PM says government’s effort against corruption being noticed by European Commission

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning said that the government’s effort to improve corruption and money laundering in Malta was being recognised by the European Commission.

Speaking in a live phone interview on ONE Radio, Muscat referred to the recommendations for each country from the 2018 European Semester, the reports of which were issued for each member of the European Union last week.

He said that the Commission recognised Malta’s efforts in working towards tackling corruption and money laundering.

“We are doing a lot, which is conforming (with EC regulations),” said Muscat, explaining that Malta had a low number of recommendations when compared to other countries.

“While we note the recommendations of the Commission, we remain committed to keeping free health care and increasing pensions on a yearly basis, while not increasing the age of retirement,” said Muscat.

Muscat also questioned why the Nationalist Party free-vote in Parliament had been “withdrawn.”

Muscat noted that the free-vote “promised” by Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia “did not happen and the Opposition voted against.”

“I question what resulted in this free-vote to be withdrawn,” said Muscat, reiterating that the side of the government was “a united group” in its decision.

Delia later clarified that he had indeed given a free-vote, contrary to what Muscat was claiming (read story above).

Muscat also applauded the launch of the €10,000 grant for parents who adopt children from abroad, calling the initiative one of the “nicest proposals in the electoral manifesto.”