EU will help Gozo with funds for special needs

A `No` vote on European Union membership will result in more problems for Malta and Gozo, especially due to the removal of levies that will eventually be forced by the World Trade Organisation, Eneko Landaburu, director general at the Directorate for Enlargement said during a meeting held in Gozo on Wednesday.

"If Malta is supported by the EU as a full member state, it would be in a position to be assisted in finding solutions to various problems," he said.

Mr Landaburu said that the EU believes in helping those who need to be helped and Gozo will be helped in its special needs. Gozo will also receive EU funds to help it catch up with more prosperous regions.

"The EU will not solve problems. But its ambition is to contribute to the development of Gozo and it will provide it with the possibility to use funds for its special needs," Mr Landaburu stressed.

"It is the EU`s policy to be closer to its citizens and in fact the regional policy involves the participation of regions, not only through the respective authorities, but more importantly by means of its people. Regional policy allows for a better chance to listen to the people in regions. People can indeed explain their hopes and wishes. Regional policy does increase the quality of democracy since it maintains and respects the particular identity of regions," he said.

Mr Landaburu explained how the regional policy of the EU is one of its pillars with which it supports a successful Europe. This is due to the fact that the regional policy has been developed to promote overall harmonious development among the regions of member states, with the aim of reducing disparities between the levels of development of various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions or islands.

"The EU channels 30 per cent of its budget to support the economic progress in such areas. Malta will benefit from EU membership not only because it will reap the fruit of free trade but also because it will benefit from the concrete expression of solidarity," he said.

Mr Landaburu mentioned the Maltese language which on accession will become an official language of the Union. He explained how through this, the EU gives proof of the importance it says it gives to respecting diversity and helping regions maintain their identity.

The meeting was attended by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and representatives of the ministry, the Gozo Tourism Association, the Gozo Business Chamber, the Gozo Health Council, the Council for Education, the Gozo Cultural Council, the Gozo Sports boards, the Gozo Band Clubs` Association, the Gozo Co-operative of Greenhouse Farmers Ltd, the Gozo Co-operative of Poultry Producers Ltd, the Koperattiva Gozitano, the Gozo Co-operative of Cheese Producers Ltd.

During his visit to Gozo, Mr Landaburu visited Ras il-Hobz, where a sewage treatment plant is being planned. The project is in full compliance with the EU Urban Waste Water Directive and Malta`s regional obligation in terms of the Barcelona Convention.

The project aims at preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the marine environment as well as assisting the country with compliance to one of the most investment-heavy directives. It assures compliance with EU technical specifications and quality standards.

Areas in Gozo directly benefiting from such a development include ix-Xatt l-Ahmar and Mgarr ix-Xini bays. The project also includes benefits such as the closing down of the San Blas (Nadur) and Wied il-Mielah (Gharb) outfalls to leave a positive impact on the competitivity of the island in the tourism sector and the quality of its environment and to help the agricultural sector by providing suitably treated water for irrigation. The project is estimated to cost E 8.5 million.

Almost Lm350,000 in capital expenditure on health in Gozo

Between September 1998 and April of this year the Gozo Ministry spent over Lm344,000 in capital expenditure on the health sector, Minister Giovanna Debono told the annual general meeting of the Nationalist Party club in Kercem recently.

Mrs Debono outlined the measures and services introduced at Gozo General Hospital to improve the provision of health care services.

"In the past few years we have increased equipment for more tests to be carried out in Gozo. Coloscopy, intestinal, foetal and cholesterol tests are now being provided and equipment to manufacture and repair hearing aids is available.

"We have also started offering the services of an orthodontist, acupuncturist and nutritionist. We opened a Radiology Maintenance Unit and a Renal Unit so that patients would not have to cross over to Malta for medication," she said.

Mrs Debono pointed out that a Central Sterile Supplies Department, which sterilises surgical instruments, was set up and that the Outpatients Department, the Occupational Therapy Department and one of the operating theatres were recently refurbished.

Clinics for minor interventions, eye interventions, a podology clinic, a sound-proof audiology room, and an Isolation Unit within the CCU were also opened, the Minister said.

Special needs assessment study

A study, highlighting the needs of different sectors relevant to Gozo`s social, economic and cultural development is currently being carried out by the European Commission.

A draft of the study was discussed at a meeting, organised by the steering committee set up by Government to co-ordinate the study recently. The draft report highlights topics which are of relevance to Gozo and proposes measures that could be undertaken given the individuality of the island and its needs.

Ronald Gallimore, head of the EU Commission delegation in Malta, said: "The EU Commission has understood the specificity of Gozo and felt the need to understand what the island`s special needs are. Gozo will then receive the necessary support that addresses the handicaps outlined in the study".

He said that the report identifies the wishes of the Gozitan community and should help in the prioritisation of Gozo`s needs.

The study is being conducted to assist local authorities and the Gozo Ministry to better address Gozo`s specific peculiarities during accession negotiations held with the EU.

