Minister Clint Camilleri in several meetings and discussions in Brussels with emphasis on funding to strengthen connectivity and infrastructure so that the challenges for island regions such as Gozo are turned into opportunities.
The Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri participated in a number of meetings linked to the Week dedicated to the regions in the European Union. Among them, he addressed the conference “Cohesion objectives beyond cohesion policy” in relation to European funding for regions on the periphery of Europe, which was held at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels on 15 October 2025.
Minister Camilleri said that this is the ideal moment for this meeting, as the European Union has just presented the Multi Annual Financial Framework (MFF) and many countries are putting forward their proposals and suggestions on how this package should be improved, key among them with more flexible elements to give regions like Gozo an advantage.
He stressed how the islands in the European Union face challenges beyond those already faced by regions located on the European continent, the main ones being those of insularity, travel, adequate infrastructure, among other common challenges in these regions. “It is therefore necessary that the MFF be a flexible instrument and not a rigid one, so that these challenges are transformed into various opportunities, where they are instrumental in spurring the necessary change,” Minister Camilleri said.
The Minister said that through this package it is necessary to give importance to strengthening connectivity, both by sea and by air, so that island regions continue to progress and not fall behind when compared to other regions located in the European heartland. “This is our proposal in this regard. We must ensure and continue to put forward our demands all together so that with one voice we can list these challenges and have them addressed,” stated Clint Camilleri.
Camilleri reiterated that the new MFF should pay more attention to the competitiveness of island regions, as their sustainable growth strengthens European competitiveness. He also called for greater recognition of ports and maritime transport as vital means for connectivity and social inclusion.
The Minister called for the islands to benefit fairly from European funds such as the Connecting Europe Facility and the Competitiveness Fund , with priorities for upgrading ports and airports, strengthening digital connectivity and sustainable mobility and better ferry services.
He also welcomed the increase in the Erasmus programme and said that simplification of administrative procedures is essential so that smaller administrations can work efficiently. Minister Camilleri stressed the need for the EU to “island-proof” its policies, so that size or location do not exclude islands from European initiatives.
Winding up, Minister Camilleri said that Malta and Gozo will remain fully committed to the European dialogue, while calling for greater awareness of the specific challenges of the islands.
Photo: MGP
