Malta has insisted on a policy that addresses the particular needs of the Islands and Regions in the European Union.

During his address at the conference, “After the European Parliament’s resolution on Island regions: what’s next?” 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 Camilleri also mentioned among others the improvement in accessibility that has been made in Gozo, including through an increase in ferry journeys, the fourth ferry and the Fast Ferry service, as well as the work being carried out for an airlink “not only between Gozo and Malta but also with other Mediterranean islands.”

Minister Camilleri explained that all this not only improves connectivity for the Gozitan 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 Gozo Development Authority as well as the ambitious Victoria Park project in Victoria.

“These are just a few examples of how as an island 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 programmes must be developed to ensure sustainable development and progress and we must continue to look ahead, and work to address tomorrow’s challenges which above all will shape our future,” said 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 continued to support policies centred on the islands 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 analyse the particularities of the islands in the next report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion.

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