To mark the 8th anniversary of Malta’s membership of the European Union, the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) is organising a national conference [1] to highlight Gozo’s experience as an island-region in the EU over the past eight years.
The Government said in a statement that “Gozo has benefitted in various ways following Malta’s accession to the EU in 2004. Article 174 of the Treaty of Lisbon recognises that island regions suffer severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps that require particular attention. Because of its dependence on Malta, which is itself an island, Gozo faces problems of double insularity. The 2003 Treaty of Accession includes a Declaration on the “Island Region” of Gozo aimed at addressing Gozo’s specific needs.
“During the 2007-2013 EU financial period, Gozo received approximately 10% of the Structural Funds allocated to Malta. These have been utilised to improve the island’s infrastructure and enhance the potential of its human resources. Gozo’s tourism sector has also been enhanced as a result of various rehabilitation, restoration and upgrading projects, namely the fortifications of the Citadel in the capital Victoria, the Agantija Temples, Wied il-Mielah, Villa Rundle Gardens, Ta’ Pinu National Shrine and the development of the first Eco-Museum in Victoria.
“Other funds have been invested in the road infrastructure to facilitate accessibility from one village to another and from one island to the other. These include arterial roads such as Xlendi Road, Ta’ Pinu Road and the main road network from the M aarr Sea Terminal to Victoria. EU funds are also being used to improve environmental monitoring and rehabilitation of landfills, along with the installation of environmentally-friendly equipment using natural resources to generate energy for domestic and commercial use.
“The Gozo General Hospital is also benefitting from EU funds. Various units as well as equipment are being upgraded. Other sectors such as industry and educational institutions are involved in projects of a larger scale that will entail the upgrading and embellishment of facilities and locations in Malta and Gozo alike. Gozitans are also benefitting from numerous training courses and services aimed at enhancing their skills for greater employability and adaptability of labour market opportunities. Various grant schemes aimed at SMEs have led to a good take-up from Gozitan enterprises and other entities.
“During the previous financial period covering 2004-2006 a total of €13.5 million worth of projects financed or co-financed by the EU were implemented in Gozo. These projects vary from arterial road upgrades and improvements in industrial estates to waste management projects and reinforcing niche tourism, various aid schemes aimed specifically at the agricultural and fishing sectors, courses for sustainable careers and better opportunites in the labour market.
“Since its reactivation in 2008 , MEUSAC has been providing technical assitance to local councils, NGOs and SMEs in Gozo to tap EUfunds from an array of funding programmes. Examples of successful project applications are the Lwien project implemented by Dar AuSeppa Debono and various projects by local councils and NGOs under EU programmes such as Youth in Action, the EAFRD and the Europe for Citizens programmes.
The statement concluded that, “Keynote speakers during the conference will include Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Minister Chris Said who is responsible for EU Information. Marlene Bonnici, Permanent Secretary (EU Funds) in the Office of the Prime Minister will give a presentation on EY funded projects in Gozo. A panel consisting of representatives of local councils, Constituted Bodies and Civil Society in Gozo will lead a public discussion on Gozo as an Island Region in the EU. The discussion will be moderated by PBS journalist Reno Bugeja.”
The National Conference entitled ‘Ghawdex: Gzira-regiun fl-Unjoni Ewropea’ is being held on Tuesday June 12, 2012, from 8.45am to 1 pm, at the Grand Hotel, L-Imgaar Gozo.
The following is a list of major projects that the Government said have benefitted from EU funding opportunies in Gozo, covering the 2007-2013 period:
The following is a list of major projects that the Government said have benefitted from EU funding opportunities in the 2004-2006 period: