Council for Economic and Social Development.
• 6 July 2004 Bernhard Müller-Menrad, Honorary Consul for Malta in Munich, hosted the fourteenth
meeting of Malta's Honorary Consuls and Consuls General. The meeting was chaired by William
Spiteri, Malta's Ambassador in Berlin, who briefed the Consuls on Maltese-German relations, Malta's
economic performance and political situation, the EU, the Mediterranean and other matters of interest
to the Consuls.
• 6 July 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, took part in a conference of
presidents of EU parliaments in The Hague. Mr Tabone made two statements, and on both occasions
he emphasised the need for an enhanced role in cooperation between national parliaments themselves
and between national parliaments and the European Parliament.
• 6 July 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea announced that the Malta
College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) would be offering more courses as from the
coming scholastic year. Speaking during the launch of the prospectus for 2004-2005, the Minister said
that the MCAST has widened the choice of vocational courses in different levels to help students in
their career aspirations.
• 6 July 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that a total of
4.5 million gross tons of shipping were registered under the Maltese flag in 2002; 4.2 million in 2003;
and 1.04 million between January and March this year. Mr Galea was replying to a parliamentary
question.
• 6 July 2004 British High Commissioner Vincent Fean said in a statement that business relations
between Malta and the English county of East Sussex were on the increase, thanks to the Malta Fair of
Malta. Mr Fean said that Sussex is taking steps to introduce Sussex companies to potential Maltese
partners. This cooperation was very much a two-way street, he said, and he hoped that Maltese
companies would take a close look at what East Sussex business had to offer.
• 6 July 2004 Enemalta Corporation announced price adjustments in the price of fuel. The price of
unleaded petrol rose from 36c3 to 38c6, that of lead replacement petrol (LRP) from 39c3 to 41c6, that
of EN590 diesel from 29c to 31c5, and that of kerosene from 13c4 to 15c1. The corporation said that
the price adjustments were calculated according to a formula through which the prices of petroleum
products are made to reflect the fluctuations in prices on the international oil market.
• 7 July 2004 Ombudsman Joe Sammut presented a copy of the eighth annual report of the Office of the
Ombudsman to Anton Tabone, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr Sammut said that ‘the
biggest sins’ of the Public Service were: delay in replying to correspondence or issuing entitlements
that belong to citizens; and lack of fairness, with grievances involving rigid application of rules with
negative effects on citizens.
• 7 July 2004 The Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs has issued a Legal Notice obliging wardens to
hand over tickets personally when they book someone over a traffic contravention. The Parliamentary
Secretary in the Ministry, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said that, prior to the issue of Legal Notice No. 350
wardens could book motorists without the need to stop them. This was unacceptable, Dr Mifsud
Bonnici said.
• 7 July 2004 A new legal instrument for the prevention of maritime accidents and pollution by ships
has entered into force following ratification by seven out of the 22 of the contracting parties to the

Barcelona Convention. Croatia, France, Malta, Monaco, Slovenia, Turkey and the European Union
ratified, approved or accessed the Protocol concerning Co-operation in Preventing Pollution from
Ships and, in cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea.
• 7 July 2004 The Department of Information announced that the Government Information Service
handles over 7,000 calls each month on Freephone 153. The answering service provides information to
the public about government departments and services info@gov.mt
• 8 July 2004 The Government agreed to hold a meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social
Development to discuss the Government’s convergence plan that it presented to the European Union.
Among other things, the convergence plan describes the Government’s plans to manage the financial
deficit and gives specific targets as to how the debts can be reduced to a sustainable level by 2007.
• 8 July 2004 The international credit rating agency Fitch said that Malta's sovereign rating retained its
positive outlook. It said that the rating was more likely than not to be upgraded in the next two years.
Reference to Malta was made in a report in which Fitch upgraded the long term foreign currency
ratings of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia.
• 8 July 2004 Minister of Education, Youth and Employment Louis Galea said that the University and
the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology were offering a number of courses in IT. He said
that the two institutions should work together to provide IT experts to meet the demand in local
industry. Dr Galea was speaking at the inauguration of an exhibition of projects by information
technology students at the University of Malta.
• 8 July 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said that Malta depended on energy
yielded from oil imported from abroad. He added that alternative sources of energy that would reduce
the use of oil have to be introduced in the coming years, when engineers would have a very important
role to play. Mr Zammit was speaking at the opening of an exhibition of projects by engineering
students at the University of Malta.
• 8 July 2004 Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono announced that the Maltese Association of Dermatology
and Venereology, together with the University of Siena, the University of Melbourne and the Ministry
for Gozo would be carrying out a study on melanoma in Gozo later on this year.
• 8 July 2004 The US Government, through Thomas M. Murphy, Chargé D'Affaires at the US Embassy,
donated a Protector Class patrol boat to the Armed Forces of Malta. The P52 was signed over to the
AFM at a ceremony held at the Maritime Squadron's headquarters, at Hay Wharf. The Parliamentary
Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Tony Abela, described the donation as a show of
friendship between the two countries.
• 8 July 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs said that there was no proof at
all that illegal immigrants were aboard the ship Cap Anamur when it left Malta bound for Sicily earlier
this week, as claimed by Italian media reports. The spokesman said that there has been no
communication between the Italian and Maltese authorities over the issue.
• 9 July 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi signed the Book of
Condolence for Austrian President Thomas Klestil at the Consulate General of Austria, in Valletta.
President Klestil died on Tuesday 6 th , aged 71.
• 9 July 2004 Addressing a monthly press briefing, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that he
was embarking on an exercise with Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, and Permanent Secretaries to
see what more could be done to continue controlling government expenditure. Dr Gonzi said that he
would be meeting the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development soon to explain Malta's
convergence plan recently accepted by the EU's Finance Ministers. An audio recording of the press
briefing can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%2008.07.04media.asp
• 9 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he had asked the Auditor General to examine
how government ministries, departments and agencies buy their air tickets. The benchmarking exercise
will see if the best deals are being obtained, and if financial regulations are being followed, said Dr
Gonzi. The Prime Minister was addressing his monthly press briefing.

• 9 July 2004 Government MEP Simon Busuttil urged the European People's Party (EPP) to take the
lead to bridge the gap between Europe and its citizens. Dr Busuttil called upon Euro Parliamentarians
to "get out of your seats and talk to the people. The new EU Constitution gives us a new opportunity to
bridge the gap with the citizens,” he said.
• 9 July 2004 The Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications launched a public consultation
document on the proposed EU Directive on the provision of services within the internal market.
Minister Censu Galea said that the Government was committed to promoting business and facilitating
procedures by which service providers can operate. info.mcmp@gov.mt
• 9 July 2004 The Commissioner for Data Protection, Paul Mifsud Cremona, announced that his office
would be drafting a Code of Conduct for journalists, with the collaboration of those in the field. The
idea behind the code is to find a balance between the fundamental right to privacy and the journalist's
freedom of expression, which can be conflicting, the Data Protection Commissioner said.
• 9 July 2004 The former mayor of Qormi, Roderick Galdes, will be filling the parliamentary seat
vacated by MEP John Attard Montalto in the Sixth District. In a casual election, Mr Galdes obtained
3,406 votes where the quota was 1,732.
• 9 July 2004 The Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology notifies that the
Privatisation Unit has moved to new premises and can now be contacted at: The Privatisation Unit,
Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, Marsa Industrial Estate, Marsa LQA
06. Telephone: 21 230424 / 21 231547, Fax: 21231878.
• 9 July 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami left Malta for Austria to attend the state funeral of the
late Austrian President Thomas Klestil. President Fenech-Adami was accompanied by Malta's
Ambassador to Austria, Walter Balzan.
• 10 July 2004 European Commissioner Joe Borg said that, for the European Union, enlargement is not
a removal of borders but an opportunity to open up to its new, or nearer, neighbours. Dr Borg urged
Tunisia to realise that the challenges stemming from the EU's enlargement were substantial. The
Maltese Commissioner was speaking during a seminar in Tunisia on the theme The Enlarged EU and
Tunisia.
• 10 July 2004 A Eurobarometer survey carried out between February and March indicates that the
Maltese were generally the most likely to believe that things would change after membership.
Respondents foresee an improvement in life expectations in the medium term (next five years). In
terms of satisfaction with life domains, specifically with the economic situation in Malta, respondents
do not foresee the year to come to be a good one.
• 10 July 2004 According to figures released by the National Office of Statistics, Malta, with a
population of nearly 400,000, had an annual population growth rate of 0.7 per cent and a total fertility
rate of 1.46. Like the rest of Europe, Malta was experiencing an acceleration of aging in the
population. However, in comparisons made by the NSO, Malta's population was deemed still ‘young’
by European standards: the age group from 0-14 representing 18.2% of the population, while those
aged 65 years and over stand at 13.1%.
• 11 July 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg described the wave of asylum seekers
coming to Malta as ‘worrying’. The Minister said that the authorities were "worried and concerned"
that, if continued, the current trend could lead to an emergency situation. Dr Borg was speaking to The
Sunday Times newspaper.
• 11 July 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that lifelong learning,
employment, and social inclusion, are inextricably linked. “This is why our country cannot afford to
address any of these areas in isolation. The integration of education and employment under one
ministry needs to be further exploited to advance this perspective,” said the Minister. Dr Galea was
addressing a conference marking the completion of the Parent Empowerment for the Family Literacy
Project, at Qawra.
• 12 July 2004 According to the credit ratings agency Fitch, the Government's ambition to adopt the
Euro in 2008 is "realistic", but will require it to stick to its plans for fiscal consolidation. Fitch,
however, believes that Malta’s eventual adoption of the Euro could increase the long-term foreign
currency ratings of the Island only marginally.

• 13 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi defended the Government's decision to purchase a
Lm6.5 million building in Brussels, telling MPs that the property would consolidate all Malta
government offices in one central area. Dr Gonzi said the process for the selection and purchase of the
property was coordinated by MIMCOL and involved detailed reports by property experts. The Prime
Minister was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 13 July 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo informed the EU Foreign Ministers of Malta’s
intention to become a member of the European Defence Agency. The Agency is designed to support
the member states in their efforts to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis
management and to sustain the European Defence and Security Policy as it stands now and develops in
the future.
• 13 July 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt announced that the Government had
wide-ranging restructuring plans for Enemalta Corporation. The Minister also announced that the
Government had shelved its privatisation plans for the Mediterranean Offshore Bunkering Co Ltd
(MOBC) and that it would cease bunkering operations altogether. Dr Gatt was addressing a news
conference.
• 13 July 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the number of tourists
departing by air during May was estimated at 103,272, a 0.7 per cent increase over the same month last
year. The NSO said that, during the January-May period, tourist departures declined by 2 per cent over
the same period last year and reached 358,893. In the comparable period last year, tourist departures by
air reached 366,043.
• 13 July 2004 Labour Member Roderick Galdes took his oath of office and his seat in Parliament. Mr
Galdes was elected in a casual election to succeed Dr John Attard Montalto, now a Member of the
European Parliament.
• 14 July 2004 The Ministry for Investment, Industry and IT announced that, following Cabinet
approval, Dr Austin Gatt had signed an agreement with Joseph Caruana Company Limited to take sole
responsibility over the development of Fort Chambray in Gozo. The new contract will transfer the land
on emphyteusis to the new developers for the remaining period of the original grant but under totally
new conditions.
• 14 July 2004 The Local Councils' Association asked for an urgent meeting with the Justice and Home
Affairs Minister and the Department of Local Councils following a five per cent cut in the budgets of
local councils, for the financial year 2004-2005. Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, Parliamentary Secretary
in the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, said that he needed to consult the Minister and that the
Association would be invited to a meeting soon after.
• 14 July 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said that Malta has requested a two-year extension on
the implementation of the Fifth Italian Financial Protocol. Replying to a parliamentary question, Dr
Frendo said that the two countries had exchanged diplomatic notes last month. The change has to be
formally ratified by Italy.
• 14 July 2004 Maltapost launched The Malta Stamp Collection 1964 - 2004, an exquisite collection of
Maltese stamps, limited to 4,500 copies. The collection includes more than 1,100 stamps in mint
condition issued by Malta, from Independence in 1964, through to its EU accession in 2004. About 50
of the stamps in the collection fall into the ‘rare’ category.
• 15 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the social partners had reacted positively to the
convergence plan presented to them during an MCESD meeting. "It was a very good meeting and a
constructive one too," Dr Gonzi said. "The discussion was not just limited to the convergence plan. We
discussed how the deficit and public debt problems should be addressed, and how we should stimulate
the economy to create wealth."
• 15 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the media that an eco contribution expected to be
imposed this month is meant to raise money to partly offset the cost of waste management and to help
nurture a national conscience to produce less waste. Dr Gonzi said that the tax would only have a
minimal effect of 0.84 of a percentage point on the Retail Price Index. An audio recording of the press
briefing can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/audiorecording%20-%2014.07.04ecocontribution.asp

• 15 July 2004 The Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, together with the University of
Malta, the Education Ministry, and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, has set up a new
environmental education research centre. The centre aims at fostering awareness of the environment,
organising training courses in environment education, and training environment research consultants.
• 15 July 2004 At a meeting in Brussels, the Foreign Ministers of EU member states urged the
Commission to consider the possibility of community funding for the organisation of joint flights for
the removal, from the territory of two or more member states, of third country nationals who are the
subject of individual removal orders. In a statement to The Times newspaper, Justice and Home Affairs
Minister Tonio Borg said: “Malta welcomes the EU's declaration and is looking forward to collaborate
in this new framework.”
• 15 July 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo met Ismail Al-Shura, Under Secretary at the
Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss a draft cooperation agreement between the two countries.
During the talks, Dr Frendo emphasised the importance of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Gulf
countries vis-à-vis Malta's foreign policy, especially in the light of Malta's EU membership.
• 15 July 2004 A report released by the European Commission shows that Malta ranks last among
European Union countries in transposing the EU's internal market legislation to national law. Malta
still has 617 directives to transpose, having taken on board about 60 per cent of EU legislation in this
field, which covers the freedom of movement of people, goods, services and money. The Czech
Republic and Latvia are the closest to Malta with 360 and 290 directives to transpose respectively.
Lithuania has the lowest number, just 11.
• 15 July 2004 The June edition of the leading German up-market consumer travel magazine Abenteuer
& Reisen featured a six-page article on Gozo. The monthly magazine has a circulation of 120,000.
• 16 July 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea launched a consultation
process on proposed strategies for Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting, Third Generation Mobile
Telephony, and Fixed Wireless Access. The Minister said that these strategies are based on proposals
put forward to the Government by the Malta Communications Authority. The documents are online on
the Ministry website www.mcmp.gov.mt
• 16 July 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo told the Standing Committee on Foreign and
European Affairs of the House of Representatives that Malta's EU membership strengthened its
commitment to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Dr Frendo said that Malta's Mediterranean
aspect was strengthened by its EU membership and vice-versa.
• 16 July 2004 The Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs put the effective budget cut to be imposed on
Local Councils at 2.4% instead of 5%. The balance of 2.6% will consist of a withdrawal of funds
allocated for e-government projects. The Ministry said that the budget adjustment was part of the
broader attempt to reduce the deficit, a national problem the solution of which required everyone's
participation.
• 16 July 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, announced that her
Ministry is in the process of setting up a centralised social welfare service with the aim of coordinating
a national strategy to address the emerging needs of refugees and asylum seekers. The role of this
service would be to liaise with the NGOs that have been working with these people, Ms Cristina said.
• 16 July 2004 Nationalist Party MEP Simon Busuttil intervened during the hearings organised by the
PPE and conveyed to José Manuel Barroso, the EU Council's nominee for the presidency of the
European Commission, the greetings and wishes of good luck from the smallest member state of the
Union. Dr Busuttil said he hoped that under Mr Barroso's leadership the Commission would be an
honest broker between large and small states, and strengthen the Mediterranean policy of the EU.
• 16 July 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami and Mrs Fenech-Adami presided over the launching of
the Ball of the August Moon, at San Anton Palace. The ball will be held on August 7 th , in the grounds
of Verdala Castle in Buskett. As customary, all proceeds will go to the Malta Community Chest Fund.
• 17 July 2004 Malta's EU Commissioner Joe Borg said that he intends to tell the new Commission
President that his ideal portfolio for the coming five years would include matters related to the external
dimension of the EU. Dr Borg said that he is keen to avoid certain portfolios where he has little

experience, and that includes development cooperation which he temporarily occupies as a shadow to
Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Poul Nielson. Dr Borg was being interviewed by
The Times newspaper.
• 17 July 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, represented Malta
at the Ecofin meeting that discussed the European Commission's spending plans for 2005. Following
the meeting, Mr Fenech said that Malta's budget for 2005 would not be affected, as it forms part of the
Accession Treaty. Mr Fenech said that he expected that, between 2007 and 2013, the Island would
remain a net beneficiary from the EU coffers.
• 17 July 2004 Addressing the EU Meeting of Ministers of Social Affairs and Employment, in
Rotterdam, the Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, spoke on the problem
of incoming migration. Malta has submitted applications for funds under the European Social Fund and
EQUAL project in order to help integration within the labour market, to develop an employment
strategy, and to promote and develop a non-racist and intercultural approach.
• 17 July 2004 Following the Rotterdam Conference, Minister Dolores Cristina proceeded to Maastricht,
where the Employment and Social Affairs Ministers met for their first informal council in the enlarged
EU of 25 member states. Minister Cristina represented Malta in a working group that analysed issues
related to modernising social protection systems, promoting social cohesion and fighting poverty.
• 18 July 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo had talks in Tripoli with Libyan Foreign
Minister Abdulrahman Shalgam. A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said that Dr Frendo had
emphasised Malta's commitment to the Mediterranean dimension of its foreign policy and to the
strengthening of the already strong historic relations with Libya. The statement said that Mr Shalgam
expressed his appreciation that Dr Frendo had chosen Libya for his first bilateral visit.
• 18 July 2004 The Government insisted that the new eco-tax levied on a number of products was not
intended as a revenue-generating exercise but was a drive to convince operators to introduce product
return schemes. The Parliamentary Secretary in the Finance Ministry, Tonio Fenech, told The Sunday
Times that it was high time to introduce the ‘polluter pays’ principle.
• 20 July 2004 Commissioner Joe Borg represented the EU at an international donors’ conference
intended to raise financial support for Haiti's recovery. The two-day conference was organised jointly
by the World Bank, the United Nations, and the European Commission. UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan, US Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Haiti's Prime Minister, Gerald Laturtue, were due to
address the conference.
• 20 July 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, participated in the
Informal Environment Council organised by the Dutch Presidency, in Maastricht. The theme for the
first two days focused on how the environment can offer opportunities for economic growth and
strengthen the EU’s competitiveness through eco-efficient innovations. The theme for the final day of
the Informal Council was flood protection, prevention, and mitigation.
• 20 July 2004 Dr Christopher Ciantar, head of strategy and development at environment company
WasteServ , announced that Malta has a commitment to the EU to collect 800 tons of plastic, 1,100
tons of metal, 3,000 tons of glass, and 9,000 tons of cardboard and paper a year. He admitted that the
Island still has a long way to go to meet these targets. Dr Ciantar was being interviewed by The Times
newspaper.
• 20 July 2004 Children's Commissioner Sonia Camilleri said that the Children’s Council felt that
children needed to be represented directly on the Children’s Council and had arranged for the election
of a boy and girl to be elected by their peers. "We cannot talk about children, and take decisions that
will affect them without having their active participation on the Council," she stressed. The Council
had hitherto been composed of social workers, doctors, psychologists and government representatives.
• 20 July 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, the number of foreign students attending
English language courses in one of the 34 English language schools in operation in 2003 amounted to
53,241, marking a decrease of 734 students (1.4 per cent) over the previous year. As in previous years,
the highest number of students came from Germany, making up 25 per cent of all students, followed by
Italy (17.5 per cent), France (13.5 per cent) and Austria (9.1 per cent). Russian students accounted for
7.4 per cent.

• 20 July 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Milan office launched a bus poster in Rome as part of the
new advertising campaign highlighting Malta's European origins and character. The MTA is making
use of 100 billboards emphasising Malta's beauty, art, culture and history, as well as its new status as
an EU member.
• 21 July 2004 Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said that the Croatian Government will be
consulting Malta as it negotiates the EU acquis communautaire chapters on agriculture, fisheries and
property. Mr Sanader said that it was in his country’s interest to look at how Malta had conducted its
talks with the European Union, given the ‘exceptional’ package that Malta obtained. The Croatian
Prime Minister was addressing journalists during a joint press conference with Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi, at Auberge de Castille.
• 21 July 2004 Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta would offer
support to Mr Sanader throughout, in whichever area Malta was needed. “What Malta managed to
negotiate during accession proves that the European Union understands the specificity and the
particular needs of each member state,” Dr Gonzi said. He said the two countries also shared ‘common
interests’ in that they both were small Mediterranean states. An audio recording of the joint press
conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/audiorecording%20-
%2020.07.04press%20conf%20PMCroatia.asp
• 21 July 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg insisted with his EU counterparts that the
bloc steps up its efforts to conclude common re-admission agreements with third countries, in
particular with North Africa. Dr Borg said that these agreements would greatly facilitate the process of
the repatriation of illegal immigrants from Malta to such countries. Dr Borg was addressing the EU
Justice and Home Affairs Ministers during a Council meeting, in Brussels.
• 21 July 2004 The enlarged European Parliament began its new five-year term yesterday with a threeday
plenary session in Strasbourg. Malta's newly-elected MEPs Simon Busuttil, David Casa, Joseph
Muscat, John Attard Montalto, and Louis Grech sat for the first time in the hemicycle-shaped
Parliament within their respective political groupings. Nationalist MEPs form part of the European
People's Party while Labour MEPs are part of the European Socialist Group.
• 22 July 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that the European Neighbourhood Policy
launched by the EU to further an area of common values with neighbouring countries is more than
complementary to trade and economic integration objectives of the Barcelona Euro-Med Process. The
Minister was speaking during the IV Euromed Trade Ministerial Conference, in Istanbul.
• 22 July 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, who is an
architect by profession, said that the Faculty of Architecture needs to be revamped. “It is clear that the
level of professional ethics held by the newer graduates is by far lower than the values upheld by the
older generation of architects,” Mr Pullicino said. The Minister was addressing an audience of
architects gathered at a Malta Financial and Business Times/Radisson SAS business breakfast meeting.
• 22 July 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that a total of 240 persons had been
refused entry into Malta in the first half of this year. He said that the main reasons for refusal were: the
persons concerned did not carry the necessary documents; they had false identification documents; and
they did not have financial means to sustain themselves. Dr Borg was replying to a parliamentary
question.
• 22 July 2004 The Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt, said in reply to a
parliamentary question, that the Government is discussing a technical cooperation programme on
information technology with the Israeli Government.
• 22 July 2004 Minister Austin Gatt said in reply to another parliamentary question that Enemalta was
owed Lm23.8 million as at the end of last month, of which Lm7.6 million were in current bills. Dr Gatt
said that private consumers owed the corporation Lm10.8 million; hotels, Lm1.3 million; large
businesses, Lm2.1 million; industries, Lm7.7 million; government departments, Lm1.4 million; and
farms, Lm219,000.
• 22 July 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said in reply to a parliamentary question
that there were 812 civil marriages last year, compared to 481 in the year 2000. There were 474 civil

marriages in 2001, 585 in 2002 and 812 in 2003. Civil marriages this year up to July 13 numbered 397,
of which 174 involved a foreign spouse.
• 22 July 2004 Dr Simon Busuttil became the first Maltese MEP to address the European Parliament. He
said that European citizens want concrete results from the EU: they demand more job creation and a
better standard of living. But above all, the people wanted the EU to communicate and to be close to
them, he said. Dr Busuttil made his two-minute intervention in Maltese.
• 23 July 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami visited the National Museum of Fine Arts to view the
Malta Turner, an important painting by the renowned British water colourist J.M.W. Turner loaned to
the museum on a permanent basis by HSBC Bank Malta. On the occasion, the President, on behalf of
the Community Chest Fund, received a donation of Lm10,000 from HSBC chairman Albert Mizzi.
23 July 2004 The Government launched a national information and communication technology
strategy that aims to use modern technology to secure a better life for the Maltese while strengthening
the economy. The 2004-2006 strategy tackles 13 themes that affect many aspects of a person's life and
cover issues like education, employment, government services, and businesses. Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi and Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt attended the launch.
• 23 July 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, said that a brief
outlining the development of Dock Number One, in Cospicua, and the surrounding area will be
published within the next few months. He said that the brief is currently being considered by the
Cabinet Committee for Capital Projects. Mr Mugliett was speaking during a visit to the Vittoriosa
rehabilitation project.
• 23 July 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, chaired the first
session of the Maritime Security Committee. The Committee is discussing port security with the aim of
enabling Malta to meet its obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
coupled with enhancing ship and port security.
• 23 July 2004 The Maltese Members of the European Parliament, namely Simon Busuttil and David
Casa representing the Party in government and Joseph Muscat, J. Attard Montalto and Louis Grech
representing the Party in opposition, were assigned their posts on the various committees. Each MEP
was assigned a committee or two and appointed an alternate member on others, which means they can
participate in full but will not have the right to vote.
• 23 July 2004 The Valletta Waterfront Project announced that it has received over 200 expressions of
interest from different companies wishing to operate from its facilities at Pinto Wharf. The €25 million
project, run by Viset plc, is intended to provide top quality leisure and entertainment facilities for cruise
and ferry passengers and the Maltese public.
• 23 July 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that, in June 2004, there were 7,942
unemployed persons registered with the Employment and Training Corporation. Of these, 6,434 were
males and 1,508 were females. The figure represents a decline of 162 over the preceding month and an
increase of 704 compared to the same month last year.
• 24 July 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami visited the restoration project of the Chapel of Italy in
St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta. Ray Bondin, Executive Coordinator of the Valletta Rehabilitation
Project, explained that the restoration was being financed through the Italian Financial Protocol. He
said that the Italian Government had contributed Lm700,000, while the VRP is shouldering the
remaining Lm50,000.
• 24 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that the Cabinet will soon approve a list of
road projects that will benefit from EU funds. Speaking during a visit on site to road works in Qormi
and Rabat, Dr Gonzi said that the list would then be passed on to the EU for approval. Work is
currently underway on a number of roads with funding from the Italian Government under the Fifth
Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol.
• 24 July 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a new communications
system has been installed to link the Foreign Affairs Ministry, in Valletta, to the Brussels offices and to
the EU Council building in Brussels. The system, using Voice over Internet Protocol technology,
should lead to a 35 per cent reduction in communication costs, the spokesman said.

• 24 July 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that the
Government is investing in sustainable waste management but, unless this is also sustained financially,
it will remain in the planning stage. The Minister explained that it costs the Government Lm1.18 to
transport a tonne of construction waste to a quarry. In the first six months of the year, about 1.2 million
tonnes of material had been moved, which meant an expenditure of about Lm1.4 million for
construction waste alone. Mr Pullicino was speaking during a visit to a quarry in the limits of Zurrieq.
• 24 July 2004 Government categorically denied that the award of the tender for the supply, installation
and commissioning of medical equipment for Mater Dei Hospital to INSO Spa was a form of
‘compensation’ for the Italian Financial Protocol. The government statement came in reply to a
document entitled ‘The Expansion of the European Union to the East: What is changing for German
Medium-Sized Businesses’, published by the German Ministry of Economy and Labour.
• 24 July 2004 The European Commission has accepted to provide Malta with the sum of 2.9 million
Euro which had remained ‘unspent’ by other new member states. This follows the satisfactory
exhaustion by the Maltese Government of the 8.9 million Euro allocated to it under the 2004 Transition
Facility which is to be utilised for the upgrading of a number of projects, including the Blood
Transfusion Service, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, Border Controls, and the Asylum
System.
• 24 July 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, in June the rate of inflation hit the 2.03 per
cent mark. In May it stood at 1.95 per cent. The Retail Price Index also went up by 0.48 per cent
between May and June. In May it stood at 103.13, rising to 103.62 last month.
• 25 July 2004 The Meteorological Office in Luqa reported that the highest temperature for July this
year was recorded on Saturday 24 th when the temperature rose to 36°C. This is around 5°C higher than
the average temperature for this July.
• 26 July 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami was presented with a leather-bound copy of the limited
edition Maltapost EU Accession Album, at the President's Palace, in Valletta. Maltapost Chairman Joe
Grioli and outgoing Chief Executive Robert Lake made the presentation. Dr Fenech-Adami said that
the album would help considerably towards enhancing Malta's contribution to international philately.
• 27 July 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi met the social partners represented on the Malta Council
for Economic and Social Development for a three-hour meeting. Following the meeting, Dr Gonzi said
that he was holding meetings with operators and organisations, which could lead to a different
methodology in the way the eco contribution would operate. "This means that the impact of the tax
could be eased," said the Prime Minister.
• 27 July 2004 A spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister announced that the Cabinet has agreed
to approve a proposal by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to re-nominate Dr Joe Borg to serve for the
next five years as EU Commissioner. Dr Gonzi made his proposal following consultations with the
President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, over the telephone. The
spokesman also confirmed that Dr Gonzi and Mr Barroso discussed the possible areas of responsibility
Dr Borg would be assigned.
• 27 July 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea laid stress on the importance of
the knowledge of Arabic for the Maltese, particularly in view of Malta's geographical and political
position. Dr Galea said that, if Malta truly wanted to fulfil its role as a bridge between Europe and
North Africa, it had to invest in the creation of an Arabic-speaking workforce. A course leading to a
Diploma in Arabic is starting at the University of Malta next October.
• 27 July 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said that a two-day meeting convened at the Ministry
would examine the strategic aims of Malta's foreign policy. The Ministry said the meeting would
discuss how an island member of the European Union which was positioned in the centre of the
Mediterranean could increase its political relevance and how it could transform this political relevance
into prosperity and security for its people. Maltese Ambassadors accredited to various countries will be
taking part in the meeting along with senior Ministry officials.
• 27 July 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's office in Stockholm held a travel seminar in Oslo,
Norway for over thirty Norwegian tour operators, conference and incentive travel organisers and travel
agents. The seminar covered Malta's general development as a tourism destination, as well as Malta's
positioning in the Nordic market.

