During his address at the conference “After the European Parliament’s resolution on Island regions: what’s next?”, the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri insisted on the importance of identifying the specific challenges facing islands like Gozo as well as on the need to find solutions beyond one-size-fits-all so that the islands in the European Union can really move forward.
During this conference, which was staged as part of the 21st edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities between October 9 and 12 in Brussels, ideas and solutions were discussed in order to shape Europe’s targeted strategy to the islands.
Minister Clint Camilleri mentioned among others the improvement in accessibility that has been made in Gozo including through an increase in journeys, the fourth ferry and the Fast Ferry service while he recalled the work being done to have an airlink not only between Gozo and Malta but also with other Mediterranean islands. He explained that all this not only improves connectivity for the Gozo people but also for the tourists who visit Gozo. He also mentioned the strategy that was launched for Gozo for the next 10 years by the Regional Authority for Gozo as well as the ambitious Victoria Park project in Victoria.
“These are just a few examples of how as an island in Gozo we are working to improve the quality of life for our citizens and to ease the restrictions we face. It is important that the Commission dedicates more resources and attention to the needs of the islands. Key policies and programs must be developed to ensure sustainable development and progress and we must keep looking forward, and work to address tomorrow’s challenges which above all will shape our future,” repeated Minister Camilleri.
The Minister said that the resolution of the European Parliament “EU islands and cohesion policy: current situation and future challenges”, which was discussed during this conference and which identifies the situation and future challenges of the islands, has continues to support island-centric policies based on their particular characteristics. He argued that the European Commission should dedicate more resources to the needs of the islands and develop key policies and programs to ensure sustainable development and progress. Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by saying that for this purpose the European Commission should analyze the particularities of the islands in the next report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion.
Photos: MGOZ
