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Għall-ewwel darba skema ta’ Kumpens lil Vittmi ta’ Reati Vjolenti
Minn nhar il-Gimgha 27 ta’ Lulju 2007 daħħlet fis-seħħ għall-ewwel darba skema sabiex jingħata kumpens lill-vittmi ta’ reati vjolenti. [more]

Cittadinanza Maltija ghat-Tieni Generazzjoni ta` Maltin imweldin barra minn Malta
Il-Vici Prim Ministru Tonio Borg habbar li gew ippublikati emendi importanti fil-Ligi dwar ic-Cittadinanza Maltija. [more] 15/05/2007

Diskors mill-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern waqt il-laqgha għas-Sindki – Xlokk
Irrid nieħu l-okkażjoni biex fil-messaġġ tiegħi nindirizza xi aspetti li nħoss li huma kruċjali fil-ħidma tagħkom bħala Sindki u Viċi Sindki. [more]

Address by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs the Hon Tonio Borg at the Commonwealth Local Government Ministers’ Conference, Auckland, New Zealand
First of all I would like to thank the Commonwealth Local Government Forum for organising this Conference allowing Maltese Government to report on the evolution of local government in Malta. [more]

Ghadd ta’ pulizija Ghawdxin ser imorru jahdmu Ghawdex
Dan l-ahhar 22 membri tal-Korp tal-Pulizija Ghawdxin gew trasferiti minn Malta biex jibdew jaqdu d-dmirijiet taghhom f’Ghawdex. Dan it-trasferiment zied sostanzjalment in-numru ta’ pulizija f’Ghawdex bil-ghan li tissahhah idejn il-pulizija fil-glieda kontra l-kriminalita fil-gzira ta’ Ghawdex. [more]

Il-Vici Prim Ministru Tonio Borg fl-Awstralja
Il-Vici Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Gustizzja u l-Intern Tonio Borg bhalissa jinsab l-Awstralja fejn ser ikollu ghadd ta’ laqghat ma’ organizazzjonijiet u ghaqdiet u komunitajiet ta’ emigranti Maltin li jghixu fl-Awstralja. [more]

Siltiet mid-diskors tal-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern Dr Tonio Borg waqt lagħqa mar-rekluti ġodda
Dan li kien is-27 kors ta’ taħriġ li sar fl-Akkademja tal-Pulizija minn mindu din twaqqfet fl-1988. L-għan li twaqqfet l-Akkademja kien li tagħti taħriġ lil rekluti ġodda biex dawn ikunu jistgħu jaqdu dmirhom bħala pulzija biex jiġġieldu l-kriminalita fl-interess tal-pubbliku Malti. [more]

Diskors tal-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern waqt il-Passing Out Parade ta’ kuntistabbli ġodda.
Huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon għalija li nerġa nindirizza grupp ieħor ta’ żghazagħ li għazlu li jidħlu jiffurmaw parti mill-familja tal-Korp tal-Pulizija ta’ Malta. [more]

Diskors tal-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru għall-Ġustizzja u l-Intern Dr Tonio Borg fl-okkażjoni taċ-Ċerimonja tal-Ġurament tal-Ħatra tal-Kunsillieri Lokali
Hu ta’ pjaċir għalija li nindirizza lill-Kunsillieri Lokali eletti fl-Elezzjonijiet Lokali tal-10 ta’ Marzu 2007 li saru fi 22 lokalita’ madwar Malta u Għawdex, f’din iċ-ċerimonja simbolika iżda sinifikanti tal-ġurament tal-ħatra tagħkom bħala Kunsillieri Lokali. [more]

EU JHA Council Meeting
Let me start by re-iterating that Malta recognises its international and moral responsibilities to provide asylum or protected humanitarian status to those who genuinely need it. It has been generous, just and humane in its response. [more]

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION – EFFECTS ON SMALL COUNTRIES – THE CASE OF MALTA
It is a great honour and a pleasure to be invited to talk to you this morning on “Illegal migration – its effects on small countries – the case of Malta.” [more]

Malta joins European Network for Asylum Reception Organisations
A multinational delegation from the European Network for Asylum Reception Organizations (ENARO), which Malta joined last month, were in Malta recently on a two day fact-finding mission to explore ways to extend technical co-operation in the field of the reception of asylum seekers. [more]

Siltiet mid-diskors tal-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Ġusizzja u l-Intern Dr Tonio Borg fl-okkażoni tal-preżtazzjoni ta’ żewg muturi mill-Kunsill Lokali ta’ San Pawl il-Baħar lill-Korp tal-Pulizija
Huwa ta’ pjaċir kbir għalija li nindirizza okkażjoni bħal din li tixhed b’mod ċar kif il-Gvern Ċentrali u dak Lokali jistgħu jaħdmu flimkien. [more]

Address by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Tonio Borg on the occasion of Third Anniversary of the founding of the Judicial Studies Committee Mediterranean Conference Centre
On this happy occasion in commemoration of the Third Anniversary of the Judicial Studies Committee, I would like to express my appreciation of the efforts which have been made, in order to offer training to the members of our judiciary in the past few years. [more]