• 27 July 2004 Air Malta has been awarded the ISO 9001-2000 certification for its airside ground
handling services by Moody International Certification Ltd. The certification was awarded after an
extensive audit of the operational processes and standards of the department and its Quality
Management System was carried out by Moody.
• 28 July 2004 The House of Representatives approved a Bill which will allow civil servants to retain
their jobs if they are elected to Parliament, as long as their grade is not higher than salary scale six. The
Bill was moved by Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and approved unanimously through
all stages. To date, civil servants who were elected to Parliament had to resign their civil service jobs, a
situation which currently affected four MPs from both sides of the House.
• 28 July 2004 The House of Representatives rose for the summer recess after approving the Eco-
Contribution Bill, the Members of Parliament (Public Employment) Bill, and the Code of Organisation
and Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill through all stages. Leader of the House Tonio Borg pointed out
in adjournment remarks that 80 per cent of the Bills approved since the Easter recess were agreed by
both sides of the House.
• 28 July 2004 The Eco-Contribution Bill was amended for a distinction to be made on the charge to be
levied on refrigeration equipment. The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George
Pullicino, said that the bill would be introduced once government discussions with the business
community regarding stocks were concluded.
• 28 July 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, and the Minister of
Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, presented a consultation document on the provision
of childcare services for children under-3, at a press conference. The document is available on the
websites
http://www.education.gov.mt
http://www.welfare.gov.mt
• 28 July 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority has embarked on a restructuring process of its operations,
delving into revised strategies with which to market Malta abroad. Tourism and Culture Minister
Francis Zammit Dimech announced that an analysis of the current framework along with
recommendations would be ready by the end of September.
• 28 July 2004 The Council of the European Union on General Affairs and External Relations discussed
the state of play of the World Trade Organisation Doha Development Agenda negotiations, in Brussels.
The discussion was based on a presentation given by the European Commissioner for Trade, Pascal
Lamy, and confirmed the Union's commitment for a balanced framework agreement on future WTO
Doha negotiations. Malta was represented at the meeting by Richard Cachia Caruana, Permanent
Representative to the European Union.
• 29 July 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-employed, Edwin Vassallo,
announced that more than 2,530 requests for business permits were approved by the Trade Licensing
Unit between May 2002 and last April. Mr Vassallo said that the Unit had issued 890 permits for new
businesses, varying from shops to industrial manufacturing or artisan businesses.
• 29 July 2004 Over 150 guests and Chevening scholars attended the annual Chevening Alumni Gala
Dinner, at the Radisson Hotel, St Julians. The event was organised by the British High Commission on
behalf of the Chevening Alumni Association Malta. A number of dignitaries from the political,
educational and business sectors, including President Edward Fenech-Adami, attended the dinner.
• 29 July 2004 British High Commissioner Vincent Fean presented a cheque to the Down's Syndrome
Association. The association aims to contact parents of newly-born babies with Down's Syndrome as
early as possible and provide counselling and support, particularly in the early stages of a baby's life,
providing physiotherapy and speech therapy services.
• 29 July 2004 MEP David Casa participated in the first session of the Committee on environment,
public health and food safety, of which he is an alternate member. The Committee, chaired by Karl-
Heinz Florenz (EPP), discussed the protection of ground water against pollution, packaging waste, and
the addition of vitamins and minerals and certain other substances to food.

• 29 July 2004 The Malta Communications Authority issued a consultative paper, ‘Voice over IP:
Regulatory Principles for Innovative Services’, in keeping with the need to review the market and offer
a clear direction. MCA Chairman Joseph Tabone said that the authority is seeking to consult with
interested parties about a suitable regulatory treatment applicable to VoIP services.
• 30 July 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami and Mrs Fenech-Adami presented Lm47,932 in
donations to philanthropic associations and individuals on behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund.
"These donations are an example of solidarity which concretely means that the Maltese do care about
their neighbours in need. It is a mentality that goes against individualism," the President said.
• 30 July 2004 The Central Bank of Malta left the central intervention rate unchanged at 3%. The
Central Bank said that Governor Michael Bonello reaffirmed the thrust of the statement made at the
end of the meeting of July 2 nd , in which he had highlighted the key factors that would influence the
Bank's future monetary policy stance, and noted that there were no developments since then that would
justify a change in the central intervention rate.
• 30 July 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the turnover index of the capital goods group in
May this year dropped by 45.1% over May last year. In the same period, the group registered an
increase of 7.9% in its employment index from 107.8 to 116.3 and an increase of 7.6% in its wages and
salaries index from 128.4 in May 2003 to 138.2 in May 2004.
• 30 July 2004 The government environment agency WasteServ reported an ‘encouraging’ response to
waste separation. The agency noted that whereas 15,000 kilos of paper were handled from the bring-in
sites in November, this increased to 39,040 kilos in June. Plastic rose from 4,240 to 12,780 kilos; cans
from 2,540 to 6,300 kilos; and glass from 6,660 to 15,660 kilos in the same period.
• 30 July 2004 The national carrier Air Malta announced that passenger traffic and revenue grew in the
second quarter of this year. It said that the number of passengers it carried increased by 9% on the
entire scheduled network while revenues improved by 3.5%. "This is an encouraging trend we would
like to keep up,” said airline chairman Lawrence Zammit.
• 30 July 2004 A pilot study commissioned by the National Statistics Office shows that people spend an
average of 11 hours daily on personal care (including sleeping) during weekdays, 4.7 hours on free
time activities and 3.3 hours on housework and family care. On the other hand, over the weekend
people spend a daily average of 11.7 hours on personal care (including sleeping), 5.7 hours on free
time activities and 2.8 hours on housework and family care.
• 30 July 2004 An Armed Forces patrol boat escorted the 28-metre Italian trawler Europa M to Grand
Harbour after catching it within the Maltese conservation area. The AFM said that, when boarded, the
boat had its nets in the water and fishing was being carried out. The AFM explained that, in terms of
what had been agreed with the European Union, fishing vessels needed a licence to fish within the 25-
mile limit.
• 31 July 2004 The embellishment project at Dawret il-Gzejjer, in Bugibba, has been completed as
planned at a cost of some Lm275,000. Speaking during the project's inauguration, the Minister for
Resources and Infrastructure, Ninu Zammit, explained that the project included the laying of
pavements, the building of about 400 metres of rubble wall, the installation of benches and lighting,
and other structural works.
• 31 July 2004 The Central Bank of Malta said in its latest ‘Quarterly Review’ that various indicators
pointed to a pick-up in economic activity in the first quarter of this year, with higher export receipts
registered by the manufacturing and tourism sectors. However, said the Bank, a further drop in the
gainfully occupied and the resulting higher level of unemployment indicated that domestic demand
continued to be weak during the quarter.
• 31 July 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the government debt outstanding at the end of
June this year stood at Lm1,333 million. This represents an increase of Lm145.9 million, or 12.3 per
cent, from the Lm1,187.1 million outstanding at the end of June last year. This year's total includes
Lm41.8 million which is the Government's assumption of the debts of the former Malta Drydocks and
of the former Malta Shipbuilding.
• 31 July 2004 A spokesman for the Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture and Fisheries announced
that the crew of the Italian trawler Europa M had been fined Lm16,657. "The Italians pleaded guilty

and were asked to pay Lm16,667 (around €40,000), a third of the maximum penalty (Lm50,000) that
the fishermen would have had to pay if found guilty in court. The crates of fish found on the trawler
were also confiscated," the spokesman said.
• 31 July 2004 The Institute of Water Technology of the Water Services Corporation became the first
Maltese laboratory to be accredited by the Competitiveness and Communications Ministry and the
Accreditation Advisory Board in the Accreditation Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority. The
Institute is completely managed and run by a Maltese management and workforce.
• 31 July 2004 The National Statistics Office reported that 11.79 million kilo of marketed fruit and
vegetables was produced in the second quarter of 2003, while 12.24 million kilo was produced this
year. Despite the 3.4 per cent increase in production, the wholesale value of the produce amounted to
Lm1.8 million, a drop of Lm0.5 million when compared to the same period last year.
AUGUST
• 1 August 2004 The President of Agrigento province, Vincenzo Fontana, invited Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi to address a symposium on Mediterranean problems, to be held in Agrigento's
Archaeological Museum later this year. The invitation was presented to Dr Tony Abela, Parliamentary
Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, who received it on Dr Gonzi's behalf.
• 1 August 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, said that the
June figures relating to government finances published by the National Statistics Office were a good
indication that the Government would meet its budgetary projections. Mr Fenech said that the NSO
figures were in line with the Convergence Programme that the Government presented to the EU, in
which it provided a framework for the consolidation of its fiscal imbalances.
• 1 August 2004 The People's Committee for Sabratha and Sorman Municipality, in collaboration with
the General Directorate for Cultural Relations at the Libyan Foreign Ministry, hosted the Maltese folk
group Etnika in Sabratha, Libya. Malta's Ambassador in Tripoli, Richard Vella Laurenti, said that the
event was one of a series of Maltese cultural initiatives that the Embassy of Malta has been organising
in Libya with the help of Maltese companies operating in the country.
• 2 August 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo expressed satisfaction that Malta’s concerns
were addressed in the final framework document agreed upon by the World Trade Organisation. Dr
Frendo emphasised that, together with other EU member states, Malta believed that, in the final
framework agreement, each member should have discretion to identify and protect certain existing
products that were deemed sensitive to the agricultural sector.
• 3 August 2004 The Chairman of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, Victor
Scicluna, announced after a meeting of the council that representatives of trade unions, employers, and
the Government, represented by Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech, have agreed to put together a
framework on which to base discussions on a social pact. Mr Scicluna told reporters that the council
had agreed that it would be the chairman and not the various council members who would address the
media after each meeting.
• 3 August 2004 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority approved drafts of the Strategic
Growth Scenarios Paper and the Issues Paper for the purpose of consultation. These two studies form
part of the second phase in the review of the Structure Plan.
• 3 August 2004 The National Statistics Office said that, last March there were 8,420 registered
unemployed with the Employment and Training Corporation. Of these, 7,746 were registering under
Part 1, while 674 were registering under Part 2 of the unemployment register. The registered
unemployment rate stood at 5.8 per cent of the labour supply. The registered unemployment rate for
men stood at 6.5 per cent, whereas that for women was 4.2 per cent.
• 4 August 2004 EU Commissioner Joe Borg discussed his future portfolio in the new European
Commission at a meeting he had with European Commission President designate José Manuel Durao
Barroso, in Brussells. According to reports in the international press, Mr Barroso is in the final stages
of compiling the list of portfolios he will assign to the 24 new commissioners. The list will be
submitted to the European Parliament in September.

• 4 August 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-Employed, Edwin Vassallo,
launched his Secretariat's business plan for the coming year. Mr Vassallo said that the plan highlights 46
initiatives for the self-employed and small businesses, and is aimed at helping Malta grow in Europe. The
Government's agenda was to increase economic activity, he added.
• 4 August 2004 The National Statistics Office said that, in the second quarter, the total number of internet
subscriptions in the second quarter this year reached 80,629, an increase of 9,114 or 12.7 per cent over the
same quarter last year. Cable television subscriptions edged upwards by 3,971 or 4.1 per cent to 101,730
from 97,759 in the second quarter last year, while the number of satellite dish receiver licences went down
by 523 or 3.2 per cent to 15,580. In the period under review, the number of mobile telephone
subscriptions went up by 21,216 or 7.7 per cent over the same period last year.
• 4 August 2004 A government statement announced that, as from today, the price of a Maltese loaf would
go up by one cent. The price hike is due to the rise in the cost of grain on the international market. The
statement said that the higher cost of grain will be reflected in the price of flour which will go up by 56c
per 50 kilo sack. Prior to the increase, a large loaf cost 16c and a small one cost 10c.
• 4 August 2004 An Air Malta aircraft made an emergency landing at Rome's Fiumicino airport after a
technical hitch in its air-conditioning system. Flight KM4101, carrying 179 passengers and six crew,
between Corfu and Manchester, was cut short as the aircraft landed safely in Rome at about 2.30 a.m.
Teams of rescuers, firemen and medical specialists were on duty at the airport as a precautionary measure.
The aircraft landed safely in Rome and the passengers were flown to Manchester at 6.30 a.m. on a
replacement Airbus.
• 4 August 2004 The captain of a fishing vessel and four crew members, all Egyptian nationals, were
charged with fishing in Maltese waters without a licence. The captain was also charged with failing to
notify a fisheries protection officer of the amounts, descriptions, and presentation of fish on board the
vessel and failing to stow the vessel's fishing gear in such a manner that it is not readily available for use
for fishing. In terms of agreements with the EU, fishing within the 25-mile limit requires a licence.
• 5 August 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami lamented that the family, one of the values which held
Malta strong throughout the years, was threatened, with many discussing different types of families. The
President said that the main values of the Maltese were faith, the family and solidarity. Dr Fenech-Adami
was speaking to a group of emigrants from the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom
who paid him a courtesy visit.
• 5 August 2004 Health Corporate Services Director Joe Church announced that Malta plans to introduce
the EU health card early next year, well before the EU deadline of the end of 2006. The health card will
replace the E111 form, needed for health treatment during a temporary stay in another EU member state.
Mr Church was speaking at the end of a six-month twinning project with Nicare of the UK.
• 5 August 2004 L-Ghaqda tal-Malti (Università) and the Institute of Linguistics presented a volume
containing new studies on Mikiel Anton Vassalli, considered the father of the Maltese language, to the
French Ambassador, Patrick Chrismant. Albert Borg, Chairman of the Institute of Linguistics, highlighted
the various areas in which the French Embassy and the Institute could collaborate for the benefit of
students and researchers.
• 6 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi presided over a day-long meeting with Ministers and
Parliamentary Secretaries at the Prime Minister's official retreat, in Girgenti. During the meeting, Dr
Gonzi launched the 2005 budgetary process and mapped out the Government's priorities for the next five
years to spur the economy to create more jobs. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Prime
Minister said that he intended to work hand in hand with the parties represented at the MCESD in order to
squeeze out the best solutions for the economy.
• 6 August 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami was presented with 10 wheelchairs for the Community
Chest Fund by the General Consul of Malta for San Francisco, Charles J. Vassallo. Dr Fenech-Adami
thanked the Consul for his interest and generosity. The wheelchairs are destined for three philanthropic
institutions: Dar tal-Providenza, Razzett tal-Hbiberija and the Arka Foundation.
• 6 August 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, announced that
in the second quarter of this year the Government handed out Lm207,784 in subsidies on fruit and
vegetables to make good for a drop in sales. Dr Agius was speaking during a visit to farmers in Siggiewi.

• 6 August 2004 The National Statistics Office said that about 635,993 school days were lost between
September 19, 2002 and March 28, 2003. This accounted for 11.4 per cent of the total number of school
days or an overall absence rate of 10.5 days per pupil, that for boys being 10.9 days per pupil and for girls
10.1 days. The NSO said that the figures showed an increase of about two per cent in absences over the
total number of school days taken per pupil over the previous year.
• 6 August 2004 A Eurobarometer survey has shown that nearly half of the Maltese electorate who
abstained from voting in the European Parliament elections did so because they were dissatisfied with
politics in general. Forty-nine per cent of Maltese respondents said that they chose to refrain from voting
because they "did not trust politics" and were "generally dissatisfied".
• 7 August 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit inaugurated works on the site of what
he described as a ‘small archaeological park’, in Zurrieq. The work targeted the Xarolla Windmill, as well
as the catacombs, chapel and cemetery found on the site.
• 7 August 2004 The National Statistics Office said that, between April and June this year, there were
1,027 accidents at work, including three fatalities. Quoting figures by the Occupational Health and Safety
Authority, the NSO said that many of the reported occupational injuries occurred in the manufacturing
and construction sectors.
• 8 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi gave a one-hour overview on how the economy is faring.
He said that the economy was ticking at a slow rate; nevertheless, Dr Gonzi said, the economy was
showing healthy signs as regards exports and investment. Government revenue had gone up, the inflation
rate had stabilised following the three per cent hike in VAT, and the structural deficit had been trimmed
by 14.3 per cent. The Prime Minster was addressing journalists in his monthly meeting with the press. An
audio recording of the press conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/video+audiorecording%20-%2007.08.04media.asp
• 8 August 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that he intends to set up
a Ministerial Competitiveness Forum that would bring together members of the constituted bodies, the
Malta Council for Science and Technology, and his Ministry. Minister Galea said that the forum will “set
targets, publish them and we can measure if we are achieving our agreed targets”. Mr Galea was
interviewed by The Sunday Times newspaper.
• 8 August 2004 Dr Philip von Brockdorff, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the
Environment, said that, as a result of amended regulations, the EU will allocate Maltese beef importers
1,353 tonnes under the preferential rate quota. This is in addition to a further 1,600 tonnes of imported
beef that qualifies for a government subsidy till the end of the year according to a seven-year plan adopted
by the Maltese Government and approved by the EU during the accession negotiations. It is estimated that
Malta imports about 5,500 tonnes of beef every year.
• 9 August 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that, following a decision taken at a
high level meeting on illegal immigration, the responsibility for the running of the open centres will be
transferred to the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity.
• 9 August 2004 The Chairman of the state investment agency Mimcol, Ivan Falzon, said that the need for a
new permanent home for Malta's representative offices in Brussels had been felt since Malta began the
process of joining the EU, but a final decision had been shelved until after the 2003 referendum on EU
membership.
• 9 August 2004 Malta's permanent representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana, said that, even
though the permanent representation at sixty is, by Maltese standards, very large in terms of numbers, it is
still relatively small compared to the rest. “Our people clearly have to cover more meetings than most of
their colleagues and their available time is therefore more limited,” said Mr Cachia Caruana.
• 9 August 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry of Urban Development and Roads said that a team of
German experts was in Malta to assess the damage on Manwel Dimech Bridge, along Regional Road, and
confirm whether it can still be used until repairs are carried out. Earlier this year, a French engineering
society that inspected the road had reported dangerous oscillations along the bridge.
• 10 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi discussed the pension reform process with
representatives from the Alliance of Pensioners' Organisations. Prior to the meeting, Dr Gonzi spoke of
the importance of the participation of such organisations in the debate to ensure a sustainable pensions

system. He also spoke of how women's greater participation in the labour market could inject a new
stimulus to the economy and eventually contribute to the necessary pension reforms.
• 10 August 2004 The Government said that it would welcome any initiative to look into its investment in
the Brussels property purchased recently for Lm9 million to house Malta's permanent representation to the
European Union. The Government was replying to a call by an opposition spokesman for the Auditor
General to look into the purchase.
• 10 August 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, total imports in May this
year reached Lm126.2 million, Lm18.4 million more when compared to May last year. In the month
under review, total exports showed a marginal rise of Lm0.7 million to Lm75.8 million. Total imports for
the period January to May 2004 went up by Lm9.7 million or 1.8 per cent to Lm542.1 million for the
same period in 2003. In the period under review, total exports went up by Lm11.0 million or 2.9 per cent
to Lm384.5 million, from Lm373.5 million between January and May 2003.
• 10 August 2004 The Head of the EU Office of Burgenland, Heinrich Wedral, urged Malta to follow the
example of the Austrian region and exploit the EU Objective One funding programme. He said that
Burgenland's basic strategy was to increase accessibility links to the Trans-European network, to respond
to structural changes, and to create technology centres and industrial sites, among others. Mr Wedral was
making a presentation at St James Cavalier, in Valletta.
• 10 August 2004 Maltacom plc bound itself to subsidise 10,000 elderly people for the Telecare service
until 2009. The agreement was signed by Maltacom Chairman Sonny Portelli and Director of Health Ray
Busuttil. Parliamentary Secretary Helen D'Amato, who is responsible for the elderly, emphasised the
importance of the service for elderly people living on their own.
• 11 August 2004 Standard & Poor's rating agency affirmed its long and short-term A/A-1 foreign
currency sovereign credit ratings on Malta, following a review. It also affirmed its A+/A-1 local currency
sovereign credit ratings on Malta. The outlook is stable. S & P said that it expected the Government's
commitment to reverse fiscal imbalances to continue, leading to fiscal reforms and the reduction of the
general government deficit and debt levels.
• 11 August 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that his
Ministry would be forwarding its proposals on port reform to the Cabinet by September or October.
"While it is not the intention of the Government to detract from any of the benefits that port workers
enjoy, we want to make sure our ports continue to become more efficient and if any work practices are
obsolete, these should be replaced," Mr Galea said.
• 11 August 2004 The chairperson of the Housing Authority, Marisa Micallef Leyson, addressed a press
conference in which she gave details of a new grant scheme that will cater for separated parents and
people with disability wishing to lead an independent life. Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores
Cristina said that the new service being launched by the Authority reflected society's changing needs.
• 11 August 2004 Fifty-four Maltese citizens are shortly expected to move to Brussels and Luxembourg to
start new careers as employees of various European institutions after passing examinations to fill the
vacancies. An official of the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) told The Times newspaper that
the official results of a year-long examination process were passed on to the candidates last week. When a
new member state joins the EU, citizens of that country are given the opportunity to join EU institutions.
• 11 August 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the sphere of youth
organisation activities is dominated by religious events, with a share of 21.2 per cent, followed by social
activities, at 18.7 per cent, educational activities, at 18.3 per cent, and cultural activities at 16.6 per cent.
• 12 August 2004 A Department of Information statement said that the Government insisted that the
decision to purchase Malta House in Brussels followed a transparent exercise built on the advice of
experts and technical people. The Government said that the Auditor General and the National Audit
Office Act enabled three members of the Public Accounts Committee to call upon the Auditor General to
start an investigation on matters of public spending. The statement said that it is the duty of persons
making allegations to, if they wanted to be taken seriously, make use of these structures to verify what has
taken place.
• 12 August 2004 A delegation from the US Senate ended a brief visit to Malta. The delegation was led by
Senator Ted Stevens, a Republican from Alaska who is the chairman of the Senate Appropriations

Committee and President pro tempore of the Senate. Senator Stevens noted the strong friendship between
the Governments and Peoples of Malta and the US and praised Malta's cooperation in the ongoing global
war against terrorism.
• 12 August 2004 Maltese MEPs Simon Busuttil and John Attard Montalto, the heads of the Maltese
delegations of the European Peoples’ Party and the European Socialists respectively, held an informal
meeting with the Maltese members of the EU's Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of
Regions. Dr Busuttil spoke on the importance of holding such meetings regularly for an exchange of
ideas. Dr Attard Montalto stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination in all sectors.
• 12 August 2004 Australian company Pancontinental Oil and Gas NL concluded the tests on rock that it
was carrying out in Maltese territorial waters to determine whether there is a possibility of oil being found
there. The Company's website states that the area has geological similarity and proximity to world-class
discoveries in Libya and Tunisia.
• 12 August 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, said that
Maltese fishermen are continuously facing tougher competition, both during their fishing operations, and
in their marketing. He said that the central Mediterranean seas attract fleets from all over the region and
even from more distant countries which use large-scale fishing methods. Dr Agius was speaking at a press
conference while visiting Malta Fishfarming Ltd’s tuna pens, 20 miles off Marsaxlokk Bay.
• 12 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi visited the Kerygma Volleyball Marathon, being held at
the Trade Fair Grounds, in Naxxar. The marathon will be running for 242 consecutive hours to raise
money for Dar tal-Providenza, Lourdes Home in Gozo, and the Ursuline Sisters' Crèche.
• 13 August 2004 European Commission President designate José Manuel Barroso assigned to European
Commissioner Joe Borg the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs portfolio. Dr Borg voiced his satisfaction at
the confidence shown in him by Mr Barroso in an interview with The Times newspaper. Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi, who had discussed the portfolio issue with Mr Barroso earlier on, said that the
Government was very satisfied with Dr Borg’s appointment.
• 13 August 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, emphasised that
the Government recognised the importance of lampuki fishing and said that it was one of the issues
negotiated by Malta with the EU. In fact, said Mr Pullicino, regulation 813/2004, issued on April 26, deals
specifically with conservation measures related to Maltese waters. The Minister was speaking during the
annual ceremony of the blessing of boats, in Marsaxlokk.
• 13 August 2004 Investors reacted favourably to the latest government stock issue of August 6. The
Treasury received 3,081 applications, valued at over Lm87 million, for the issue of Lm50 million. While
stockholding of the small investor in the maturing stock was of Lm2.7 million, subscription by the small
investor to the new stocks exceeded Lm15 million. The Government described this as a measure of
confidence.
• 14 August 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami visited the volunteers taking part in the Kerygma
Volleyball Marathon, at the Trade Fair Grounds, in Naxxar. Dr Fenech-Adami said that the marathon had
become a tradition where young people showed that they were prepared to spread the value of solidarity.
• 14 August 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that a total of
€6 million (Lm2.5 million) are available to local farmers and herdsmen as part of the EU Structural Fund
Programme for 2004-2006. Mr Pullicino was speaking at a seminar on rural development.
• 14 August 2004 An Air Malta Boeing 737-300 made a successful emergency landing at Malta
International Airport after a tyre in its right undercarriage burst, possibly on take-off. Nobody was injured.
Addressing journalists, Air Malta Chairman Lawrence Zammit lauded the skills of the Maltese pilots,
commenting that the landing was extremely successful and that the operation was well coordinated.
• 14 August 2004 According to a study carried out by the European Foundation for the Improvement of
Living and Working Conditions, almost 90 per cent of the Maltese are ‘fairly satisfied or very satisfied’
with the state of their health. The study puts Malta in third place among the 25 EU member states and the
three candidate countries, and fourth with regard to citizens' satisfaction with the health care system,
including social services.

• 15 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi launched the National Action Plan for Employment, at a
news conference at Auberge de Castille. The plan was developed by a Core Committee chaired by
Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea, in line with the Lisbon strategy. It aspires to
raise the overall employment rate by three per cent by 2010, boost the female employment rate by seven
per cent, and reduce the early school leavers' rate by 13 per cent within five years. The National Action
Plan for Employment can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/audiorecording%20-
%2014.08.04pjan%20nazzjonali%20ghall-impjieg.asp
• 15 August 2004 The new portfolio assigned to Maltese EU Commissioner Joe Borg was welcomed
positively from both sides of the Maltese political spectrum. Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil said that he
was very pleased that Dr Borg will be working in areas directly related to Malta. Labour MEP Joseph
Muscat described the appointment as ‘challenging’ and said that, despite points of political divergence
between him and Dr Borg, he had always rated him highly on both a personal and a technical level.
• 15 August 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, said that one of the
major challenges of dealing with the number of immigrants was how to provide adequate accommodation
to meet the demands created by the steady influx. The Minister announced that, towards this end, a
Refugee Services Area had been set up under the auspices of the Appogg agency to co-ordinate the
accommodation, employment and medical needs, social security issues, the education of children and
adults, as well as the general well-being of all.
• 16 August 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami presided over the presentation of trophies at the
exhibition organised by the Gozo Agriculture Society. Dr Fenech-Adami spoke on how the agriculture
sector was being restructured and made more efficient and competitive. Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono
said that besides the assistance Gozitan farmers were receiving from the EU, her Ministry had also taken
several initiatives to aid agriculture in Gozo. Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino
said that the prices being obtained by farmers for their produce, coupled with the subsidies they were
being given by the Government, meant an increase in their income.
• 17 August 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that, according to Malta
International Airport figures, 570,865 passengers passed through the airport in the first six months of the
year, that is, 20,662 (3.8 per cent) more than in the same period the previous year. June registered an 8.1
per cent increase in the number of tourists who left Malta and an increase of six per cent in tourism
revenue - from Lm41.9 million in June 2003 to Lm44.4 million in June 2004.
• 17 August 2004 Dr Zammit Dimech said that, thanks to the EU and under the auspices of the Malta
Tourism Authority, the tourism sector would be receiving substantial financial assistance. The Minister
was speaking at the launch of a call for project submissions for the Grant Scheme for Tourism
Enterprises, which would see private sector tourism enterprises benefit from €2.5 million for tourismrelated
investments..
• 17 August 2004 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority announced that the environment would
be receiving an injection of €2.1 million after the authority had received approval for EU funding for ten
projects. A significant part of the money will come under the EU's ‘Transition Facility’ fund, aimed at
providing technical assistance and capacity building in the new member states.
• 17 August 2004 Italian Minister for European Affairs and EU Commissioner-designate for Justice,
Freedom and Security, Rocco Buttiglione, suggested the holding of a Mediterranean Convention to
discuss regulating immigration, with the cooperation of immigrants' countries of origin, transit countries
and destination countries within the EU. Mr Buttiglione first mentioned the idea during a meeting he had
in Brussels with the President-designate of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.
• 17 August 2004 The Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment said that it was still too early for any
conclusions to be drawn about the application to set up a fish farm zone six miles off Delimara, submitted
by the Department of Fisheries. The Ministry, in a statement issued jointly with the Parliamentary
Secretariat for Agriculture and Fisheries, said that before reaching any conclusions, one had first to await
the result of the environment impact assessment.
• 17 August 2004 An EU publication entitled ‘Fertility and Family Issues in an Enlarged Europe’,
published earlier this year, shows that the total fertility rate in Malta, with 1.9 births per woman on
average, is the second highest among 25 EU member countries and the three EU candidate countries. The
report also shows that 23 per cent of Maltese women with ‘completed fertility’ have no children.

• 18 August 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the Maltese economy
grew by 2.3 per cent in real terms in the first quarter of this year when compared to the same period last
year. During this period the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices increased by 4.4 per cent in
nominal terms and 2.3 per cent in real terms. About one third of the increase resulted from the higher
collection of taxes on products, while the rest resulted from increased economic activity.
• 18 August 2004 Ian Andersen, a spokesman for the Joint Interpreting and Conference Services of the
European Commission, said that, although in theory Maltese interpretation services are available at all EU
institutions, the low number of Maltese interpreters is severely limiting the use of the service. Mr
Andersen said that it was proving to be very difficult to find highly-qualified Maltese conference
interpreters.
• 19 August 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure said that the Ministry was
working on an enforcement drive to ensure that the legislation on illegal dumping was enforced. The
spokesman said that, although Maltese legislation envisaged fines as well as the confiscation of the
vehicle used and the withholding of a person's driving licence for a period of time, these measures had not
been enforced. The Ministry was now stressing the importance for existing legislation to penalise
offenders to start being enforced.
• 19 August 2004 According to the economic accounts for agriculture published by the National Statistics
Office, a significant share of farmers' income last year came from subsidies introduced after the removal
of levies. "Final production at producer prices declined by eight per cent, from Lm57.1 million to Lm52.5
million. In order to make up for this drop, farmers were compensated by Lm4.1 million in subsidies."
• 19 August 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry of Investment, Industry and IT told The Times newspaper
that Enemalta and Air Malta would spend Lm4.4 million more between them by the year's end if oil
prices remained at current levels of around $45-$46 a barrel. Enemalta's costs could reach Lm7 million if
the high prices persist into 2005. Air Malta would spend around Lm1.3 million more, as the impact is
being mitigated by fuel surcharges and by a partial hedging agreement.
• 19 August 2004 According to the latest data on world population released by the ‘Population Reference
Bureau’, Malta's population will fall by nine per cent by the year 2050. The Bureau noted that at the end
of 2003 the population in Malta stood at 399,867. Of these 388,867 were Maltese nationals.
• 19 August 2004 Six students, who completed a National Diploma in Information Technology at the Malta
College for Arts, Science and Technology, Gozo Centre, went on a four-week work placement in Dublin.
The placement was part of a MOVE project hosted by MCAST and financed by the Leonardo da Vinci EU
programme. During their stay in Ireland, the students met Maltese Ambassador Richard Muscat.
• 20 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi urged government-appointed chairmen of corporations
and agencies to stick to financial targets established in the Budget. Expressing dissatisfaction that a
number of government entities were not doing their utmost to control expenditure, Dr Gonzi said that the
Government was setting up a unit which, operating within the Finance Ministry, would monitor how
money was being spent and would guarantee that money was managed in the best way possible. An audio
recording of the Prime Minister's comments to the media can be acceded at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/audiorecording%20-%2019.08.04ceo.asp
• 20 August 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said in a statement that the
financing of the whole post-secondary, tertiary, and vocational education system was being
comprehensively considered by a working group set up four months ago. The group is led by Mr Roderick
Chalmers.
• 20 August 2004 According to the latest figures issued by the National Statistics Office, in July 2004 there
were 8,131 unemployed persons registering for work, an increase of 189 over June. Of these, 6,531 were
males, the rest females. On an annual basis, there was an increase of 217 persons on the unemployment
register.
• 21 August 2004 Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said that the Commonwealth
Secretariat was working closely with the Government of Malta to ensure a smooth and successful
meeting. "I am confident that this meeting will be another historic Commonwealth event. It will be
twelve years since a small state last hosted a CHOGM and I am looking forward to a summit which
delivers concrete outcomes for all Commonwealth citizens."