The study also proposes practical measures and initiatives conducive to the elimination or mitigation of the effects of these handicaps.

The Minister said that the draft report was drawn up after extensive consultation with all stakeholders.

She added: "The consultants have carried out an in-depth analysis of the handicaps that constrain Gozo`s economic, social and cultural development. They are also proposing a vast selection of measures and initiatives that could further help the developmental process of the island."

Professor Lino Briguglio and Mr Mark Bamber, representing the two firms of consultants which are drawing up the study, were also present at the meeting.

Representatives of the Gozo Business Chamber, the Gozo Tourism Association, the Gozo Co-operative of Greenhouse Farmers Ltd, the Gozo Co-operative of Poultry Producers Ltd, the Koperattiva Gozitano and the Gozo Co-operative of Cheese Producers Ltd attended the meeting.

The organisations present submitted some additional proposals to be included in the study.

NGO Centre at Caring Awareness Fair

The Gozo ministry will be participating for the first time in the in the Caring Awareness Fair being held at the Trade Fair Grounds, Naxxar.

The Ministry will display the works carried out at the Gozo NGO Centre which provides services for non-governmental organisations in Gozo.

The centre opens from Monday to Friday from 7.15 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. and on Saturday from 7.15 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

For more information on the NGO Centre call: 2156-5492, fax: 2156-5860 or e-mail: ngocentregozo@magnet.mt.

San Gorg published

The fourth edition of the San Gorg periodical has been published by St George`s Basilica in preparation for the centennial festivities of 2003.

Mgr Dr Joseph Farrugia, a theology lecturer at the University of Malta and Archpriest of the Basilica, provides an interesting study of the theological and historical controversies surrounding St George`s cult from the fifth century to the present day.

The centre spread carries an evaluation of the artistic representation of the periodical`s cover - a painting by Emvin Cremona currently at Zebbug parish church. The article is written by Cremona`s daughter, Anna Cremona, an artist in her own right.

Professor Ugo Dovere is the issue`s foreign guest writer. He presents a brief history of San Giorgio Maggiore, Naples - a paleo-Christian church. Two series are also continued by Fr George Frendo and Dr Paul George Pisani.

The philatelic page, entrusted to Antoine Vassallo, takes a look at St George as a theme of Italian stamps.

Subscriptions, at Lm5 for 12 copies and Lm7 including postage costs, may be obtained from St George`s Basilica, Victoria. For more information contact the Editorial Board San Gorg, Charity Street, Victoria, tel: 2155-6377, fax: 2155-6981, e-mail: sangorg@vol.net.mt , or access: www.stgeorge.org.mt.

Coming up

¤ Donors are urged to give blood at Gozo General Hospital today from 8.30 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. (take your identity card).

¤ The feast of St Paul is being celebrated in Munxar today. Concelebrated Pontifical Mass, led by Bishop Nikol Cauchi, with a panegyric by Fr Alexander Bonnici OFM Cov., will be held at 9 a.m. Solemn vespers, the antiphon and a Eucharistic celebration will be led by Mgr Joseph Curmi at 6.30 p.m.

A procession, led by Mgr Salv Debrincat, with the participation of the Victory Band, starts at 7.30 p.m. La Stella Band will be performing on the main square.

¤ A service for the Anglican congregation in Gozo, conducted by senior chaplain Fr Alan Woods, will be held at the chapel of the Sacred Heart Seminary, Enrico Mizzi Street, Victoria, on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

¤ A coffee morning, organised by the Cathedral parish, is being held at Xerri il-Bukett Restaurant, Qala, on Tuesday. Transport leaves Sabina Square, Victoria at 8.45 a.m. Tickets are available from Coney Island Bar (tel: 2155-1289) or George Debono (2155-1460).

¤ A coffee morning is being held at Gharb parish centre on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Tickets may be obtained from the centre.

¤ A coffee morning is being held at the Bishop`s Conservatory on Thursday at 9 a.m. Tickets may be obtained from the conservatory (tel: 2155-6506).

¤ The award ceremony of the Premju San Lawrenz, under the patronage of President Guido de Marco, is being held on San Lawrenz main square on Friday at 8 p.m.

¤ It-Tfal Ifahhru lill-Madonna, a musical consisting of mimes, singing and dancing, written by Mgr Salv Borg and produced by Mrs Maria Zammit Borg and Mrs Antoinette Grech, is being held at St George`s Basilica on Friday at 7 p.m.

¤ High tea, organised by the Astra Theatre`s Ladies Society, is being held at the theatre on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are available from the theatre.

¤ `Safety on the road` activities for children which will include a dog show, talks on road safety and competitions with various prizes, organised by the Police Corps in collaboration with Fontana council and with the support of Playmobil, are being held opposite Fontana parish church on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. Children are encouraged to take their tricycles, bicycles and dolls` push chairs. All participants will be given a Police mascot.