During her first address as president of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono urged the Maltese to go beyond mere tolerance when it comes to the acceptance of foreigners on the island.
‘Malta started developing economically and socially, and, at the present time, we are in a situation where we are no longer preoccupied with the dearth of employment, and we have become a haven for persons who, as our forerunners did during the last century, are leaving their native land in search of a better life.’
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‘This has resulted in a situation where we have an influx of foreigners from countries who do not enjoy the prosperity which we have acquired with the wise direction of our various political leaders.’
‘As a first step in the integration of these foreigners, less fortunate than we are, we must embrace and understand them. We have to go beyond mere tolerance, with its inherent passivity, also, we have to rise above an unwilling acceptance because we need their presence and input.’
‘We have also to welcome with open arms those individuals who, with great sacrifice, flee the social/political cruelty in their native country, including situations of armed conflict, and, with the help and cooperation of our European partners, we have to seek ways of assisting them to establish for themselves the foundations for a better life.’
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