Abbozz tad-Diskors ta’ l-Introduzzjoni tas-Senatur Clemente Mastella, Ministru tal-Ġustizzja tar-Repubblika Taljana, magħmul mill-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern, Tonio Borg, fl-okkazjoni tad-Diskors b’tifkira ta’ Gorg Borg Olivier, fl-Auberge d’Aragon, fis-6 ta’ Novembru 2006.
Bħala l-Ministru li llum jaħdem f’din il-Berġa, li għal tant snin serviet bħala l-uffiċċju tal-Prim Ministru Gorg Borg Olivier, hu l-pjaċir tiegħi li nospita serata dedikata għaċ-ċelebrazzjoni ta’ missier Malta Indipendenti. Il-ħidma politika tiegħu u l-wirt li ħallielna dan l-istatista u patrijott Malti – l-emanċipazzjoni nazzjonali li avviċinatna aktar lejn il-qalba tal-ħajja politika u kulturali fl-Ewropa – għadha tmiss u tnebbaħ il-ħajja tal-Maltin u l-Għawdxin kollha. [more]

Il-politika tal-Gvern qed taghti rizultati favur iz-zghazagh, il-haddiema, l-ommijiet u l-genituri
L-Agent Prim Ministru u Vici-Kap tal-Partit Nazzjonalista Tonio Borg qal li l-politika tal-Gvern qed jirnexxielha tikseb ir-rizultati mixtieqa tant li l-Gvern qed iwettaq il-pjani tieghu li jkattar l-investiment u johloq l-impjiegi. [more]

Concluding address by the deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs the Hon Tonio Borg at the Second Maltese Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Law Issue
At the end of this second Maltese Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law issues, I would like to thank you for organizing this conference on our island. We are proud to contribute towards the development of a fascinating topic which lies in the realm of an even more interesting subject. [more]

Kunsill Generali 2007
F'għeluq din l-ewwel sessjoni ta' dan il-Kunsill Ġenerali, irrid nirringrazzja lil kull min għen matul l-aħħar sena, sabiex il-partit baqa' preżenti f'kull qasam tal-ħajja f'pajjiżna. [more]

L-Impenn u l-Għajnuna tal-Gvern ċentrali lill-Kunsilli Lokali matul it-3 snin li għaddew
Il-Gvern ċentrali jemmen li l-Kunsilli Lokali għandu jkollhom mhux biss il-poter bil-liġi li joperaw bħala gvernijiet lokali, iżda wkoll ir-riżorsi u l-għajnuna kollha biex ikunu jistgħu iwettqu l-funzjonijiet tagħhom b'effiċjenza u effettivita' kif mistenni bil-liġi. Minn naħa l-oħra l-Kunsilli Lokali huma mistennija li jużaw il-poteri u r-riżorsi mogħtija lilhom b'mod li jassigura wkoll trasparenza, kontabilita' u tmexxija tajba (good governance). [more]

HOW MALTA IS DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUE
It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to address the EU Journalists’ Seminar on Migration Issues. May I also especially welcome our friends from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. This is a vitally important and topical subject. And the way in which the media reports it has very wide-ranging effects. [more]

SIXTIETH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Mr Secretary General, migration poses one of the key challenges of the twenty-first century with global economic and social repercussions which affect the countries from which migrants emigrate, the countries to which they migrate and, of course, the migrants themselves. Malta is therefore committed to participating whole-heartedly in this High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. [more]

ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS TONIO BORG AT THE CIMO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE, NICE
Our meeting today and tomorrow enables us to focus on some of the most pressing issues facing the world today: the fight against terrorism, the fight against organised crime and the fight against illegal immigration. [more]

Diskors tal-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern fil-Kunsill tal-Ministri tal-Ġustizzja u Intern ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropeja, Lussemburgu 12 t’Ottubru 2005
Għal diversi kunsilli f’dawn l-aħħar xhur, qajjimt il-kwistjoni ta’ l-immigrazzjoni illegali u t-traġedja umana ta’ telfien ta’ ħajja fil-Mediterran, l-aktar fiż-żona ċentrali; forsi tajt l-impressjoni li din hi xi ossessjoni tiegħi. Il-fatti li ġraw mill-aħħar darba li ltqajna, u it-traġedji f’Ceuta u Melilla , sfortunatament, wrew biċ-ċar li l-problemi li jiena, u xi ftit oħrajn madwar dil-mejda ilna inħamqbu fuqhom, mhux talli ma naqsux iżda talli aggravaw. [more]

SPEECH TO THE JOINT AFRICA-EU MEETING ON MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Mr Chairman, may I begin by thanking the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahirija for bringing together this vitally important meeting between African and European Union member states. The hospitality of Libya has, as always, been warm, friendly and most welcoming. [more]

Collaboration in Science and Technology: Malta’s Vision
Good morning and welcome Director-General, representatives from the various JRC Institutes and other guests…. I must start by expressing our appreciation for your visit here and hope that it proves to be a pleasant and rewarding experience for all of you. [more]

It-Tisbiħ tal-Lokalitajiet għat-tkabbir tat-Turiżmu
Huwa ta’ pajċir kbir għalija li gejt mistieden biex nindirizza din il-laqgħa tagħkom il-Kunsilliera li qed titratta tema daqshekk fondamentali għall-iżvilupp ekonomiku ta’ pajjiżna. [more]