• 21 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government and people of Malta look
forward to welcoming Commonwealth leaders to our country. “This Summit will allow us to further
strengthen the Commonwealth's political, social, developmental and economic programme," said Dr
Gonzi. The Prime Minister was commenting on the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting that will be taking place between 25 and 28 November 2005, in Valletta.
• 21 August 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that, with about 80 per
cent of Mediterranean marine traffic passing from the Malta-Sicily Channel, and 25 per cent of the
world’s oil transiting the Mediterranean Sea, Malta has to ensure and be fully prepared to minimize the
effects of an oil spill if such an eventuality occurred. Minister Galea was chairing a meeting of all the
parties that would be involved in such an operation.
• 21 August 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that research by the World
Travel and Tourism Council has revealed that the 10 new member states of the EU together stood to
generate an additional €46 billion on travel, and three million jobs by 2010. Dr Zammit Dimech said that,
in the case of Malta, the latent potential of travel and tourism was calculated to increase the travel and
tourism GDP from €443 million to €752 million and jobs from 19,478 to 26,539.
• 21 August 2004 Bank of Valletta Chairman Joseph Zahra highlighted Libya's great potential role as an
important gateway to the North African market. He described how, over the years, there had been a
considerable amount of Libyan foreign direct investment in Malta, particularly in the areas of tourism,
manufacturing and aviation. Mr Zahra was addressing a conference organised by the bank on the theme
‘Doing Business with Libya, in Libya’.
• 22 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he was determined to put the Maltese economy
on a sound footing. He went on to say that he wanted both Malta and Gozo to have their own golf courses
and for Gozo to have its own yacht marina. Dr Gonzi also referred to the need for reform in public
transport. The Prime Minister was being interviewed on a local radio.
• 22 August 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that, according to the National Statistics
Office, there was an increase of 0.3 per cent in the number of tourists who visited Malta in May and June
when compared with the same period last year. "At the same time, MIA statistics indicate that the number
of those who left Malta in the same period totalled 158,814, an increase of 4.5 per cent," he said.
• 23 August 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, said that benefit
fraud is a problem and a challenge she wants to face up to. “We know that there are people abusing our
generous system. That was proven when a substantial number of people were found to be receiving
children’s allowances for which they were not eligible,” the Minister said. Ms Cristina was being
interviewed by The Malta Independent newspaper.
• 23 August 2004 The 19 th edition of the Kerygma Volleyball Marathon raised Lm143,500, as opposed to
Lm235,274 last year. The financial record may not have been broken but the sports target was met, with
the brave players managing to clock 242 hours of volleyball, claiming a world record.
• 24 August 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami left Malta on a private visit to the United Kingdom
with Mrs Fenech-Adami. Dr George Hyzler was sworn in as Acting President in the absence of Dr
Fenech-Adami.
• 24 August 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that the younger generation
had a role to play in the conservation of Malta's historic, artistic and cultural heritage, and in promoting
the Island as a tourist experience. Malta, he said, boasts of a history of 7,000 years with prehistoric
temples older than the pyramids of Egypt and of Stonehenge in Britain. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking
during the opening ceremony of the AEGEE Summer University at St James Cavalier Centre for
Creativity, in Valletta.
• 24 August 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, there was a sharp increase
in the number of reported traffic accidents in the second quarter this year when compared to the same
quarter last year. In the period under review, the number of accidents went up by 636 to 4,211. Two
fatalities were reported, both being male motorcyclists.
• 25 August 2004 The Emigrants Commission announced that, in September 2002, the Ministry of Social
Policy had asked it to pass on a daily contribution of Lm2 to adult refugees; Lm100 a month to couples,

and Lm1 a day for child refugees in homes run by the Commission. The Commission said that 949 people
had so far benefited from this assistance: 648 men, 147 women, and 154 children.
• 25 August 2004 A Department of Information statement said that the original refurbishment plans for
Malta House in Brussels had been drawn up by Daniel Dethier, an architect appointed by selling company
Confinimmo. MIMCOL had appointed architect Martin Xuereb to help Mr Dethier finalise the plans
because every embassy has its own particular needs, the DOI added.
• 25 August 2004 Agriculture statistics published by the National Statistics Office show that, while the
potatoes, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit price indices declined when compared to the same period last
year, the animal products and animal slaughtering index increased over the same period last year. In June,
the fresh fruit price index stood at 104.57, 24.7 points lower than in June last year. On the other hand, the
animals price index increased by 1.8 points from 89.72 points in June 2003 to 91.55 points in June 2004.
• 26 August 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that Maltese culture attracted
tourism and it is estimated that about 200,000 people visit Malta to experience our cultural heritage, our
millennia of history, and our traditions and feasts. “Our culture is a very important tool in attracting
tourists to our country. But it is also important to project our national identity, even more so now that we
are part of a union of 25 European countries,” said Dr Zammit Dimech during a press conference to
launch this year’s Etnika project.
• 26 August 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the number of cruise passengers who visited
Malta in the first seven months this year dropped by 66,003 when compared to the same period last year.
The NSO said that 37,183 passengers visited the Island in July. This showed a decrease of 18,563 from
the 55,746 who visited in July last year.
• 26 August 2004 The Malta Financial Services Authority has set up an information office to handle press
enquiries and act as an information channel between the MFSA and the public. The MFSA information
office may be contacted on tel. 2144 1155 or by e-mail at: communications@mfsa.com.mt
• 27 August 2004 The Government again challenged the Opposition to ask the Auditor General to hold an
inquiry into the purchase of Dar Malta in Brussels, if it had doubts about the transparency of the process.
The Government said that it could not understand the Opposition's failure to do so, knowing that the
request for such an inquiry did not require Parliament to reconvene.
• 27 August 2004 The Central Bank of Malta left the central intervention rate unchanged at three per cent.
The decision was taken by the Bank's Governor at the end of the Monetary Policy Advisory Council's
monthly meeting. The Governor considered that there were no pressures on the exchange rate peg and
that, therefore, official interest rate levels were appropriate.
• 27 August 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, announced that eight
youngsters would be attending a course in conference interpretation at the University of Westminster. At
the end of their course, the youngsters will be given a two-year contract to work with European
institutions and will be in a position to train other students at the University of Malta from October 2005.
• 27 August 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that Malta
could no longer accept work practices merely for the sake of tradition. "If change is needed, then it has to
be done," he said. Mr Galea was speaking at the first meeting of the Competitiveness Forum, aimed at
discussing issues directly affecting Malta's competitiveness.
• 27 August 2004 The Chief Veterinary Officer, Lino Vella, said that locally produced milk conforms to
the high quality standards set by the EU directive on food safety. Dr Vella was defending milk produced
by local herdsmen and processed by the Malta Dairy Products during a press call organised by the
Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture and Fisheries.
• 28 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta would gain enough revenue from the
rental of the floor space at Dar Malta to cover the running costs of the permanent representation in
Brussels. He said that rental of four of its nine floors could yield an annual revenue close to €700,000 per
year. "Based on that, we could recoup all our expenditure over a period of 27 years and we would end up
with a property of our own.” Dr Gonzi was interviewed by The Times newspaper.
• 28 August 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the Government's
structural deficit amounted to Lm115.7 million between January and July of this year, compared to a

shortfall of Lm127.7 million in the same period a year earlier. Recurrent revenue in the first seven months
of this year amounted to Lm397.6 million, while total expenditure amounted to Lm513.3 million, an
increase of Lm8.7 million over the Lm504.5 million expended last year.
• 29 August 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said in an interview that the Government
is backing a German proposal to set up reception camps in North Africa to filter immigration from the rest
of the continent. The Minister said that the Government was co-ordinating all its efforts as a member of
the EU to ensure that the problem of illegal immigration was acknowledged as a European problem.
• 29 August 2004 The Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt, and Minister for Gozo
Giovanna Debono, inaugurated a Lm1.5 million water polishing plant of the Water Services Corporation
in Gozo. Minister Debono pointed out that since the plant started operating a few weeks ago, the level of
chlorides in water had been reduced by about half. Minister Gatt said that the project showed the
Government's commitment to improving the quality of life of Maltese and Gozitans.
• 29 August 2004 The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, pledged the
Government's support for the film industry in Malta. Speaking after distributing certificates to Maltese
actors in an event organised by Screen Productions, Dr Zammit Dimech said that the film industry was
yielding millions of liri for the economy, generating several part- and full-time jobs. A total of 80 films
have been shot in Malta, including 35 promotional features.
• 30 August 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi left Malta for the UK on a private visit. Deputy Prime
Minister Tonio Borg was acting Prime Minister in the absence of Dr Gonzi.
• 31 August 2004 The Privatisation Unit on behalf of the Government of Malta selected Lehman Brothers
Europe Limited as its financial advisors for the sale of its shares in Maltacom plc. Lehman Brothers, a
global investment bank, is a leader in the provision of services to governments and the
telecommunications industry.
• 31 August 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea launched the ‘Worker of the
Year Award’. Dr Galea urged workers from the private sector and the self-employed to participate in the
contest. The Minister said that most of the winners of the award came from the public service.
• 31 August 2004 Marisa Micallef Leyson, who is the Chairperson of the Housing Authority, announced
that the authority intends to introduce a scheme giving those renting out government property the
opportunity to partially own their home by forking out part of the equity. "Through this shared ownership
scheme we want to encourage people to feel proud of their home and to take care of it," she said. Ms
Micallef Leyson was interviewed by The Times newspaper.
SEPTEMBER
• 1 September 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that the Government was in the
process of identifying new sites for the setting-up of open centres to cope with the influx of illegal
immigrants. He said that Malta granted refugee or humanitarian status to 53 per cent of the irregular
immigrants that landed on our shores, by far "the highest rate of acceptance in Europe". Dr Borg was
addressing a seminar entitled ‘Refugees in Malta: Forward Together’.
• 1 September 2004 The Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries, Philippe
Morillon, said that it was difficult to understand the exact meaning of the portfolio given to Maltese
Commissioner Joe Borg. Mr Morillon said that, one has "still to understand what the President of the
Commission meant when assigning maritime affairs together with fisheries". It was unclear, he added,
whether Dr Borg also had to cover aspects related to transport and the environment since his portfolio
included maritime affairs.
• 1 September 2004 According to the fifth employment barometer survey conducted by the
Employment and Training Corporation, between May and June this year, skill shortages forced 13.7
per cent of employers to reduce their output or service and a further 9.7 per cent to turn down orders.
The report said that another 6.5 per cent had to outsource their production or service provision and 9.2
per cent postponed their expansion plans.

• 1 September 2004 According to the latest figures released by the National Statistics Office, a total of
130,202 tourists flew to Malta in July. This is a 3.3 per cent increase over the same month last year.
Another 4,164 tourists arrived by sea, pushing the total July tourism figure up to 134,366. Despite the
rise in numbers, however, spending by tourists dropped by Lm2 million, down to Lm56 million, over
July 2003.
• 1 September 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority said that additional golf courses in Malta would be
beneficial to tourism as they enhanced a destination's tourist offer and competitiveness. “It is generally
recognised that nowadays, tourists are looking for a more active holiday where they can pursue diverse
interests. In this context, segments such as diving, walking holidays and golf contribute towards a
richer and more varied tourism offer,” stated the MTA.
• 1 September 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority published a brochure providing information on eight
Valletta churches that will be opening their doors for visitors on a regular basis. The brochure, which
may be obtained from tourist information centres and the participating churches, includes a map to
locate these and other interesting sites in Valletta.
• 2 September 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo met non-resident Maltese ambassadors as part of
the consultation process on the strategic aims of Malta's foreign policy. The Minister asked the nonresident
ambassadors to submit a one-year plan of action for next year so that the Ministry would be in
a position to allocate the necessary funds.
• 2 September 2004 The five Maltese Members of the European Parliament submitted written financial
declarations to the Members’ Activities Office of the European Parliament as required by
parliamentary regulations. All five Maltese MEPs approved the declarations being made public
through the European Parliament's internet portal.
• 2 September 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, Carmelo
Mifsud Bonnici, told a news conference that a committee has been set up to formulate guidelines on
giving local libraries greater exposure in a bid to encourage people to read more. Dr Mifsud Bonnici
said that the committee will try to ensure that resources and sources of distributors and donors are
coordinated.
• 2 September 2004 Air Malta announced that one of its jets had landed safely at Glasgow airport after
experiencing a burst tyre on departure. The Boeing 737-300, flight number KM197, was carrying 137
passengers and a crew of five. It made what an Air Malta spokesman described as a "precautionary
landing" at Glasgow, where passengers and crew disembarked.
• 2 September 2004 The Minister for Resources and Infrastructure, Ninu Zammit, said that the paving
of Mdina's streets is expected to be completed by the middle of next year at a cost of Lm600,000.
Overhead services cables were laid underground and wires for street lighting were placed in conduits
before paving works began.
• 3 September 2004 According to a report entitled ‘The Role of the Government in the Economy’, being
discussed at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, Malta ranks 22nd in a tax table
of EU member states, which is headed by Sweden, Denmark and Belgium. The report says that the
Maltese tax burden, measured as the sum of direct taxes, indirect taxes and social security
contributions as a percentage of GDP, is rather low by European standards. Latvia, Lithuania and
Ireland are the only three countries behind Malta in this respect.
• 3 September 2004 The National Statistics Office said that there were 8,339 registered unemployed
with the Employment and Training Corporation in April this year. Of these, 7,704 were registering
under Part 1, while 635 were registering under Part 2 of the unemployment register. The registered
unemployment rate stood at 5.8 per cent of the labour supply. The number of registered unemployed
was marginally lower than the 8,420 recorded in the previous month.
• 3 September 2004 According to figures published by the National Statistics Office, 49.1 per cent of
secondary school students choose Italian as their first foreign language. French, German, Spanish, and
Arabic follow, in that order.
• 3 September 2004 The Education Ministry reported a good response to the introduction of a university
course leading to a Diploma in Arabic. The Ministry said that eighty people had applied, including 14
officials from various government departments.

• 3 September 2004 According to an article published in the leading Swedish evening tabloid
Aftonbladet, Malta ranked among the top 10 destinations for Swedish travellers this summer. Malta
also placed ninth in the list compiled by Ticket Travel Agency Network, Sweden's largest leisure
agency chain.
• 4 September 2004 Former President Guido de Marco has been appointed Chairman of the
Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth's intergovernmental body mandated to work with
civil society organisations. Prof. de Marco was unanimously chosen by the Foundation's Board of
Governors during their meeting at Marlborough House in London.
• 4 September 2004 The European Commission presented a proposed revision of the Stability and
Growth Pact, the rules that underpin the Euro. In a press conference following the first commission
meeting after the summer recess, outgoing Commission President Romano Prodi said he believed that
the proposals "will provide for a stronger and more credible pact". Under the new proposals, eurozone
countries would be allowed to run deficits above the current ceiling of three per cent of GDP in the
event of prolonged sluggish growth.
• 4 September 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that preparations by
the Education Ministry and the Education Division to launch a consultative document on changes to
current educational practices and systems are in an advanced stage. Dr Galea, who was opening the
14th annual conference on Quality in Early Childhood Education, organised by the European Early
Childhood Education Research Association, also announced the launching of a working group to
propose an early childhood education policy for all children in Malta and Gozo.
• 4 September 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, announced that
a consultation process on early childhood development and care launched last July, including proposed
regulations and standards, will be concluded by the end of this month. Ms Cristina was addressing a
conference on early childhood education.
• 4 September 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg explained that the Family Court,
inaugurated last December to deal with cases of a civil nature, has now extended its jurisdiction to
cases of a criminal nature. Following this development, criminal cases involving married couples or
their children will no longer be heard in the Magistrates' Courts during district sittings but will be
decided by one magistrate presiding over the Family Court's new criminal section.
• 4 September 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that he had asked Malta
Enterprise to examine ways of assisting the Film Commission develop Malta into a centre for the film
industry. The Minister said that Malta Enterprise should concentrate heavily on the film sector. Dr
Gatt was speaking during the launch by Malta Enterprise of two grant schemes through which local
enterprises can benefit from a total of €2.8 million.
• 4 September 2004 Malta got a special mention in the European Environment Agency's seventh
progress report with respect to member countries' reporting obligations to the agency on environmental
data. In the preface to the report just published, Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA,
said: "A special mention must be made for Malta entering the chart for the first time with a remarkable
score of 78 per cent.” In the league table chart for overall performance in 2003, Malta placed ninth out
of 32 member countries.
• 4 September 2004 Air Malta has introduced a second fuel surcharge on its fares, raising them by a
further €3. The company said that the final six months of the last financial year (ending this July) have
seen a dramatic increase in its fuel costs. “Contracted tour operators' rates will have this surcharge
applied as from April 2005,” Air Malta announced.
• 5 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi sent a message of solidarity and condolences to
Russian President Vladimir Putin following the hostage-taking by terrorists at a school in southern
Russia, and the massacre of hundreds of schoolchildren and other persons. Dr Gonzi said that the acts
of terror in the past days have shocked the international community for their gravity and the toll they
claimed.
• 5 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, together with the Minister for the Family and
Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, launched the ‘National Action Plan on Poverty and Social
Exclusion 2004-2006’. The plan follows a joint memorandum on social inclusion signed between

Malta and the European Commission in December. The plan presented to the media had been
submitted to the Commission in July.
• 5 September 2004 The Ministry for Tourism and Culture said that it acknowledged that some hotels
were closing down because it would be more advantageous for their owners to replace them with flats
and homes for the elderly. Meanwhile, there were 16 new hotel or extension projects that were
expected to come on stream next year. The Ministry was reacting to a statement by the Opposition
spokesman on tourism who called for an action plan to save the tourism industry.
• 5 September 2004 Government MEP Simon Busuttil called upon EU Commissioner for Regional
Development Jacques Barrot to keep the specific concerns of islands in mind when planning new EU
funding after 2006. Reacting to Dr Busuttil's remarks, Commissioner Barrot said that the EU would be
taking the specificities of Malta and Gozo into account.
• 6 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stressed the need to renew the country and its
practices in order to take full advantage of the opportunities brought about by EU membership. Dr
Gonzi said that, as the country was about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Independence, the
Government was preparing the country for a total make-over with the aim of giving it a fresh image.
The Prime Minister was speaking during a meeting in Cospicua with the theme ‘Renewing ourselves
for the future’.
• 6 September 2004 Addressing the same meeting, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Tonio Borg
spoke about how local councils made a difference in Malta. Dr Borg announced that the Government
would soon publish a number of suggestions which were made during a conference marking the 10th
year since the introduction of local councils in Malta. The Minister said that these would bring about
an improvement in the way that local councils are managed.
• 6 September 2004 Senglea's main gate, one of Cottonera's historic monuments, has been restored to its
original splendour in a Lm135,000 project entrusted to the restoration unit of the Works Division. The
work involved the thorough restoration of the fortifications which, like other parts of the Cottonera
bastions, had suffered extensive damage through weathering and years of neglect.
• 6 September 2004 Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton
Tabone. Mr Tabone briefed Mr Jia on Malta's initiatives in the Euro-Mediterranean region. On his part,
Mr Jia requested Malta's support towards the facilitation of relations between China and the EU.
• 6 September 2004 Ludovicus De Prins, Head of Department at the Directorate General for Translation
of the European Commission, said that, as a result of Malta's EU membership negotiations, the Maltese
language is now an official EU language. This means that all EU documentation should start being
translated and published in Maltese. However, due to a serious lack of professional Maltese translators,
this has not been possible for the time being and a transitional period of three years was agreed to
between the EU and Malta.
• 6 September 2004 Christopher Ciantar, WasteServ's head of strategy and development, said in an
interview that five sites for the disposal of bulky domestic waste are expected to be up and running by
the end of 2006 as part of WasteServ's strategy to expand its waste separation policy. Applications are
in the process of being submitted to MEPA for four sites in Malta and one in Gozo. These sites will
take up €2.7 million of the €4.6 million allocated for waste separation from the EU's structural funds.
• 7 September 2004 Speaker Anton Tabone sent a message of condolences to Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of
the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, following last week's terrorism at a
school in Beslan. Mr Tabone said in his message that Malta, as all other peace-loving nations that
abide by the rule of law, strongly condemned the cowardly acts that are being perpetrated on Russian
soil.
• 7 September 2004 MEPA’s Planning Directorate recommended a refusal of the proposed golf course
at Verdala, limits of Rabat. The much-awaited report by the Directorate, days before the MEPA board
decides on the case, argued that the proposed golf course is located within an area of agricultural value
and that the re-modification of the site would affect the water supplies, the soil profile, and the
landscape within the site.

• 7 September 2004 The European Commission launched a new internet portal, 'Dialogue with
Citizens', where any information about the EU can be sought in a personalised manner. The site
contains guides on 10 areas of EU law and over 1,300 multilingual fact-sheets with practical tips.
Information is given directly in the language requested, including Maltese.
http://www.EU.int/citizensrights/
• 7 September 2004 MEP Louis Grech, who sits on the Budget Committee of the European Parliament,
moved an amendment to the EU budget for the next financial year. During one of the meetings it was
noted that a proposal regarding the allocation of funds made available by the European Commission
had been changed and reduced by the Council of Ministers, which proposed a cut of €3 billion.
• 7 September 2004 The training of hospitality staff is to receive a boost after a project proposal was
selected for funding under the EU Leonardo da Vinci programme. The proposal was submitted jointly
to the European Commission by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association and the Malta Tourism
Authority. The Commission will co-finance the project up to a maximum amount of €439,086.
• 7 September 2004 The third in a series of posters with a tourism-awareness message by the Malta
Tourism Authority was recently launched in the media. The poster carries an image of a teacher, with a
message on the blackboard behind her, reading Ftakar, it-turist mistieden taghna lkoll! The hospitalityoriented
message forms part of the efforts of the Tourism and Culture Ministry and the MTA to raise
awareness about issues which have an impact on the tourism industry.
• 8 September 2004 In a message of condolence sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, President
Edward Fenech-Adami described the act of terrorism on the school in Beslan as an attack against
human dignity. President Fenech-Adami said that the barbarous assault had also shown that terrorists
have no specific targets or barriers and anyone could fall victim to them. "It lies with the international
community as a whole to cooperate and collaborate to combat this common enemy so that freedom,
democracy and human rights will eventually triumph," said the message.
• 8 September 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt described Lufthansa Technik
Malta as a "true success story". Dr Gatt was speaking on the occasion of the Company’s 100th C-check
since it started operating in January 2003. Minister Gatt, who visited the company hangar, highlighted
the competence of the Maltese and their capacity to take on new challenges, adding that the challenge
for Malta was to "produce enough people to fill the jobs required".
• 8 September 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, said that the
rise in family problems, the different family settings, and complex family dynamics required that
professionals be equipped with new ways of dealing with problems encountered in the course of their
work. She said that the Agency Appogg was making this possible through constant investment in
training, not only for its staff, but also for other professionals. Ms Cristina was speaking at the launch
of a training course in family therapy and applied systematic theory in the field.
• 8 September 2004 A report on the temple complex of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra by the Malta Tourism
Authority shows that visitor satisfaction levels are relatively high. 81.7 per cent of visitors rated their
visit as 'Good' or 'Very Good'. Only 4.6 per cent rated their visit as 'Poor' or 'Very Poor'. As a result,
96.8 per cent of tourists said that they would be willing to recommend the site to others. A copy of the
full report is available on the MTA corporate website http://www.mta.com.mt
• 8 September 2004 The National Statistics Office said that total sales by manufacturing enterprises
during the second quarter this year decreased by Lm8.7 million, or 3.4 per cent, to Lm246.3 million
over the same period last year. During the first six months of 2004, the net total manufacturing sales
amounted to Lm498.6 million, basically the same level as that for the same months of 2003, which
amounted to Lm499.5 million. The NSO said that, when taking into account the employment at the end
of March and that at the end of June 2004, a net increase of 312 employees was registered.
• 8 September 2004 MEPs from both political camps reacted positively to the news that the
Government will be removing the Lm25 annual licence fee on satellite dishes. The decision was
welcomed by Labour MEP Joseph Muscat, who said that "this shows that with coordinated and
focused effort, we can make the difference both in our country and in the EU". Nationalist MEP Simon
Busuttil also welcomed the decision, saying that it showed that the Government respected the rights
that Maltese citizens had acquired as a result of EU membership, even if there were financial
implications for the national budget.

• 8 September 2004 A spokesman for Air Malta said that the company had removed from service its
entire batch of aircraft tyres, two of which had recently led to incidents. The tyres are to be used to
assist both the internal and external investigations being conducted into the incidents, said the
spokesman.
• 9 September 2004 The victories in the sieges of 1565 and of World War II were recalled during
Victory Day in activities by the State and the Church which started with a pontifical High Mass at St
John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta and ended with the keenly contested traditional regatta in Grand
Harbour.
• 9 September 2004 The pontifical High Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral was led by the Archbishop,
Mgr Joseph Mercieca and was attended by the President and Mrs Edward Fenech-Adami, the Prime
Minister and Mrs Lawrence Gonzi, Cabinet Ministers and MPs. After Mass, which ended with the
singing of the Te Deum, President Fenech-Adami laid a wreath at the foot of the Great Siege
monument in Republic Street, Valletta.
• 9 September 2004 Senglea won the Victory Day Regatta shield for the third successive year, and the
18th time in the club's history. Rival club Cospicua won the shield for the reserves. Vittoriosa,
Cospicua, Senglea, Kalkara, Marsa and Marsamxett took part in this year's event. The shields were
presented by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech.
• 9 September 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications, which is
responsible for transposing pending EU internal market directives into national legislation, said that the
Ministry had done its utmost to cut down the backlog. At the end of May, Malta had 617 directives to
transpose; now it has 230. Minister Censu Galea, said: "We want to get in line as fast as possible with
the EU directives so that we can start to benefit from the EU legislation."
• 9 September 2004 Ratings agency Moody’s has reiterated Malta’s stable rating outlook. Moody’s
listed the credit strengths for Malta as follows: EU accession in May 2004; a small open serviceoriented
economy; relatively good performance of the tourism sector; a stable manufacturing base; a
manageable external debt; and adequate foreign liquidity. The credit challenges for Malta are: growing
public debt; high public deficits; need for structural reforms of health and welfare systems; and a
vulnerable current account.
• 9 September 2004 The Cottonera Rehabilitation Project launched a master plan to restore Vittoriosa to
its former glory, and hopefully put it on the map as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The plan, entitled
‘From Words to Action’, includes a number of suggestions that could improve the maritime city, and,
according to architect and urbanist Arie Rahamimoff, could also improve the quality of life of its
residents. Mr Rahamimoff said that Vittoriosa had the potential to become a tourist attraction not only
for Malta but also for Europe.
• 9 September 2004 According to a working paper issued by the European Commission, Italy is
estimated to have the highest number of people infected with HIV Aids in the EU. According to the
statistics, Malta has an estimated HIV incidence of under 500 people. The paper adopted by the
Commission calls for the EU to show political leadership in averting an HIV/Aids epidemic in Europe
and its neighbouring countries.
• 10 September 2004 Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that MEPA should take a
proactive approach and, together with the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, indicate sites where a golf
course development would be acceptable. Meanwhile, MEPA threw out the proposal for the
construction of a golf course in Rabat, putting the seal on one of the most controversial development
proposals in recent years.
• 10 September 2004 Dr Joe Borg, EU designate Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, was
asked in his hearing questionnaire to explain better the role he will be playing in the maritime sector.
The written questionnaire is part of the 'hearings procedure' adopted by the European Parliament prior
to the approval of a commissioner. During the Fisheries Committee Meeting of the European
Parliament, Philippe Morillon, Chairman of the Committee, said that one "still had to understand what
the President of the Commission meant when assigning maritime affairs together with fisheries".
• 10 September 2004 Malta featured in a recent issue of the popular Russian weekly magazine 7 Dney
TV-Programma (7 Days TV Programme). The article, entitled ‘Malta: An island unscathed by time’,

was spread over six pages, and highlighted the Island's history, architecture, traditions and
Mediterranean lifestyle. The magazine has a circulation of over one million and a readership of over
four million, making it the most popular family weekly entertainment magazine in Russia.
• 11 September 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said that
the Malta Maritime Authority is considering raising berthing fees at the yacht marinas it manages to
bring prices in line with other marinas in the Mediterranean. However, said the Minister, the ultimate
aim of the MMA was to act as a regulator and the plan was to eventually privatise all the marinas.
• 11 September 2004 Employment statistics published by Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, showed
that in 2003 Malta had the lowest number of women in the labour market of the 25 EU states. Sweden
(71.5 per cent) and Denmark (70.5 per cent) registered the highest rates of female employment in 2003,
while Malta (33.6 per cent), Italy (42.7 per cent) and Greece (43.8 per cent) had the lowest.
• 11 September 2004 Maltacom Chairman Saviour Portelli announced that Maltacom Group made a
profit before tax of Lm6.2 million, up from Lm4.9 million in the same period last year. Maltacom as a
company made Lm3.54 million in profit, down from Lm5.01 million in the first six months of 2003.
Mr Portelli was explaining Maltacom’s financial results to stockbrokers and the media.
• 11 September 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry for Urban Development and Roads said that a fivemonth
study by the Malta Transport Authority shows that some of the 133 new buses had not been
used on scheduled routes for as long as four months. The vehicles, said the spokesman, are used
instead for unscheduled work, such as taking children to and from school. Bus owners were given
Lm32,000 in government assistance for every new bus under a Lm4.7 million fleet replacement
scheme.
• 12 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he had asked the Malta Environment
and Planning Authority to identify a number of sites that could be developed as golf courses. He
reiterated the need to build two golf courses, one in Malta and the other in Gozo. Dr Gonzi was
speaking during his monthly meeting with the press. An audio recording as well as a transcript of the
press conference can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspage.asp
• 12 September 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech,
participated in the Council for European Economics and Finance Ministers of the 25 EU member
states. The council’s discussion focused on the stability and growth pact, financial perspectives, a
proposal by the Commission on common corporate taxation and home taxation, and on reducing the
administrative burden.
• 12 September 2004 St James Cavalier in Valletta is gaining in the popularity stakes and in the past
year witnessed a marked increase in the number of performances, exhibitions, films and attendances.
The Centre's first annual report shows that the number of exhibitions shot up from 19 to 25 between
September 2003 and last month. Cinema attendances also went up to just over 12,000 during the period
under review, as opposed to 9,000 the previous year.
• 12 September 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, returned
from a visit to Israel, where he was a guest of the Israeli Government. In Tel Aviv, Mr Pullicino met
Agriculture Minister Israel Katz and Dr Miki Haran, Director General of the Environment Department,
as well as former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Minister Pullicino also visited a landfill that is
being rehabilitated, and saw the Hiriya Waste Management facility.
• 12 September 2004 According to Belgium's VTM News, the number of tourists from Belgium visiting
Malta this summer increased by 140 per cent. VTM's figures show that Malta is the destination that
gained the most popularity among the Belgians. The most progressive destinations for Belgian tourists
were Malta first; then Portugal, with 121 per cent.
• 13 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that business statistics reflected confidence.
In the second quarter of this year, there was an increase of 12 per cent in the number of business outlets
over the first quarter this year. In the manufacturing sector, jobs increased by more than 300 in the
second quarter this year when compared to the first quarter, while investment increased by 25 per cent
in the first six months this year, compared to the same period last year. Dr Gonzi was speaking at
Marsaxlokk.

• 13 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that a number of reputable
international financial firms were interested in investing in Malta. He said that there were clear signals
that the economy was on the path to recovery, with equally positive prospects for the tourism sector.
Dr Gonzi was speaking to The Times after addressing a political meeting at Santa Venera.
• 14 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi opened a half-day conference organised by the
Malta Financial Services Authority to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the launching of Malta as an
onshore financial services jurisdiction. Dr Gonzi said that Malta had created a modern, successful and
well-regarded finance jurisdiction. He observed that some 12 per cent of Malta's GDP now stemmed
from financial services and the sector employed about 6,000 people. The conference was attended by
some 200 financial practitioners.
• 14 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi described President Emeritus Guido de Marco as
the model for all those who wanted to enter politics with the aim of doing their best for the good of the
country. Dr Gonzi said that, as President of Malta, Prof. de Marco had managed to unite the people at a
time when the country had to decide whether to become a member of the European Union. "It was a
Presidency that was particularly crucial in a most historic moment," the Prime Minister remarked. Dr
Gonzi was speaking during a brief ceremony at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, in Valletta, in honour of
Prof. de Marco.
• 14 September 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami was presented with a cheque for Lm27,413 in
aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund by Bank of Valletta Chairman Joseph F. X. Zahra at The
Palace, in Valletta. The President expressed his gratitude towards the Bank of Valletta and said that it
was only through such donations that the Malta Community Chest Fund could help people who sought
its assistance. Mr Zahra noted that the donation to the fund was the result of the generosity of the
bank's customers.
• 14 September 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, most tourists visiting the Maltese
Islands last year stayed in four-star hotels. This category was followed by the three-star and the fivestar
categories. The four-star hotel group hosted 51.4 per cent of the total number of tourists who
visited the Islands last year, while the three-star and the five-star hotel categories hosted 25.4 per cent
and 20 per cent of all tourists respectively.
• 15 September 2004 The Danish Government has pledged to start a long and fruitful relationship with
Malta. Visiting Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said: "The relationship between the two
countries would improve now that both are members of the EU. As time goes by, we will have more
and more results together." In particular, he offered to help Malta deal with its waste problem. Mr
Moeller was addressing a joint news conference with Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo.
• 15 September 2004 The Director General of Health, Ray Busuttil, made clear the Government's
intentions on smoking in bars and restaurants. He said that the law presumed that every establishment
would be non-smoking, and if smoking were permitted, then a designated room had to be set up.
• 16 September 2004 Danish Foreign Affairs Minister Per Stig Moeller ended an official visit to Malta
during which he held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Frendo. During his visit, Mr
Moeller paid courtesy calls to President Edward Fenech-Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
This was the first visit of a Danish Foreign Minister to Malta.
• 16 September 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech was in Cairo to attend the
opening of the Mediterranean Travel Fair, at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed El-
Maghraby. The two Ministers discussed the possibility of two- and three- destination point tourism for
visitors coming over to the Mediterranean on long haul flights.
• 16 September 2004 Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina said that, in the past 10
years, Malta had evolved from a welfare state to a social society. Ms Cristina said that the state had
moved beyond providing monetary assistance to those who fall behind and instead was providing
quality social welfare services, through which it was ensuring social and tangible protection to people
in need.
• 16 September 2004 The European Parliament voted to set up 27 delegations to deal with non-EU
countries and groups of countries. All five Maltese MEPs were appointed to serve as members on
different delegations.

• 17 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi promised to clamp down on abuses. He
mentioned, among other things, illegal dumping and the public transport system. The Prime Minister
also quoted figures related to the first half of this year which, he said, indicated that the country was on
the right track. Dr Gonzi was speaking during the Independence Day celebrations at the Granaries, in
Floriana.
• 17 September 2004 Explaining his role as Commissioner-Designate for Fisheries and Maritime
Affairs, European Commissioner Joe Borg pointed out that responsibility for maritime transport and
safety will be firmly in the hands of the Commissioner for Transport, Frenchman Jacques Barrot. Dr
Borg was replying to a questionnaire sent to him by the European Parliament.
• 17 September 2004 Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fishler unveiled plans to increase rural
development funding for the new member states, including Malta, as from 2007. Mr Fishler said that,
in its review of the Rural Development Policy, the Commission is proposing that there should be an
increase in overall funding which would amount to billions of euros over the next seven-year budget
period. The new funds would be dedicated entirely to the requirements of the new member states,
considered to be less economically advanced than the EU15.
• 17 September 2004 Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil defended the Portuguese Government's decision
not to allow a Dutch floating abortion clinic to enter its territorial waters. Speaking during a debate in
the European Parliament, Dr Busuttil appealed to both the European Parliament and the Commission
not to interfere in this area which was principally and exclusively within the national competency of
member states. The Acting Head of the Labour delegation, Louis Grech, informed the Whip of the
Socialist Group that, if the debate had to come to a vote, the Maltese Labour MEPs would be voting
against.
• 17 September 2004 Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino announced that, around
260 tonnes of paper, 92 tonnes of plastic, 48 tonnes of metal and 139 tonnes of glass had been
collected by WasteServ from bring-in sites in the past eight months. Mr Pullicino said that these
amounts augured well for the extension of waste separation in Malta and Gozo, but there was still
much more recyclable material that could be recovered. The Minister was speaking during a
consultation meeting between WasteServ and local councils.
• 17 September 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami was presented with the letters of credence by
Thomas Baekelandt, Ambassador of Belgium, and Jubran D. Taweel, Ambassador of Palestine. The
ceremony took place in the Ambassadors’ Room at The Palace, Valletta. The President and Mrs
Fenech-Adami later hosted the newly-accredited Ambassadors to an official luncheon at San Anton.
• 18 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that a series of measures and 30 projects
valued at more than €12 million had been approved by the EU Social Fund and had been included in
The National Action Plan for Employment. A further €2.3 million approved by the EU Fund for
Regional Development will be spent on capital projects aimed at assisting the unemployed and training
institutions. Dr Gonzi was speaking during a public consultation meeting at Robert Samut Hall, in
Floriana. The plan may be downloaded from the Ministry of Education website -
http://www.education.gov.mt - or from the Employment and Training Corporation site -
http://www.etc.org.mt
• 18 September 2004 Speaking on the same occasion, the Minister of Education, Youth and
Employment, Louis Galea, made it clear that the Government would be trimming its participation rate
in employment. The rate had already dipped from 42 to 34 per cent over the last 10 years and would
have to go down further, Dr Galea said.
• 18 September 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, clothing, footwear,
household appliances, jewellery, watches and clocks all dropped in price in August. During the same
month, food, beverages, tobacco and insurance premiums became more expensive. Overall, the Retail
Prices Index for August decreased by 0.85 per cent to 103.25 from 104.14 in the previous month.
• 19 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi suggested that the Government and the
Opposition could jointly conduct a ‘Keep Malta Tidy’ campaign. “My appeal is for a national political
consensus to keep Malta clean. I am calling on Opposition Leader Alfred Sant to join me in an exercise
as Government and Opposition, or at the level of the Nationalist and Labour Parties, to have a clean

country. It would be the first time that the parties would have joined forces on a national project.” Dr
Gonzi was fielding questions on Radio 101.
• 19 September 2004 An inquiry report has concluded that the whole process that led to the deportation
of Eritrean citizens was completely and in every respect “regular and according to the law”. The report
notes a failure of a procedural nature in the sentences handed down by the board of appeal, but stresses
that this failure “in no way whatsoever affects the merit of all the decisions taken by the same Board of
Appeal”. During a news conference, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg handed out to the
media copies of the report.
• 19 September 2004 The Consulate General of Malta in Dubai joined forces with the Maltese private
sector, which is offering its support to organise a number of events in the United Arab Emirates. The
Malta National Day reception was this year sponsored by two Maltese companies, Foster Clark
Products Ltd and Corinthia Hotels International.
• 20 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi quoted statistics to show that the economy is on
the road to recovery. He said that new enterprises had increased by 32 per cent when compared with
the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of new companies opening for business totalled
1,190 in the first six months of the year. Investment, he said, had shot up by 26 per cent. Malta
Enterprise had managed to attract investment to the tune of Lm32 million this year, including six
pharmaceutical projects worth Lm12 million.
• 20 September 2004 The Italian Government has asked Malta to take back the 97 illegal immigrants
who, it insists, were re-routed to Sicily from Malta. Italian Ambassador Alvise Memmo said that he
had been asked by the Italian Home Affairs Ministry to inform the Government that Italy wanted to
send the boat people back, hours after landing in Sicily. Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo
confirmed that Italy had made the request but would only say that discussions on the matter were still
going on. Among other things, he said, one had to establish whether the boat people were in distress or
not.
• 20 September 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that
comprehensive commercial strategies were crucial for an increase in Malta's level of competitiveness,
as was the delivery of high quality and service complemented by reasonable prices. Minister Galea was
speaking during a visit to the Toly Products production plant.
• 20 September 2004 The General Secretary of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of
Europe, Xavier Gizard, has welcomed Dr Joe Borg's appointment as Commissioner for Fisheries and
Maritime Affairs. Following a meeting with the Maltese Commissioner, Mr Gizard said that, "for the
first time we can expect a genuine maritime policy in Europe".
• 21 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi appealed for political consensus on at least five
major issues. He said that environment, pensions, health, tourism, and ports were five sectors which
would clearly operate more efficiently if the political parties pulled the same rope. Addressing his first
mass meeting as Prime Minister, Dr Gonzi told those present that it was high time for all political
parties in Malta to realise that they could reap many benefits for the common good by working
together.
• 21 September 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami accompanied Princess Anne in paying tribute to
fallen airmen when the two laid wreaths at the foot of the Royal Air Force Memorial, in Floriana. The
visit to the RAF memorial marked the 50th anniversary of the monument, inaugurated by the Princess's
mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in May 1954.
• 21 September 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that the Government is reviewing
its legal position on the Italian request to send back to Malta the 94 illegal immigrants who landed in
Sicily after they refused to be escorted to shore by the Armed Forces of Malta despite the fact that they
were having difficulties at sea. The Justice and Home Affairs Ministry is reviewing the situation in
consultation with experts from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, added Dr Frendo.
• 21 September 2004 At the end of last year, the Government's nominal general gross consolidated debt
stood at Lm1,299.7 million, or 71.1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, compared with Lm1,100.5
million, or 62.7 per cent of GDP, at the end of 2002. General government net borrowing in 2003, as
measured by the Maastricht Treaty, was Lm177.1 million. This compared with a net borrowing of

Lm102.8 million in 2002. These figures are contained in the Government's second report for 2004
regarding its debt and deficit under the Maastricht Treaty.
• 21 September 2004 The National Statistics Office said that just under-one million passengers had used
the Malta-Gozo ferries in the second quarter of this year. The NSO said that the 923,143 passengers
who made the crossing between April and June was 2.1 per cent higher when compared to the same
period in 2003.
• 21 September 2004 The National Statistics Office said that a decline in the use of tourist
accommodation establishments was registered last April over the same month in 2003. The NSO said
that, although the number of arrivals in the establishments had increased by 0.8 per cent, the number of
nights stayed had dropped by 3.8 cent. The average stay fell from seven nights in April 2003 to 6.6
nights last April.
• 22 September 2004 Malta celebrated the 40 th anniversary of Independence with a wreath-laying
ceremony at the foot of the Independence Monument in Floriana by President Edward Fenech-Adami,
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, and HRH Princess Anne. The ceremony followed a Pontifical Mass at
St John’s co-Cathedral attended by the President, the Prime Minister, various Ministers and Members
of Parliament, and other Maltese dignitaries. In the evening, Princess Anne attended the Independence
Day Concert at the Presidential Palace, in Valletta. Pictures showing various aspects of the
Independence Day celebrations can be acceded at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2004/09/indep1thumbn.asp
• 22 September 2004 A number of Maltese living in Luxembourg got together to toast Malta's 40 th
Independence anniversary. The occasion was organised on the initiative of Prof. Josef Bonnici, Malta's
member on the Court of Auditors, who resides in Luxembourg. Present for the reception were Judge
Anthony Borg Barthet, serving at the Court of Justice of the European Communities, Judge Ena
Cremona, serving at the Court of First Instance, Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta's Permanent
Representative to the EU, and Michel Molitor, Honorary Consul of Malta in Luxembourg.
• 22 September 2004 Malta and Italy are urging the EU to partially lift years-old sanctions against
Libya in order to allow Tripoli to buy much-needed equipment to fight illegal migration. The proposal,
which will be discussed during the meeting of the EU Permanent Representatives Committee
(Coreper), comes as the flood of illegal immigrants into the two countries continues. Libyan Interior
Minister Nasser al-Mabruk had told an Italian newspaper that surveillance of the country's 1,250 miles
of shoreline would require helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, radar and other equipment that Tripoli is
unable to acquire because of the embargo.
• 22 September 2004 During the first meeting of the European Parliament's delegation to the Maghreb
countries, Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil was elected one of two vice-Presidents of the delegation.
Separately, during a meeting of the budget committee, Dr Busuttil was appointed rapporteur on Meda
funding, which groups together all EU funds allocated to non-EU countries in the Mediterranean.
• 23 September 2004 Queen Elizabeth II has sent a message of congratulation to President Edward
Fenech-Adami on the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of Malta's Independence.
• 23 September 2004 HRH Princess Anne paid a visit to Access, a home run by Agenzija Appogg. She
also visited the Cottonera Sports Complex, and met representatives of different organisations and
schools that are supported by the HSBC Cares for Children Fund. She left Malta for England in the
evening. Princess Anne was in Malta to attend celebrations marking the 40 th anniversary of Malta’s
Independence.
• 23 September 2004 The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU agreed to endorse a
proposal by Malta and Italy to lift an arms embargo on Libya. The decision, which has still to be
confirmed by EU Foreign Ministers, was welcomed by the Government. “This agreement shall result
in Libya being better positioned to give a significant contribution to the fight against illegal
immigration and organised crime within the Mediterranean area, the positive results of which will be
experienced by all states in the region,” the Government said.
• 23 September 2004 Maltese MEPs from both sides of the political spectrum said that they would
support the amendment proposed by EU Commissioner Frits Bolkestein that ensures that customers
can buy car spare-parts from independent manufacturers.

• 23 September 2004 The Government has thanked the local councils and other organisations that lent
their support to Malta’s participation in this year’s Car-Free Day venture. The Government’s aim is to
urge more people to participate in this initiative in the coming years.
• 23 September 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that a total of 7,953 unemployed persons
were registering for work in August, a decrease of 178 over the preceding month. NSO said that, on an
annual basis, the number of unemployed persons had dropped by 99.
• 23 September 2004 Figures issued by the National Statistics Office show that the number of cruise
passengers arriving in Malta in August went down by 13,029 to 42,236 over the same month last year.
In the first eight months of this year, the number of cruise passengers visiting Malta went down by
79,032 over the same period last year and amounted to 156,372.
• 24 September 2004 Malta and Iceland have signed a double-taxation agreement that will enable
nationals from both countries to avoid paying taxation twice. Prior to this agreement, Maltese
enterprises registered in Iceland and Icelandic enterprises registered in Malta would pay income tax on
profits in the country where the business operation was based, and the equivalent tax in their country of
origin, unless unilateral tax release was applied. Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that
such agreements provided an improved climate between the two countries to foster business
opportunities.
• 24 September 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Tony Abela,
represented Malta in an informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Defence in Noordwijk, The
Netherlands. The meeting discussed the latest preparations for the launch of Althea, the EU’s
peacekeeping operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• 24 September 2004 The Health sector is to benefit from almost €2 million from the EU as part of the
Transition Facility 2004 programme. The funds will help the Health Ministry improve blood
transfusion services, set up regulations about noise pollution in residential areas, and train health
inspectors in investigative procedures and the use of equipment measuring noise pollution.
• 24 September 2004 Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina said that research had
shown that the benefits of eliminating discrimination in the workplace went beyond the individual
worker and benefited both the economy and society as a whole. The Minister said that legislation was
not enough to make the most of people because there was still a great cultural and mental change that
needed to be undertaken. Ms Cristina was speaking at a seminar marking the 40 th anniversary of the
National Council of Women.
• 24 September 2004 The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, addressed
representatives of local tourist-handling agents who were on a special tour of the Cottonera area. The
tour was part of a Malta Tourism Authority initiative to raise awareness of the business potential of
these localities for the tourism trade.
• 24 September 2004 Malta has been ranked 81 st in the inward foreign direct investment (FDI)
performance index 2001-2003 compiled as part of the UNCTAD World Investment Report. Malta was
44 th in the previous index among 140 economies. The Island is also placed 53 rd in the outward FDI
performance index, one step ahead from the previous index. The FDI performance index is the ratio of
a country's share in global FDI flows to its share in global GDP.
• 24 September 2004 New Eurostat figures show that Malta's deficit is the second highest in the EU.
Publishing the second deficit and debt data for 2003, Eurostat said that 16 member states had seen a
worsening of their deficit in relation to GDP in 2003. The largest government deficits relative to GDP
were recorded by the Czech Republic (-12.6 per cent), Malta (-9.7 per cent) and Cyprus (-6.4 per cent).
According to these statistics, Malta is also faring badly in the government debt-to-GDP ratio, which
stands at 71.1 per cent.
• 24 September 2004 An Italian military website has lambasted the Italian media for distorting the facts
about the saga of the 94 illegal immigrants who are the subject of talks between Italy and Malta. The
Corpi d’élite.net editorial absolves the Maltese authorities of any wrongdoing in the case of the group
of Sudanese, Eritreans and Ethiopians who landed in Pozzallo, Sicily.

• 24 September 2004 The Maltese Embassy in Tripoli hosted a reception at the Corinthia Bab Africa
Hotel on the occasion of Malta's 40 th Independence anniversary. Guests were welcomed by
Ambassador Richard Vella Laurenti and his wife, as well as by embassy officials.
• 24 September 2004 The Spanish edition of the National Geographic magazine dedicated 10 colour
pages to Malta in a feature entitled ‘Malta, an exquisite defensive bastion in the middle of the
Mediterranean’. The article was written by Spanish journalist Carlos Pasqual, who came to Malta as a
guest of the Malta Tourism Authority and Air Malta.
• 25 September 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that Malta had accepted Italy's
request to receive back the group of 94 illegal immigrants because it was established that they were in
distress while at sea, their boat having drifted towards a mile and a half off Malta's shores because of
the rough winds. International Maritime Laws stipulate that a boat in distress should enter the nearest
safe port.
• 25 September 2004 Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil called upon the EU and the EPP to put aside
preconceived ideas or prejudices on Turkey's membership.
• 25 September 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, recurrent revenue in the first eight
months of this year amounted to Lm469 million and made up 55.6 per cent of this year's budget
forecast. This represents an increase of Lm27.4 million, or 6.2 per cent, on the same period last year.
At the same time, total expenditure amounted to Lm581.8 million, an increase of Lm14.0 million over
the Lm567.8 million expended last year. The structural deficit amounted to Lm112.8 million,
compared to a shortfall of Lm126.2 million reported for January - August 2003.
• 25 September 2004 The Middlesea Group announced an increase of 64 per cent in pre-tax profits for
the half year ended June 30 when compared to the results obtained for the corresponding period in
2003. The Group's total profit on ordinary activities before tax amounted to Lm1.27 million.
• 25 September 2004 The Head of the Italian Armed Forces, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, called on
Italian Military Mission personnel at Luqa Barracks. The Admiral stressed the importance of a stronger
collaboration between the Italian forces and the Armed Forces of Malta, especially in fighting
smuggling at sea and illegal immigration.
• 26 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the participation of Libya in the
Barcelona EuroMed process would be a welcome development to strengthen the link between Europe
and the Mediterranean. Delivering a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, Dr Gonzi said:
"The almost decade-long EuroMed process….needs strengthening and widening, and in this context,
the participation of Libya in the Barcelona EuroMed process would be particularly welcome."
• 26 September 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Mayors and Deputy-Mayors
that the Government would soon publish a Green Paper providing for the ‘de-penalisation’ of certain
criminal offences and civil disputes, which, till now, had to be dealt with in court because they carried
a custodial sentence. "There are a number of minor offences, which are unnecessarily dealt with in
court. The law will be changed to enable local tribunals to take over such cases," said the Minister.
• 26 September 2004 The head of Maltacom's International Affairs Office, Anthony De Bono, was
elected Chairman of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation for the years 2005 and
2006, at the body’s annual meeting, in Sri Lanka. Mr De Bono said that, through his new post, he
intends to seek to open new windows of opportunity for bilateral and multilateral agreements at
government level, and to obtain commercial benefits and new opportunities with the
telecommunications industry.
• 27 September 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government has started preparations
for the Budget which this year would not look at one year but would centre on the period 2005-2010.
The Government's priorities, said Dr Gonzi, were the economy and the generation of wealth, job
creation, education, and the environment.
• 27 September 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that work on the
Hagar Qim and Mnajdra heritage park, a project that includes covering the world heritage sites against
the inclements of the weather, should start in the near future. He said that the EU would be contributing
towards the expenses involved in the project. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking during a half-day
seminar on the Xaghra Stone Circle, in Gozo.

• 27 September 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea announced that he
would be presenting the Government with a strategic plan for the modernisation of schools and the
building of new ones so that all state schools could be considered modern and up to the required
standards. Dr Galea said that the plan would involve an outlay of Lm60 million over eight years.
• 27 September 2004 The Malta International Airshow drew thousands of people to Park Four of Malta
International Airport, where visitors could take a close look at some of the most modern military
aircraft, and chat with the planes’ crew. The show, which is now in its 12 th year, was hosted by the
Malta Aviation Society and benefited from the participation of the UK, Italy, France, Holland,
Germany, Belgium and Malta.
• 28 September 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that he would be
accompanying Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on an official visit to Libya when the issues on the
agenda would include the issue of returning to Libya illegal immigrants who come to Malta from there.
“We lobbied for the lifting of sanctions so that Libya could equip itself to help combat this problem,”
Dr Borg said.
• 28 September 2004 Malta united with the rest of the world to celebrate World Tourism Day through a
series of activities organised by the Malta Tourism Authority and the private sector. On the occasion,
Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech inaugurated a photographic exhibition at the
Ministry in Valletta. Speaking about the present situation, the Minister said that the private sector was
investing over Lm200 million on tourist projects.
• 28 September 2004 Health Minister Louis Deguara pledged that the October 5 th target set for the
introduction of smoking regulations in large entertainment establishments will in no way be postponed.
The Minister said that the local health situation could be drastically improved if one of the risk factors -
tobacco - was eliminated. He explained that four of the diseases highly prevalent among Maltese
people, namely heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma were directly and severely
influenced by tobacco use.
• 28 September 2004 Malta’s Ambassador to Spain, Gaetan Naudi, discussed bilateral relations with
King Juan Carlos after presenting his credentials in Madrid. Mr Naudi also extended an invitation to
the King on behalf of the President to visit Malta. They also discussed the forthcoming meeting to
mark the 10 th anniversary of the Barcelona process, and the Commonwealth Summit being held in
Malta next year.
• 28 September 2004 Malta officially signalled its intention to host the EU's border control agency,
which is expected to start functioning as from the beginning of next year. The new border control
agency is the latest European bid to boost the fight against illegal immigration and cross-border crime.
Its main function will be to coordinate the surveillance of the huge external frontier of the EU. It will
also conduct research and share surveillance techniques with EU member states as well as helping
nations to train guards for air and seaports.
• 28 September 2004 The House Public Accounts Committee agreed to hold three six-hour sittings to
scrutinise the procedures used in the acquisition of Malta House in Brussels. The Committee is to hear
and question a number of politicians, government officials, and technical experts including Prime
Minister Lawrence Gonzi; former Finance Minister John Dalli; the Parliamentary Secretary in the
Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech; and former Foreign Minister Joe Borg, now EU Commissioner.
• 29 September 2004 Family and Social Affairs Minister Dolores Cristina said in reply to a
parliamentary question that the Government has no current plans to impose a tax on vacant properties.
• 29 September 2004 The Ministry for Health is creating a databank of accidents and injuries with
technical and financial aid from the EU. Malta will be joining other EU countries in compiling
information about accidents and injuries which occur mostly during leisure time. This databank will be
the responsibility of the Health Information Department, currently responsible for the compilation of
all health-related issues in Malta, and will involve public and private hospitals and health centres.
• 29 September 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority has adopted a new philosophy for the festivals it
organises, focusing on a few to be able to market them on the international scene. An events committee
has decided to focus on four festivals: the Mediterranean Food Festival in March, the Malta Fireworks

Festival in May, the new Malta Historic Cities Festival next month, and the Malta International Choir
Festival in November.
• 29 September 2004 William Grant is the new Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Malta,
joining Ambassador Anthony Gioia in managing the Embassy. Before arriving in Malta, Mr Grant
served in Iraq as a representative of Ambassador Paul Bremer in the province of Sulaimaniya in Iraqi
Kurdistan.
• 29 September 2004 According to the results of preliminary recruitment examinations for middle
management posts in EU institutions, nine candidates passed the pre-selection tests: of these, four
qualified for legal posts and five qualified for auditing. Another nine candidates passed to the second
and final stage examination held for the recruitment of head of unit in the field of information and
public relations. No candidate qualified in the economics and public administration examinations.
• 30 September 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, said that parents
could rest assured that websites accessed by their children at school contained no "unsuitable material".
Dr Galea said that, while internet in schools was enabling students to achieve excellence through vast
and reliable sources of knowledge, thanks to a filtering system the Department of Technology within
the Education Division could block websites that were not educational and sites which contained illicit
material, violence or adult content.
• 30 September 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, revised statistics on the balance of
payments transactions of Malta recorded during the second quarter of this year indicate an
improvement of Lm18.4 million in the current account balance. While in the April to June 2003 period
a net deficit of Lm24.6 million was reported, a deficit of Lm6.2 million was registered for the
corresponding period this year.
• 30 September 2004 According to data provided by the National Statistics Office, the value of total
imports for the period January-June 2004 increased by Lm12.4 million, or 1.9%, to Lm653.3 million
from Lm640.9 million for the same period of 2003. In the period under review, the value of total
exports show a trend upwards by Lm10.7 million, or 2.4%, to Lm465.2 million from Lm454.5 million
in the period January- June 2003.
• 30 September 2004 Nationalist MEP David Casa has been appointed shadow rapporteur for the
environment and health and food safety committee by the European People's Party. He will be the
spokesman for the EPP on the report on the protection of deep water coral reefs from the effects of
trawling in certain areas of the Atlantic Ocean.
• 30 September 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea received
representatives from Greenpeace to discuss the issue of ship-breaking and its environmental impact.
Mr Galea said that Malta, being the fifth largest ship registry in the world, is committed to promote an
awareness of the concept of ship-breaking. "We have always been very active and sensitive to issues
affecting ship-safety and environmental regulations," the Minister said.
• 30 September 2004 A number of articles on Malta have been published in Italian magazines
following promotional efforts by the Malta Tourism Authority's Milan office. The articles appeared in
the archaeology magazine Archeo, Max magazine, La Cucina di Casa Mia magazine, in Bell’Europa
and in Avion, the official magazine of Bergamo's Orio al Serio Airport. The journalists involved were
hosted by the MTA and supported by Air Malta.
OCTOBER
• 1 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi ordered that talks between government
representatives and senior Skanska Construction officials be suspended forthwith after the company's
latest counter-proposals were communicated to him. Negotiations between teams from the two parties
had been ongoing for two months following the Prime Minister’s insistence on an explanation and a
justification for the hike in the estimate costs in the building of the Mater Dei Hospital that Skanska
presented to the Foundation for Medical Services.
• 1 October 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that Malta was in favour of having
information centres in North African countries where people intending to cross over to Europe to start

a new life could learn how they could do this in a legal and proper manner. Dr Borg was speaking to
The Times newspaper while attending an EU Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council in The Hague.
• 1 October 2004 Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Frendo was invited to visit Tunisia for talks. The
invitation was made by his Tunisian counterpart Habib Ben Yahia, at the United Nations General
Assembly in New York. Dr Frendo and Mr Ben Yahia discussed topics of interest for both countries,
including illegal immigration and the Euro-Med Process. They also discussed the upcoming meeting in
Malta of the Malta - Tunisia Joint Commission towards the end of the year.
• 1 October 2004 Philippe Bautier, a spokesman for the EU's statistical arm Eurostat, said that the
agency was "very satisfied with the level of independence, integrity and accountability of Malta's
National Statistics Office”. The positive comments were welcomed by the head of the NSO, Alfred
Camilleri.
• 1 October 2004 Malta, Ireland, Sweden and the UK have been given a five-year transitional period to
conform to EU-wide legislation that will, as of next month, introduce the need for a passport for pets
carried across the EU. The passport will be needed by the owners of pet cats and dogs to provide proof
that the animals have been vaccinated against rabies.
• 1 October 2004 Education Minister Louis Galea announced that the Ministry of Education, Youth and
Employment is to set up a School Attendance Improvement Task Force to analyse truancy in schools
and propose a strategic plan and guidelines to address the situation. It is hoped that this work could be
completed by the middle of next year. The Minister gave the information in reply to a parliamentary
question.
• 1 October 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, announced that
rent reform is on the agenda in this legislature. "Rent reform is an issue that needs to be approached
cautiously in terms of pre-1939 rent laws where we must ensure that, while the vulnerable are
protected and cared for, justice is done. A great deal of work has already been done by commissions set
up in the past with the brief to study rent law reform," Ms Cristina said.
• 1 October 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech visited Rainer Mitze's
Cookery College, at Ir-Razzett l-Antik, in Qormi. Dr Zammit Dimech said that, at a time of strong
competition from emerging tourism countries and from neighbouring countries to the south, Malta
must specialise in order to attract more high yield tourists and the Rainer Mitze Cookery College was
a step in that direction.
• 1 October 2004 A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs replied to a report released
in Brussels criticising Malta for the way asylum-seekers are treated. The spokesman said that the report
put all the foreigners coming to Malta illegally in the same basket. “The report calls all of them
'asylum-seekers' when many of them would have left their countries to improve their economic
situation and not because their life was threatened in any way,” said the spokesman.
• 1 October 2004 The National Statistics Office said that, in the second quarter this year, the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices reached Lm463.5 million, a drop of 0.8 % over the
same period last year. Modest increases in the gross value added of the financial intermediation sector,
the real estate, renting and business activities sector and the wholesale and retail sector were offset by
slowdowns in manufacturing, electricity, gas and water supply, hotels and restaurants and transport,
storage and communication. Real GDP declined by 1.5 %.
• 2 October 2004 The Government rejected another Skanska offer, deeming it inadequate to solve the
impasse in the talks aimed at setting a figure for the completion of the new Mater Dei Hospital.
However, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government would remain open to new
proposals "which justify the costs and which fix a precise date for the completion of the hospital".
• 2 October 2004 Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano insisted on the need for more members of the
judiciary to reduce the backlog of pending cases and for a back-up system when judges or magistrates
are on holiday or ill. President Edward Fenech-Adami and the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry
for Justice and Home Affairs, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, attended the ceremony opening the Forensic
Year at the Law Courts.
• 2 October 2004 University Rector Roger Ellul-Micallef said that now that Malta was an EU member,
it was the University's duty to seek out opportunities that would be of benefit to students and other

members of the institution. Prof. Ellul Micallef was speaking during the opening ceremony of the
academic year.
• 2 October 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, the number of tourists departing by air in
August was estimated at 162,910, an increase of 5,240 or 3.3 per cent over the same month last year.
Sea departures were estimated at 14,187 tourists. As a result, total tourist departures amounted to
177,097, an increase of six per cent over the estimated 167,112 tourists in August last year.
• 2 October 2004 Enemalta Corporation announced new prices for oil products. The price of diesel
went up by 9.2 per cent to 34.4c per litre, while the price of kerosene increased by 11.9 per cent to
16.9c per litre. Unleaded petrol went up by 0.5 per cent to 38.8c per litre, while Lead Replacement
Petrol (LRP) went up by 0.4 per cent to 41.8c a litre. The Government blamed the price increases on
the hike in the price of oil on the international markets.
• 3 October 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt described the agreement reached by
the General Workers Union and Malta Freeport, over new working conditions for port workers, as the
first that concretely addressed the problems of productivity and lack of efficiency in jobs that do not
have set hours. Through the new agreement with the GWU, the Freeport workers agreed that payment
would depend on productivity.
• 3 October 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea underlined the need to
develop counselling services in schools. The Minister said that, so far, guidance and counselling have
been offered by the same personnel. "The time has come to look at both professions individually,
evaluate the needs of each sector and create frameworks that will offer an effective, quality service," he
said. Dr Galea was speaking during the first national conference organised by the Malta Association
for the Counselling Profession.
• 3 October 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, Carmelo
Mifsud Bonnici, said that more knowledge of the problems which medical professionals are facing,
especially with regard to criminal and civil responsibility, is needed. Dr Mifsud Bonnici was speaking
during a seminar organised by the Medical Association of Malta.
• 4 October 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami said that Malta was following the accession talks
between Romania and the European Commission and hoped to see Romania integrated into the
"European family". The President was addressing a joint press conference with visiting President Ion
Iliescu, at the Presidential Palace, in Valletta. Speaking at a state dinner later, Mr Iliescu thanked Dr
Fenech-Adami for supporting Romania's accession to the EU.
• 4 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government had the right not to pay
Skanska Construction if the explanation about the expenditure for Mater Dei Hospital was not good
enough. The Government is demanding an explanation over cost over-runs and is seeking a firm date
for the completion of the project. Dr Gonzi was addressing a political discussion at Ta’ Xbiex.
• 4 October 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that just over 17 per cent of the total
population is over 60 years old, with 13 per cent of the total aged 65 and over. Whereas 90 years ago,
a Maltese man was expected to live just over 43 years and female life expectancy was nearly 45 years,
today these expectations have nearly doubled: 76.4 years for men and 80.4 years for women. The
office published the figures to mark the International Day of Older Persons on October 1.
• 4 October 2004 Lexus, the American lifestyle and travel magazine, feathered an in-depth article
tracing the travels of Odysseus, who, according to Greek mythology, spent seven years in Gozo. The
article was complemented by photographs by Kurt Arrigo. Every quarter, about one million copies of
the magazine are printed and distributed in the US and Europe to car-owners and subscribers.
• 5 October 2004 Romanian President Ion Iliescu addressed businessmen at the Chamber of Commerce
and Enterprise in Valletta, on the second and last day of his state visit. Mr Iliescu also took part in a
tree-planting ceremony at San Anton Palace and later visited the Malta Freeport, the reverse-osmosis
plant in Pembroke and St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, before being hosted by Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi to lunch at Auberge de Castille. Before leaving Malta, President Iliescu hosted a
reception in honour of President and Mrs Fenech-Adami, at the Corinthia Palace Hotel.

