Freedom won, excellence built

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)

In 1979, thousands of jobs depended directly or indirectly on the British naval base. The question was: How does a small island nation survive without its primary economic engine? Many were uncertain about the future, but one man was not: Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, who believed in the resilience of the Maltese people. Forty-seven years later, Malta has the fastest-growing economy in the eurozone and the highest employment rate.

Dom Mintoff and the Labour government at the time chose transformation over hesitation. The Labour government invested in the people and diversified Malta's economy. Over the decades, that choice has paid off beyond expectation. Freedom Day 1979 was about economic freedom as much as it was about political freedom.

From manufacturing to financial services to iGaming, from aviation to pharmaceuticals, from digital innovation to tourism, and AI, Malta has built a dynamic, diversified economy that continues to create opportunities for all.

Our country now boasts the highest employment rate in its history, and job opportunities are abundant.

What is more the decision to embark on a path of neutrality and non-alignment, free from the presence lf any foreign military facilities was a very wise one as these very same days we are living in attest.

Truly, the significance of Freedom Day has grown in proportion following what happened in the US/Israeli war against Iran. Many military facilities as far from Iran as Cyprus were directly attacked and had Malta still housing a military facility to this present day we all know what would have been the consequences. 

Rather Malta embarked on a path of neutrality, actively pursuing peace and earning the reputation of being a safe and trusted partner in a spirit of multilateralism, diplomacy and dialogue.

But back to the economy.

Behind the achievements we have witnessed together lies strong leadership and competent governance. Under Prime Minister Joseph Muscat from 2013 up till 2020, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Abela since then, Malta has continued to strengthen its economic foundations while ensuring that growth translates into real benefits for families and businesses. This is not growth for its own sake; it is growth with purpose.

Today, thanks to Malta's strong economy, the Labour government has both the ability and the capacity to invest back into the country in meaningful, transformative ways.

Recently, the most symbolic examples of this are the return of Manoel Island, Fort Tigne', Fort Campbell, and the White Rocks back to the people. The government would have never afforded this decision, were it not for Malta's strong economy and sound public finances. These unprecedentedly strong decisions are the result of Malta's economic strength. It is what freedom looks like in action: a nation economically strong enough and forward-looking enough to prioritise its people's quality of life.

Whilst other major EU economies are putting the financial burden of the current geopolitical crisis on families and businesses, the situation is not the same in Malta.  Thanks to strong public finances and persistent economic growth, the Labour Government has been able to protect families and businesses from the direct impact of global energy price shocks through subsidies. It has been doing so since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, and consistently does so today.  Subsidies have kept energy prices stable and maintained Malta's economic competitiveness. Most importantly, they protected livelihoods.

The 1979 political and economic freedom is not just about opportunity; it is about stability, opportunity, social justice, and the assurance that no one is left behind.

At the same time, Malta's economic success has opened doors to entirely new sectors, the arts and cultural sector being a case in point. There was a time when a full-time career in these sectors was unheard of. We changed that, and today, hundreds of people have made a living from these sectors. Artists, creatives, and cultural entrepreneurs are finding space to innovate and contribute to a vibrant national identity.

This is the evolution of Malta's modern economy, which stood on its two feet 47 years ago and stands stronger today. 

At the heart of it all stands the Maltese workforce, resilient, skilled, and determined to succeed even further.

Over the years, the people have turned Labour's 1979 economic vision into reality. Workers adapted and learned new skills, and Maltese entrepreneurs took risks.  This collective effort is what has transformed our nation from a military-based economy into one of Europe's foremost successful economic stories.

Freedom Day, therefore, is not just about commemorating what happened 47 years ago, but about recognising how far we have come, how successful we have been, and how far we can still go together as one people.

Malta's economic success is not static but accelerating, and the Labour government today, and increasingly so tomorrow, is determined that no one is left behind.

Through the implementation of Malta Vision 2050, with strong and competent leadership that only Labour can guarantee, Malta is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of economic performance in Europe. The political direction is clear, and our ambition for Malta is unwavering.

Forty-seven years ago, Malta chose freedom. Today, it chooses excellence. In 1979, political freedom gave Malta the chance to shape its destiny.

Forty-seven years later, economic strength has given it the power to fulfil it. The future of this beautiful, successful nation belongs to people who are resilient, confident, and unstoppable. The best is yet to come.

Mużika Mużika

The sixth edition of the Mużika Mużika festival was a huge success, captivating audiences over three spectacular nights. Jasmine won first place with her song "Nistaqsi," written by Philip Vella and composed by Glen Vella.

This year also marked the first time the festival was broadcasted on all TV stations which accepted to broadcast it.  Audience engagement reached unprecedented levels, with tens of thousands of households tuning in across Malta. The final night alone attracted around 230,000 viewers, a dramatic increase of over 100,000 compared to the previous year.

The sixth edition of Mużika Mużika will most certainly be remembered as a milestone event, one that not only celebrated local talent but also united audiences across Malta in an extraordinary musical experience.

My deepest respect and gratitude to Festivals Malta and all the participants.