The Marsascala economy
When the Jerma hotel was in operation, it wasn’t merely generating business for itself on the back of the accomodation it provided. Its residents were of benefit to the restaurants and entertainment spots of Marsascala and its surroundings.
For instance during their winter months of residence, elderly guests at the Jerma would have their noon or evening meals in restaurants nearby. After the hotel folded, the economy of the entire area was adversely affected and I doubt whether to date, it has recovered.
Over the years, we have been warned that hotel operations, by themselves, are hardly viable. (On this point, I still fail to understand how in a tourist resort like Malta, hotels in stand alone mode still cannot be self financing.)
I would disagree totally with any proposal instead of a hotel on the Jerma site, to erect luxury apartments. We have more than enough of them and they have done enough damage to the country’s profile. If in current circumstances, it is really true that a hotel in Marsacala cannot operate on its own steam, no matter what EU regulations dictate, the government should seek to establish for it operating incentives that would make it viable.
Mosta traffic
If I have well understood what the Mosta local council is proposing, they wish to change the directional flow of traffic through that beautiful city. Those approaching it from the B’Kara side, would continue down the street that leads directly to the square surrounding the church. Thus while driving, they would be facing Mosta Dome.
Today, to enter the city one proceeds along its rim, and only drives down the same street when exiting Mosta.
It is an excellent proposal. I always found the existing arrangement bizarre, since it makes drivers give their back to the church, which happens to be the major monument of the place.
In the summer of 1998, the then Labour administration was finalising arrangements similar to those that are now being proposed. However the Mosta local council, led by the same majority as now, launched strong public protests against any change.
A strategy for Europe
The EU is facing strategic choices of the highest importance. It needs to map out proposals for future developments that go beyond those current challenges which it still has not addressed adequately: Low rates of economic growth and persisting high unemployment; an inadequate grip on the security situation given the ongoing terrorist threat; immigration; relations with Russia and the US.
Perhaps beyond such issues but tied to them as well, the EU needs to map out: How to reset its management structures in order to be able to function effectively in a globalised environment; how to overcome the increasing divergences between its component parts; how to counter the growing inclination to put aside principles that have guided its unification, so as to indeed reverse the process. Above all to reply to the question: What is the best approach – more Europe, or caution and consolidation?
A leading problem is that given the wide variety of countries which are now members of the Union, it is going to be difficult to find a position that would suit them all.