• 5 October 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that a total of 1,320 nationals of
EU member states have been granted a permit to work in Malta. The highest number, 506, are Britons,
followed by 159 Germans and 148 Italians. The Minister was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 5 October 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, announced that
the Government will this year pass on a subsidy of Lm2 million to the Public Transport Association to
bridge the gap between the costs incurred by the PTA and the revenue the transport service generates.
In return, the association will introduce measures to improve the quality of public transport. The
Minister was fielding questions at a news conference announcing a partial agreement reached between
the Malta Transport Authority and the PTA.
• 5 October 2004 ‘No smoking’ regulations coming into force today outlaw smoking in entertainment
establishments covering an area over 60 square metres. Smaller establishments have until April 2005 to
come in line. The Health Ministry said that the aim of the law was mainly to protect non-smokers and
employees, but it was also hoped that the regulations would lead to smokers quitting the habit.
• 5 October 2004 The five Maltese MEPs wrote to the Secretary General of the European Parliament,
Julian Priestly, to complain about the lack of Maltese translation services during various parliamentary
sessions. The MEPs urged Mr Priestly to take all the necessary measures to improve the situation,
adding that many official documents were still not available in Maltese and noting the lack of
interpretation facilities in all meetings taking place in Brussels.
• 5 October 2004 The Director General of the Justice and Home Affairs Directorate, Jonathan Faull,
said that the European Commission was fully aware of the problems that the Maltese authorities were
facing with the continuous influx of illegal migrants from North Africa. He said that in the coming
weeks the Commission would be having discussions with the UNHCR (United Nations High
Commission for Refugees) in order to try to find short-term solutions, even by financing some of the
burden being borne by member states directly affected by this problem.
• 6 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi flew to Tripoli for talks with Libyan Prime Minister
Shoukri Ghanem. Speaking to the press before boarding the aircraft sent by the Libyan Government to
fetch the Maltese delegation, Dr Gonzi said that the two countries would work together to tackle the
problem of irregular migrants "in the best possible manner". Dr Gonzi said: "The lifting of the embargo
has paved the way for more cooperation between Malta and Libya."
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audiorecording%20-%2005.10.04%20.asp
• 6 October 2004 The Government signed a $421 million agreement granting the French CMA CGM
group, the fifth largest shipping company in the world, a 30-year concession to operate the Freeport.
CMA CGM, in turn, entrusted Portsynergy, a joint venture between CMA CGM and P&O Ports, with
the management of terminal operations.
• 6 October 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, advised road
contractors not to continue tendering for road-works at extremely high prices, otherwise their bids
would not be accepted. Mr Mugliett said that a lot of interest was being shown by foreign contractors.
A total of Lm42 million worth of road works are planned over the next three years, using money
budgeted for the purpose by the Government as well as funds from the Italian Financial Protocol and
EU Structural and Cohesion Funds.
• 6 October 2004 Maltese designate European Commissioner Joe Borg gave what was described as an
‘impressive showing’ during his hearing before the European Parliament Fisheries Committee,
replying in detail to all the questions asked by 40 MEPs. The President of the Committee, Frenchman
Philippe Morillion, said that Dr Borg "impressed us and showed that he is very well prepared". On his
part, Dr Borg said that he was very satisfied with the way the hearing was conducted and with the
positive attitude adopted by the MEPs present.
• 6 October 2004 The Minister of Health, the Elderly and Community Care, Louis Deguara, said that
Lm129.2 million have been spent so far on the Mater Dei Hospital. Dr Deguara said that this figure
included sums spent before the design-and-build contract was signed with contractor Skanska in 2000.
It also included payment for medical equipment and consultancy. Dr Deguara was replying to a
parliamentary question.
• 7 October 2004 Talks in Malta between European Commission President-in-waiting José Manuel
Durão Barroso and the Prime Minister were delayed after Dr Lawrence Gonzi had to unexpectedly fly

from Tripoli to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi at Misurata. "Discussions with Col. Gaddafi
dealt with the added-value of Malta's Mediterranean dimension as a member of the EU and the way in
which it could contribute to peace and stability in the region," Dr Gonzi said. The talks were described
as ‘positive’.
• 7 October 2004 On his return to Malta, the Prime Minister said that the most important issue he had
discussed with his Libyan counterpart, Shoukri Ghanem, was illegal immigration. "We both
appreciated each other's will to overcome difficulties on the issue. We hope that there will be more
cooperation between Malta and Libya on the matter," said Dr Gonzi.
• 7 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and European Commission President-designate José
Manuel Durão Barroso reviewed the progress that the EU was making to reach the targets set out in the
Lisbon agenda. Speaking to the press at the Prime Minister's official residence in Girgenti, Mr Barroso
said that the Commission was giving special attention to the particular contributions that respective
member states could give. "There is special focus on Malta's experience as a Mediterranean country.
What can Malta's role as a member state be? This is the question we are asking."
• 7 October 2004 Replying, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Maltese people had already
started reaping the fruits of membership. Dr Gonzi mentioned the improved standard of living which,
he said, was enjoyed by the Maltese since May 1. An audio recording of the joint press conference by
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and European Commission President-designate José Manuel Durão
Barroso can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audiorecording%20-%2006.10.04%20pm%20barroso.asp
• 7 October 2004 Dr Joe Borg is to be given the blessing of the European Parliament's Fisheries
Committee to become Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, following his hearing on
Tuesday 5 th October. The evaluation report on Dr Borg's performance was ‘very positive’: all political
groups in the Committee expressed their satisfaction at the way Dr Borg performed and will be voting
in favour of his nomination.
• 7 October 2004 Former Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet was elected to preside over one of the
six chambers of the European Court of Justice. Judge Borg Barthet said that he felt "very honoured and
also a bit apprehensive, as this appointment will involve more work coordinating the functioning of the
chamber and that of all other members of the court".
• 7 October 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, the full-time gainfully occupied rose by
358 persons in May but dropped by 940 in the 12-month period to May 2004. In the month under
review, employment in the private direct production sector increased by 44 persons in comparison to
April 2004.
• 8 October 2004 A spokesman for the Prime Minister said that the initial estimate of Lm83 million
only covered the building and finishing of the Mater Dei Hospital and did not include the cost of the
medical equipment, furniture or information technology required by the hospital. Therefore, said the
spokesman, it was not correct to say, as had been reported in the media, that the cost of the hospital
would rise from Lm83 million to about Lm200 million, since the latter figure was all-inclusive.
• 8 October 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that
between 26 - 28 per cent of people separated their waste. He said that, in the past eight months, about
540 tonnes of separated waste was collected from bring-in sites. The Minister was speaking during a
debate on waste management, at the University.
• 8 October 2004 A list of ships banned from EU ports places the Malta flag in the ‘medium risk’
category, together with Panama, India, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Iran and Libya. There are three other
categories of higher risk, described as ‘very high’, ‘high’ and ‘medium to high’. Publication of the
information is required under the new European rules on port state control in the wake of the Erika and
Prestige disasters.
• 8 October 2004 The European Commission allocated 171,000 Euro towards the improvement of
Maltese vineyards, an amount to be used over this year and the next. This is the first time that new
member states have been entitled to receive this support from EU coffers. Under a new Council
regulation on the common organisation of the market in wine, member states can obtain annual
subsidies for restructuring and conversion of a set number of hectares.

• 8 October 2004 The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament decided to invite five national
delegations, consisting of Ministers or top officials from the fisheries sector, to discuss the impact that
the introduction of the fisheries fund will have on them. The proposal was tabled by Maltese MEP
David Casa and seconded by his Spanish colleague Carmen Fraga, and was unanimously approved.
• 9 October 2004 During his official visit to Libya, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi paid a visit to the
home décor showroom of Construct Furniture Ltd, located in the heart of the commercial district in
Tripoli. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said that the company was a concrete example of how his
statements with regards to the commercial role of Malta within the Libyan market could be put into
action.
• 9 October 2004 The Ministry for Investment, Industry and IT announced that the offshore drilling rig,
the Jim Cunningham, had arrived at Malta Shipyards for extensive repair work. The work involved is
likely to include electrical work, pipe-work, blasting and painting and some steel repairs. Minister
Austin Gatt said: "This is the beginning of a long road, but if all goes well, the activity at the shipyards
will continue to be on target and will keep the 'yards on the right road to profitability."
• 9 October 2004 A global report entitled ‘Progress for Children’ published by UNICEF, shows that
Malta has managed to slash its under-five mortality rate from 14 per 1,000 births in 1990, to 5 in 2002.
• 10 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s visit to Libya received wide publicity in the
country's media. The two leading daily newspapers Al-Shams (The Sun) and Al-Fagr al-Giadid (The
New Dawn) gave it front-page coverage.
• 10 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi harshly criticised Skanska Construction for the
spiralling costs of the Mater Dei Hospital and repeated time and again that his Government was not
prepared to foot the bill for the mistakes and inefficiencies of others. Dr Gonzi reiterated that he was
prepared to hold a meeting with Skanska's top officials should there be no developments about the
matter, adding that he was prepared to terminate the contract in the absence of a satisfactory outcome.
Dr Gonzi was fielding questions from journalists present for the monthly media briefing, at Auberge de
Castille. An audio recording of the press briefing can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspage.asp
• 10 October 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo chaired a five-hour peace process round table on
the Israeli-Palestine conflict at the VI Foro Formentor in Majorca, Spain. Mohamed Rachid, senior
adviser to President Yasser Arafat, and Israeli Transport Minister Meir Sheetrit, both former
negotiators, were among the official speakers at the round table. Also present were the authors of the
Geneva Accord, former peace negotiators Yossi Beilin of Israel and Yasser Abed Rabbo of Palestine.
• 10 October 2004 Ambassador Salvino Busuttil inaugurated a three-fold exhibition by artist Luciano
Micallef, photographer Daniel Cilia, and calligrapher Michel d’Anastasio, at the Jean Monnet Foyer
International d’Accueil de Paris. The exhibition was timed to coincide with the date of Malta’s
Independence.
• 11 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi quoted economic indicators to show that the number
of persons registering for work on the first part of the employment register had gone down, from 8,061
in January to 7,186 in August; the value of contracts for the sale of property in the first eight months
had increased by 30 per cent over the same period last year; and the shipyard was currently losing Lm1
million less than had been calculated. On the other hand, said Dr Gonzi, the higher price of oil was
affecting the most important industries in Malta. The Prime Minister was addressing a political
meeting at Qrendi.
• 11 October 2004 At Qrendi, Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett referred to the
agreement reached with the Public Transport Authority. He said that the subsidy that bus-owners were
to receive was to be divided into a number of payments with each payment being made when a number
of conditions were implemented. Mr Mugliett also announced that the Government planned to spend
Lm42 million on roads in the next three years.
• 11 October 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Frans Agius, said that,
following EU membership, consumers had benefited from a wider choice at competitive prices. Lm3.8
million worth of subsidies had been handed out, including over Lm1 million for pork, over Lm600,000
for tomatoes, and over Lm200,000 for fruit and vegetables. Dr Agius was speaking at Qrendi.

• 12 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the decision to buy Malta House in
Brussels was taken unanimously by the Cabinet after he presented it with a memorandum based on a
detailed report submitted to him by government holding-company MIMCOL. Dr Gonzi was replying to
questions by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee which held the first of three seven-hour
meetings to discuss the purchase and refurbishment of Malta House.
• 12 October 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said that Malta welcomed the EU Foreign
Ministers’ decision to end sanctions against Libya. He said that the removal of all sanctions and the
lifting of the arms embargo against Libya would result in better future relations between the EU and
Libya, which would be beneficial to Malta. The original proposal for the lifting of the embargo was
submitted jointly by Italy and Malta following discussions between Justice and Home Affairs Minister
Tonio Borg and Italian Foreign Minister Giuseppe Pisanu.
• 12 October 2004 The Government and Banco di Sicilia agreed to jointly sell their shareholding in
Bank of Valletta to a strategic investor. The Bank told the Malta Stock Exchange in a company
announcement that the Government and Banco di Sicilia had agreed to initiate a process leading to the
appointment of an independent financial adviser and the joint sale of their shareholding in BoV to a
strategic investor. The Government has a 25 per cent stake in BoV and the Sicilian bank has 14 per
cent. The rest of the shares are held by small investors.
• 12 October 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt launched Breeze, Malta’s pay-peruse
ADSL. Dr Gatt said that, through this new service, an hour on the internet would cost less than the
same time spent on the telephone. It was estimated that around 50,000 persons who use a dial-up
service would switch over to broadband because it suited them more.
• 12 October 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt appointed David Stellini to be
Chairman of Maltapost plc, succeeding Joe Grioli who has been Chairman since December 5, 2003. Dr
Gatt accepted the resignation of Mr Grioli, who resigned for personal reasons.
• 13 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi inaugurated the new premises of AM Mangion
Limited, at Industrial Estate, Luqa. Speaking to managers and employees of the company, Dr Gonzi
said that AM Mangion Limited was leading by example in making the best out of Malta’s membership
of the EU.
• 13 October 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that Malta will be supporting the
opening of EU accession negotiations with Turkey following the green light given by the European
Commission. Dr Frendo said: "The report issued by the Commission addresses on the ground the
issues regarding the compliance of Turkey with the Copenhagen criteria."
• 13 October 2004 According to a confidential EU report, none of the EU measures contemplated to
counter terrorism following the September 11 attacks has been applied by all EU member states. The
EU makes particular reference to Malta for failing to implement legislation regarding the definition of
and sanctions against terrorism, and on money-laundering and confiscation of products of crime. These
two sets of rules had to be implemented by the end of 2002.
• 13 October 2004 The EU Transport Council has decided to introduce a single EU driving licence.
Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett, who represented Malta at the council, said
that the benefit of an EU-wide licence would be the reduction of bureaucracy for Maltese who want to
drive in the EU and vice-versa. The new credit-card sized licence will replace over 110 different styles
of driving certificate used within the 25 member states.
• 14 October 2004 Former Minister John Dalli replied to questions by the Public Accounts Committee
at the end of three days of hearings on the process used for the purchase of a property at 25, Rue
Archimede, Brussels, which will house the Maltese mission to the EU and the Embassy to Brussels.
Earlier, the Committee heard MIMCOL Chairman Ivan Falzon, as well as MIMCOL officials Mario
Mizzi and Vince Mifsud.
• 14 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that government entities had total outstanding
loans of Lm301.9 million at the end of June. Dr Gonzi gave the information in reply to a parliamentary
question asking for a list of borrowing by entities made with the approval of the Ministry of Finance.
• 14 October 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said in reply to a parliamentary question that no
specific agreement was reached on the repatriation of illegal immigrants during the Prime Minister's

visit to Tripoli, but experts from both countries are due to meet to further discuss the issue. He said that
among the issues which were discussed were ways to improve the issue of visas for visitors between
the two countries. The Minister said that Malta had made verbal suggestions and written proposals
would be made in the coming days.
• 14 October 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that Prime
Minister Lawrence Gonzi had agreed to personally chair an inter-ministerial working group whose
brief would be to address developments in the tourism industry in an on-going manner. Dr Zammit
Dimech was addressing a press conference.
• 14 October 2004 Minister Zammit Dimech said that, a report on the Malta Tourism Authority drawn
up by Deloitte and Touche refers to "MTA's cumbersome internal structures, which have resulted in an
unclear chain of command, excessive internal fragmentation, unnecessary territoriality, ineffective
internal coordination and weak communication". The report recommends that the Authority be
"radically streamlined into one cohesive unit led by one board of directors".
• 14 October 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, announced
plans to relocate Parliament to the old Opera House in Valletta. The Minister said that the project was
in the design stage and its financial feasibility was under study. Mr Mugliett was speaking during a
business breakfast entitled ‘Valletta: A Theatre of Dreams: The Opera House and Other Issues’.
• 14 October 2004 The Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament has given its official approval
to the nomination of Maltese Commissioner-designate Joe Borg as head of the Fisheries and Maritime
Affairs Portfolio. In a confidential evaluation letter sent by the Committee to the President of the
European Parliament, Philippe Morillion, the Committee's Chairman, wrote: "Overall, the
Commissioner-designate gave a convincing impression of his personal qualities and professional
capabilities and of his ability to assume the duties for which he has been nominated."
• 14 October 2004 The European Commission has unveiled plans to liberalise port services across the
EU. The proposal allows talks on liberalising handling, mooring, and piloting services in European
ports to continue. Such services in Malta are still subject to monopolies and the situation will have to
change if this directive comes into effect. The directive allows ship-owners to use their own staff for
handling operations, thus breaking the dockers' monopoly.
• 14 October 2004 According to a new report entitled ‘A Business Study on the National Radio and
Television Services’, the financial situation of existing television and radio stations will continue to
deteriorate further if the Broadcasting Authority grants new licences. The report said that new entrants
to the market are unlikely to generate enough revenues to sustain their operations. The report was
drawn up by Grant Thornton and published on the Broadcasting Authority's website.
• 15 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi wrote to the Chairman of Skanska inviting him to
Malta to discuss the Mater Dei Hospital issue before the Government resorts to further action. In his
letter, Dr Gonzi said that, although he appreciated that progress had been registered during talks
between representatives of the two parties, the impasse needed to be resolved. The Prime Minister has
made it clear that he wants to reach an agreement with Skanska covering the final projected cost and a
definite deadline for completion.
• 15 October 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg announced that there is consensus
between the Government and the Opposition on most issues mentioned in the law on local government
which, he said, had already undergone the first reading in Parliament. The amended legislation obliges
local councils to control expenses more rigorously and to be more accountable to residents whom they
are bound to serve. Dr Borg was speaking on the occasion of the presentation of a Quality Service
Charter to Santa Venera Local Council.
• 15 October 2004 The Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt, said that eleven
companies with foreign investment had announced added investment in Malta in the first seven months
of this year. He said that the total investment on these projects will be at least Lm16.2 million over a
period of three years. Dr Gatt was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 15 October 2004 According to the National Statistics Office the unemployment rate, defined as the
number of unemployed as a percentage of the labour force, stood at 7.3 per cent between April and
June. The number of unemployed persons was estimated to be 11,529. The male unemployment rate
was 6.9 per cent while that of females stood at 8.3 per cent.

• 15 October 2004 On the occasion of the European Day against Drugs, Family and Social Solidarity
Minister Dolores Cristina said that the Government was committed to embarking on a fresh strategy to
tackle the problem of addiction in Malta. Closer follow-ups of heroin addicts, including greater support
for their children, and greater control of under-age drinking, as well as more control of drinking-anddriving,
were among the priorities, said the Minister.
• 15 October 2004 The Government received an official letter from the European Commission
requesting it to transpose the EU directives on the internal market in electricity and gas into national
law. Under the EU Emissions Trading Directive, Malta must set limits to the greenhouse gas emissions
produced by industrial installations of a significant size. In Malta's case, limits are to be applied to the
two Enemalta power plants for the period 2005-2007.
• 15 October 2004 The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, presented The
Award for Tourism Journalism for this year to Mr Joe A. Grima for his contribution to the tourism
industry with his magazines ‘Malta & Gozo Day by Day’ and ‘Malta and Gozo Quarterly’. As from
next year, the award will be amalgamated with the awards for local journalism organized by the Istitut
Ġurnalisti Maltin (IĠM).
• 16 October 2004 Ms Cherie Booth told international law students at the University of Malta that it was
time to ‘reaffirm’ and ‘renew’ the role of the United Nations since recent events had ‘exposed its
weaknesses’. The theme of Ms Blair’s lecture was ‘Human Rights - a Personal Perspective’. The
barrister wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair was in Malta to deliver two legal lectures.
• 16 October 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, said that the
Cabinet would soon consider a position paper outlining Malta's strategy for the adoption of the Euro.
The strategy will include two important decisions: ‘When should Malta join the second phase of the
Exchange Rate Mechanism?’ and ‘How long should it continue to form part of the mechanism before
adopting the Euro?’ Mr Fenech was speaking at a seminar organised by the Malta Business Bureau and
the Mediterranean Bank Network, in collaboration with Bank of Valletta.
• 16 October 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea told top General
Workers’ Union officials that the Government intended to complete the tender document for the
management of port merchandise by the end of the year. Mr Galea said that it would only come into
effect once the contract of Cargo Handling Co Ltd expires in July 2006. The Ministry has appointed a
Steering Group to lead the discussions with various port sectors to ensure that the exercise takes place
without any undue delay.
• 16 October 2004 Government MEP Simon Busuttil officially protested about the lack of Maltese
interpretation services in the European Parliament. Speaking during a debate on freedom, security and
justice in the EU, Dr Busuttil said that Maltese was an official language of the EU and Parliament
should rectify the matter as soon as possible.
• 17 October 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that sixty
per cent of the expenditure of the Maltese goes towards the purchase and consumption of food, with
expenditure in the sector in the past 10 years going up from Lm7 million to Lm13 million. The
Minister was speaking during a ceremony in which fishermen, farmers and growers were awarded
medals of recognition by the Government. President Edward Fenech-Adami made the presentations.
• 17 October 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, said that the
Government wants to relocate Parliament to the Opera House site, which would be rebuilt if the
proposal was approved by Cabinet. He said that projects like the renovation of St James Cavalier and
the upper and lower Barracca Gardens are helping to give a new life to Valletta. Mr Mugliett was
speaking during the annual workshop organised by the Society of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Students.
• 17 October 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that teachers had the
critical role of imparting information, and educating students about making the right choices and
learning to deal with peer pressure in avoiding addictions. Dr Galea was speaking during a Sedqa
presentation of addictions-prevention material to be used in schools during this scholastic year.
• 17 October 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that the
Government will no longer fund non-governmental organisations in animal welfare unless these were

grouped in one organisation representing the area of activity that they were involved in. Mr Pullicino
said that, if all animal NGOs agreed to stick together in one committee, the Government was prepared
to help by providing land and personnel for the animal hospital.
• 18 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi insisted that the Government wanted to bring about
port reform as soon as possible. Dr Gonzi said: "Reform of port operations is a key ingredient for
national competitiveness. The Government wants to bring about this reform in the interests of the
country, the workers and the economy in general."
• 18 October 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that Enemalta is expected to
end the current financial year with a loss of Lm11million to Lm12 million, owing to the rising oil
prices. The figure is some Lm7 million more than projected. Dr Gatt said that Enemalta could not
continue to absorb such losses and one would have to find the money, either from the people's taxes or
from the power tariffs.
• 18 October 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami toured Mqabba as part of activities to mark
Mqabba Day. He was shown around by Mayor Noel Galea. Dr Fenech-Adami called at the premises of
various societies and ended his tour with a visit to the council offices, where he praised the local
council for its work in the promotion of the identity of a typically Maltese village.
• 18 October 2004 The European Commission has approved the allocation of 35,000 Euro to be used by
the Maltese agricultural authorities to ensure that cattle and sheep are free from BSE. The allocation
forms part of a financial package just adopted by the EU to fight animal diseases across the 25 member
states.
• 18 October 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that
Malta was insisting with the European Commission that all areas related to the natural habitat should
be eligible for funding under the Natura 2000 environmental programme. Mr Pullicino said that, in the
case of Malta, this made more sense as the area dedicated to farming and rural development was very
small compared to the total area of the Island.
• 19 October 2004 The United Nations' International Institute on Aging held a conference on Medicines
Management in Older Persons, where current trends in prescribing in older persons were presented.
The Minister of Health, the Elderly and Community Care, Louis Deguara, said that it was essential to
identify rational and cost-effective use of medicines in older persons.
• 19 October 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that the Government
has no plans to privatise any part of the education sector. Dr Galea was replying to a parliamentary
question.
• 19 October 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, spoke on
the need for insurance cover for farmers when he addressed the European Council of Ministers of
Agriculture and Fisheries. Dr Agius said that the need for insurance cover was pressing since farmers
were more prone to suffer from damage caused by the weather and by a change of climate. Insurance
cover helped to stabilise the market, he said.
• 19 October 2004 According to Eurostat figures, Malta registered the highest monthly rise in inflation
in the EU with a 0.7 per cent difference in just one month. At 3.2 per cent in September, Malta’s
inflation rate was much higher than the EU average of 2.1 per cent.
• 19 October 2004 Dr Anglu Farrugia, MP, is to be a member of the OSCE Election Observation
Mission to the 2004 American presidential and congressional elections which take place on November
2. Dr Farrugia said that it was likely that he would be based in Ohio, which is expected to be one of the
most hotly contested states in the presidential election.
• 20 October 2004 Government signed an agreement with Air Malta to set up a works council within the
Company to ensure that all employees are constantly updated on any changes taking place. The
Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt, said that this was the first such council within a
government entity and, if it reaped positive results, which he was certain it would, he would introduce
the concept at Enemalta Corporation and at Water Services Corporation.
• 20 October 2004 Costa Crociere, which forms part of the world's leading cruise lines, is to launch its
Costa Magica on November 3 with an inaugural itinerary for 2005 that includes Malta as a regular port

of call for 31 Mediterranean cruises. During 2005, Costa Crociere will have an additional 22 cruise
calls with tourists calling at Malta 53 times.
• 20 October 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the use of
accommodation establishments in May declined when compared to the same month last year. The
decline was seen in all sectors except for guesthouses, tourist villages and 2-star hotels. The highest
occupancy level was recorded in the 4-star hotel category at 67.3 per cent. This was followed by the 5-
star category at 54.5 per cent.
• 20 October 2004 According to a survey carried out by Thomson Holidays, and published in The
Guardian, Malta is among the top five film holiday destinations. Malta made its mark on the film
tourism map thanks to the first-ever Malta/UK co-production blockbuster Troy, which was released last
May. The survey identifies ‘cinema sightseeing’ as the latest trend in tourism, with films acting as
‘virtual holiday brochures’.
• 21 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, in formulating the 2005 Budget, the
Government was clearly and strategically ensuring that all measures were underpinned by a horizontal
thrust to stimulate economic growth. He said that there was no other alternative path - addressing the
budget deficit was a priority. Dr Gonzi was addressing a conference entitled Basel II for SMEs - the
Future of Access to Finance for SMEs, organised by the Chamber of Small and Medium Sized
Enterprises (GRTU).
• 21 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that a total of 151 soldiers have
volunteered to form part of the contingent of the Armed Forces of Malta for EU crisis management
operations. He said that 84 of the soldiers had more than five years of experience. Dr Gonzi was
replying to a parliamentary question.
• 21 October 2004 Malta has declared that it wants to join the Euro "at the first possible occasion".
However, a report adopted by the European Commission indicates that the Island still does not fulfil
four out of five convergence criteria that must be met in order to join Europe's single currency system.
The Commission concludes that in the light of this assessment there should be no change in the status
of Malta as a "member state with a derogation", that is, an EU country which has yet to join the single
currency.
• 21 October 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that standards and
certifications were no longer an asset cherished by major industrial companies, but have increasingly
become a vital asset for the credibility of services and customer satisfaction. Minister Galea was
speaking when he presented the first ISO 9001 certification issued by the Malta Standards Authority to
Maltacom Chief Executive Officer Stephen Muscat.
• 21 October 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that there was a long
waiting-list of yachts and this encouraged the Government to plan for other yacht marinas. Dr Zammit
Dimech was speaking during an international conference held at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, in St
Julians, on the management of coastal recreational resources, beaches, yacht marinas and coastal eco
tourism.
• 21 October 2004 The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, said that talks are being held with a
foreign company on the provision of an air service between Malta and Gozo. Ms Debono was replying
to a parliamentary question on what would substitute the current helicopter service, which ends at the
end of the month.
• 21 October 2004 Financial statements tabled in Parliament by the Minister for Investment, Industry
and IT, Austin Gatt, show that Malta Freeport Terminals Ltd made a loss of Lm2.7 million last year
compared to a profit of Lm134,000 the previous year. In their report, the directors said that, despite a
4.5 per cent increase in throughput, from 1,244,163TEUs in 2002 to 1,291,163 TEUs, turnover for the
year declined by Lm1.7 million.
• 21 October 2004 The Chief Executive Officer of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, Mark
Gauci, said that out of 11 occupational fatalities this year, eight were in the construction industry. Dr
Gauci was addressing a conference on Building in Safety, being held as part of the ‘European Week for
Safety and Health at Work’.

