Government to lay plan on how to spend EU funds

The government will be analysing the submissions made during its dialogue meetings with the public prior to drafting a plan on how the over €800 million in EU funds would be spent, the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Dr Gonzi was speaking at the Cottonera Sports Complex during the last of a series of such meetings.

The document would not identify specific projects, but rather the sectors that would be getting funding.

The idea was to publish the document for feedback and to discuss it with the Malta Council for Social and Economic Development before taking final decisions on what projects to submit for the EU funding that would be available to Malta between 2007 and 2013. The need to safeguard the country's heritage and for the training of workers, which was lacking, were key issues raised at yesterday's meeting, and Dr Gonzi agreed with their importance, saying they were priorities.

Part of the finances would be allocated to safeguarding the national heritage, particularly Valletta, he said, pointing out that the bastions were in dire need of immediate intervention, and that €13 million were required to conserve the five kilometres of fortifications.

Dr Gonzi expressed his dream that Parliament be moved out of the President's Palace, which had lots of potential for other uses. The edifice should take on its original appearance, with its lower floors dedicated to permanent exhibitions by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti.

The armoury would be returned to its original place, turning the palace into a unique site that would be unparalleled elsewhere. Although these issues were not raised from the floor, Dr Gonzi pointed out the need to continue developing beaches and the cruise liner business.

The importance of tourism to the economy was highlighted, as was the need to invest in what could attract tourists to the island in the shoulder months, such as the development of sports tourism.