‘Gozo will play an important role during EU Presidency’ - Minister Helena Dalli

Gozo will play an important role in the coming six months of Malta’s EU Presidency, Social Dialogue Minister Helena Dalli has said.

In a Gozo Regional Committee meeting, she said that different ministers will hold a number of conferences and technical meetings in Gozo during Malta’s EU Presidency. As an example, she said that her ministry will hold two conferences in Gozo focusing on the medicine sector.

Other conferences organised by the Gozo ministry will focus directly on the needs of island’s needs, she said, and will involve the Committee of Regions in the EU, while another conference will be called ‘Enterprise for Islands’.

She described how many themes that will be discussed during the Presidency affect Maltese citizens in their daily lives, as well as how decisions taken would also affect them.

She spoke of the need for the EU to be closer to the citizens at a time where some don’t see the EU as being relevant for them. “This will be one of Malta’s goals within the coming six months”.

President of the Gozo Regional Committee Joe Muscat said that the Presidency will serve as an opportunity to promote Gozo to the hundreds of delegates and journalists that will visit the island.

MCESD Chairman John Bencini spoke of the significance of this committee meeting, where members coming from different sectors have the opportunity to have their voices heard regarding Gozo’s contribution during the Presidency.