• 21 October 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the number of cruise passengers to Malta in
the first nine months of this year amounted to 203,188, down by 89,951 from the same period last year.
In September, the number of cruise passengers registered a drop of 10,919 over the same month last
year, to 46,816.
• 22 October 2004 According to Transparency International, the global watchdog devoted to curbing
corruption, Malta is the least corrupt country among the new EU member states. TI spokesman Jeff
Lovitt said that the Malta figure was derived on the basis of four reports - two drawn up by the World
Economic Forum, another by the World Markets Research Centre and the fourth by the Merchant
International Group.
• 22 October 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, said that he
believes that Malta's economy had become so dependent that it had lost its flexibility. That was why
the Government was strongly advocating the need for fiscal consolidation and structural reforms. Mr
Fenech was addressing an HSBC Bank conference on the Economic and Market Outlook.
• 22 October 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, said that the
Government should be able to decide on when to join the exchange rate mechanism known as ERM II
by the end of the year. Mr Fenech was speaking following a meeting of the EU Finance Ministers, in
Luxembourg.
• 22 October 2004 The Government has written to the European Commission about complaints being
raised by private Maltese translation companies and will be following up the issue in meetings in
Brussels. Malta’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana, said that the
Government was “fully aware of the complaints being raised and is already taking all necessary
measures to clarify the situation with commission officials”.
• 23 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the rising cost of oil is putting unexpected
burdens on Malta and the Government needs to take the necessary steps. He said that, in less than a
year, the price of oil has doubled to $54 per barrel. The price hike has led to a Lm7 million increase in
Enemalta's burden, while that of Air Malta is expected to hit Lm5 million. Dr Gonzi was addressing a
meeting of pensioners.
• 23 October 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami visited the site of the Radisson SAS Golden Sands
Resort and Spa. He was welcomed to the site by Winston V. Zahra, Island Hotels Group Managing
Director; Nazzareno Vassallo, Chairman; and Winston J. Zahra, Director of Operations, Sales and
Marketing. The Golden Sands Resort and Spa is due to open next year.
• 23 October 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that
Gozo can be the cradle, as well as the showcase, for quality organic agricultural products. Mr Pullicino
explained that the Ministry was offering financial assistance to growers to change over to organic
farming. The Minister was speaking at the end of a tour in Gozo.
• 23 October 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that the Retail Price Index had gone up by
0.30 per cent to 103.56 in September this year, from 103.25 the previous month. The NSO said that, in
September, the inflation rate stood at 2.57 per cent.
• 24 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the upcoming Budget would contain
measures to generate investment and jobs and give greater participation to women in the working
world. Dr Gonzi said that the Budget would also focus on education and the environment, and give
particular attention to Gozo, especially when it came to improving the island's tourism profile.
• 24 October 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Tony Abela, said
that Malta is committed to continue strengthening its border controls and to ensure that abuses by
criminal networks involved in illegal immigration are effectively detected and adequately punished. Dr
Abela was speaking at the Conferenza Di Studio, organised by the Province of Agrigento in Sicily, on
the theme 'The Security Situation in the Mediterranean'.
• 24 October 2004 Heritage Malta has launched a project aimed at shedding light on the cart-ruts. The
project involves three partners: the National Museum of Archaeology in collaboration with the
Restoration Unit; the Faculty of Environmental Sciences of the University of Urbino, Italy; and
APROTECO (the association for economic development of the valley of Lecrin, Granada, Spain). The
one-year project will cost 296,000 Euro, of which 49 per cent is funded by the European Commission.

• 25 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi again referred to the soaring price of oil, warning
that electricity prices needed to be revised. Speaking during a public discussion in Nadur, Dr Gonzi
said that if the situation remained the same, Enemalta would next year make a loss of Lm19 million.
With oil prices at record highs of $55 per barrel, Dr Gonzi said the indications were of further
increases in the next few months, possibly reaching the $60 mark.
• 26 October 2004 Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg represented Malta at the 5 th ASEM (Asia Europe
Meeting) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Addressing the meeting, Dr Borg said that the scourge of terrorism had
left no one unscathed, pointing out that both continents have suffered in this respect. “This threat
should be examined not only in relation to its political consequences but also as regards the economic
and social ravages that it leaves behind,” Dr Borg said.
• 26 October 2004 The Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt, said that Malta Freeport
had outstanding debts of Lm118.8 million as of December 31, 2003. He said that these funds had been
used for the development of the Freeport and the purchase of machinery. Dr Gatt was replying to a
parliamentary question.
• 26 October 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that hedging was not a magic
wand and, although money could be saved, millions could be lost in the same manner. The Minister
said that there were instances where hedging had had positive results and other instances when results
were negative. A hedging agreement in 1997 had yielded savings, but that was lost when oil prices fell
in the following year, said Dr Gatt.
• 26 October 2004 According to the records of the Employment Training Corporation, a total of 122
graduates were registering for work in August. Tabling a list of the degrees held by the job seekers,
Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that these include degrees in accounts,
economics, Arabic, banking management, communications, engineering and psychology. The
information was given in reply to a parliamentary question.
• 26 October 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said in reply to a parliamentary question
that there are no plans for Malta to rejoin the Partnership for Peace. Malta left the partnership in 1996.
• 26 October 2004 The Government announced the appointment of Andrew Agius Muscat as the new
Chairman of Public Broadcasting Services, the state-owed broadcasting company. Mr Agius Muscat
replaces Mr Michael Mallia, who resigned on Wednesday 20 th .
• 27 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Skanska President Stuart Graham failed to reach
agreement over the Mater Dei Hospital during a marathon meeting lasting over four hours. "Though
we have edged closer towards each other, we have not reached an agreement," Dr Gonzi said at the end
of the meeting. A make-or-break meeting between the two sides has now been scheduled for 6 th
November. The Prime Minister's comments to the press may be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspage.asp
• 27 October 2004 Malta, together with Greece and Cyprus, blocked an EU proposal to set minimum
punishments for ship captains and shipping companies responsible for oil slicks. The final vote on the
proposed framework decision was taken during the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting held in
Luxembourg. Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg later commented: "We have a very prosperous
shipping register, one of the largest in the EU, and we had to protect our economic interests."
• 27 October 2004 EU Economy and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia launched an
analytical economic forecast that predicts that Malta will be making a slow recovery over the coming
two years. The report says that, whereas the EU is expecting a GDP growth of 2.3 per cent in 2005 and
2.4 per cent in 2006, Malta’s economic growth during the same years is expected to be lower than the
average EU forecast.
• 27 October 2004 EU Justice Ministers meeting in Luxemburg failed to agree on the proposal by
Germany and Italy, and fully supported by Malta, for the creation of new asylum centres in North
Africa. Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg expressed his regret on the disagreement. He
said that, however, "the project has not been completely abandoned and we agreed that the proposal
should be studied and developed further".

• 27 October 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said in Parliament that the
Government is considering a report on the feasibility of building a gas pipeline between Gela in Sicily
and Malta. The Minister explained, in reply to a question, that the Government had been advised that it
would be better, technically and financially, to have a pipeline between Sicily and Malta rather than tap
into the pipeline between Libya and Sicily.
• 27 October 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that there is an even greater need for
the Barcelona Process today than when it was first launched 10 years ago. Dr Frendo called for
dialogue as the key to develop confidence building in common security measures. He emphasised the
need of cross-cultural understanding and cooperation to reduce potential conflict. The Minister was
addressing the 11th Mediterranean Forum meeting.
• 27 October 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami inaugurated the Corinthia Alfa Hotel in Lisbon.
The President also had a meeting with Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, during which he expressed
the hope that the European Parliament would approve the Barroso Commission.
• 27 October 2004 A group of 20 officials from the Commission of the European Union spent a week in
Malta on a familiarisation visit. The commission officials attended presentations by senior government
officials, scholars and representatives from constituted bodies on Malta’s economy, political system,
administration and cultural heritage. The programme for the visit was drawn up by the Staff
Development Organisation within the Office of the Prime Minister.
• 27 October 2004 Bank of Valletta became the first bank in Malta to launch an electronic stock
brokerage service, enabling clients to manage their investments, whether in Malta or elsewhere, at any
time. Using safe channels, clients can use the service to sell or buy equities and bonds of companies
listed on the Malta Stock Exchange, or else instruct the bank to act as a nominee and trade shares on
international stock markets on their behalf.
• 27 October 2004 The National Statistics Office said that 8,140 unemployed persons were registering
for work in September this year, an increase of 187 over the preceding month. On a 12-month basis,
there was an increase of 198 persons on the unemployment register.
• 28 October 2004 The Maltese MEPs commented on the decision made by the European Commission
President-designate, José Manuel Durao Barroso, to postpone the approval of the EU Commission.
Government MEP Simon Busuttil said that the main lesson that comes out of this episode is that
Europe is all about compromises. Fellow MEP David Casa commented that Mr Barroso took an
important decision to arrive at a consensus and a democratic solution.
• 28 October 2004 Opposition MEP John Attard Montalto said that the process of evaluating
commissioners individually and then putting them to the vote collectively should be looked at. MEP
Joseph Muscat said that the whole event showed that, in the European Parliament, nobody, not even
the largest group, can claim majority a priori.
• 28 October 2004 Maltese Commissioner-designate Joe Borg said that he was not totally surprised by
what happened. "Personally my position was that you should never underestimate the political groups
in the European Parliament. Until today, the tendency was that MEPs decided according to their
Governments' wishes. This has changed now and we should not underestimate this reality."
• 28 October 2004 A spokesman for the Government announced that the Cabinet had approved the
National Allocation Plan for greenhouse gas emissions. The plan indicates limits that provide for
growth in emissions, consistent with projections of growth in electricity demand.
• 28 October 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said that talks on a double-taxation agreement with
the United States are continuing. He said that the issue was first raised during the meeting that then
Foreign Minister John Dalli had with US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Dr Frendo was replying to a
parliamentary question.
• 28 October 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that progress had been made
in reforming Gozo Channel; however, the company was not yet out of troubled waters. The Minister
said that unaudited accounts for the period between October last year and September this year showed
that the company's gross operating profits amounted to Lm467,000, up from last year's loss of
Lm509,000, and a loss of Lm281,000 in 2002. A net loss of Lm27,000 was made this year, an
improvement over last year's loss of Lm988,000, and that of Lm852,000 in 2002.

• 28 October 2004 Prof. Edward Zammit presided over a meeting of officials from the major trade
unions, at the headquarters of the General Workers' Union in Valletta. The officials present agreed to
form a working group made up from representatives of each union, with the drafting of a code of ethics
as one of the group’s priorities. The next meeting is scheduled to take place at UHM headquarters.
• 29 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, in the last few months, the Government
had taken important decisions which had yielded positive results. The Drydocks were going from
strength to strength. As a result of the Gozo Channel reform, losses had been slashed from Lm1 million
to Lm27,000. Likewise, all indications showed that the reform at Air Malta would bring about positive
results. Dr Gonzi was speaking at Mellieha.
• 29 October 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that Malta is exploring the possibility
of Maltese companies setting up joint ventures with European firms in order to tap the Libyan market.
He said that Maltese firms have solid knowledge of the Libyan market and foreign companies could
make use of that resource. Dr Frendo was speaking at the launch of the Portugal-Malta Chamber of
Commerce, in Lisbon.
• 29 October 2004 During talks in Lisbon, Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Victor Martins
Monteiro told Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo that Portugal would open an embassy in Malta
early next year. Dr Frendo said that Malta would reciprocate with an embassy in Lisbon. Dr Frendo
was in Lisbon accompanying President Edward Fenech-Adami for the inauguration of the new
Corinthia Alfa Hotel in the heart of Lisbon's commercial centre.
• 29 October 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea announced a decision
by Cabinet for the refund of the Lm25 annual licence fee on satellite dishes. Minister Galea said that
the refunds demonstrated "the Government's commitment to ensure that the interests of the consumers
are safeguarded”.
• 29 October 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-Employed, Edwin
Vassallo, said that the only way to sustainable business is to reduce unnecessary costs. Mr Vassallo
was speaking to importers on importation procedures that have come into effect as a result of Malta's
accession to the EU, at a meeting held at Malta Enterprise, in San Gwann.
• 29 October 2004 The Central Bank of Malta has left the central intervention rate unchanged at three
per cent. The decision was taken by Governor Michael Bonello at the end of the Monetary Policy
Advisory Council meeting. Mr Bonello said that the central intervention rate remained appropriate at
its current level in the absence of pressures on the exchange rate peg.
• 29 October 2004 The Central Bank of Malta has announced that, as from Monday 1 st November, it
will start quoting the official exchange rate of the Lira against the Euro in terms of units of Lm per one
Euro (1 Euro = Lm0.4308) instead of the present official method of units of Euro per one Lm (Lm1 =
2.3211 Euro). The new method is in line with the currency pair convention adopted by the International
Financial Markets Association and is one of the preparatory measures being undertaken in the run-up
towards joining the European Monetary Union.
• 30 October 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Foreign Minister Michael Frendo signed the EU
Constitution on Malta's behalf. Dr Gonzi expressed the Government's satisfaction that Malta had
played its part in discussions on the draft treaty. He said that the new constitution would create a
stronger and better EU to the advantage of all its member states. A video recording of the signing
ceremony of the EU Constitution can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/News/newsitems/newspage.asp
• 30 October 2004 Following the signing, the Prime Minister said that the Government intended to
move a resolution in Parliament "as soon as possible" in order to ratify the constitution. Although this
was not legally necessary, Dr Gonzi explained, the Government wanted everyone to have the
opportunity to discuss this historic step.
• 30 October 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the structural deficit
in the first nine months of this year amounted to Lm109.9 million, down from Lm135.8 million in
January-September 2003. Recurrent revenue amounted to Lm538.2 million and made up 63.8 per cent
of this year's budget forecast. Total expenditure amounted to Lm648.1 million, making up 69.1 per
cent of this year's budgeted expenditure.

• 30 October 2004 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that tourism was up by six
per cent last month over the same month last year. In both July and August, the number of tourist
departures increased by 3.3 per cent. Last month, total tourist departures were estimated at 129,425,
consisting of 126,402 tourists departing by air and 3,023 by sea.
• 30 October 2004 The Bank of Valletta Group registered an operating profit before tax of Lm18.4
million for the financial year ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 24.6 per cent over the profit
registered last year. BoV Chairman Joseph F. X. Zahra attributed this strong performance to the
effectiveness of the strategy that the Group has implemented over the past year, and to the resilience
that underpins the fundamentals of its operations.
• 31 October 2004 The Italian Government has agreed to extend the Fifth Italo-Maltese Financial
Protocol to the end of 2007, allowing the Maltese Government to absorb the available funds over a
longer period. The decision was confirmed by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini during a
meeting with Foreign Minister Michael Frendo in Rome. Dr Frendo accompanied the Prime Minister
in Italy for the signing of the European Constitution.
• 31 October 2004 The Minister of Education, Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, expressed his wish
that more women start taking part in sport activities from a young age, and continue up to
administration level. Dr Galea was speaking during a seminar on women and sport, organised by the
Malta Olympic Committee, at the Coastline Hotel, in Salina Bay.
NOVEMBER
• 1 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi quoted economic indicators which, he said, pointed
towards a gradual recovery in the economy. He said that bank deposits had increased by Lm100
million over last year while, so far this year, there were already 1,000 more contracts for the sale of
property than in the whole of last year. Manufacturing companies had registered a 3.5 per cent increase
in exports, while unemployment was also marginally lower than a year ago, Dr Gonzi said. The Prime
Minister was speaking in Hamrun.
• 1 November 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino,
accompanied by a delegation from WasteServ, attended the first Sustainable Development and Islands
Worldwide Congress, at Palma de Mallorca. The Maltese delegation also visited waste management
facilities, including an underground refuse station, a recycling and restoration centre, and a waste
treatment complex, including its educational centre.
• 2 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that it was hoped that talks currently in
progress on an air link between Malta and Gozo would lead to the introduction of more services than
those that had been provided by the helicopter service, since discontinued. Dr Gonzi said that, while
talks were being held with the preferred bidder, the Government had not closed the door to other
companies interested in providing such a service. The Prime Minister was replying to a parliamentary
question.
• 2 November 2004 The Occupational Health and Safety Authority states in its annual report that there
were 12 fatal accidents at work in the year up to 30 th September. Of these, nine were in the
construction sector. "Our investigations show that in many cases, employers were failing to carry out
risk assessments and many of these accidents could have been prevented by appropriate practice," the
Authority said.
• 3 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that more money had to be pumped into
research and development so as to expand the potential of human resources. He praised the public
sector for the steps it had taken, especially in IT, but said that greater strides had to be made to respond
to the changes in market demands. Dr Gonzi was speaking at the premises of Megabyte Limited, at the
Mosta Technopark, on the occasion of the company's 25th anniversary activities.
• 3 November 2004 Malta's MEPs held their first meeting with the members of the Parliamentary
European and Foreign Affairs Committee, where it was agreed that Standing Orders should be
amended to define the role of the MEPs in the committee. It was also agreed that the committee would
hold Friday meetings once a month to enable the MEPs to attend without impinging on their duties in
Brussels.

• 3 November 2004 The Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt, said in reply to a
parliamentary question that Enemalta Corporation no longer has preferential arrangements for the
purchase of oil from Libya, the arrangement having expired at the end of 2003. Dr Gatt said that the
National Oil Corporation of Libya had not been able to supply fuel oil with a low sulphur content, as
requested by Enemalta.
3 November 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, said in reply
to a parliamentary question that the Dock 1 area regeneration project at Cospicua would incorporate a
promenade to link Vittoriosa and Senglea. The Minister said that the project would be based on a
public- private partnership.
• 3 November 2004 According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, the number of
internet subscriptions in the third quarter of this year stood at 85,672, or 21.3 of the population. There
were 3.1 satellite receivers per 100 persons; cable television subscriptions amounted to 25.1 per cent of
the population; and the number of mobile telephones reached 303,980 in absolute terms.
• 4 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi left Malta to take part in a two-day summit of EU
leaders, in Brussels. Dr Gonzi will also be participating at a meeting of the European People's Party
(EPP), at Meise, to be attended by several European Prime Ministers and other leaders of Christian-
Democratic parties, along with European Commissioners close to the EPP. The Prime Minister was
accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo. An audio recording of the Prime Minister’s
press briefing can be accessed at http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/audiorecording%20-
%2003.11.04pm-brussels.asp
• 4 November 2004 Mr Joseph FX Zahra resigned from the post of Chairman of Bank of Valletta,
quoting ‘personal reasons’. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister on October 28, Mr Zahra wrote: "The
decision has been taken with great pain but with consideration of its possible implications on the
market." In a reply dated November 1, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi accepted Mr Zahra's
resignation, thanked him for his work, and asked him to stay on until Friday, 12 th November, by which
time a new chairman will have been identified.
• 4 November 2004 Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg, who is also Leader of the House, announced
that the Budget for 2005 would be presented to the House of Representatives on November 22 or 24.
Dr Borg was addressing the House Business Committee.
• 4 November 2004 The Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Godwin Grima, told
the House Public Accounts Committee that the Government had set up a Finance Management
Monitoring Unit to focus on benchmarking of the public sector, with particular emphasis on human
resources, cost-reduction and value for money. Dr Grima said that the benchmarking process was being
adopted inter-departmentally after lack of support from the private sector with which the public sector
wanted to compare itself.
• 4 November 2004 Ombudsman Joe Sammut urged Parliament to mark the 10th anniversary of the
appointment of the Office of the Ombudsman next year by entrenching the institution in the
Constitution, as had already been done for the Office of the Auditor-General. Mr Sammut was
speaking at a meeting of the House Business Committee that discussed his business plan for next year.
• 4 November 2004 According to Ms Marianne Debono, the Manager of the Equal Opportunities Law
Section of the National Commission for People with a Disability, the main obstacles encountered by
people with a disability are brought about by society and not by the disability itself. Between 2003 and
2004, thirty-six complaints were made against government entities, nine against the private sector,
seven against local councils, four against government-owned companies, and three against the Church.
• 4 November 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, in June, the number of gainfully
occupied rose by 540 persons over the previous month. Over a period of 12 months, from June 2003 to
June 2004, the full-time gainfully occupied population dropped by 810 persons. In June 2004, there
were 7,942 registered unemployed with the Employment and Training Corporation, which translates to
5.5 per cent of the labour supply.
• 5 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi attended a four-hour meeting of leaders of the
European Peoples Party, at Bouchout Castle, in Maise, Belgium. The summit served as a prediscussion
to the EU Summit. The EPP leaders also discussed an application from the ruling Turkish

Party for Justice and Development (AKP), to join the EPP. Dr Gonzi said that Malta's position on
Turkish membership of the EU was that, as long as it satisfied all the entry criteria, Malta had no
objection.
• 5 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he was satisfied with the new line-up of
European Commissioners put forward by Commission President-designate Jose Manuel Duro Barroso.
Dr Gonzi said that it was very important that the whole issue be closed as soon as possible because
Europe needed to continue working as fast as possible. The Maltese Government, he said, also
welcomed the fact that Mr Barroso had not moved Dr Joe Borg, whose portfolio was very important in
the European sphere, and closely related to Malta's economy.
• 5 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi pledged Malta's support for the Lisbon strategy,
saying that the Government would announce measures in the next Budget that would "fit perfectly into
fulfilling the strategy". Dr Gonzi was addressing a press conference in Brussels in the context of a
meeting of EU leaders gathered to discuss the progress made up to now on the Lisbon strategy, which
is aimed at helping Europe catch up with the US, and turn the EU into the world's most dynamic
economy.
• 5 November 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo welcomed the clear decision of the
American electorate in an election "which showed the strength and vitality of US democracy". He said:
“We hope there will be strong focus from the very beginning on resolving the issues in Israel and
Palestine and that there will be a lasting solution to the problem, which requires urgent attention.” Dr
Frendo was interviewed by The Times newspaper.
• 5 November 2004 The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, was in Belfast,
Northern Ireland, as guest of the UK Government to discuss possible cooperation between the two
countries in the areas of culture and the arts. Dr Zammit Dimech held talks with representatives from
the Arts Council, the Ulster Orchestra, the Environment and Heritage Service of Belfast, as well as
with officials from the Department of Culture and Arts.
• 5 November 2004 A high level delegation from the German Federal Ministry of Health and Social
Security, led by Secretary of State Klaus Theo Schröder, was in Malta as a guest of the Minister of
Health, the Elderly and Community Care, Louis Deguara. The discussions between the two sides
revolved round a number of issues, including the implementation of the EU working-time directive in
the health care context, and Malta's and Germany's position on the proposed directives on services in
the internal market.
• 5 November 2004 According to the Population Reference Bureau, which is an American-based
research organisation, the Maltese population is expected to drop by about 35,000 by the year 2050.
The statistics show that, while Malta's population in the middle of this year stood at 399,000, it was
expected to go down to 396,000 by 2025, and continue dwindling to reach 364,000 by 2050. This
means a decrease in population of nine per cent between this year and 2050.
• 6 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta welcomed the agreement reached
between EU member-states on The Hague Programme. The agreement is intended to harmonise
aspects of asylum and immigration policy, as well as cross-border law enforcement across the EU. Dr
Gonzi said that the states were "now recognising the need of 'burden sharing' in the problems being
faced particularly by southern European member states, Malta included". Dr Gonzi was addressing a
press conference at the conclusion of the EU Council meeting.
• 6 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Maltese Government's intention was
to ratify the new EU Constitution by the end of the year. He said that a resolution to this effect is to be
presented in Parliament soon. Dr Gonzi said that, although there was no legal obligation to have a
debate in Parliament in order to ratify the Constitution, the Government felt that this was a very
important step for the EU and Malta and therefore there should be a chance for everyone to express
himself on the subject.
• 6 November 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi have written
to George W. Bush to congratulate him on his re-election as President of the US. Dr Fenech-Adami
and Dr Gonzi said they were sure that the already excellent relations between Malta and the US would
continue to be strengthened.

• 6 November 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo expressed his satisfaction that Malta's diplomatic
efforts to ensure that the EU endorses the Palestinian call for general elections had borne fruit. He said
that his efforts had intensified following a meeting with three top Palestinian officials in Paris. The
Minister said he thought that fresh elections would lend legitimacy to the leadership of the Palestinian
Authority and give some impetus to the peace process.
• 6 November 2004 The Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt, said that on taking office
he had introduced structures of shareholder supervision. Those structures had yielded healthy results as
turnarounds were brought about at Gozo Channel, Malta Air Traffic Services and PBS. Additionally,
these structures had laid the path to recovery at Air Malta and the shipyards. Dr Gatt was speaking at
the Malta Institute of Management's conference on Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Management.
• 6 November 2004 Air Malta and SN Brussels Airlines announced a code-sharing agreement through
which the Belgian airline will place its SN code on all flights operated by the Maltese national carrier
between the two destinations. Through such an agreement an airline sells seats on its partner's flights as
if they were its own. It allows airlines to increase their number of seats available without having to
resort to additional flights.
• 6 November 2004 Figures issued by the National Statistics Office show that the number of registered
unemployed persons last September stood at 8,140, that is, 5.6 per cent of the labour supply, up by 187
from 7,953 in the previous month. The statistics for September point to an increase of 492 persons in
the labour supply with respect to the same month last year. An increase of 294 persons in the number
of gainfully occupied persons in comparison to September 2003 is also evident from the data on hand.
• 6 November 2004 The chairperson of the Housing Authority, Marisa Micallef Leyson, launched the
sale issue of 145 housing units. She highlighted the changes that were made in awarding such units,
and said that the Authority was targeting certain client groups who might find difficulty in purchasing
their property.
• 7 November 2004 The Government and Skanska managed to hammer out an agreement over the
building of the Mater Dei Hospital, as a result of which the hospital will open its doors to the public on
1 st July 2007. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told reporters that he would be giving details of the
agreement in Parliament. The two main points of contention over the building of the hospital have
always been two: the final costs, and the date of completion. An audio recording of the Prime
Minister's briefing to the press can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/PMaudio/video+audiorecording%20-%2006.11.04pm-skanska.asp
• 7 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that, in view of the rising oil prices, the
Cabinet would finalise new water and electricity tariffs in the coming days. Dr Gonzi said that the
proposal would then be submitted to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development for
discussion. The Prime Minister was speaking at his monthly press briefing. An audio recording of the
Prime Minister's briefing can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/Pmpressstatements/audiorecording%20-
%2006.11.04%20pmpressbriefing.asp
• 8 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the agreement with Skanska on the Mater
Dei Hospital meant that St Luke's Hospital and Boffa Hospital would be completely vacated by July
2007, making them available for other uses. Various proposals on the future use of these prime sites
were already under consideration. Dr Gonzi said that the sites could be used for tourism or other
purposes that would generate revenue. Dr Gonzi was speaking at a political conference in Sta Lucija.
• 8 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that farmers' revenues had risen by 17 per cent
over the past few months. He said that agriculture was a competitive sector that had required
restructuring of its organisation and cultivation methods. It was with this in mind that, in the EU
accession talks, the Government had negotiated forms of technical and financial assistance to farmers.
Dr Gonzi was speaking during a fruit and vegetable fair, at Ta' Qali.
• 8 November 2004 A spokesman for the EU Environment Commissioner, Lone Mikkelsen, said that
the European Commission has asked the Maltese authorities for clarification about several instances of
protected birds being shot in the past few months, and will be sending a monitoring mission to look at
hunting-related issues before the end of the year. "The Commission services will continue to monitor
the developments as regards the implementation of the Birds Directive and maintain pressure on the

Maltese Government to substantially improve law enforcement to curb the illegal hunting of birds," Ms
Mikkelsen said.
• 8 November 2004 The Italian Ambassador to Malta, Alvise Memmo, and the First Secretary at the
Embassy, Lucia Pattarino, visited the chapel of Italy at St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta, where
restoration work is being carried out by Sante Guido and his team. The restoration work is being
financed by the Italian Government and the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.
• 9 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in Parliament that Skanska are to be paid a
total of Lm145.5 million for the building of the Mater Dei Hospital, the incorporation of facilities due
to have been completed in 2010, and the installation of medical equipment. Dr Gonzi said that the
hospital's medical equipment, IT systems, logistics, and the administration expenses of the Foundation
for Medical Services could cost an additional Lm30 million to Lm40 million.
• 9 November 2004 Rector Roger Ellul Micallef said he hoped that the Employment and Training
Corporation would soon open an office on campus. Prof. Ellul Micallef was speaking at the annual
careers convention, at the University of Malta.
• 9 November 2004 According to statistics released by Eurostat, Malta's unemployment rate in
September stood at 8.4 per cent, unchanged from the previous month, and 0.6 per cent lower than the
average rate in the 25 EU member states.
• 9 November 2004 Bank of Valletta Chairman Joseph F.X. Zahra presented a sponsorship cheque of
Lm28,000 to Maurice de Giorgio, President of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti. The money will go to
finance restoration work at Palazzo Falson in Mdina, parts of which date back to the 13th century.
• 10 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government hopes to be in a position
by the middle of next year to decide whether Malta should join the Exchange Rate Mechanism. ERM II
is the first step towards the adoption of the Euro.
• 10 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government has taken no decisions
on City Gate and the current proposal on the table was the design by well-known architect Renzo
Piano. He said that common sense dictated that, in the context of the current debate on the
redevelopment of the opera house site, one should also explore possibilities regarding City Gate. Dr
Gonzi said that he would like to hear the Opposition's views on City Gate and the opera house site.
• 10 November 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that 586 persons who were in
Malta irregularly were repatriated this year. Dr Borg was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 10 November 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that the Government was preparing
to rationalise Malta's presence through embassies in Europe, the Mediterranean and the rest of the
world. Dr Frendo said that decisions on the opening or closure of embassies would be announced when
they were taken. The Minister was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 10 November 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that Air Malta is to issue a
call for tenders for the sale of Hal Ferh tourist complex. The call will be made in the first half of next
year, the Minister said in reply to a parliamentary question.
• 10 November 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed, Edwin
Vassallo, announced that the number of self-employed workers had increased, from 15,645 in
September 2003 to 15,907 in September this year. Mr Vassallo was speaking at a meeting of officials
responsible for drawing up and implementing the European Charter for Small Businesses.
• 10 November 2004 Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that the value of total
imports this July reached Lm127.8 million, or Lm10.7 million more when compared to July last year.
In the month under review, total exports showed a decrease of Lm9.3 million in value to Lm69.1
million from Lm78.4 million last year. The visible trade gap for July 2004 widened by Lm20 million
when compared to the same month of last year.
• 11 November 2004 A report adopted by the European Commission, entitled Practical Preparations
for the Future Enlargement of the Euro Area, reveals that Malta would like to adopt the Euro by 2008,
or by 2010 at the very latest. The report shows that Malta has already drawn up an implementation plan
to enter the single currency, covering the whole process, including the actual minting of euro bank

notes and coins. The report points out, however, that the Island has still to appoint a co-ordinating body
in charge of leading the process.
• 11 November 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that an education
system that prepared one to pass examinations was not a system that prepared one for the labour
market. He said that Malta's educational system needed to be radically changed for teaching in classes
to become more interactive. Dr Galea was addressing a seminar on the theme Education for a Better
Career.
• 11 November 2004 The Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Cristina, said that a
former technical school at Marsa has been identified as a possible site for an open centre for irregular
migrants. She said that work on the former school is expected to start shortly. Ms Cristina was replying
to a parliamentary question.
• 11 November 2004 Dr John Attard Montalto, as head of the Maltese Labour delegation at the
European Parliament, said that, in view of the fact that the Malta Labour Party has not yet adopted a
position on the new European Constitution, the three Labour MEPs had decided not to participate in a
vote in favour of the constitution within the Socialist Group. "The Labour MEPs felt it was more
prudent not to take part in the vote as we have no official position yet," said Dr Attard Montalto.
• 12 November 2004 Messages of condolences following the death of President Yasser Arafat were sent
by the President of Malta, Edward Fenech-Adami, to Rwahi Fattuh, Speaker of the Legislative Council
of the Palestinian National Authority; by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to Ahmed Qurei, Prime
Minister of the Palestinian National Authority; and by Michael Frendo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to
Nabil Shaath, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority.
• 12 November 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami left Malta for Cairo to attend the funeral of
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Dr Fenech-Adami was accompanied by Foreign Minister Michael
Frendo.
• 12 November 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt met French Minister Delegate
for External Trade Francois Loos. Following the meeting, Mr Loos told the media: “We consider that
tourism and the pharmaceutical industry offer good opportunities for investment in Malta.” Minister
Gatt said that the meeting was an opportunity to compare notes about the level of trade between the
two countries, the potential for increased trade, as well as Franco-Maltese co-operation at the EU level.
• 12 November 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that
the Government was doing its share in promoting the environment since it was donating Lm25,000 to
environmental NGOs yearly. Mr Pullicino was speaking during the presentation of the Frank Salt
Investments Award for the Environment to Rudolf Ragonesi, Executive Director of the Gaia
Foundation for its work in specially protected areas at Ghajn Tuffieha and Ir-Ramla l-Hamra.
• 12 November 2004 The Governor of the Central Bank, Michael Bonello, called on all the social
partners to adopt a long-term perspective and sign up to a substantial reform package that would lay
the foundations for renewed growth and sustainable development. He said: "A thriving economy is the
best social policy." Mr Bonello was addressing the annual dinner of the Institute of Financial Services -
Malta.
• 13 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government had managed to cut the
financial deficit from 6.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2003 to 5.2 per cent in 2004,
successfully reaching the aim set in last year's budget. In monetary terms, the imbalance between
income and expenditure in 2004 would be of Lm95 million.
• 13 November 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that Malta's decision to send its
President and its Foreign Affairs Minister to Yasser Arafat's funeral was a ‘fully conscious decision’ in
support of the Palestinian cause. With the exception of Sweden, which was represented by Prime
Minister Goran Persson, all other European countries were represented by their Foreign Minister.
• 14 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta had become a victim of its own
success in the education field, as so many people today were in post-secondary and higher education.
He said that, in the coming weeks, a number of documents would be published on higher education,
pension reform and health reform. Dr Gonzi was addressing a political workshop at Zebbug.

