On the occasion of World Children's Day, celebrated by most countries in the world on the 20th of November, we acknowledge and give precedence to the important steps taken years ago on this day, through the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1959, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989. It is a day whereby the welfare and happiness of the child is given marked attention, through the promotion of the fundamental rights which are due to every child in the world. The date marks a significant milestone in the recognition of the rights of the Child, and was given due significance by Malta ... Read more...

Since Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar is the main NGO that has spoken openly against the extravagant St. John's Foundation expansion project, we refer to Mons. Philip Calleja's statement to the media of Saturday the 15th of November. This is not the first time that the St. John's Foundation has claimed NGOs are basing themselves on "inaccurate claims". We wish to point out that all the information on which Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has based its arguments has been obtained from MEPA files and the information supplied by the Foundation itself during its project presentation. It is strange that the Foundation has never specified or substantiated these vague ... Read more...

Tomorrow, Thursday, MEPA's DCC Board is to decide the Full Permit planning application to build a block of flats in Windsor Terrace, Sliema. This part of Windsor Terrace has a strict two-floor Local Plan Height Limitation; a fact which has blocked several other applicants from building higher. It had came as a great shock when MEPA's Planning "Development Control Committee" granted the developers of this site an Outline Permit to build five floors. This would create illegal high party walls on either side, as the flats are to be built right in the middle of a row of seven identical, fine old two-storey Sliema townhouses. This ... Read more...

FAA objects to the above-mentioned Application on the grounds that the site in question had been found to be of ecological importance as well as the fact that it would contravene Malta's adherence to EU Conventions against development of the sea-shore and right of public access to such seashore both of which are also enshrined in Malta's code of laws. The structure being proposed was not included in the original project which was permitted on the basis of the formula of the FAR Regulations which would be violated with the encroachment of extra land. There is no justification for this development and questionable feasibility as out of Malta's over 70,000 empty properties, 4,500 are located in ... Read more...

After going through the budget, Nature Trust (Malta) welcomes the Budget 2009 incentives with regards to environment issues. The 2009 budget has finally focused on some of the most pressing environmental concerns such as climate change, renewable energy, waste products, air pollution, end-of-life and green practices. On the other hand issues like a budget vote for Nature protection, environmental law enforcement, addressing the construction and demolition waste and national energy grid feedback incentives have been left out again. The budget has been positive as regards its incentives, especially those for the small and medium-size enterprises in connection with encouraging the use of renewable energy, with a vote of 33 Million Euros to aid in the changeover to such environment-friendly energy. The households ... Read more...

The Malta Hotel and Restaurant Association has stated that it is pleased with some of the budget measures announced yesterday in relation to the tourism industry. At the same time the MHRA expressed caution about the current international situation, the effect of the electricity tariffs and fuel, and the introduction of a € 0.50 tax on the number of bed nights. From a tourism perspective, the MHRA would like to state that the government has once again given a very clear signal that it is looking at this industry as a vital tool to drive Malta's economy in the coming year. The allocation of further funds to the MTA to help market the island particularly in the prevailing difficult market conditions, ... Read more...

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and the Malta Federation of Industry participated in the pre-budget consultation process and are pleased to note that some recommendations made by them were taken on board and are reflected in the 2009 Budget Speech. The Chamber and FOI have viewed the budget speech within their prudent evaluation of the medium-term economic projections. The fear of international economic slowdown seems to be a reality and the possibility that this could have negative effects on local production cannot be ruled out. In this context, the Budget efforts towards stimulating externally induced cost-cutting in business to meet short-term difficulties fall short of any tangible measures. That ... Read more...

Dear Sir, We witnessed the attempted rescue of the missing diver this morning and although there were emergency services available no one was there who seemed to be able to go into the water to save him. The only people kitted up appeared to be the friends of the missing diver. Why is there not a specialist dive team available in Gozo for emergencies like this? In fairness we were not party to what was happening on the rescue boat but judging from the fact that another diver in the party has appeared to be injured a professional team would have been most useful. I understood that other divers on the island often help out in situations such as this, good as ... Read more...

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) considers that this year's budget is a crucial one as regards both heritage and environment. With national monuments like Forts St. Elmo and Angelo in an advanced state of deterioration, FAA maintains that funding for the restoration of our national heritage and scrupulous governance of available EU funding is a priority. FAA also calls on Government to finally activate the Heritage Trust, intended to provide restoration grants to owners of listed buildings or buildings situated in a Conservation Area. Given that this Trust was also envisaged for the acquisition of buildings or land FAA calls for the immediate purchase, at non-development rates, of the project sites at Ramla l-Hamra and ... Read more...

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar is delighted at another sensible decision taken by the MEPA DCC C board in the case of a controversial application to build a block of flats in Manwel Dimech Sliema and destroy one of Sliema's few surviving old trees, an enormous, protected Awrikarja tree growing on site. The Commission refused this permit in spite of the MEPA Directorate's recommendation to grant, as it considered that the proposed development is too deep and still intrudes on the back gardens. This refusal does not prevent the developer from re-applying with fresh plans that provide for more garden space, thus allowing the surrounding residents their right to a decent level of light and air. Although the Ministry of Resources ... Read more...