Zammit Dimech takes his campaign to Gozo

Nationalist deputy leader candidate Francis Zammit Dimech yesterday said that he and Nationalist Party leader Lawrence Gonzi complemented each other as "one team".

Speaking to Gozitan PN councillors yesterday, Dr Zammit Dimech said that even now, they both were promoting more development in Cottonera, particularly in dock number one.

The Tourism Minister said that, together with Dr Gonzi, he wanted to build on the victories that the PN had made in last year's referendum and general election. He stressed the importance of winning in the European Parliament elections and the next general election in four years' time.

"We can do all this by working together as one team," he said.

He said he decided to contest for the post of deputy leader because he felt duty-bound to serve the Maltese people and the Nationalist government better.

Dr Zammit Dimech said all projects done in Gozo since independence were carried out by the Nationalist government. He mentioned the Mgarr port and the Gozo General Hospital, as well as the Gozo industrial estate and the financial help given for the building of hotels, among other measures.

The deputy leadership contestant said that since 1987 Nationalist governments had included a minister for Gozo, which meant that Gozo had a place in Cabinet.

Dr Zammit Dimech said EU membership would give Gozo a new dimension as the island is considered as a region that benefits from special funds.

He said Gozo depended on both domestic and international tourism, and added that internal tourism increases according to the rise in the standard of living of the Maltese.

He said it was expected that tourism would recuperate in the second quarter of this year, and once this happened, Gozo would have its share from the increase in tourists.