Diskors tal-Vici Prim Ministru Tonio Borg waqt it-tnehdija ta’ Charter dwar id-drittijiet tat-tarbija mit-tnissil sat-twelid
Nixtieq qabel xejn nifrah lill-grupp ta’ ghaqdiet illi gew flimkien biex fasslu din il-Karta tad-Drittijiet tat-Tarbija mit-Tnissil sat-Twelid, u tad-drittijiet u harsien ta’ l-izvilupp taghha wara li titwieled. [more]

Emendi Kostituzjonali sabiex il-kariga tal-Ombudsman tigi mdaħħla fil-Kostituzzjonali ta’ Malta. [more]

SPEECH TO THE PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE ON IMMIGRATION, INTEGRATION AND CROSS CULTURAL DIALOGUE: THE ROLE OF THE OSCE
It is a great honour and a pleasure to be invited to talk to you this morning on “Illegal migration – its effects on small countries – the case of Malta.” [more]

Patriotism and Values
What makes this country tick? Why is it that this tiny state has survived the ravages and vicissitudes of history to stand today as one of only two sovereign islands in the Mediterranean? There is no doubt that a fiery pride, much common amongst islanders, was a moving force to achieve what others have not – an independent nation, and today a membership of the European Union. [more]

Meeting with Libyan Minister of Interior
The relationship between our two Ministries should be based on the 1995 Co-operation Agreement on the Fight against Organised Crime. We have had contacts in the past but these are not on a regular basis. The Agreement envisages Meetings on political and technical level. [more]

PROPOSTA NAZZJONALI FAVUR IL-ĦAJJA
Il-kampanja li għaddejja bħalissa minn diversi għaqdiet favur il-ħajja u kontra l-abort ġiet deskritta minn xi wħud, għall-grazzja t’Alla, minoranza assoluta, bħala kruċjata ta’ fondamentaliżmu. Wieħed minnhom saħansitra qal u kiteb li dan hu taħlit ta’ reliġjon ma’ politika. [more]

Ftuh tar-Raba’ Sular Qorti
Il-Gvern ilu jahdem bla heda biex itejjeb il-process tal-Gustizzja f’Malta. Giet ippublikata White Paper u wara diskussjonijiet twal ma’ dawk kollha koncernati gew emendati l-Kodici Kriminali u dawk Civili. Dan bil-ghan biex il-process tal-Gustizzja isir ahjar u ehfef u biex jigi zgurat li x-xoghol tal-Qrati jithaffef u b’hekk il-pubbliku jinqeda ahjar. [more]

Speech by The Hon Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, at the Seminar of the EPP Employee’s Group ‘ Flexibility and Security on a Global Job Market (Flexicurity)
I would like to thank the organisers of this seminar for their kind invitation. Although employment is not part of my portfolio – that belongs to my colleague, Louis Galea, who will be addressing you tomorrow – as Deputy Prime Minister I am, of course, involved in discussions and decision-making that concern Malta’s economic strategy, and my participation in this seminar will help inform my perspective in several valuable ways. [more]

HOW MALTA IS DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES
It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to address the EU Journalists’ Seminar on Migration Issues. May I also especially welcome our friends from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. This is a vitally important and topical subject. And the way in which the media reports it has very wide-ranging effects. [more]

L-Ors Russu tilef Snienu fi Gdansk
Hekk habbar Lech Walesa f`diskors li ghamel fi Gdansk fl-okkazjoni tal-25 anniversarju mt-twaqqif ta` Solidarnosc u l–avvenimenti ta` Awissu 1980 meta Walesa mexxa moviment popolari li ra it-twaqqif ta` trade union hielsa l-ewwel tax-xorta taghha fl-Unjoni Sovjetika. Kien process li bih, bhal kastell tal-karti, il-pajjizi l-ohra li kienu fil-blokk ta`l-Unjoni Sovjetika segwew. Kollha kemm huma gharfu waqt ic-celebrazzjonijiet is-sinifikat tal-avvenimenti pollaki fil-grajjiet ta`pajjizhom [more]

Gvern dinamiku li kapaċi jiffaċċja l-isfidi b’kuraġġ
Dan hu Gvern dinamiku li ffaċċja l-isfidi li sab quddiemu b’kuraġġ u qatt ma ddispjaċih li investa fin-nies, fit-teknoloġija ta’ l-informazzjoni, fl-edukazzjoni, fl-ambjent, fit-toroq ta’ l-ibliet u ta’ l-irħula tagħna u fi proġetti li ħolqu l-impjiegi u fi proġetti oħrajn li sebbħu lill-pajjiżna. [more]

Il-Vici Prim Ministru Tonio Borg fl-Awstralja
L-ahbar illi it-tieni generazzjoni mweldin fl-Awstralja jistghu isiru cittadini Maltin intlaqghet b`entuzjazmu kbir mill-Maltin ta` l-Awstralja li esprimew sodisfazzjon ghal dan il-pass mal-Vici Prim Ministru Tonio Borg li bhalissa qed jaghmel zjara fl-Awstralja. Il-Vici Prim Ministru intlaqa` b`entuzjazmu mill-Maltin gewwa l-Awstralja kemm f`Melbourne kif ukoll f`Canberra. Il-Hamis huwa mistenni li jasal f`Sydney. [more]

