During an address to the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) in Brussels, the Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri, stated that insularity should not become an obstacle to the full participation of citizens and businesses in the European Single Market.

He emphasised that island states and regions face structural costs related to transport, logistics, and a reliance on maritime and air connectivity. For Malta – and particularly for Gozo- these challenges are compounded by the reality of “double insularity.”

During the same meeting, he noted that the primary objective is to ensure that island territories, such as Malta and Gozo, enjoy the same opportunities as other European nations, notwithstanding the additional costs they face.

“Malta and Gozo do not enjoy the same direct access that continental European countries have via highways and railways. We rely on ports and air connectivity to reach the European mainland. Consequently, we must ensure that our country remains as competitive as other European nations, and that our businesses have the necessary conditions to compete on a level playing field. This also applies to our consumers, who should have the same opportunities and access as other European consumers.

”We cannot assume that applying the same rules to territories with different geographical realities automatically leads to equal opportunities. This is not a matter of preferential treatment, but rather of ensuring fair conditions for the citizens and businesses of the islands,” stated Minister Camilleri.

The Minister called for the principle of ”island-proofing” to be systematically integrated into European policies. He urged the European Union to prioritise affordable and reliable connectivity, resilient maritime infrastructure, and appropriate flexibility regarding funding and state aid.

He also emphasised the need for greater flexibility regarding State Aid, ensuring that businesses on the islands possess the necessary tools and incentives to compete on a level playing field with other businesses within the European Single Market.

The Minister reiterated that, while Malta supports European decarbonisation goals, measures such as the ETS and FuelEU Maritime must take into account the islands’ fundamental reliance on maritime connectivity.

“We will continue working to ensure that the voice of islands like Malta and Gozo remains at the forefront of the agenda – not only for our own country but also for the European Union. This is particularly significant for Gozo, which faces the reality of double insularity,” he added.

Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by calling for the European Strategy for Islands to clearly acknowledge the challenges posed by double insularity, so that the specific realities of islands like Gozo are better reflected in the design and implementation of European policies.

Photo: DOI

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