Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1471309
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 JUNE 2022 NEWS LUKE VELLA PRIME Minister Robert Abela insisted that the right balance be- tween the rights of commercial entities and those of the public has been achieved in both Comi- no and Valletta. After Moviment Graffitti activists launched direct action on Comino, removing umbrellas and deck- chairs hogging the Blue Lagoon, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo issued an order prohibiting deck- chairs on the sandy beach. "A compromise decision was taken immediately in the best in- terest of both the public and the operators. We need to achieve a balance between the rights of the people to enjoy public spac- es and that of the operators to work. We can't however put a stop to commercial activities," Abela said on Tuesday when asked by reporters during a press conference announcing an in- vestment by Ryanair. Abela said he did not believe that Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo and Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, had a conflict of in- terest in the commercialisation of Comino. It was recently re- vealed that Bartolo's father and uncles have a company that fer- ries tourists to the island, while Camilleri's canvasser is one of the umbrella operators on Comino. The Prime Minister said that without a strong economy, the government would not have been able to support business during the pandemic and to sub- sidise fuel and electricity prices, ever since the war in Ukraine broke out. Asked whether the government could guarantee stability in en- ergy prices indefinitely, Abela said, "it depends on whether the government manages to main- tain the current rate of eco- nomic growth, on the foreign investment that is attracted to Malta and whether business are sustained." Valletta outdoor music With regards to the legal notice allowing bars, restaurants and entertainment spots in Valletta to continue playing outdoor mu- sic until 1am, the Abela said that after having remained closed for two years, the establishments had to recover their losses. "The legal notice will be debat- ed in parliament and I encour- age the MPs to express their opinion. I believe that modera- tion and compromise have been reached," Abela said. He added that as per the legal notice, music had to be played at a moderate level after 11pm. "Moderate means that it should not be excessive. Valletta will not become another Paceville and it offers quality entertainment. Maltese artists have not made a living in the past two years and they only survived thanks to the wage supplement. They are now performing in Valletta and to- day they can't keep up with the amount of work that they have," Abela said. 'Balance has been achieved' on Comino deckchairs and Valletta music, Prime Minister insists Prime Minister Robert Abela (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)