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - The Middle of the Road Approach
Having been bred as a Jesuit child, I feel uncomfortable replying to Fr. P. Pace SJ’s contribution (The Times 02/12/06) on immigrants and detention. I for one have never appealed for moderation on the part of non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) committed to immigrants` welfare. On the contrary I recognize their dedication to the cause. But such dedication and commitment should never be pursued at the expense of giving a balanced and correct picture of the current situation. [more]

PROBLEMA U SFIDA
Il-problema ta’ l-immigrazzjoni illegali hija problema iżda hija sfida wkoll. Ma hemmx dubju li hija problema li se tibqa’ magħna fiż-żmien li ġej. Sakemm ikun hemm żoni fqar u oħrajn ifuru bil-ġid, se jkollna moviment naturali mill-Afrika lejn l-Ewropa. [more]

IS-SAGA TA’ BUTTIGLIONE
Il-kruċjata immexxija mill-Partiti Soċjalisti u tal-Ħodor fil-Parlament Ewropew kontra Rocco Buttiglione għandha tixprunana għal diversi riflessjonijiet. Anki r-reazzjoni f’Malta, fil-media, u fid-dikjarazzjonijiet li saru minn politiċi Maltin u barranin, ta’ min jixtarrahom. [more]

Is-Salib …….kullimkien
Fil-ktieb tiegħu “The Ball and the Cross” G.K. Chesterton, il-kittieb magħruf Ingliż, li minn Protestant ikkonverta għall-Kattoliċiżmu, jirrakonta l-istorja ta' wieħed li, fir-rabja tiegħu kontra r-reliġjon nisranija, iddikjara gwerra kontra is-Salib. Ebda kurċifiss fid-dar tiegħu, u fuq ġizirana madwar għonq martu;imbagħad beda jattakka is-slaleb tal-ġebel u ta' l-injam li issib fil-kampanja; fl-aħħar, fl-eqqel tal-ferneżija tiegħu tela' fuq il-kampnar tal-knisja parokkjali u tajjar is-salib minn fuq il-quċċata; fl-aħħar, fl-lejla sajfija waqt li kien miexi fil-kampanja, iffissa' fid-disinn tax-xatba u beda jara salib f'kull xatba u ilqugħ li beda jilmaħ. Beda jkisser dawk ukoll . L-għada sabuħ mgħarraq fix-xmara. [more]

Is-sens tad-dnub
F'ħafna pajjizi b'tradizzjoni kattolika tħoss fost in-nies, anki dawk li m'għadhomx jipprattikaw il-fid tagħhom, ċertu sens ta' dnub, cioe' kuxjenza dwar dak li suppost tagħmel u li għandek tevita, bejn dak li hu korrett u mhux, bejn dak li hu sewwa u dak li hu ħażin. Il-letteratura, it-tradizzjonijiet, il-kultura in ġenerali jduru dwar dan l-għarfien li mhux kollox hu leċitu, anki l-affarijiet li jagħmilhom kulħadd. L-affresk grandjuż ta' Michelangelo tal-Ġudizzju Universali hu msejjes fuq it-twemmin li it-tajbin u l-ħżiena ma jistgħux jiġu trattati l-istess, u li b'hekk il-pożizzjoni tagħna f'ħajja oħra ddur fuq l-aġir tagħna f'din il-ħajja. [more]

It-Traffiku fil-Morali
Qatt ħsibtu fuq is-sinjali tat-traffiku? Jimlew it-toroq tagħna. Jidderiġuna. Jgħarrfuna minn qabel bil-perikli. Fejn hemm liwjiet perikolużi, jgħidulna innaqsu il-velocita; fejn hemm kantuniera li xxekkel il-vista, titwaħħal mera. Fit-toroq prinċipali twaħħlu l-“speed cameras” ħalli ngħarfu nżommu kontroll fuq il-pedala; it-toroq dojoq tista' tgħaddi minnhom f'direzzjoni waħda; u sabiex l-ipparkjar isir bl-ordni hemm iz-zebgħa ma' l-art biex kulħadd iqiegħed il-vettura tiegħu fil-kaxxa miżbugħa; il-linji doppji sofor mal-kantuniera ma jħalluniex inqiegħdu il-vettura fil-kantuniera ħalli ma noħolqux perikli għal ħaddieħor; u biex dan kollu jiġi osservat ħloqna il-gwardjani lokali! [more]

Speech by Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg at the Joint Research Centre – Malta Round Table – Friday 27th October 2006
Collaboration in Science and Technology: Malta’s Vision
Good morning and welcome Director-General, representatives from the various JRC Institutes and other guests…. [more]

Diskors ta’ l-Agent Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Gustizzja u l-Intern Tonio Borg waqt Konferenza organizzata mill-Moviment Nisa tal-Partit Nazzjonalista fl-okkazjoni ta’ Jum il-Mara.
Hemm min jistaqsi ghaliex jigi celebrat ‘Jum il-Mara’? Ghaliex ghandu jkun hemm jum specjali? Is-sena 1975 kienet is-Sena Internazzjonali tal-Mara u sentejn wara l-Assembea Generali tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti iddecidiet li taddotta rizoluzzjoni biex jigi iccelebrat Jum il-Mara nhar it-8 ta’ Marzu. Kien hemm zewg ragunijiet principali : l-ewwel biex jigi rikonoxxut il-fatt li biex jigu zgurati l-progress socjali, il-paci u d-drittijiet fundamentali umani ried ikun hemm il-partecipazzjoni attiva tan-nisa u t-tieni biex tigi rikonoxxuta l-kontribuzzjoni tan-nisa fit-tishih tal-paci u sigurta internazzjonali. [more]

Kif tilgħab għall-gallarija
Il-Partit politiku ta’ l-Alternattiva jipprova jippoża li ma hux partit politiku, li ma jinteressawhx il-voti, li hu differenti, li hu ħieles mill-irbit li jġib miegħu l-fatt li partit politiku jrid jopera f’ambjent ta’ dixxiplina tal-partit. Xejn ma hu ibgħed mill-verita’. [more]

Delegazzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew zaret lic-Centru Miftuh Buon Pastur ta’ Hal-Balzan
Delegazzjoni, minn membri tal-Grupp tal-Partiti Popolari Ewropej tal-Parlament Ewropew li bhalissa qed tattendi Konferenza f’Malta zaret lic-Centru Miftuh ghar-Refugjati ta’ Hal-Balzan. [more]

Press Release
B’referenza għal rapport li deher fil-media fis-sens li li-Kap ta’ l-Opposizzjoni talab lill-Kumitat tar-Reġjuni ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropeja sabiex tgħin lill-Partit Laburista fil-kampanja tiegħu għall-bdil fil-komposizzjoni ta’ l-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Kunsilli Lokali, il-Ministeru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern jirrileva li fl-24 t’April 2006, jiġifieri tliet ijiem qabel ma l-Kap ta’ l-Opposizzjoni għamel din l-istqarrija, il-Gvern bagħat lill-Opposizzjoni abbozz ta’ emenda li tiggarantixxi li min għandu maġġoranza ta’ Kunsillieri (assoluta jew relattiva) ikollu maġġoranza ta’ membri fl-Esekuttiv ta’ l-Assoċjazzjoni. [more]

Opening Speech by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs at the Final Conference on the Pilot initiative to foster assisted voluntary return in Malta organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) an Activity Funded by the European Refugee Fund held at the Phoenicia Hotel, Monday 18th December 2006
It is a great honour for me to open this conference on the occasion of World Migration Day. It is a particular pleasure to be able to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Brunson Mc Kinley, the Director General of the International Organisation for Migration, and his Chief of Mission in Italy, Mr Peter Schatzer. [more]

Diskors tal-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru għall-Ġustizzja u l-Intern Dr Tonio Borg fl-okkażjoni taċ-Ċerimonja tal-Ġurament tal-Ħatra tal-Kunsillieri Lokali
Hu ta’ pjaċir għalija li nindirizza lill-Kunsillieri Lokali eletti fl-Elezzjonijiet Lokali tal-10 ta’ Marzu 2007 li saru fi 22 lokalita’ madwar Malta u Għawdex, f’din iċ-ċerimonja simbolika iżda sinifikanti tal-ġurament tal-ħatra tagħkom bħala Kunsillieri Lokali. [more]

It-Tielet Parlament ta’ EkoSkola
Il-Gvern sa mill-bidu emmen fil-potenzjal tal-Programm Eko Skola meta dahal biex jghin lill-ghaqda ambjentali Nature Trust biex tibda dan il-progett f’sitt skejjel fl-2002. EkoSkola tifforma parti mill-programm Eco-Schools li beda fl-1994 mill-Fondazzjoni Ghall-Edukazjoni Ambjentali u li llum jinkludi 13,000 skola minn 33 pajjiz differenti. [more]

Diskors mill-Viċi Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern waqt il-laqgha għas-Sindki – Xlokk
Irrid nieħu l-okkażjoni biex fil-messaġġ tiegħi nindirizza xi aspetti li nħoss li huma kruċjali fil-ħidma tagħkom bħala Sindki u Viċi Sindki. [more]

Emendi Kostituzjonali sabiex il-kariga tal-Ombudsman tigi mdaħħla fil-Kostituzzjonali ta’ Malta.
Il-Aġent Priministru u Ministru tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern Tonio Borg ippubblika l-emenda kostituzzjonali, li intbagħtet lill-Opposizzjoni f’Jannar 2006, li biha il-kariga ta’ Ombudsman tiġi introdotta fil-Kostituzzjoni. [more]

Togħma tal-Ġenna
Meta segwejt il-programm dwar is-Sorijiet tal-Klawsura ta’ l-Ursolini tal-Belt, ġeddidt fija memorji sbieħ, u ftakart fi programm simili li kien intwera xi snin ilu dwar is-Sorijiet tal-Klawsura tal-Klarissi “ta’ Regional Road.” [more]

