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The Prime Minister yesterday downplayed the ballooning budget deficit which stands at 9.7 per cent according to the National Statistics Office, saying that in reality this stood at around 6 per cent.
9.7 per cent by far exceeds the three per cent ceiling imposed in Maastricht’s Stability and Growth pact.
The Prime Minister yesterday said the European Commission was including millions of debt added to the government’s financial figures following the restructuring of Malta Drydocks last year when it says that Malta’s deficit stands at 9.7 per cent.
“We have just finalised a technical project that will reduce our deficit below the 6 per cent mark, with specific targets for 2004, 2005 and 2006,” Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
Speaking about the economy in general, Gonzi said: “I will speak when the time is ripe but my optimism is based on the facts that I know. I guarantee we will be creating jobs for the Gozitans and the Maltese.”
Meanwhile the three political parties presented their manifestoes for the 12 June European Parliament elections yesterday.
Gonzi said the PN will affiliate itself with “the largest European family” that believed in the value of solidarity, education and training, and the environment.
He also attacked the Malta Labour Party, claiming that in its translation of the manifesto of the Party of European Socialists, it removed parts referring to the European Union’s enlargement.
“I would like them to explain to me why they removed parts of the PES manifesto in their Maltese version,” he said. “I’m still not convinced the MLP is in favour of EU membership.”
Labour leader Alfred Sant hit back at Gonzi during a press conference later. “He’s mistaken ... we translated the whole manifesto. It’s impressive how misinformed the Prime Minister is on such matters. He must be even more off the mark when it comes to the country’s finances.”
Sant said the MLP’s elected candidates will work to improve the quality of life, taking full advantage of EU membership while lessening the negative impacts. The MLP and its European counterparts will work to safeguard jobs, Malta’s neutrality and to promote dialogue with non-EU countries.
Alternattiva Demoratika also launched its electoral manifestod.
AD’s candidate, Arnold Cassola, said: “Our firm commitment towards a more European notion of democracy distinguishes us from the tribalism of the other two parties. While representatives of the party in government will cover up for the government as happened in the case of the Mnajdra, we are committed to use our seat in Brussels to make the Maltese government more accountable towards its own citizens.”
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