• 14 November 2004 The report State Higher Education Funding states that Malta's post-secondary and
tertiary institutions are under ‘severe financial pressure’, resulting from the fact that a disproportionate
amount of Malta's investment in tertiary education is channelled into student support. The report was
compiled by a working group chaired by accountant Roderick Chalmers.
• 14 November 2004 Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina said that disabled people
should be agents of change in society and they should not expect all the moves to come from the
Government. The Minister said that disability NGOs did not have the resources to undertake large
projects but did have an important role in shaping public opinion by encouraging disabled people to be
more visible in mainstream society, by monitoring change and recommending improvement. Ms
Cristina was addressing the annual general meeting of the European Alliance of Neuro-Muscular
Disorders Associations.
• 15 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi urged the Opposition to take a clear, unequivocal
stand in favour of the European Constitution. The constitution yielded several benefits for Malta, Dr
Gonzi argued, citing the minimum allotment of six seats for EU members in the European Parliament
and the new voting system as prime examples. The Prime Minister insisted that the five Maltese MEPs
should unanimously say 'Yes' to the EU Constitution when the vote comes up in the European
Parliament on December 17 th .
• 15 November 2004 Malta joined the rest of the Commonwealth to pay tribute to the fallen of the two
World Wars on the occasion of Remembrance Day, which is marked on the Sunday nearest to
November 11 th . The wreath-laying ceremony was held after Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral, in
Valletta, in honour of the victims of the wars. Wreaths were laid at the foot of the War Memorial by
President Edward Fenech-Adami and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, amongst others.
• 15 November 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the overall visible trade gap for the first
eight months of this year widened by Lm44.7 million to Lm294.2 million from Lm249.5 million of the
same period last year. Total imports for the period January/August this year increased by Lm46.4
million or 5.4 per cent to Lm899.6 million from Lm853.2 million for the same period last year. Total
exports registered an increase of Lm1.7 million or 0.3 per cent to Lm605.4 million from Lm603.7
million of the period January - August 2003.
• 16 November 2004 Malta's financial contribution to the EU since accession has reached Lm12.2
million while revenue has reached Lm20.6 million. The figures were given by Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi in reply to a parliamentary question.
• 16 November 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry, Carmelo
Mifsud Bonnici, launched the Quality Service Charter at the Identity Card section of the Ministry, at St
Elmo, in Valletta. A quality service charter, said Dr Mifsud Bonnici, was a declaration through which a
particular department would be bound to serve citizens with dignity and attention.
• 16 November 2004 Mr Roderick Chalmers, an accountant who specialises in financial services,
replaced Joseph F.X. Zahra as chairman of Bank of Valletta. In a statement, Investment, Industry and
IT Minister Austin Gatt thanked the outgoing chairman for his role which, he said, was crucial in
guiding the bank to face new challenges. Dr Gatt said that the bank's strength was mainly due to Mr
Zahra's input and dedication.
• 16 November 2004 A new survey conducted on behalf of the European Commission shows that the
Maltese are not very keen on replacing the lira with the euro. The survey was conducted last September
among 10,000 citizens aged over 15 years throughout the 10 new member states. It shows that, across
the 10 new member states, one in every two respondents believes that the introduction of the euro will
exacerbate inflation. In Malta, the figure for this belief is 62 %, that is the highest percentage among
the 10 new EU populations.
• 16 November 2004 A survey of 35 countries carried out by the World Health Organisation has shown
that Maltese children feel bogged down by schoolwork though they like school in general. The survey
found that 86% of 15-year-old boys and 70% of girls in the same age group feel pressured by schoolwork.
This is double the average and the highest among the countries surveyed. Pressure seems
greatest in young people in Lithuania and Malta, while the Dutch, the Austrians, and the Belgians are
reported to feel the least pressure.

• 17 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant called
separately at the Palestinian Embassy, in Swieqi, to sign the book of condolences following the death
of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
• 17 November 2004 A new European Commission report shows that Malta gave the highest proportion
of state aid among EU member states in 2000 – 2003. According to the State Aid Scoreboard, Malta's
rate of subsidies to state-run corporations and other businesses amounted to 3.86% of GDP in 2000 -
2003. The aid was reported to have gone to sustain three sectors: manufacturing, the shipyards, and
tourism.
• 17 November 2004 According to the head of Malta's Permanent Representation in Brussels, Richard
Cachia Caruana, the Brussels office is still understaffed six months after EU membership, despite
continuing efforts to increase personnel. At present, 28 Maltese officials work permanently in Brussels
on the Government's behalf. These include officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and nine
technical attachés employed on a contract basis representing a number of ministries. Five other
technical attachés are expected to be in place by the end of the month.
• 17 November 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the number of all types of licensed motor
vehicles at the end of September stood at 271,195. Of these, 203,972, or 75.2%, were private vehicles,
while commercial vehicles made up 44,562, or 16.4%. New licences issued during the period
amounted to 3,211.
• 17 November 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that the company that
operated the Gozo helicopter service had made a loss of Lm1.48 million between 1993 and this year.
He said that the company made a loss every year, except in 1994-95 when it saw a profit of Lm5,143.
The Minister was replying to a parliamentary question.
• 17 November 2004 Malta's prehistoric sites, the Hypogeum, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, featured in a
50-minute documentary on Malta aired by Italian TV station La 7 during the programme Stargate.
Prominent Italian archaeologist Valerio Massimo Manfredi presented the programme.
• 18 November 2004 The social partners failed to reach agreement on the draft social pact. The draft
was presented to them on Monday 15 th by the Chairman of the Malta Council for Economic and Social
Development, Victor Scicluna. The Government has already declared that it would still be "taking the
measures that have to be taken".
• 18 November 2004 Central Bank Governor Michael C. Bonello called on the social partners to
abandon entrenched positions at the MCESD "because the national interest requires more vision and a
greater degree of support for the Government's fiscal objectives". Mr Bonello made his appeal in an
interview with the Business Section of The Times.
• 18 November 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said that
local councils and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority would be commissioning more
closed-circuit television cameras in rural areas. Mr Pullicino said that specially-engaged wardens
would be focusing specifically on dumping and littering. The Minister was speaking at a joint press
conference with the Resources and Infrastructure Ministry to give details on activities marking the
international Clean up the World campaign.
• 18 November 2004 Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea launched the Maltese
SOLVIT centre. The centre is part of a network that tackles trans-frontier problems dealing with claims
of wrong application of EU laws that arise between a business or a citizen and a national public
authority. Such centres are to be found in every EU member state, as well as in Norway, Iceland and
Liechtenstein.
• 18 November 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the visible trade gap for the first nine
months of this year widened by Lm43.1 million to Lm318.9 million from Lm275.8 million registered
in the same period last year. In September the gap narrowed by Lm1.7 million when compared to the
same month last year.
• 18 November 2004 The new Bank of Valletta chairman, Roderick Chalmers, addressed the first
meeting of the bank's Board of Directors. He said that the BoV was a dynamic and forward-looking
organisation built on sound business fundamentals. Mr Chalmers said that the bank had been handed
over in excellent shape by the previous chairman, Joseph F.X. Zahra.

• 19 November 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo addressed Malta's Honorary Consuls
from 35 countries assembled for a conference entitled Networking for Malta, held at the Hilton, in St
Julians. The Minister pledged to give more tools, clout and significance to consuls, who, he said, are
being grossly under-utilised. "We need every single resource, and you are one of them. We want you to
go out and attract business and tourism to Malta," Dr Frendo said.
• 19 November 2004 Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister George Pullicino asked the National
Audit Office to analyse the mechanisms by which the Malta Environment and Planning Authority
processes development applications, in a bid to remove excessive bureaucracy and make the Authority
more customer-friendly. The Minister said that, notwithstanding the common perception that MEPA
was bureaucratic and inefficient, statistics showed that 80 per cent of applications were processed
within legally acceptable time-frames.
• 19 November 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea met heads of postsecondary
and tertiary institutions to discuss the Chalmers Report on the funding of higher education.
Dr Galea said that it was clear that there was need for development to strengthen the post-secondary
and tertiary education sector, with changes taking place in structure, management and accountability.
• 19 November 2004 The Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications said that it was a pity that
the constructive discussion that had been taking place within the Malta Council for Economic and
Social Development had ended up the way it had. While praising the work carried out by the MCESD,
the Ministry said that it cannot but express its disappointment that no agreement had been reached on a
social pact.
• 19 November 2004 The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution relating to the recycling
and recovery of packaging waste in the 10 new member states, with Malta being given an extension of
another year to fully adopt the directive. Originally, Malta had till the end of 2012 to get in line with all
the measures included in this environment-related directive.
• 19 November 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices
had increased by 0.01 per cent in October this year over the previous month. The HICP is calculated
according to rules specified in a series of EU regulations that were developed by the EU statistical
office, Eurostat, in conjunction with the EU member states. The index is used to compare inflation
rates across the European Union.
• 19 November 2004 The National Statistics Office said that early indicators on the international
economic and financial transactions conducted by Malta in the third quarter show an unfavourable
turnaround in the current account balance of Lm72.3 million, from a net surplus of Lm8.5 million in
the September 2003 quarter to a net deficit of Lm63.8 million. A worsening in the net balances of both
the income and goods accounts was what essentially generated this outcome, the NSO said.
• 19 November 2004 Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano attended a three-day European conference
organised jointly by the European Commission and the Council of Europe on the theme ‘Towards an
ideal trial: A few examples of the most successful civil proceedings in Europe’, in Brussels.
• 20 November 2004 The House Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs made an official
visit to Libya. The committee is chaired by government MP Jason Azzopardi and includes Michael
Asciak, Evarist Bartolo, Leo Brincat, Mario de Marco, José Herrera, Clyde Puli and George Vella.
• 20 November 2004 The Central Bank states in its Quarterly Review that it expects real economic
growth to accelerate moderately, albeit at a rate that remained below potential. The growth, the review
said, was expected to be driven by higher exports and a rise in investment. In contrast, private
consumption expenditure was expected to drop, following weaker-than-expected data on employment.
The review analyses economic and financial developments in Malta and abroad in the second quarter
and the early part of the third quarter of 2004.
• 20 November 2004 The National Statistics Office stated that the inflation rate in October stood at 2.63
per cent. During that month, the NSO said, the Retail Prices Index went up by 0.77 per cent to 104.36
from 103.56 in the previous month.
• 20 November 2004 According to a quality-of-life index carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit
for ‘The World in 2005’ report, Malta ranks as the 28 th best country in the world. Malta ranks above the

UK, South Korea and most of the new EU members. The study, which ranks 111 countries around the
world, combines a series of quality-of-life measures like health, gender issues, family, political
stability, unemployment, security and income per capita to draw up the list.
• 20 November 2004 In a meeting with the University Students' Council, the Minister of Education,
Youth and Employment, Louis Galea, pointed out that the Chalmers Report did not focus solely on
stipends or the student maintenance grants. "The main contribution from the student body should be
how to guarantee quality of courses, relations, and quality of degrees. It would be a mistake if we move
away from this focus," he said.
• 20 November 2004 Central Bank Governor Michael C. Bonello and Police Commissioner John Rizzo
signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a framework for co-operation and providing for
the regular exchange of information and the compilation of a national database on counterfeit currency.
The Governor said that he had noted with great satisfaction the successful operations recently carried
out by the police to stem the circulation of counterfeit notes.
• 20 November 2004 The Buffalo News on Thursday 18 th reported that US Ambassador Anthony Gioia
had submitted his letter of resignation to President George W. Bush. Mr Gioia will be stepping down
after three years in Malta.
• 21 November 2004 The Malta Council for Economic and Social Development met for a marathon
consultation meeting to hear the Government's plans for the upcoming Budget, three days after
discussions on the social pact fell through. Investment, Industry and Information Technology Minister
Austin Gatt gave a presentation of the proposed new electricity tariffs. The social partners were later
given a detailed presentation of the fiscal position and the initiatives that the Government was
contemplating in an attempt to kick-start the economy.
• 21 November 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Finance Ministry, Tonio Fenech, made it clear
that the proposals and ideas aired at the MCESD were not etched in stone. "I am prepared to continue
discussing with the social partners until an hour before the Budget. If this doesn't happen, then the
Government will have to consider all options on how to address certain issues based on the discussions
of the last four months," Mr Fenech said.
• 21 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that, along with the Budget, the
Government would be publishing a White Paper on the reform of the pension system. Dr Gonzi said
that the White Paper would provide a very detailed scenario of the challenges ahead and the different
solutions that one might adopt in the circumstances. The final decision would be taken after a national
debate takes place and that would be followed by the process of implementation over a number of
phases.
• 21 November 2004 The second meeting in a row between Justice Ministers in Brussels did not
produce any progress on a new set of maritime pollution rules proposed by the EU. Malta, Cyprus and
Greece kept up their common opposition to the new rules arguing that, if introduced, they would
disadvantage their shipping industry and consequently their economy.
• 21 November 2004 Mr Justice Carmel Agius was re-elected for a new four-year term to the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The election was held at the United Nations
headquarters in New York.
• 21 November 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that, since last May,
the month of Malta's accession to the EU, tourist arrivals have been on the increase. Dr Zammit
Dimech was delivering the closing address at the Comenius Conference on Regional Identity and
Active Citizenship.
• 21 November 2004 Commissioner for Children Sonia Camilleri said that Malta had made great strides
forward with regard to children's rights. However, she felt it was important to highlight issues that had
to be addressed in the best interests of children and young people. Many children were suffering as a
result of the delays in the Family Court, and there was a critical need to have more than one judge
handling these cases. Ms Camilleri was speaking at a children's creative workshop to mark World
Children's Day.
• 22 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he was ready to override the prepared
Budget Speech, due to be delivered on Wednesday 24 th , if at the last minute a social pact was agreed

with the social partners. If, on the other hand, no agreement was reached, the Government was ready to
carry the responsibility for its decisions. Dr Gonzi was addressing a political meeting in St Julians.
• 23 November 2004 Government MP Jason Azzopardi, who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Committee of the House of Representatives, said that following the committee’s visit to Libya, that
country had agreed to settle all outstanding debts with Maltese companies, and had pledged to try and
solve the visa problem once and for all. Speaking at a news conference, Dr Azzopardi expressed
optimism that the visit had paved the way for healthier relations between the two countries.
• 23 November 2004 Malta declared that it was not in a position to provide any contribution to
European peace-keeping operations around the world, whether in the form of troops or contribution of
another nature. However, it declared its support for the formation of EU battle groups and stated that it
would be considering committing 'niche capabilities' in the future. The declarations were made during
a military capability commitment conference of EU Defence Ministers held in Brussels. Malta was
represented by Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela.
• 23 November 2004 Environment and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said that the first phase
of the rehabilitation of Maghtab is planned to start next August and continue up to the end of 2007.
This phase would consist of the collection of toxic gases emitted from the dump. Mr Pullicino said the
rehabilitation of Maghtab, Wied Fulija and Qortin would cost 8.4 million Euro of which 73 per cent
would be met from EU funds.
• 23 November 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that the gross domestic product at
current market prices increased by 2.2 per cent to Lm494.8 million in the third quarter this year, as
compared to the same quarter last year. The NSO said that an increase in the value-added of the
financial intermediation sector was entirely offset by the rising oil prices affecting the electricity, gas
and water supply sector. In real terms GDP increased by 1.4 per cent to Lm444.3 million.
• 23 November 2004 The National Statistics Office said that occupancy trends for June reveal an overall
increase in the use of bed-places when compared to the same month last year. The NSO said that this
increase was evident across hostels, tourist villages, and 4-star and 2-star hotel categories. In Malta and
Gozo, the highest occupancy level was recorded in the 4-star hotel category at 71.8 per cent, followed
by the 5-star hotel category at 63.2 per cent.
• 23 November 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority has launched a condensed version of its destination
website in Japanese. Japanese tourist arrivals to Malta currently stands at around 15,000 per year, with
an average growth rate of about 15 per cent each year, the MTA added. http://www.visitmalta.com
• 23 November 2004 The credit rating agency Fitch affirmed a long-term rating of ‘A-’ for Bank of
Valletta, based on the Bank's performance during the financial year ending September 2004. Fitch said
that the rating reflects BoV's ‘important market position within the Maltese financial system,
improving profitability and sound capitalisation’.
• 23 November 2004 In a global tourism survey carried out among 212 countries by the World Travel
and Tourism Council, Malta placed first overall in the infrastructure table, which is based on road
networks, sanitation and water access. Malta also performed well in the technology and human tourism
fields, placing third and eighth respectively. Malta placed 59 th for tourism price competitiveness, in
66 th place where the human resources indicator is concerned, and at 141 st place regarding environment.
• 24 November 2004 The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, has formally
sanctioned an implementation team at the Malta Tourism Authority which will put in place a new
structure aimed at making the authority more effective and efficient. The team is made up of Messrs
Chris Grech, Chairman, Winston J. Zahra, Sam Mifsud and George Micallef.
• 24 November 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that the amount of overtime
paid to workers at Malta Shipyards in the first seven months of 2004 was Lm614,729 compared to
Lm3,870,180 for the whole of 2002 and Lm4,052,074 for the whole of 2003. Dr Gatt was replying to a
parliamentary question.
• 24 November 2004 Malta voted in favour of new EU rules agreed by Agriculture Ministers on the way
animals are transported. As from 2008, animal transporters will have to be given training on how to
handle the transportation of animals such as pigs, cattle and horses. The vehicles used for transporting
the animals will also have to undergo inspections.

• 25 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is also Minister of Finance, said that the
country would be renewed over a period of five years: "What is good today, we'll improve by 2010.
What needs to be changed we'll also have to change by 2010." Dr Gonzi was delivering the Budget
Speech in Parliament. An audio recording of the Budget Speech can be acceded at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/Budget2005/budgetindex.asp and a video recording of the Prime
Minister’s Budget Day press conference can be found at the same site. Also included are copies of the
Budget Speech 2005, the Economic Survey 2004, and the Budget Estimates 2005.
• 25 November 2004 The Budget Speech listed various new measures which the Government will be
implementing over 2005. These include indirect tax measures, measures meant to increase production,
incentives for industry, measures meant to improve tourism and protect the national heritage, measures
to protect the environment, social measures and measures to attack abuse.
• 25 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he was convinced that any temporary
short-term pain would translate into long-term gain for the country. He urged people to jump on the
Government's bandwagon in a determined attempt to wipe out abuse and waste, stimulate the economy
and generate jobs. Dr Gonzi was fielding questions by journalists, minutes after he presented the 2005
Budget.
• 25 November 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that the long-term
sustainability of Malta's cultural heritage was the Government's ultimate aim. The Minister said that
this could only be attained through a ‘real joint venture’ with the private sector, voluntary organisations
and the public. Dr Zammit Dimech was addressing Heritage Malta's first annual international
conference.
• 25 November 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea told representatives of
Studenti Demokristjani Maltin to widen their perspective on the Chalmers Report and not remain stuck
on the issue of stipends and student maintenance grants. During the meeting, Dr Galea insisted that the
Government was committed to guaranteeing that those who wished to continue their studies could do
so.
• 25 November 2004 The Minister for Urban Development and Roads, Jesmond Mugliett, presented
letters of acceptance to the three Italian contractors who will be carrying out reconstruction works on
three primary roads in the centre of Malta. The work is being financed under the fifth Italo-Maltese
financial protocol. All three Italian contractors are engaging Maltese sub-contractors to carry out the
works.
• 25 November 2004 Dr Joe Borg made his first official speech as European Commissioner for Fisheries
and Maritime Affairs when he addressed the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee. Dr Borg
informed the committee about the European Council’s decisions on the fisheries agreement between
the EU and Norway, the proposal for a council regulation on a European fisheries fund, and
amendments to regulations regarding deep sea fishing. The rapporteur for the Fisheries Committee is
Maltese MEP David Casa.
• 25 November 2004 The Chairperson of the Housing Authority, Marisa Micallef Leyson, announced
that a block of 10 apartments at tal-Frieh, on the Birkirkara bypass, was a pilot project incorporating
energy saving systems. Details were issued after Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores
Cristina said that the Authority's units would henceforth incorporate energy-saving features like
double-glazing, louvres, roof and wall insulation, the construction of water reservoirs and solar panel
heaters.
• 25 November 2004 The National Statistics Office said that there were 8,172 unemployed and
registering for work last month, an increase of 32 over the preceding month. On an annual basis the
unemployment register shows a decline of 77 persons.
• 25 November 2004 The National Statistics Office said that at 248,978, the number of cruise passenger
arrivals in the first 10 months this year was 106,869 lower than that for the same period last year. The
number of cruise passengers in October this year went down by 16,918 to 45,790 when compared to
the same month last year, the NSO said.
• 25 November 2004 As from next February, the Maltese language will be taught at the Institute
National des Langues et Civilisation, in Paris. A 50-hour study unit on the Maltese language will form

part of the syllabus leading to Degree, Master's and Doctorate courses. Through the efforts of Malta's
Ambassador to France, Salvino Busuttil, Maltese will become the 93rd language taught at the institute.
• 26 November 2004 Government has issued a call for a master plan for the introduction of electric
transportation in Malta. A call for expression published in The Malta Government Gazette of the 23 rd
November stated that the introduction of electric vehicles would be encouraged in the following
sectors: private cars, rental vehicles for tourists, park-and-ride projects and vehicles for use within
industrial areas. The introduction of electric transportation could lead to the reduction of exhaust gas
emissions harmful to people and architectural heritage.
• 26 November 2004 The annual conference of the Malta Tourism Authority discussed the Malta
product and its branding, in the context of the theme Adapting to the Challenges of International
Tourism. Addressing the conference, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that the MTA
should delve into the reasons why Malta lost in key markets like the British market and what could be
done to regain lost ground. He spoke about the Government's commitment to the restructuring of the
authority.
• 26 November 2004 Environment Minister George Pullicino announced the start, in January, of a pilot
project to collect used edible oil from households to be transformed into bio-diesel. Speaking at Edible
Oil Refining Company, in Marsa, Mr Pullicino said that the Government was setting an example: the
Malta Environment and Planning Authority already has 43 cars with diesel engines running on
biodiesel.
• 27 November 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt gave details on the water and
electricity surcharge announced on Budget Day. A detailed presentation at the Ministry showed that
the mean increase in tariffs for households will be 5c3 per household daily, with 11,000 domestic
social cases excluded from the increases. For the nearly 41,000 commercial entities the tariff will be
17c a day. The average hike for the 755 accounts pertaining to the hotels category is Lm2.85 a day,
while the mean increase for the 1,473 industrial accounts works out at Lm5.53 a day. The tariff comes
into effect on 1 st January 2005.
• 27 November 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, announced
that Malta, acting jointly with Slovenia, intends to present by the end of the year suggestions on how
the EU can examine possible ways in which the cost-effectiveness of a proposed chemicals policy
review - known as Reach - could be improved. The most preoccupying issues for Malta, he added,
were the potential indirect costs and the knock-on effects of the policy review. Mr Galea was speaking
during a meeting of EU Competition Ministers, in Brussels.
• 27 November 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that recurrent revenue in the first 10
months of 2004 amounted to Lm608.4 million and made up 72.2 per cent of this year's budget forecast.
This represents an increase of Lm47.5 million or 8.5 per cent on the same period last year. At the same
time, total expenditure amounted to Lm729.2 million, an increase of Lm28.3 million over the Lm700.9
million spent last year. The structural deficit between recurrent revenue and total expenditure
amounted to Lm120.8 million, compared to a shortfall of Lm140.0 million reported for January -
October 2003.
• 28 November 2004 Malta has assumed the presidency of the Western Mediterranean Forum and will
be hosting the 5+5 meeting in 2005. The decision was taken by consensus at the 5+5 Ministerial
Meeting, held in Oran, Algeria. The Western Mediterranean Forum is an informal meeting held yearly
between the five EU Western Mediterranean countries and the five countries of the Maghreb. Dr
Michael Frendo was among the Foreign Ministers attending the meeting. The other countries in the
forum are Italy, France, Spain and Portugal to the North, and Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and
Mauritania in the South.
• 29 November 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi advised trade unions that the new collective
agreement for the Civil Service would have to reflect the Government's priorities, that is, control of
public finances and a marked improvement of the public sector's efficiency. Dr Gonzi said: "The
collective agreement has to be a contribution to the economic development of the country. The unions
have to negotiate with this in mind." Dr Gonzi was speaking during a political activity at Fleur-de-Lys.
• 29 November 2004 The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Educational Services, Nora
Macelli, won the Worker of the Year award. President Edward Fenech-Adami presented Ms Macelli

with the award during a ceremony at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta. Prime Minister
Lawrence Gonzi and Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea were also present.
• 30 November 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo took part in the EuroMed summit known as the
Barcelona process. The Hague conference marked the beginning of Libya’s re-integration into the
EU’s Mediterranean process. Libya was invited as a special guest of the EU Dutch presidency.
• 30 November 2004 The Maltese and Italian armed forces completed the fifth edition of 'Exercise
Terraferma', an annual bilateral training exercise intended to boost the forces of both countries. The
first phase took place in Malta between October 9-16, while phase two was conducted in Italy at the
Persano Military Training Areas, off Naples, between October 23 and November 6. The aim of this
year's exercise was to promote co-operation and peace in the Mediterranean region.
• 30 November 2004 Government MEP David Casa, who is also rapporteur of the budget committee
within the Fisheries Committee, announced that, in spring, the European Parliament's Fisheries
Committee would be coming to Malta to evaluate fishermen's problems and see where the EU can help
in solving them. Mr Casa said that the committee wanted to hear from fishermen what problems they
encountered, both while out at sea, as well as in their dealings with the Government and
administrative bodies.
• 30 November 2004 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority published its annual report for the
year ending September 2004. The detailed report delves into all of MEPA's operations throughout the
year, including the air quality studies, the repair and restoration of historic buildings, the structure plan
review, and initiatives to reduce waste.
• 30 November 2004 The Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, Censu Galea, said in
reply to a parliamentary question that forty-six airlines currently operate to Malta. Mr Galea added that
a new airline, Hello Ltd, has applied to operate services to Malta during the summer.
• 30 November 2004 The Central Bank of Malta left the central intervention rate unchanged at 3%. At a
Monetary Policy Advisory Council meeting, bank governor Michael Bonello recalled that the bank’s
primary objective in conducting monetary policy was price stability. He said that the bank sought to
achieve this objective by pegging the Maltese lira to a basket of currencies of low-inflation countries.
DECEMBER
• 1 December 2004 The US television network CNN interviewed government MEP David Casa on
Malta's introduction of anti-smoking regulations. CNN wanted to get the reactions of MEPs in the
Environment Committee in the European Parliament as part of the ongoing debate in the UK about the
introduction of stricter anti-smoking regulations.
• 1 December 2004 A group of nine universities led by the University of Malta won EU funding of
nearly 350,000 euro for a project on preparing trainee teachers to respond to pupil diversity in primary
education. The three-year project aims to produce a multicultural, multimedia, internet-based teachertraining
module.
• 1 December 2004 Together with 11 other EU member states, Malta voted against a proposal to allow
imports of modified corn by US biotech giant Monsanto CO. The twelve countries argue that there is
still not enough data on the effects of these types of crops.
• 2 December 2004 Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lawrence Gonzi re-appointed the Council
of the Malta Stock Exchange for 12 months. Alfred Mallia chairs the Council, with members Saviour
Briffa, Arthur Galea Salamone, Alex Agius and Marco Sammut.
• 2 December 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo addressed the EuroMed ministerial meeting in
The Hague on the subject of migration. The Minister emphasised the crucial need to adopt a collective
approach, based on the concept of "burden-sharing and not burden-shifting". The meeting was marked
by the attendance of Libya.
• 2 December 2004 The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, launched a
WasteServ project that will involve waste separation at schools, in Mellieha. Each school will be

provided with containers in which the students can dispose of paper, plastic, glass and metal. The
students will also be given information about waste management and the benefits of recycling.
• 2 December 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, said that the
main thrust of the Budget was promoting economic growth while addressing economic priorities on a
number of levels. "An important component of this equation was to cut the deficit and put government
finances on a sounder footing," said Mr Fenech. The Parliamentary Secretary was speaking at The
Malta Financial and Business Times Radisson SAS business breakfast.
• 2 December 2004 The Maltese Government received 1 million euro from the EU Solidarity Fund to
compensate for the damage caused by the September 2003 floods. The money will be used for
reimbursing the cost of emergency measures such as rescue services, providing for temporary
accommodation, energy and water, and repairs to the basic infrastructure.
• 3 December 2004 Following a meeting of EU justice ministers in Brussels, Justice and Home Affairs
Minister Tonio Borg said that Malta was now "seeing the light at the end of the tunnel". A spokesman
for the Dutch Presidency of the EU said that the presidency had submitted a new proposal over the
Union’s proposed maritime pollution rules, and now it was up to the member states to reach an
agreement. The negotiations will now be held on a technical level.
• 3 December 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo reiterated Malta's support for a two-state
solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at The Hague. Dr Frendo said that close EU-US
collaboration within the Quartet framework could effectively contribute towards the attainment of the
final objectives. Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Sha'ath thanked Malta for its continuous support to
the Palestinian cause and particularly within the structures of the EU.
• 3 December 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea launched a working group
to review the inclusive and special education sector. The group, to be headed by former Labour
Finance Minister Lino Spiteri, is to address the situation of inclusive education in kindergarten classes,
in primary, secondary, post-secondary, and special schools in Malta and Gozo, in both the public and
non-public sectors. The working group is to present a report to the Minister by the end of June 2005.
• 3 December 2004 Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said that preliminary proposals
have been made for the construction of a car park beneath Castille Place and for the embellishment of
the square. No decisions have yet been taken, the Minister added. Mr Zammit was replying to a
parliamentary question.
• 3 December 2004 MEP Simon Busuttil expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that significant amounts
allocated to EU member states were regularly left unused. He said that he wanted to send a clear
message to the national public administrations, particularly of the new member states that, unless they
enhanced their own infrastructure, be it at staff or logistical level, these countries would not be able to
absorb the EU funds. Dr Busuttil was speaking in his capacity as shadow rapporteur for the EPP-ED
group, during the debate on the annual report 2003 of the European Court of Auditors.
• 3 December 2004 A spokesman for Malta's Permanent Representation in Brussels said that Malta
would be contributing 28,231 euro or 0.03 per cent of the total reference common cost of the EU
peacekeeping force in Bosnia for 2005. The EU this week took over from NATO the role of
peacekeeping in Bosnia in an operation seen as a test of the EU's military aspirations and credibility.
• 3 December 2004 According to Ioannis Katakis, who is Chief Executive Officer of Maltco Lotteries
Limited, the company has invested a total of Lm13 million in its Malta operation. Speaking during a
press tour at Maltco premises, Dr Katakis said that, apart from the lump sum of Lm8 million that the
company had paid to take over operations, Maltco had invested around Lm3 million to set up the
technology infrastructure, including a ‘zero risk’ computer system that made sure that the operations
would run smoothly.
• 3 December 2004 Malta Enterprise Chairman Joseph Zammit Tabona announced that some six
pharmaceutical companies would be operating in Malta by the end of next year. In view of these
developments, a partnership agreement was signed between Malta Enterprise and the Malta College of
Arts, Science and Technology to set up the appropriate course at the college.
• 3 December 2004 The winners of the second edition of the Malta Enterprise Awards were announced
at a presentation ceremony hosted by Malta Enterprise, at the Hilton. Magro Brothers (Foods) Ltd and