Biex int tghix ahjar - Minn hawn `il fejn?
Il-mixja tal-Gvern matul ix-xhur tas-sajf hija wirja ovvja ta` kemm dan huwa Gvern dinamiku. Huwa ovvju li meta isir Prim Minsitru flok xi hadd ta’ l-istatura ta` Eddie Fenech Adami ikun hemm certu zmien illi il-vojt irid jimtela, fil-partit u fil-Gvern. Ahna bhala Partit Nazzjonalista irnexxilna noholqu sistema li biha l-poter fil-Partit u fil-Gvern ghadda minghajr wisq skossi, ferm differenti mill-1984 meta il-poter ghadda b`diktat fi hdan il-Partit Labursuta aktar milli b`mod trasparenti u demokratiku. [more]

Address by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs the Hon Tonio Borg at the Commonwealth Local Government Ministers’ Conference, Auckland, New Zealand
I would like to greet you all on this occasion. I am indeed happy to be here to share some views with you at the opening of this Conference on Delivering Development through Local Leadership. [more]

Belligerent or Impotent?
It is so easy to be carried away emotionally when one debates the immigration issue. This mammoth problem has no easy solutions and yet most people expect swift and simple solutions when there are none. Of course there are actions which may be taken to alleviate this problem, but most of the solutions proposed are the fruit of fantasy rather than calculated thinking. [more]

Breakfast meeting with Resident Ambassadors hosted by the Libyan Ambassador on 25th May 2007
I am most grateful to our good friend the Ambassador of Libya for bringing together such a glittering array of resident Ambassadors.
It is obvious that any intervention on my part before such an audience should include the subject of illegal migration. But I do not intend to deal only with this difficult subject [more]

A self-Induced Trap
Dr Gavin Gulia’s contribution (Sunday Times 17.09.06) relating to irregular migration rests on a number of false premises; the most blatant one being the mistaken assumption that Libya and Italy struck a deal on sea patrols in Libyan waters! It was a false alarm, reported also, to be fair, in a section of the local press; - but even a cursory look at the Italian Viminale Interior Ministry’s press release would have revealed that the contacts between the Libyan and Italian authorities were unrelated to sea-patrols. [more]

All roads lead to Damascus
John F. Kennedy’s memorable inauguration speech in January 1961 started off with the phrase “We celebrate today not a victory of a party but a celebration of freedom.” The unanimous ratification of the European constitutional treaty, barely 24 months after a divisive referendum and electoral campaign on EU membership, enhances our image as a nation. [more]

Who is out of tune now?
The Maltese liberal élite has turned out in full force to oppose the Pro-Life Lobby’s initiative to incorporate our anti-abortion laws in the Maltese Constitution. The arguments against incorporating the prohibition of abortion in our supreme legal document contain an absence of logic which disturbs me considering that they have been promoted by some who claim, to be members of our intelligentia. The following are some of these arguments [more]

A Resounding Success
The resounding success of the Prime Minister’s mission in getting what is due to Malta in the new European Union Budget has enabled government to plan ahead for full utilization of EU funds in accomplishing much needed projects in those areas where development is sorely needed. The 805 million-euro gross receipts over the 2007-2013 period will be a manifest and concrete result of Malta’s membership in the Union. [more]

Meta morna ċ-Ċina
Ix-xahar li għadda, kelli l-unur u l-pjaċir li mmexxi delegazzjoni tal-Partit Nazzjonalista lejn iċ-Ċina. Xi wħud mill-avversarji politiċi tagħna tathom ġewwa jaraw ir-rispett illi il-Partit Nazzjonalista jgawdi mal-mexxejja Ċiniżi. Huma jirrispettawna bħala partit fil-Gvern, iżda wkoll minħabba r-relazzjonijiet bejn iż-żewġ Partiti li bdew formalment fl-1993, iżda li ħadem għalihom Eddie Fenech Adami sa minn qabel, meta mexxa l-ewwel delegazzjoni tal-PN fiċ-Ċina fl-1978, flimkien ma’ Ċensu Tabone, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, Ġorg Bonello Dupuis u Joe Fenech. [more]

Diskors Kunsill Generali Ottubru 2006
Huwa xieraq illi darba fis-sena nipproponu risoluzjonijiet dwar il-politika tal-Partit. Dan juri li aħna partit li għandu ħarstu „il quddiem. Ħaddieħor qed igħidilna illi r-riforma tal-pensjonijiet ma hix xi haga urġenti, meta d-dinja kollha mill-Italja saċ-Ċina qed jħejju riformi fil-pensjonijiet. Il-pensjoijiet irridu ntejbuhom għaż-żgħażagħ u għall-ħaddiema ta‟ llum. Ahna mill-llum jinteressana l-ġejjieni taż-żgħażagħ u l-ħaddiema Maltin. Waqt li aħna nwettqu liġijiet u riformi nwettqu, haddieħor joħlom dwar kummissjonijiet, studji, u konferenzi. [more]

Ministru ghaliex inhasset il-htiega illi jsiru dawn ir-Regolamenti dwar is-sistema ta`infurzar lokali?
Is-sistema tal-`’wardens`` amministrata mill-Kunsilli Lokali ilha maghna ghal dawn l-ahhar snin. Huwa veru illi minn mindu dahlet hemm iktar twettiq tal-ligijet fit-toroq taghna; izda il-Gvern Centrali ircieva wisq ilmenti minn cittadini genwini dwar zbalji, abbuzi, iffittar iz-zejjed, u applikazzjoni ghamja tar-regolamenti. Ghalhekk keien wasal iz-zmien illi il-Gvern Centrali jiehu parti iktar prominenti u attiva f’din is-sistema halli din tikseb kredibilita`. [more]

Reazzjoni għal Ċensiment
X'għandha tkun ir-reazzjoni tagħna, il-poplu t'Alla, għaċ-ċensiment dwar kemm imorru Maltin quddies nhar ta' Ħadd? Naħseb li rridu nħarsu lejn iċ-ċifri b'mod raġjonevoli, plakat, u oġġettiv. Hemm żewġ estremi li rridu naħarbu: li noħolqu paniku, qisha waslet l-aħħar tad-dinja, jew inkella li nagħtu l-impressjoni li kollox sew, u m'hemmx fiex tinkwieta. [more]

Messaġġ bi Storja
Meta darba saqsew lil Lech Walesa, il-mexxejj qalbieni tal-moviment Solidarnosc, li mbagħad ġie elett President tal-Polonja, għaliex huwa kattoliku: wieġeb b’mod sempliċi: “għax għandi biża mill-Infern, hemmhekk hemm żgur Stalin u Lenin, u ara x’jagħmluli jekk ipoġġuni ħdejhom!” [more]

L-immigrazzjoni irregolari bhala ballun
B`xorti hazina innotajt dan l-ahhar fil-kitba tal-kelliem ewlieni dwar l-Intern ta` l-Opposizzjoni, attitudini xi ftit propagandistika dwar il-kwestjoni ta` l-immigranti irregolari; jiena nifhem illi il-wasliet ta` mijiet ta` immigranti fuq xtutna joholqu ferment fost il-popolazzjoni; izda din ma hiex skuza sabiex wiehed ighabbi il-kwestjoni ta` l-immigrazzjoni fuq il-karru politiku. [more]

Tackling Immigration : Heart or Mind?
My experience of being responsible for immigration matters in the past years has confirmed, if ever there was any need, how emotional the problem relating to the influx of immigrants is. The fear of invasion by immigrants in a relatively homogenous, tightly knit community can never be underestimated. There is also the widespread and obsessive tendency to pin down the cause of this phenomenon to someone or something ; ordinary well-intentioned people ask me, in pubs and in the streets; “ Something has to be done about it ” … though few suggest what that something is. [more]

Fundamental Values not Fundamentalism
The arguments being brought forward by those who are against entrenching the right to life of unborn children in the Constitution are disturbing. Most distressing is the branding of those (over 80% by most scientific surveys) who are in favour, as fundamentalist and Taliban-oriented. Some have even suggested, in true anti-clerical fashion, that the proposers of this pro-life initiative should, from now on, bear the title of ``Monsignor`` or ``Reverend.`` [more]

Labour`s cold feet in Combating Crime
Dr. Herrera‟s emotional, quasi-hysterical charge in Parliament that Government‟s intention to restrict the granting of bail to repeated offenders of serious crime smacked of fascism comes as a surprise; for in its statements and declarations Labour is doing its utmost to come across as a party of "law and order". Its proclaimed zero tolerance on crime has failed on its very first test. [more]

A Most Welcome Change of Heart - The Times
I was thrilled when I learnt that the Labour Opposition, after years of exploiting the drug problem for partisan ends and fostering total intransigence towards any kind of reform of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance enabling a neater distinction between drug victims and drug traffickers, is finally prepared to discuss the necessary amendments for such changes to be introduced. [more]

It-Triq ta' Damasku u l-Ligi dwar id-Droga
Hadt gost li l-Opposizzjoni Laburista, wara snin sħaħ ta’ sfruttar tal-problema tad-droga għal skopijiet politiċi partiġġjani u intransiganza kontra kull riforma fil-ligi tad-droga biex il-vittmi ma jitqisux qishom traffikanti, sa fl-aħħar qiegħda tipproponi li l-Liġi dwar id-droga tinbidel sabiex min għandu l-problema tad-droga ma jinqabadx fid-definizzjoni wiesa’ ta’ “traffikant”. [more]

A Graceful Exit
The political career of Eddie Fenech Adami has been marked by a string of successes and records. He is the longest serving Prime Minister since Independence . Since the birth of the Nationalist Party in 1880, no Nationalist leader has served at the helm of the party for so long. [more]

Only the Beginning
Dr Jose` Herrera`s crusade against the introduction of mediation in separation suits and other proposed reforms in the field of justice is indeed astounding and difficult to comprehend. He views the recently introduced reforms as an attack on the bastions of judicial and legal conservatism, a change in our judicial system which has worked well ``since the time of the Order``. Never has conservatism for its own sake found such a fervent adherent. [more]

False Prophecies and False Hopes
Following two devastating defeats for the Labour Party, none expected the defeated Labour leader to stand again for re-election; in spite of rumblings within the Party that a change is necessary, the Leader of the Opposition stemmed the tide rising against him by changing the two accolades, dispensing with some loyal colleagues such as George Vella, and giving the impression that new Labour is on the road again to a refreshing start. Nothing is further away from the truth. [more]

Refugees : then and now
Ms Danielle Vella’s crusade against the current detention policy of illegal immigrants as evidenced by her contribution to The Times, 17 October, merits some comments and clarifications. [more]

