Alternattiva Demokratika held a seminar on the theme Gozo, You And The EU in which a number of Gozitan NGOs participated.

Chairman Harry Vassallo spoke on the importance of the European elections in June.

The Maltese and Gozitans deserved a candidate whose loyalty was to the electorate rather than the narrow partisan interests of the party in government or the opposition, he told the seminar, at Mgarr Hotel.

AD international secretary Arnold Cassola said that AD would focus its campaign on work, democracy and the protection of the environment.

Gozo can also use its natural beauty to attract high quality tourists interested in eco tourism, diving and agrotourism. AD was therefore against unsustainable projects like golf courses or high rise buildings which ruined Gozo's unique identity, Prof. Cassola said.

Green MEP Nuela Ahern focused on the importance given to regions by the Greens.

"In the European parliament the Greens are the natural allies of progressive regionalist parties."

She said the main challenge of European regions in a globalised world was that of cultivating their unique products, landscapes and cultures. Gozo's unique identity should be seen as an asset for the region's sustainable development.