Gozo in the European Union

Public dialogue by Meusac on 10th anniversary of EU membership

The European Commission report on the economic and social reality of Gozo was at the centre of the first of a series of six public dialogues Meusac is organising to mark the 10th anniversary of the entry of Malta to the European Union and to evaluate the progress of Malta in the context of the Europe 2020 targets. In the public dialogue, with the theme Gozo in the European Union, the Minister for Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo, the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds and the Presidency of the EU Council in 2017, Dr Ian Borg and the head of Meusac, Dr Vanni Xuereb, discussed a number of topics affecting Gozo in the context of the EU including benefits, opportunities, challenges and priorities for Gozo.

At the beginning of the activity Dr Xuereb, explained how Meusac is helping civil society, local councils and the private sector in Gozo, to benefit from EU membership by, in particular, delivering updated information on what is going on in the EU, performing consultations and offering assistance on EU funds. He announced that in the coming weeks the Meusac office in Gozo will be reopened in order to strengthen the presence of Meusac.

Dr Refalo discussed the economic, social and political impact after 10 years of EU membership. He talked about how, due to the double insularity of Gozo, Malta vis-a-vis the regional status of the island, the geographical status and accessibility are all problems that the island faces. The labour problem, as well as foreign direct investment in Gozo, are other points mentioned by the minister. Dr Refalo pointed out that according to a survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, the growth rate of Gozo is smaller than that of Malta and the difference between the two islands has even grown over recent years.

On a positive note, reiterated Dr Refalo, Gozo benefited fully. Dr Borg has worked over this past year to help design a strategy for the coming period. This was done in consultation with various stakeholders to ensure that the period of current funding (2014-2020) meets the aspirations of the people and makes best use of European funds. It was suggested that the strategy would help with Gozo’s economic development and assist in the continuing upgrading of the country's competitiveness.

Against this background, Minister Refalo pointed out that while Malta continues to invest in human capital (that is investment in education, in health and in various cultural aspects), it is also necessary to invest in infrastructure, that is, the transport sector, business centres, broadband and other cable. Dr Refalo reiterated the importance of achieving sustainable development.

The Minister for Gozo closed his remarks by saying that we look forward to Gozo enjoying and participating fully in Malta’s Presidency of the EU Council in 2017 and to reach the targets set in the strategy document: Europe in 2020.

Dr Borg said as regards the 20142020 financial programme, this administration will ensure that 10% of the 2014-2020 Structural Funds will be invested in Gozo on each priority identified for seven years. After many negotiations, in recent months, government has also ensured that the allocation for the Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 will increase by 50% when compared with the previous financial programme and the Gozitan fishermen will benefit too, it was pointed out. It was also noted that in recent months government funding allocated from the Fisheries Fund 20072013 has been used to renew the infrastructure inside the port of Marsalforn.

Opposition spokesman Dr Antoine Borg who was present at the dialogue spoke about the benefits of the first 10 years and of the need for funds allocated to Gozo to be distributed in specific sectors. He also said that the Opposition was always ready to collaborate with government for a better society.

Representatives of unions and members of the public who attended this activity had the opportunity to submit their views. Other topics discussed included the regionality of the island of Gozo, the package of EU funds for Gozo for the period 2014-2020, the direct involvement of the unions in Gozo, the importance of Gozo statistics in reflecting the reality of the situation (especially relating to Gozo’s tourism sector) and the need to create quality work on the island. These public dialogues are funded by the EU under the Management Partnership between the European Commission and Meusac.