Biex iz-zmien tad-deheb ikompli
Aghtu titwila lejn l-istorja tal-Partit Nazzjonalista; dan hu z-zmien tad-deheb tieghu. Tmur kemm tmur lura fiz-zmien qatt ma kien daqshekk popolari u b`sahhtu il-Partit fost l-eletturi daqs illum; din hi xi haga ta` min jiftahar biha; izda fl-istess hin ta` min iharisha, ghaliex jekk ma nkunux ghaqlin, kif qal Joe Saliba is-Segretarju Generali fl-ahhar Kunsill Generali, jista` jkollna iz-zerriegha ta` falliment fis-success innifsu. [more]

Kanuni vojta kontra il-Qorti tal-Familja
Ghaliex din l-ghagha kollha dwar il-Qorti tal-Familja. Meta jiena u siehbi Carm. Mifsud Bonnici hadna f’idejna il-qasam tal-Gustizzja, sibna hafna xoghol lest fuq din il-Qorti, grazzi ghall-hidma ta’ Austin Gatt . Konna ilna nisimghu li ghandha ssir il-Qorti tal-Familja, anzi ta’ l-Oppozizzjoni kienu jikkritikawna u jinbxuna li konna qed ingibuha bit-tul wisq. Issa ghax ghamilniha, qed ighidu li ghaggilna! [more]

"Jekk hemm bzonn, hajti kollha!"
Vernon Walters, bniedem militari Amerikan, fil-karriera twila tiegħu intbagħat minn diversi Presidenti ta’ l-Istati Uniti ta’ l-Amerika, ta’ partiti differenti, għal missjonijiet diffiċli fejn ma setgħux jidhru huma’; bħal xi missjoni sigrieta biex jiġu meħlusa ostaġġi Amerikani; jew inkella sabiex ikun jaf l-opinjonijiet ta’ mexxejja alleati; jew inkella sabiex iwassal xi messaġġ lil xi pajjiż li r-relazzjonijiet tiegħu ma’ l-Amerika ma kenux tajbin. [more]

Li Tkun Wahdek
Kont qed naqra il-ktieb eccellenti tad-Duminikan Thomas Radcliffe ``I Call you friends``. F`dan il-ktieb, li hu minjiera ta` gherf u esperjenzi, l-awtur isemmi l-incident ta` meta f`Londra fil-bidu tat-tixrid tal-marda ta` l-Aids fi sptar kien miet wiehed milqut b`din il-marda. Dak iz-zmien kien hawn inqas gharfien mil-lum dwar din il-marda u kif tinxtered. Il-pazjent miet litteralemt wahdu, la tal-familja u lanqas l-infermiera ma kienu mieghu fil-mument tal-mewt. Anki l-ikel kienu ihalluhulu barra il-bieb, u hu, dghajjef u moribond, kien iqum, jigbru u jieklu wahdu. Minn dak il-mument l-Ordni Duminkan beda programm biex jiehu hsieb lil dawk morda bl-Aids li huma ulied Alla daqs kull proxxmu iehor. [more]

"Il-FQAR IKUNU DEJJEM MAGHKOM"
Din il-frażi meħuda mill-Vanġelu, ripetuta f’erba’ vanġeli – kif tant osserva tajjeb Patri Gutierrez meta kien Malta – tant tista’ tiġi abużata fit-tifsira tagħha. L-agħar tifsira tagħha, għal min ma jgħarbilhiex fil-kuntest sħiħ tagħha fil-Bibbja, hija speċi ta’ sensazzjoni ta’ qtigħ il-qalb quddiem il-problema tal-faqar, speċi ta’ ġaladarba dejjem se jkunu magħna, hi realta’ li għandna naċċettaw u qajla nipprovaw nagħmlu xi ħaġa biex neqirdu il-faqar li se jibqa’ ma saqajna għal dejjem. Skuza konvenjenti sabiex l-inugwaljanzi fit-tqassim tal-ġid, bil-ftit ikollhom ħafna u il-ħafna ikollhom ftit, tibqa’ kif inhi u kulħadd jibqa’ b’li ħa u b’li għandu. [more]

Kontra r-Referendum - Kontra d-Demokrazija
Ir-referendum li l-Gvern se jzomm fix-xhur li gejjin m'humiex biss il-frott ta' weghda elettorali; izda huwa sinjal ta' fiducja fid-decizjoni u ghaqal tal-poplu malti. Referendum huwa l-ahjar mod kif wiehed jista' jiehu l-opinjoni ta' l-elettorat fuq kwestjoni wahda, miftuma u maqtugha minn kwestjonijiet ohra; f'elezzjoni generali tivvota ghal liema Gvern trid: f'referendum tivvota dwar jekk taqbilx ma decizjoni partikolari. [more]

Iva l-Ewropa - l-Ahhar Cans
F'gazzetta lokali it-Tabib George Vella qal li mhux minnu li dan hu l-ahhar cans li Malta tinghaqad fl-Unjoni Ewropeja; dan qalu biex speci jgiddeb lill-Prim Ministru tal-Lussemburgu Junker, li qal li mhux ser ikun hemm cans iehor. [more]

Initiatives