Playmobil Malta Ltd won the Business Award - Industry Category; while Foster Clark Products Ltd
won the Business Award - International Marketing Category. The awards were presented by President
Edward Fenech-Adami.
• 3 December 2004 The subscription rates of The Government Gazette have been revised with effect
from January 1. The new subscription rates of the Gazette with supplement are Lm105 for 12 months,
Lm79 for nine months, Lm53 for six months, and Lm27 for three months. The price of issues
purchased individually remains unchanged at 2c per page. Since May 1 this year, the sale of the
Gazette became liable to the payment of five per cent VAT, which had so far been absorbed by the
Government.
• 3 December 2004 According to statistics published by Eorostat, the number of people registering for
work in Malta decreased by one per cent during the last year. In October 2004, the rate of
unemployment in Malta stood at seven per cent, a one per cent decrease when compared to October
2003, when the registered unemployed amounted to eight per cent. Out of the 25 member states of the
EU, Malta stands at the 12th position with regards to unemployment rates.
• 4 December 2004 Replying to the Opposition’s comments on the Budget, Prime Minister Lawrence
Gonzi said that the proposal made by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant to depreciate the Maltese Lira is
dangerous and would have disastrous consequences. Dr Sant had said that the 10 per cent increase in
the exchange rate of the Maltese currency was the reason for the reduction in Malta’s competitiveness.
• 4 December 2004 Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that he would formally invite
the Opposition to nominate a member or members to sit on Enemalta's committee responsible for the
hedging of oil purchases. Dr Gatt said that hedging was a financial instrument and he would like this
subject to be removed from politics. The Minister was answering a parliamentary question.
• 4 December 2004 According to a new study released by the National Commission for Persons with
Disability, about 15 per cent of persons with a disability declare that they have no financial income,
while half have an income of under Lm200 a month. The study concluded that these persons’ lack of
cash-flow meant that they probably depend heavily on their families.
• 5 December 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that the burden of immigration on
Malta is equivalent in statistical terms to the occupation of one square kilometer of territory, and half
our annual birth rate. Dr Frendo was addressing the formal opening of the 17th training seminar for
Euro-Mediterranean diplomats organised by the University of Malta's Mediterranean Academy of
Diplomatic Studies.
• 6 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi again referred to the Opposition's proposal to
depreciate the lira. He said that the measure, while hurting everyone, did not benefit the country in any
way and could also cause damage to Malta's credibility. He asked the General Workers' Union to take a
stand on the proposal and on how it would hit the pay of the Maltese. The Prime Minister was speaking
at a political debate in Sannat.
• 6 December 2004 Legal Notice 484, published in The Government Gazette on November 23,
announced the coming into force of new port security regulations. The regulations apply to passenger
ships, cargo ships, mobile offshore drilling units and any ship engaged in domestic shipping. The
notice states that the master of a ship calling in Malta and the company that owns the ship must comply
with any requirements specified in the regulations with regard to ship security levels.
• 7 December 2004 American Ambassador Anthony Gioia paid a farewell call on President Edward
Fenech-Adami at the Palace, in Valletta. Mr Gioia has been Ambassador to Malta for the last three and
a half years.
• 7 December 2004 Figures for the past six years tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Lawrence
Gonzi show that VAT revenue from Gozo in 2002 and 2003 was less than 1% of total VAT revenue.
Revenue from Gozo as a percentage of total VAT revenue reached 0.96% in 2000, 1.02% in 2001,
0.90% in 2002, 0.92% in 2003, and 1.26% between January and August this year. Dr Gonzi was
replying to a parliamentary question.
• 7 December 2004 A document published in Brussels, entitled ‘European Electronic Communications
Regulation and Markets in 2004’, notes that the penetration of fixed line telephony stands currently at
51.9 lines per 100 inhabitants and has remained constant. The mobile sector, on the other hand, has

eported a notable growth in penetration and, up to last March, the number of mobile subscribers had
grown by 6.1% on a year-on-year basis. The Commission notes further that more than 80,000 internet
subscriptions were reported at the end of March 2004.
• 7 December 2004 The Ministry for Urban Development and Roads, together with the Malta
Environment and Planning Authority, is launching a public consultation on the development brief for
the regeneration of Dock 1, at Cottonera. The main aim behind the re-development of the Cottonera
waterfront is the transformation of the area into a major cultural, commercial and recreational area. The
draft document may be viewed at www.mepa.org.mt
• 7 December 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-Employed, Edwin
Vassallo, announced that three parcels of land measuring a total of 50 tmien are to be earmarked for
industrial parks. The sites are at Xewkija, Mellieha and in Luqa close to the Marsa Industrial Estate.
The industrial parks are meant to accommodate small businesses working in inhabited areas, those
businesses intending to extend their operation, and start-ups.
• 8 December 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami presented the Nazzareno Vassallo Award for 2004
to Ms Beatrice Fenech, a voluntary craft instructress at the St Paul's Bay day-centre. Ms Fenech helps
to keep the elderly active, while helping to raise money through the bazaars organised by the centre.
The presentation ceremony was held at The Palace, in Valletta.
• 8 December 2004 The US Ambassador to Malta, Anthony Gioia, and his wife Donna left Malta at the
end of a tour of duty in Malta. Before leaving for the airport, Ambassador Gioia commented on Malta-
US relations, saying: “Malta has always been a good and supportive friend of the United States but
never more than in the wake of September 11 th and the global war on terror that began in earnest on
that day.”
• 8 December 2004 Mr Joseph Izzo was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime
Minister. Mr Izzo takes up his new post on January 11, when the incumbent, Godwin Grima, becomes
Principal Permanent Secretary on the retirement of Joseph R. Grima.
• 8 December 2004 Maltacom Group Chairman Saviour Portelli launched Carelink, a new service which
uses monitoring gadgets to instantaneously report accidents, fires, and water-leaks, through an
automatic telephone call. Addressing a press conference, Mr Portelli explained that, when a device is
activated, a call is directed to a monitoring-centre operating 24 hours a day. The centre then follows up
each individual case, calling relatives, a doctor, or the emergency services.
• 8 December 2004 The Chief Executive Officer of Go Mobile, Juanito Camilleri, said that the
company’s customer base had hit the 140,000 mark. Obtaining the 140,000 customer base in four years
meant that the company was Malta's fastest growing mobile operator, he said. Prof. Camilleri was
speaking during a media event marking Go Mobile’s fourth anniversary.
• 8 December 2004 Bank of Valletta announced that international credit rating agency Moody's
Investors Service had changed the bank’s long term foreign currency deposit rating from ‘A3’ to
‘Baa1’ with a stable outlook. The outlook for the Bank's ‘D+’ financial strength rating has been
changed from negative to stable. The short-term ‘Prime 2’ rating remains unchanged. Moody's issued
the changed ratings following a comprehensive review carried out earlier this year.
• 8 December 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, there were 8,131 registered unemployed
with the Employment and Training Corporation in July this year, 189 more than the number recorded
in the previous month. The registered unemployment rate stood at 5.6 per cent of the labour supply. In
July, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons increased by 531 over the previous month.
Over a period of 12 months to July, the full-time gainfully occupied population dropped by 714
persons.
• 9 December 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo met his Tunisian counterpart Abdelbaki
Hermassi to discuss issues related to the central Mediterranean. The meeting was held at the San Gorg
Corinthia Hotel within the framework of the Maltese-Tunisian joint commission. Dr Frendo suggested
that the joint commission should start meeting once a year for regular consultation.
• 9 December 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, said that
Malta disagrees with the present EU rules governing allocations under the Cohesion Fund as it thinks

that they do not take sufficient account of the specific conditions of regions, including higher
population density. Mr Fenech was addressing a meeting of EU Finance Ministers, in Brussels.
• 9 December 2004 The Maltese EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg,
addressed a news conference in Brussels during which he presented fish quota proposals for 2005. Dr
Borg unveiled a major round of fishing cuts, including the closure of dangerously-depleted cod
grounds in the North Sea, in the Irish Sea, and off the west of Scotland. The Maltese Commissioner
said that the Commission's aim was to balance the urgent need for reinforced conservation measures
with the equally important need to keep the industry in business.
• 9 December 2004 The Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt, said that reverse osmosis
plants consumed 5.39 per cent of total energy output between August 2003 and July 2004. Dr Gatt was
replying to a parliamentary question.
• 9 December 2004 The Committee of the EU's Permanent Representatives agreed in principle on a
compromise proposal put forward by the Dutch Presidency that solves the issue raised by Malta,
Greece and Cyprus over new maritime pollution rules. Malta was represented at the meeting by its
Permanent Representative in Brussels, Richard Cachia Caruana.
• 10 December 2004 Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that Malta could not afford to
accept economic migrants and had therefore taken a middle-of-the-road approach in dealing with
illegal immigrants. Dr Borg stressed the importance of protecting those who needed protection, while
being firm with those who did not. The Minister was speaking during a debate at the University,
entitled ‘Immigrants and Refugees: What Way Forward?’ organised as part of the Kunsill Studenti
Universitarji's Human Rights Fair.
• 10 December 2004 Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and his Tunisian counterpart Abdelbaki
Hermassi agreed to set up a joint business council in the next few months to facilitate business and
trade between the two countries. The two Ministers made their announcement at Malta International
Airport at the end of a successful round of talks on bilateral cooperation, the Mediterranean, and other
issues within the framework of the Malta/Tunisian Joint Commission.
• 10 December 2004 The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anton Tabone, called for an interparliamentary
conference on migration in the Mediterranean with the participation of all states in the
region with the objective of developing a regional strategy on migration. Mr Tabone was speaking on
the problem of illegal migration during a meeting of Parliament Presidents in Paris as part of the 5+5
dialogue process.
• 10 December 2004 MEP Simon Busuttil said that he was receiving a lot of complaints about emissions
from vehicles and he was about to seek clarification about what action the Malta Transport Authority
was taking. He said that, unless he was satisfied that the VRT law was being enforced, he would write
to the European Commission to look into the matter. Speaking at a GWU seminar on EU membership,
Dr Busuttil said that the EU would make a difference for Malta because it will make us implement
laws, not just enact them.
• 11 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi called upon his Luxembourg counterpart Jean
Claude Junker to put the Island's illegal migration problems on the list of the European Council's
priorities, as Luxembourg prepares to assume the six-month presidency of the EU. Dr Gonzi said that
Malta had asked the upcoming EU Presidency to provide any kind of help, be it with repatriation,
through funding, or otherwise. The Prime Minister was speaking following a meeting between the two
smallest EU states, in Luxembourg.
• 11 December 2004 The Maltese Government expressed satisfaction that a solution was found on the
new EU maritime pollution rules. Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that this latest
development was a "victory for Malta and the EU". Censu Galea, the Minister for Competitiveness and
Communications, also expressed satisfaction, saying that the regulations now better reflected Malta's
needs and will not damage its prosperous shipping register.
• 11 December 2004 The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Francis Agius, said that
Malta wanted the European Commission to maintain aid for fishing-fleet renewal. He stressed that the
Commission should also take into account Malta's geographical and physical characteristics as an
island state on the periphery of Europe, resulting in higher costs for the fishing sector. Dr Agius was
addressing a meeting of the EU Fisheries Council.

• 11 December 2004 Technical delegations from Malta and Libya met in Tripoli to discuss the
processing of visas for Maltese wanting to travel to Libya. This was the fifth technical meeting held
between the Maltese and the Libyan delegations on the visa issue.
• 11 December 2004 Malta International Airport announced that its turnover rose by 16 per cent to
Lm10 million in the six months up to the end of September. Profit on core-operations after taxation
increased from Lm1.6 million to Lm2.8 million. The directors approved an interim net dividend of
Lm1.6 million, or 0.025 per share. The Government and a consortium led by Vienna Airport each own
40 per cent shareholding in MIA, with the rest held by the public.
• 12 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi strongly commented about the right to life and in
favour of a strong family unit. Dr Gonzi was replying to a declaration by members of various minority
groups who, on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights, called on Maltese society and
the Government to ensure that all persons living in Malta do not become victims of discrimination and
that their fundamental human rights are safeguarded.
• 12 December 2004 The EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg, said that
there was as yet no common fisheries policy for the Mediterranean. Fishing in the Mediterranean has,
up to now, been controlled through the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas and the General Fisheries Council of the Mediterranean. Dr Borg said that the EU Commission
is proposing the setting-up of a Regional Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean by next April.
• 12 December 2004 Outgoing US Ambassador Anthony Gioia announced that the United States will be
granting Malta $6.5 million to buy American helicopters to help in the country's search-and-rescue
operations. Mr Gioia also announced that the US is planning to build a new embassy in Malta, for
which $87 million has been budgeted.
• 13 December 2004 The Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, Austin Gatt announced that the
Government will be focusing on the operations of Enemalta Corporation. He said that, for the first time
in its history, the Corporation will have a Chief Executive Officer and a qualified Financial Controller.
Dr Gatt was speaking at a political activity in Mellieha.
• 14 December 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami made reference to the Constitution, which he
described as ‘the creed of a nation’. The President said that the constitution should not be amended
without just cause. However, Dr Fenech-Adami continued, the constitution should not be static, but
should reflect the realities of the day. The President was speaking before the presentation of the
Republic Day honours and awards, at the Palace, in Valletta.
• 14 December 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami and President Emeritus Censu Tabone visited Go
Mobile's head office at Marsa, to mark the company's fourth anniversary of its mobile telephony
services. Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that the company’s subscriber base of
over 140,000 clients was proof of how liberalisation could bring further benefits to the country's
economy.
• 14 December 2004 The European Commission has initiated an EU-wide investigation into wholesale
prices of 'international roaming'. The investigation was initiated following complaints by European
citizens from various member states about high charges incurred for the use of mobile phones while
travelling within the EU. Vodafone and Go Mobile, the only two companies offering mobile telephony
services in Malta, have been asked to fill in questionnaires sent to them by the Commission.
• 14 December 2004 The Department of Information is marking its 50th anniversary next year by the
issue of a calendar for 2005. The calendar features twelve photographs that recall highlights in the
Island’s constitutional, economic, social and religious history.
• 15 December 2004 The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs, conducted in
2003 by the Council of Europe among 16-year-olds in 35 countries, placed the Maltese eighth from last
when it came to illicit drug consumption. When it came to alcoholic beverages, the country placed 14 th
from the top. And when it came to smoking, it placed second from last. The national organisation
against drug and alcohol abuse, Sedqa, published the survey.
• 16 December 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami inaugurated an exhibition on the works of Mattia
Preti in Viterbo, Italy. Dr Fenech-Adami was the guest of the president of the province of Viterbo.

• 16 December 2004 Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that the Government
would be reviewing its career guidance and counselling procedures which should facilitate a
continuous process from primary to secondary, and on to post-secondary and tertiary education. The
aim, he said, was to develop a structure for life-long career guidance. Dr Galea was speaking during a
university debate organised by the student organisation AIESEC.
• 16 December 2004 Maltese MEP David Casa announced that a group of MEPs from various political
groups in the European Parliament have joined forces in order to start focusing more on Mediterranean
issues. Mr Casa said that the initiative was taken by Italian MEP Gianni De Michelis, who had served
as Italy's Foreign Minister in the early 1990s.
• 16 December 2004 The Malta Tourism Authority's Zurich office ranked second in an assessment of
the most effective and efficient national tourism offices based in Switzerland. The tourism office of
Thailand placed first, beating competition from 78 national tourist offices.
• 17 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Malta felt that Turkey should join the
EU, although this should be done when all the necessary reforms are implemented. Dr Gonzi was
addressing the press in Brussels following the decision by the 25 EU leaders to offer Turkey to start
accession negotiations, on condition that it recognises Cyprus before the start of talks.
• 17 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that he had decided to postpone the vote in
Parliament on the EU Constitution in order to give the Opposition more time to have a "mature and
constructive internal discussion", and make up its mind on the matter. The Prime Minister said that the
Government considered it to be in the national interest to try and reach out to the Opposition over such
a crucial issue and to have consensus in Parliament. The Government had previously planned to
conclude the ratification process by the end of the year.
• 17 December 2004 A Maltese version of the EU Constitution was published in the Official Journal of
the European Union. The Maltese text consists of more than 450 pages of the Official Journal and
includes all Annexes, Protocols and Declarations added to the Constitution. The text of the
Constitution in Maltese can be found on the EU website at
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:C:2004:310:SOM:MT:HTML
• 17 December 2004 The Malta Communications Authority published revised lower wholesale
interconnection charges for Maltacom, Vodafone, and Go Mobile. The MCA said it was expected that
the reduction of wholesale interconnection rates would increase the potential for sustainable
competition and facilitate access to the market for new entrants. Copies of the Interconnection Pricing
Review 2004/05 - Decision Notice can be downloaded from the MCA's website at www.mca.org.mt
• 17 December 2004 According to figures released by the UK's Office of National Statistics, Malta is
the sixth most expensive country in the world for British business travellers. The most expensive
country is Cyprus, where business travellers spent an average £255 a day. Second-placed was Israel
(£167), followed by Belgium (£155), Japan (£131), Switzerland (£127), Malta (£118), the US (£116),
Germany and Sweden (both £114).
• 18 December 2004 A new report, entitled ‘Family Poverty and Social Exclusion’, states that the
training being offered to the unemployed by the Employment and Training Corporation was "not
helpful" and needed "re-thinking". The report goes on to say that only five per cent of the unemployed
managed to find a job related to the training offered by the ETC. The report was presented by the
National Commission for the Family in the presence of the Minister for the Family and Social
Solidarity, Dolores Cristina.
• 18 December 2004 The new chairman of Bank of Valletta, Roderick Chalmers, told the bank’s annual
general meeting that BoV had registered a pre-tax profit of Lm18.4 million for the financial year that
closed last September. This is a 25 per cent increase over the previous year. In view of the results, the
board of directors recommended a final dividend of 10c per share, making a total distribution of 16c
per share for the year, up 45 per cent on the previous year, Mr Chalmers said.
• 19 December 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami and his wife Mary, Prime Minister Lawrence
Gonzi and his wife Kate, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant, and Archbishop Joseph Mercieca launched
the Milied Flimkien campaign on Freedom Square, in Valletta. The country’s leaders delivered
messages of solidarity for Christmas and the New Year.

• 19 December 2004 The managing director of Australian oil company Pancontinental Oil and Gas NL,
Andrew Svalbe, stated that the interpretation of the company’s new seismic data "will hopefully
confirm prospects having size to contain viable oil and gas reserves". Mr Svalbe was making a
presentation at the company's annual general meeting, in Perth. Pancontinental has an interest in two
large offshore permits for oil exploration in Maltese waters.
• 20 December 2004 A government statement announced that Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and
Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini had discussed possible cooperation between Malta and Italy in
international fora, the promotion of the Italian language and culture in Malta, cooperation between
Italian institutions and the University of Malta and the delineation of the median line between Malta
and Italy. The two Ministers had discussions on the margins of the European Council meeting, in
Brussels.
• 21 December 2004 The Cabinet approved a wide-ranging draft policy on illegal immigration and
refugees, setting clear guidelines on aspects like welfare, monitoring of the seas, integration and
detention. The policy document, proposed by Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, and
drawn up in conjunction with the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, is to be debated during
a national conference on immigration on January 22 nd .
• 21 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed the Government's satisfaction at the
way work at the cruise liner terminal at Pinto Wharf is progressing. He said that the Government will
be ensuring that this development will go on to become one of the most profitable niche markets for
Malta. "As a niche market, cruise passenger business promises a tremendous growth potential. The
Malta Tourism Authority will be doing its utmost to push this sector which is an important link in the
national strategy for economic growth," the Prime Minister said.
• 21 December 2004 The Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the House of
Representatives, Jason Azzopardi, announced plans for the committee to have separate meetings with
the Israeli and Palestinian Ambassadors to discuss the Middle East next year. During 2005, the
committee is also planning to visit China, the United States and Russia.
• 21 December 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that Malta has
been selected to host the fourth European Tourism Forum at the end of October 2005. The Minister
said that the forum was attracted to Malta with the help of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants
Association. The tourism forum brings together the main, high-profile representatives of the tourism
industry, civil society and international organisations, as well as European, national and regional
institutions and authorities.
• 21 December 2004 The European Commission has approved a grant of 145,900 euro (Lm63,500) for a
cultural project on cart ruts led by Malta's Museum of Archaeology. The project, entitled The
Significance of Cart Ruts in Ancient Landscapes, aims to bring cultural heritage into the public domain
and address the role of culture in the socio-economic development of the country.
• 22 December 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that an updated statement on the balance
of payments transactions conducted by Malta in the third quarter of this year discloses an unfavourable
turnaround in the current account balance of Lm40.5 million, from a net surplus of Lm8.5 million in
the September 2003 quarter to a net deficit of Lm32 million in the same period in 2004.
• 22 December 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, hotel occupancy trends for July reveal
an overall decline in the gross/net use of bed-places by category when compared to the same month
last year. On the other hand, occupancy trends for August reveal an overall increase in the gross/net
use when compared to the same month last year, as do those for September.
• 22 December 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech received a report on the
State of the Heritage from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. The Minister said: “This report is
an important stocktaking of the situation, which confirms our Island’s rich heritage. It makes us more
conscious of our duties towards our heritage, which we administer on behalf of mankind and future
generations.”
• 22 December 2004 A meeting of Environment Ministers in Brussels failed to reach agreement over a
request to import a GM rapeseed known as GT73; Malta and 12 other EU member states maintaining

their opposition to the importation into the EU of genetically modified food. Malta was represented at
the Environment Council by the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino.
• 23 December 2004 The European Commission concluded that Malta is on track to correct its financial
deficit. It informed the European Council that no further recommendations are required at this stage.
Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said, following a press conference in
Brussels, that he was "comforted to note that Malta has responded positively to the Council
recommendations and taken the necessary measures to control its budget deficit". The Commission
gives details on the action taken by the Maltese Government to comply.
• 23 December 2004 Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech announced that the
European Directorate for Education and Culture, under its programme Culture 2000, had allocated
funds to eight Maltese projects. Dr Zammit Dimech said that the European Commission will be
contributing about 2.1 million euro for the projects.
• 23 December 2004 EU Fisheries Ministers watered down the European Commission's original
proposals on fishing quotas. Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg had proposed to declare huge areas of
ocean in the north off-limits for trawlers. However, the Commission had to bow to pressure and settle
for less drastic alternatives. Malta was represented at the EU Council by the Minister for Rural Affairs
and the Environment, George Pullicino.
• 23 December 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, the unemployment rate for July stood
at 5.6 per cent of the labour supply. The rate for men was 6.3 per cent whereas that of women was 3.8
per cent. The November figure shows a drop of 47 persons over the preceding month and a decrease of
152 compared to November of last year.
• 23 December 2004 Air Malta reported a five per cent increase in the number of passengers it carried in
the first 11 months of this year compared to the same period in 2003. In the third quarter the increase
was of three per cent, while an impressive seven per cent growth was registered in October-November
compared to the same periods last year, Air Malta said.
• 24 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the 14 kilometres of road-works financed
by the Italian Financial Protocol will serve as a benchmark for the way roads in Malta and Gozo should
be built. Dr Gonzi said that the construction methods used in this project would ensure that the roads
would last 25 years. The Prime Minister was speaking during a visit to one of the roads financed by the
protocol, in Qormi.
• 24 December 2004 In an official statement, the Government announced that it would be amending the
National Holidays and other Public Holidays Act in order to implement the budget measure whereby
holidays falling on a weekend would not be added to employees' annual vacation entitlement.
• 24 December 2004 According to the National Statistics Office, a total of 1,207,099 passengers used
the Malta-Gozo ferries in the third quarter of this year, marking an increase of 37,106 passengers (3.2
per cent) over the same period the year before. The total number of passenger vehicles carried by the
ferries dropped by 7,138 to 286,461 (2.4 per cent) in the same period.
• 24 December 2004 The Rolex Middle Sea Race, held earlier this year in Malta, featured in a six-page
article in the December edition of the Italian navigation magazine Nautica. Meanwhile, Italian travel
magazine In the World allocated a full colour spread to the Maltese Islands in an article entitled ‘I
Cavalieri di Malta’.
• 26 December 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, and the
Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, on Christmas Eve delivered their traditional televised Christmas
message. In his message President Fenech-Adami said that the Maltese had values which made them
believe in life and in themselves. His wish for the people, said the President, was to find peace at
Christmas and in their families, and to look towards the New Year with courage.
• 26 December 2004 In his Christmas Message, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi called on the people to
continue to cherish the things they valued most as a people, primarily the family, solidarity with those
facing problems, respect towards one another, and a sense of national identity. Video and audio
recordings of the Christmas Day Message made by President Edward Fenech-Adami and that made by
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi can be accessed at
http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/christmas%20messages/messagesindex.asp

The site also contains video and audio versions of the President's and the Prime Minister's Message to
Migrants.
• 26 December 2004 The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Michael Frendo, commented on his two-day
official trip to Egypt. Dr Frendo explained that, while being an ‘EU team player’ like other member
states, Malta also continues to pursue its own (peace-supportive) policies in the Middle-East. Dr
Frendo added that Malta had confirmed its intention to continue in its long-time assignment as
rapporteur of the UN Committee on Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
• 26 December 2004 The outgoing head of the European Commission Delegation to Malta, Ronald
Gallimore, urged the Maltese to distinguish between local and EU-related issues before pointing
fingers at Brussels. He said that it was natural for a country to go through a period of deflation right
after EU membership, adding that he was optimistic Malta would start reaping the benefits of
membership within two or three years. Mr Gallimore was interviewed by The Sunday Times
newspaper at the end of a four-year tour of duty in Malta.
• 27 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the Government was determined to move
an amendment in Parliament on January 10 whereby public holidays falling on weekends will be
considered as normal working days. Dr Gonzi said that the measure would be implemented through
changes in the Employment and Industrial Relations Act; later saying that it intends to amend the
National Holidays and Public Holidays Act instead.
• 27 December 2004 This year’s TV charity marathon L-Istrina raised LM815,391. A total of 14
charities and voluntary organisations will benefit from this bonanza. The country's leaders were united
in a common appeal to raise money and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Alfred
Sant, and Archbishop Joseph Mercieca all turned up to show their solidarity.
• 27 December 2004 The Government announced that, in view of its policy to regionalise its embassies,
it will be closing down its Embassy in Budapest early next year. The Government has informed the
Hungarian Government about the decision through Ambassador Noel Buttigieg Scicluna.
• 27 December 2004 The National Statistics Office announced that the number of cruise passengers who
visited the Maltese Islands in the first 11 months of this year dropped by 97,575 over the same period
last year and amounted to 281,053. The NSO said the number of cruise passengers in November alone
went up by 9,294 over the same month last year, up to 32,075.
• 28 December 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo announced during a press conference that
it was too early to say whether the tsunami that slammed into the South East Asian coasts on Boxing
Day had left any Maltese victims. Dr Frendo said that the Ministry was informed that, during the
weekend, 50 Maltese had been in Thailand, 13 in India, and 12 in Sri Lanka. The Minister also said
that the head of Protocol at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Olaf Terribile, would be flying to Bangkok to
provide assistance to the Maltese victims and to try and help relocate any nationals unaccounted for.
• 28 December 2004 Ambassador Salv Stellini, who is the Chairman of the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting Task Force, announced that 86 applicants had submitted a total of 220 designs
for the CHOGM logo competition. The CHOGM is to be held in Malta between 25 th and 28 th
November 2005.
• 29 December 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami expressed Malta's sympathy to the heads of state
of the nine Asian countries suffering from the disaster of the earthquake and the tsunamis. The
messages of condolence were sent to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia; Iajuddin
Ahmed, President of Bangladesh; A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India; Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, President of Malaysia; Maumoon Abdul Gayoom,
President of the Maldives; Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka; Bhumibol
Adulyadej (Rama IX), King of Thailand; Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Federal President of Somalia, and
Gen. Thanshwe, Head of State, Union of Myanmar.
• 29 December 2004 Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi sent messages of sympathy to his counterparts in
Malaysia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Indonesia and India.
• 29 December 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo announced that the Government had
received calls for assistance from the EU, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth and the Sri
Lankan Government. "Though we might not have close links with these countries and despite our

limitations, it's a time of solidarity," Dr Frendo said. SOS Malta will be sending a three-man team to
Sri Lanka, while the Health Ministry has agreed to release two doctors.
• 30 December 2004 Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo told a news conference that all but one of
the Maltese nationals known to have been in the tsunami-hit region of South East Asia has been
contacted and are safe. Dr Frendo said that, with the help of Malta’s Consul Niphan Benjavilas, the
Ministry’s representatives in Thailand had assisted several Maltese persons who needed help, replacing
travel documents that had been lost.
• 30 December 2004 The National Statistics Office said that there were 7,953 registered unemployed
with the Employment and Training Corporation in August, down from 8,131 in the previous month and
from 8,052 in the corresponding month last year. The NSO said that the registered unemployment rate
stood at 5.4 per cent of the labour supply.
• 31 December 2004 A Central Bank of Malta statement announced that the Bank had left the central
intervention rate unchanged at three per cent. The decision was taken by CBM Governor Michael
Bonello, at the end of the monthly Monetary Policy Advisory Council meeting. The statement said that
Mr Bonello had considered that official interest rate levels continued to provide sufficient support to
the exchange rate peg. The Council meets again on January 27 th .
• 31 December 2004 The National Statistics Office said that the visible trade gap for the first 11 months
of 2004 widened by Lm19.3 million to Lm353.2 million, from Lm333.9 million in the same period last
year. The value of total imports for the January-November period increased by Lm18.3 million, or 1.6
per cent, to Lm1,193 million. Total exports dropped by Lm1 million to Lm839.8 million.
• 31 December 2004 President Edward Fenech-Adami announced that the Malta Community Chest
Fund had accepted the suggestion made by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant during the L-Istrina TV
charity marathon that some of the funds collected should be donated to the victims of the tsunami that
devastated South-East Asian coastlines on Boxing Day. The money, said Dr Fenech-Adami, could
possibly be donated to a Commonwealth country effected by the disaster.
• 31 December 2004 Caritas Malta appealed for financial assistance for the victims of the disaster. It
said it would be putting the donations in a special solidarity fund set up specifically to be sent to
Caritas International.
• 31 December 2004 The Civil Protection Department, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, the
Health Ministry, SOS Malta, and the Red Cross, organised the collection of items donated by Maltese
in aid of the victims of the tsunami disaster. These included medicines, blankets, tents, bottled water
and tinned food.
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